Dear Josh,
I have been learning a lot about Morgan City today and aboutthe delta swamp land or what your neighbors and friends call “TheParadise of Louisiana” in which you have been called to serve. Ihave watched the news reports on the internet and read several articles. Morgan City is certainly in the national news right now.
We received an email from your mission office indicatingthat you would be fine, and that flooding is imminent in the Morgan Cityarea. I got on the internet this morning and was surprised to see howextensive the damage could be if they open the Morganza floodway to take thepressure of the Mississippi, and put water down the Atchafalaya River toprotect the industrial and populated areas of Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
Looks like the predictions are that the if the Mississippiis released through the Morganza floodway into the Atchafalaya River therecould be 15-20 feet of flooding from Butte LaRose to the north of Morgan Citypast Morgan City and into the gulf. It also appears that as thefloods water fill the area that it will take a long while, a month or two forthe waters to recede. That the flood waters will fill Lake Palourde andthe Sweetbay lake and back up possibly causing more flooding on the back sideof Morgan City and into Amelia.
By the time that you read this on Monday it may be a littlelate for these suggestions, but I wanted to offer some ideas. I am notsure what information you are getting from your mission president. I onlyknow that he cares about you and will keep you out of harm’s way. Ibelieve that you will be asked to offer assistance to the people in theMorgan City area to offer compassionate service. I would suggest that youpurchase a large quantity, no, a very large quantity of bottled water. The flood waters will fill the sewer systems mixing with the culinary water andmaking all the water bad. You will probably be without electricity for along time. I would get a good flashlight and an extra set ofbatteries. I would also purchase some granola or food that can be easilyeaten without any preparation that has a high protein and well as carbohydratevalue and that will fill you up. You will be without electricity whichmeans that you will not have access to a microwave, refrigerator or stove andoven. You will need someone with a car to assist you with this purchase. I will put $200 in your bank account so you will have some extra money toaddress some of the special needs that you will be asked to help with.
You have great courage, are very strong and are a very braveperson. Please listen to the spirit and only do the things that thespirit directs you to do. Once the floods hit, you will most likely be onyour own for several days and maybe more than a week, if asked to stay in thedelta. When I say alone, I mean that it will be some time before City andState officials will be able to offer assistance. Most people do not havefood storage or even a week’s supply of food. I know that Heavenly Fatherhas placed you in a position to help and assist as you will work hard to helpthese folks. It is awesome and inspiring that you have asked to serve inthis area at this time of need. I know that you love these people,Heavenly Father loves them more. Please be careful. If the watergets high there will be strong undercurrents that can take youdownstream. The water will be cold and contaminated. There are alsothe dangers of alligators moving into the populated areas.
I hope that there is not a loss of life with thiscatastrophe, as there seems to be a sense that there is some time for people toprepare as the floodway is opened. But there will be much destruction andloss of property. I know that Heavenly Father loves us. It is hardto understand why these kinds of disasters occur in our lives. Perhaps itwill challenge the testimony of members and Christians alike as to why God letsthese things happen. I can imagine that there will l be an outcry ofanger at the government and why they preserved Baton Rouge and New Orleans andoffered up the swamp lands of this paradise to the mouth of the waters of theMighty Mississippi. As a public official I can understand the economicimpact of losing the economic engines of those two cities and making thechoice to offer up the delta as a sacrificial lamb. I do hope that thestate and federal government will reach out to help. However, you cannotexpect the government to step up to help all. As I look at the picturesof the catastrophic damage along the Mississippi from Memphis and Vicksburg andsouth, there is just so much damage and so much of it will be uninsuredas most people do not purchase flood insurance.
You can reach out with love, compassion and courage to helpin this time of disaster. I love you so much and you will be in myprayers along with your companion and those people that you are workingwith. I love you so much.
Dad
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