News at ABWE
Hurricane Victims See God Provide
Phillip and Josephine Knieper are eighty-one years old and are long-time residents of Slidell, Louisiana. They have been through numerous hurricanes over the past fifty-seven years and due to circumstances beyond their control, their insurance was cancelled. Because their home was only miles inland, when Katrina hit, seven feet of water flooded their house. Their home and all of their belongings were destroyed. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided them with a trailer and placed the trailer close to their home in order to connect to utility services. But during the night, the home caught on fire and fell on the trailer. The Kniepers were able to escape safely, but again, all of their possessions were destroyed. In spite of all they have been through over the past year, Phillip and Josephine maintained a great spirit and trusted in the Lord.
ABWE has been financially helping Katrina victims through a project called “Help the Shepherds.” Norm Nicklas, ABWE Administrator of North America, and Bill Hanson, Director of the ABWE Project Office, completed a survey trip to Louisiana and Mississippi to see how ABWE could further assist those in the Gulf Coast region.
They realized the needs changed from financial assistance to rebuilding assistance and met with several pastors in the region to see how ABWE could assist in the building of a home. As they expected, the needs were overwhelming, so they asked several churches to select a needy family for assistance. God provided the Kniepers from Faith Bible Church in Slidell, Louisiana.
Plans to rebuild the Knieper’s home started in February of 2006. The family selected a 1,200 square foot, two-bedroom home. Due to regulations in the area for new construction, the home had to be built eight feet off the ground and in compliance with new hurricane standards.
God provided two volunteer construction teams that were lead by Bill and Ginny Hanson and Bob and Sue Spudis from the ABWE Project Office. South Baptist Church from Flint, Michigan sent nine team members, and Trinity Baptist Church from Alma, Michigan, provided seven volunteers. These workers installed the wood deck, framed the house, and installed roof trusses, plywood, roof asphalt shingles, exterior doors, windows, and all of the exterior siding and stairs. Volunteers from the Knieper’s church will now complete the interior of the home.
Construction of the Knieper’s home started on around September 23, 2006, and within a two week period the work was completed. Conversation with Faith Bible Church members and residents in the Slidell area indicates that the Knieper’s home is an evangelism lighthouse to the community. In an area with very little new construction activity, residents marvel that the home was built in two weeks—a testimony to God’s faithfulness.
We praise God for the funds provided and for everyone that was involved in this building project. The ABWE Project Office desires to continue this type of assistance, as it appears the rebuilding of homes in the Gulf coast region will be going on for the next six to seven years, and there are still many needy families.
Financial gifts toward these projects may be sent to ABWE and designated Katrina Project Help the Shepherds. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Bill Hanson, Executive Director of ABWE Project Office.
810-813-5828