Victims of freak Mexico flood offer help for hurricane victims lodged in San Antonio

Posted: 10/03/05

Victims of freak Mexico flood offer
help for hurricane victims lodged in San Antonio

By Craig Bird

Baptist Child & Family Services

SAN ANTONIO—Compassion knows no borders as the world responds to the needs of the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

In April 2004, the neighborhood anchored by Emmanuel Baptist Church in Piedras Negras, Mexico, was the epicenter of a freak flood that left about 80 people dead and survivors clinging to tree limbs and rooftops.

Several Baptist General Convention of Texas-related ministries—led by the Rio Grande River Ministry and Texas Baptist Men disaster relief teams—responded.

So, when members of the congregation heard about the hurricane evacuees pouring into San Antonio, they wanted to help. They contacted Dexton Shores, director of BGCT River Ministry.

Shores had volunteered to work with Baptist Child & Family Services to provide meals at the shelters for special needs evacuees and told him they were taking up a special offering to send to BCFS.

“Emanuel Church had flood waters seven feet high in their sanctuary last year and they definitely felt the pain and suffering of Katrina Victims,” Shores said.

The founding pastor’s son called Shores to let him know the small congregation had taken up an offering for Katrina victims and wanted to know where to send it.

“Knowing the poverty in this community that is just recovering from its own disaster, I anticipated an offering of $100 or so. I was moved with emotion when I received the check for $500 designated for Hurricane Katrina victims from this small Mexico congregation,” he said.

The National Baptist Convention of Mexico also informed Shores were sending a love offering to support Texas Baptists relief efforts for hurricane victims.

“We continue to be touched by the generosity of so many people who want to be a part of caring for these people who have been through so much—but we are far beyond being surprised because God’s people care about others,” said Kevin Dinnin, president of BCFS.

“We accepted the responsibility of operating shelters for people with physical and emotional/mental handicaps without any assurance how we could pay the bills. It was more than a step of faith; it was a swan dive of faith. But we took it knowing that the resources were out there somewhere—even in Piedras Negras. We are humbled that the members of Emmanuel Church partnered with us in this ministry.”