Hurricane Katrina changed our lives in a radical way. From the bottom of my heart I personally want to thank you for all the demonstrations of love and moral, spiritual, and material support we've received for our churches in Kenner and Gretna , Louisiana.

I've been told about the generous hearts of our brethren in Dallas , who are extending themselves to the refugees with food and lodging.

Our spiritual family in Houston in the same way has helped us with housing, food, and even a Sunday church meeting which made the members of our New Orleans churches feel again that we're a family.

The brethren in Austin , demonstrating a family-like beauty, have served us far beyond their normal abilities.
In short, Verbo churches in Texas have showed us the richness of their generosity. At the same time we've received great support from our congregations in North, Central and South America , to whom I wish to express my profound gratitude.

Mario Montalvo [another elder from the Kenner congregation and a medical doctor] and I sought refuge in my medical offices during the hurricane. Our families at the moment are now with us at East Jefferson General Hospital . The day after the hurricane we crossed the street from my office to the hospital in a small boat. This time has been a roller coaster of uncertainty and plans for us.
Meanwhile, the town of La Place , which is about 20 minutes from the airport, is 100 percent operative again (electricity, water, banks, supermarkets, commerce). Our church members in La Place who have returned to their homes are lodging less fortunate families. The town itself has turned into a city of refuge. Tomorrow [Monday, Sept. 5] residents of Kenner and the neighboring suburb of Metairie will be permitted to go to their homes long enough to collect essential belongings and then return to the refugee areas. La Place seems to be a place that can serve as a distribution center for our relief efforts since Kenner and Metairie don't yet have basic services.

I believe that shortly (hopefully, in a matter of days) essential infrastructures will be functioning in Kenner . This will permit us to use our church building as a distribution center for food, clothing and other items that refugees need. Once we have electricity and communications (fax, phone and internet) operating we will be able to show the love of Christ in practical ways to the hungry and needy.
Besides providing material help, Verbo Kenner can operate as a spiritual center where people can come and receive prayer and counseling. Each day we can schedule times of praise and worship, intercession, and other activities that invite the presence of our Lord. Our future is in his hands, and the prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread” has become a deep reality to us as a result of this disaster.

Once again, thank for your expressions of love. I ask that you pray continuously for us, since the families from our churches are returning to unknown circumstances and it's impossible to know how to plan for tomorrow. Although it's been very difficult for me to communicate with you because almost all communications lines in New Orleans were out, we now have access to the internet, and are able to be in touch with those outside the disaster zone.

Finally, this afternoon we had two church meetings at the hospital in which my children participated in the worship. The second meeting was held in the psychiatric ward with the patients there. While we were singing “The Lord is my Shepherd,” I embraced an old woman, and when I saw her crying because of this personal touch of love, I felt that we were in God's perfect will, serving Him.

I love you with all my heart.

Dr. Soto can be reached via email at <luisfsoto@cox.net>