In August we were contacted by Feed the Children and asked to coordinate a food distribution for families affected by the oil crisis. BlueStone Ministries became an official partner of Feed the Children in the process and on Friday, September 3, 2010 in partnership with the St. Bernard Pastors Coalition, we distributed enough meals to feed 400 families for one week. Praise the Lord for the body working together!

While distributing the food that day, The Lord reminded us why He chose to establish the Healing Center in St. Bernard, because it is here that God wants to demonstrate the power of His inner healing. 5 years after Katrina the wounds of our nation’s worst catastrophe and the lack of initial response linger. Although there has been great progress in rebuilding physical structures, there is much work to be done in building, and rebuilding, spiritual and emotional structures in people’s lives.

A recent study showed a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD prevalence rate of 63% among Katrina survivors. How does this compare with average rates of PTSD? The study noted that the general United States population has a PTSD prevalence rate of 3.6%, meaning that the rate of PTSD in New Orleans is twenty times higher than the national average. This study was conducted before the oil crisis in the Gulf.

What does simply knowing the prevalence of Katrina PTSD in New Orleans indicate? It indicates that this is a city that is deeply wounded. A rate of PTSD at the 63% level indicates that this city is not getting the help it needs. This has caused us to refocus our priorities as we move forward with the Louisiana Healing Center.

Lt. Craig, a St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Deputy, was assigned to police the food distribution. No one could hold back the tears as Lt. Craig gave testimony of giving his life to Jesus while in the flood waters of Katrina rescuing residents, but he couldn’t save everyone and personally knew several that perished. He told us he thinks residents forget he too went through Katrina and lost possessions and friends, and how they expect him to be strong in challenging times, but Lt. Craig said he is just like everyone else trying to make sense of it all. It is people like Lt. Craig that will benefit from the inner healing ministries provided by the Healing Center.

Cindi and I know firsthand the power of inner healing ministries, and we know that the Lord has planted us here in St. Bernard to build the Louisiana Healing Center to provide this community with the tools needed to help people release the pain of their past and embrace the promising plans of God for their future.

You can help us today by simply clicking on the donate button and giving a gift that will help us further our mission.