One Down, Thousands To Go

As hard as this is to believe, the city of Dallas opened Reunion Arena to those displaced masses from the New Orleans flooding. Already, over 1,000 people are there. That's 521.1 miles from home.

What's even harder to believe is that in our community refugees are booking hotel rooms. So much so that an agency is having area churches "adopt" them by hotel. Not to pay their bill per se, but rather to help them with transportation, basic material needs, recreation, etc.

Our church took a hotel that is 60% booked with those from New Orleans and surrounding areas. Some pastors from our church went down to visit with them and sort of interview them as to what they really need from us. Mostly it came down to jobs and education for their kids.

Lady (not a member or even attender) calls our church. Offers her spacious home for a couple of weeks...she can keep 6 people. Schools are close by. Oh yeah. Her husband has a business that needs temporary, seasonal employees. She wanted to know if the receptionist was aware of anyone that needed help?

One family fit the bill. Check out and move in was supposed to take place yesterday afternoon...I'm assuming it all went as planned since I left before I heard.

Welcome to our fair city, folks. And we hope you enjoy your stay.

Say what you want about the lousy aestetics of this state, but Texans are some of the friendliest people you'll ever run across.

NEXT!