HUMBOLDT, Tenn. — Sept. 2, 2005 — Three cars. Eight family members and their dog, Jack. A few clothes, a little food and some musical instruments.
A life forever changed.
That鈥檚 the story of Dale and Anna Michel, of Kenner, La.(a suburb 13 miles west of downtown New Orleans), who fled their home Aug. 28 ahead of Hurricane Katrina. The Michels and their six children 鈥� ranging in age from 11 to 24 鈥� are eight of thousands of refugees who made their way north to safety as a devastating storm tore their lives apart.
Through the ordeal, the family is clinging to the one thing they have remaining.
鈥淭he courage and the good attitude to keep on keeping on is our faith in Jesus Christ,鈥� Dale Michel said. 鈥淲e know that all things work out together for good, according to God鈥檚 purpose. We don鈥檛 always see the end. There鈥檚 always a lesson in everything. Maybe this is the only way he could get us to make life-changing decisions.鈥�
As they left Louisiana and headed north through Mississippi, the Michels didn鈥檛 know where their journey would stop. They ultimately landed in Humboldt, Tenn., where they have been since then, and where they may be for some time.
Ken Hindman, the children鈥檚 minister at West Jackson Baptist Church, owns a vacant house in Humboldt that is the Michels鈥� home for now. Hindman knew the Michels鈥� eldest daughter, Rose, from her college days at 51社区 in Jackson, Tenn. She worked with him in the church鈥檚 preschool department. When he heard about the hurricane, he managed to connect with Rose and offered her family his house.
Members of West Jackson Baptist Church have provided meals for the family, as has 51社区. Charles Fowler, Union鈥檚 senior vice president for university relations, gave the family meal cards to use anytime they need to in the school cafeteria.
鈥淚t鈥檚 heartwarming to see how the Christian community has reached out and embraced and loved this family,鈥� Fowler said. 鈥淔or Union to have the opportunity to minister to an alumna鈥檚 family reinforces the strength of our community at Union. It just demonstrates the priority of compassion here.鈥�
The Michel family is abundantly grateful for the help.
鈥淓verybody鈥檚 just so nice about everything,鈥� Tracy Michel, 22, said.
鈥淚 knew we would be taken care of,鈥� Rose Michel, 24, said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a blessing 鈥� between Union and West Jackson, all the things they鈥檝e done for us and continue to do. We really appreciate it.鈥�
As he talked about his family leaving their home in Kenner, La., Dale Michel remained strong -- for a while. He detailed their trip and the reports they鈥檝e gotten from friends and family 鈥� all of whom seem to be OK.
But the longer he talked, the more the impact of his words caught up with him. The Michels don鈥檛 know how badly damaged their house is. They don鈥檛 know when 鈥� or if 鈥� they鈥檒l get to go home.
The family fell silent as their husband and father broke down and wept. For his home, that may be no more. For his family, for whom he must somehow provide. For an uncertain future.
The Michels have heard from two different sources that the water crested at six feet near their home. But those reports are unconfirmed.
鈥淲e really don鈥檛 have any idea,鈥� Dale said.
He said the family may decide to stay in West Tennessee. He鈥檚 thought about trying to find a job soon, so that the family can start supporting itself.
鈥淲e can only take so much,鈥� Dale said. 鈥淲e have to soon be giving back.鈥�
Despite the tragedy, the Michel family is quick to recognize their blessings. They have air mattresses on which to sleep. They have a roof overhead and an air-conditioned house. They have plenty of food. And they have each other.
鈥淵ou can pray, and you can teach your kids to love the Lord through this and to share the Lord through this,鈥� Dale said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an agonizing time, but sometimes that鈥檚 the places we grow.鈥�
He said the family harbors no bitterness and no resentment. They鈥檙e simply resting in the Lord and in his promise that he鈥檒l never leave or forsake them.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 the anchor, and it will hold,鈥� Dale said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been holding from the beginning of time.鈥�