Big Family Finds A Safe Place In Nashville - Cindy Carter

A Louisiana family short of cash gets some much needed help from Mount Zion Baptist Church in Whites Creek... all 21 one of them.

"You know, "16-year old Brandon Duggins says, "We all just stuck together. During Katrina, we got all confused because we never went through nothing like that... and then when Gustav came, we was all together.

We already knew our game plan." That game plan meant Brandon and his family left New Orleans East early Saturday Morning. Seven adults and fourteen children pilled into several cars.

They couldn't find motel rooms in Jackson, Mississippi or Memphis Tennessee. Finally, the large group found a Super-8 motel in Whites Creek to ride out the storm.

However, gas, food and other bills started adding up. Fourteen year old Dianesha Ray says, "And then we was like... we can't keep spending all our money because we need money to get back home."

Just when they needed it most, the family says they got a little divine intervention. They simply looked across the street and saw the Red Cross sign posted at Mount Zion Baptist Church.

Joseph Richardson says, "They had the Red Cross over here and everything and they opened the doors to us and everything."

So far, Richardson and his relatives are the only people using the overflow shelter inside Mount Zion Baptist. It's one of three additional shelters set up by the American Red Cross to house New Orleans evacuees in Middle Tennessee.

Richardson says they now have enough money to get back home... all 21 one of them. "Patience... prayer and God. That is what keeps us together." Big Family Finds A Safe Place In Nashville - Cindy Carter