TYLER, Texas (ABP) — For some Texans, “one day” came sooner than they thought.
Two weeks ago, Texas volunteers in shelters for Hurricane Katrina victims were talking about how they could be evacuees “one day.” That time came sooner than some may have imagined as they stayed in shelters throughout East and Central Texas, evading the wrath of Hurricane Katrina.
Bobby Vincente of Port Neches, who helped in a shelter in southeast Texas following Katrina, couldn't help but think it's “better” being a volunteer than an evacuee. He and his wife felt that so strongly they are helping at the shelter housed by First Baptist Church in Tyler — the same place they are staying.
They would prefer to stay in a hotel, but like many others they found housing outside of shelters in short supply. There were no vacancies between the Gulf Coast and Austin. Traveling from Houston, it was extremely difficult to find a hotel before the Oklahoma state line.
Instead the Vincentes — who traveled with their two grandchildren — give their time, helping serve more than 200 other people who took the same journey as them, following a government call for coastal evacuation.
“The shoe was on the other foot so to speak a few weeks back,” Vincente said. “Now we're the evacuees.”
Joseph Henry's story mirrors the Vincentes. He led children's activities at a shelter for Katrina victims. After evacuating, the Bridge City, Texas, resident found himself staying with his in-laws in Tyler. He also put his skills to work leading children's activities at First Baptist Church in Tyler.
“I do this to keep my mind off it,” he said. “If I don't, I'm going to be the basket case with the high blood pressure — worrying, crying — and end up in the hospital. I can't afford that. I've got kids to raise.”
There's a lot not to think about. Uncertainty surrounds his life outside the shelter at this point. He may not go home for another week. When he arrives, he does not know what he will find.
“I don't know what I'm going to come home to,” he said. “I'm hoping … I can salvage something, but I'm preparing for the worst. It's very, very stressful deep down inside. But right now I can't show that. I've got a mission to do.”
Robert Bardin, minister of education at First Baptist Church, Tyler, said his church is there to help evacuees in anyway possible. If it helps them to serve, he helps make that happen. The congregation wants to be the presence of Christ in these people's lives, he said.
“I think its all part of being a Christian. I think this is exactly what Christ has called us to do is to help those in need with whatever resources we have.”