Kinston pastor provides aid

The Rev. Gene Miller of Kinston recently returned from the hurricane-battered Gulf Coast after providing recovery relief throughout the region.

Miller was in Homer, La., with the North Carolina Southern Baptist Men helping with Hurricane Gustav recovery efforts when Hurricane Ike made landfall in Galveston, Texas, on Sept. 13.

Soon after Ike struck, Miller and about 140 members from Southern Baptist Men traveled to Baytown, Texas, to assist with the Red Cross' relief efforts.

Miller currently attends Neuse Baptist Church and was a pastor at Cabin Baptist Church near Pink Hill for more than 12 years before retiring in 2006.

"Ike ran us out of Homer," Miller said. "We decided to go to Baytown."

The Southern Baptist Men arrived in Baytown - which is 22 miles east of Houston - on Sept. 20. According to Miller, trees were toppled over by Ike's winds, boats were scattered on the ground away from their docks and several homes were flooded with water.

"There was no electricity or running water," Miller said.

The Red Cross paid for the Southern Baptist Men's airfare to Texas and requested that they stay in the state for at least 10 days. Miller said more than 140 volunteers provided hot meals for those impacted by Ike.

"We had all three of our mobile kitchen units in Baytown," he said. "Some of the people hadn't had a hot meal in more than two days. We didn't ask any questions. If they needed five or 15 meals for their families, we provided them with help."

Miller returned to Kinston on Sept. 28. He said additional Southern Baptist Men volunteers were flown into Texas this week to continue with the hurricane relief work.

"They will be there through next week," he said.

The Southern Baptist Men also helped people restore damaged properties. Recovery crew volunteers repaired roofs, removed toppled trees and replaced water-damaged carpets.

"People signed up for the recovery work," Miller said.

It's been almost one month since Ike made landfall and more than one month since Gustav struck the coast. The Red Cross has served more than 12 million meals and snacks to hurricane victims during that time.

Nearly 20,000 Red Cross workers have also been in the Gulf Coast region providing relief. More than 200,000 cleanup and comfort kits were distributed as well.

"I was glad to have an opportunity to work with the feeding units and serve as a chaplain," Miller said.

 Chris Lavender can be reached at (252) 559-1078 or clavender@freedomenc.com.