I Love You New Orleans

“Everywhere we went, people not only knew of Somebody Cares, but were impacted by it.” Stephen Tavani, WOW JAMS I LOVE YOU NEW ORLEANS! “Could Somebody Cares use some school supplies?” The call came to Doug Stringer from a friend at World Blessing Foundation in California. Little did they know Doug had just been talking to a county official in New Orleans and had discussions with Pat. Benson at City Cathedral, Pat. Randy Millett and Jerry Davis of Christian World Embassy about the school situation there. Out of 130 schools, only 17 have re-opened, but there are 17,000-20,000 students. We could use ANY supplies you can find, they had said. The supplies will be distributed this weekend during a collaborative effort between Somebody Cares, Operation Blessing, Christian World Embassy, and other ministries and churches during a Valentine’s weekend outreach on Saturday, Feb 11, called I LOVE YOU, NEW ORLEANS! Two truckloads of school supplies are en route. Other school supplies from Houston should be going later this week. Bishop Bart Pierce, pastor of Rock City Church in Baltimore and co-founder with Doug Stringer of the Global Compassion Network, is coordinating with a church in Baltimore to ship a truckload of much needed winter coats, furniture, and other supplies for us to the Good New Camps at City Park in New Orleans. Good News Camp is a collaborative of ministries working together, coordinated through a ministry partner, Jerry Davis of Christian World Embassy and “When the Saints come Marching in” campaign. The coats and supplies will be distributed through churches and ministries partnering with Somebody Cares, including City Cathedral/Somebody Cares East New Orleans, Adullam Fellowship, City Light Fellowship, and others. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE “WE LOVE NEW ORLEANS” PHOTO ALBUM SOUTHEAST TEXAS UPDATE Long-term rebuilding continues in New Orleans as well as in Southeast Texas. According to Russ Riedmueller, president of Somebody Cares Southeast Texas, the city of Beaumont estimates 44,000 roofs are still in need of repair in that community alone. Please continue to pray for the ongoing work in this area. THANK YOU FROM WOW JAMS From Stephen and Linda Tavani of Winning Our World ministries: “I wanted to thank you for all the help you provided in bringing WOW Jams to five cities and eight evacuee shelters. Because of the many people and organizations connected to Somebody Cares and the favor upon your life and ministry, we were able to minister to over 3,000 evacuees from Hurricane Katrina. We brought a team of 20 people, two trucks full of hygiene kits, toys, prizes and Bibles, along with the big WOW stage truck. We set up right in front of the shelters on the parking lots each evening and gave them a great concert with joy, fun, laughter, games, and the Gospel. Praise God, 1630 people accepted Jesus along with Red Cross workers, FEMA workers, and a few policemen. Somebody Cares churches came out and provided counselors for the altar calls and follow up. Everywhere we went, people not only knew of Somebody Cares but were impacted by it. I pray God’s richest blessings upon you and Somebody Cares.” AND MORE THANKS… “I would like to thank you for your support of my family during such a difficult time in our lives. I was blessed to receive the gas voucher and phone vouchers. When you packed three days of clothes and then you realized you were not going home in three days, many things were needed. Thank you again for being God’s servants to people in need, not just from Katrina, but every day…” Demetra, Katrina evacuee now living in Houston EVACUEES IN HOUSTON SPREADING THE GOSPEL “I never thought I’d be living in Houston, but now I am so thankful for all God has done and for my beautiful home.” Lisa is originally from Honduras and now lives in a large apartment complex that is housing hundreds of New Orleans transplants. She heard about Somebody Cares through a family we assisted during Christmas. She called the office because her three-year-old daughter is coming back from Honduras—where Lisa sent her during the crisis and transition—and she needed furniture and clothing. The Salvation Army supplied bedding and Somebody Cares delivered clothing and gift cards. “Every day, I meet with my brothers and sisters in the Lord and we pray from 4am to 6am,” Lisa said. “Many people here are receiving Jesus!” Lisa asked us to agree with her in prayer for the new believers, that they would grow strong in the Lord and not be tempted to walk in the ways of the world. We praise God for turning tragedy into triumph for eternity! SOMEBODY CARES HELPS FAMILIES AFTER FIRE Tragedy struck

two families in Alvin TX last week and Somebody Cares was able to very quickly meet some immediate needs. Cliff and Coy Stout’s home had just been destroyed by fire, destroying all their possessions along with those of another family that were living with them at the time. One of their neighbors who has been ministering to them contacted KSBJ radio, who was able to refer them to us at Somebody Cares. We were able to gather some clothes along with $350 dollars in gift cards to help meet their immediate personal needs. “What a blessing it was for us to present these items to them and to pray for them and extend the love of Jesus in a tangible way,” says Emily Zavala from Somebody Cares. “It was obvious how grateful they were, as you could see it all over their faces.” Some Katrina evacuees were also in our office that day, and we were able to assist them as well. As Coy Stout was leaving our office she commented, “What we went through is nothing compared to what these people from Louisiana went through.” Even in her time of need, her heart went out to someone else. “What a blessing for us at Somebody Cares that this is all in a days work, touching and impacting lives for Jesus,” Emily said. Your gift supports the ongoing work of Somebody Cares locally and globally. Please make checks payable to Somebody Cares and send them to PO Box 570007, Houston TX 77257. For credit card donations, please call our office, 713-621-1498, or visit our website, www.somebodycares.org. Somebody Cares reserves the right to apply funds toward the greatest need. Your donation is tax deductible.