Hurricane Gustav Update

Greetings All, from Kentucky.

I'll admit that I'm kind of at a loss for words, so very thankful that things
weren't worse and yet so very sorry that there are many who right now are living
through a period of loss and devastation, and also cautious because things may not
be over in regard to Gustav.

We are also at a loss of words because after having only tasted an appetizer of
what many of you experienced during Katrina we found ourselves crying in front of
the television and loving a city under siege. Tom Forbes "welcomed me to the
club" as we evacuated and now we feel even more indoctrinated into your lives
as New Orleanians.

I have just spoken to Stan Jahnke. Stan went into the church this afternoon and
saw no interior damage but also was viewing the church in the dark. There are about
50 tiles of slate from the roof strewn about the grounds, as well as several pieces
of the large copper flashing blown from the top of the parapet walls. All of the
windows are intact at the church and the rectory.

What really made me weep was Stan's number one concern, which is how we'd
feed people on Wednesday night at the Dragon Cafe without power or volunteers.
He had planned for this, of course, and is prepared to serve baked beans from cans...
Oh God the spirit of St. George's and the Dragon Cafe!

We miss you all and love you. I have not heard that any of ours have been hurt
- thanks be to God.

Ellen and I hard car trouble while evacuating and are hoping to dispense of a vehicle
tomorrow and procure a new one so that we can head back to NOLA Wednesday unless
for some reason that's inadvisable.

Again, we love you and miss you and hope to see you all soon. Godspeed your travels,
your thoughts, your hopes, and the healing of all those who suffer now.

Jim