Here's an update from the livestock rescue group, who have been making heroic efforts to help ranchers in the Rita/Katrina strike zone.
From Debra Barlow, HopefulHaven, in e-mail:
Well, I am back from Erath and it was a wonderful trip!!! But boy was the April Fool on me.in a very good way!!!
I delivered the bull to the Concert in the Park for hurricane relief, and made the presentation to Mr. Curlis. I knew when Mr. Curlis started to cry I would too. Little did I know they had a presentation of their own up their sleeve...and the hubby knew all about it. Vermillion Parish presented me with a beautiful plaque that I will proudly place on my wall in the new facility thanking us for all the work done on the hurricane relief efforts.
The plaque states:
"When Many Failed Us, You Came Through. Your compassion for animals is only surpassed by your love for people. It is with deep appreciation and gratitude that Our People of Vermillion Parish present this small token of appreciation to Debra Barlow & Hopeful Haven Equine Rescue for their tremendous efforts in helping us through the aftermath of Hurricane Rita. Hurricane Rita devastated the Louisiana Gulf Coast on September 23, 2005."
The plaque has a statue of a horse on one side and a cow on the other. It is beautiful, but not as beautiful as the people and friends I have come to know in Vermillion Parish.
This relief effort touched my soul more than they will ever know. I cried this morning when we left and Darrell said "You have really made some true friends here." No one can even begin to imagine how I feel right now. If I had my way, I would be living there with the people I have come to love. But the Lord has more work for me and I know that I have to go where my path leads, and that was back home here to get the ranch for the rescue horses back on track.
With 26 horses in the rescue and more needing to be seized, we have to really focus on getting this facility. You see, not only did these wonderful people present me with a plaque, but the wives ot the 52 ranches we took care of for the 6 months took up a collection to contribute to the facility we are fundraising to get. They collected and presented to me $2000.oo in money to go toward the land project!!!!
HHERO's motto is "rebuilding broken spirits" and through this effort, it wasn't only about the animals, it was about the people's spirits too. I believe everything in this life happens for a reason. Like footprints in the sand, we were guided there to be leaned on in a time of need. But it was Faith that sustained these people. That is what I truly believe and know in my heart, they will be ok now.
So many thank you cards said they were ready to throw in the towel, but with us not giving up on them gave them hope to hang on a little longer. Because of that faith, that it would work out, few sold out. I pray for nothing but the best for these wonderful Cajun people that I love so much. And you will forever be in my heart!
FYI....we are up to $4650. toward a facility as of today!!! Come on team!!! Get those apple tree donations. For anyone interested in donating, go to the website and read in the box at the top about the facility. Click on the link to read more!!!
A thank you to Hank, Sonny, Tom, Bill, Melinda, the United Christian Farm Workers, and HHERO for the donations toward Mr. Curlis Bull. A special thank you to the United Christian Farm Workers for the extra donation to Mr. Curlis of cash for the time they spent there! He was extremely appreciative!!!Respectfully yours,Debra Barlow
President &
Animal Cruelty InvestigatorP.O. Box 17763; Shreveport, La 71138
www.hopefulhaven.comPhone numbers:318-797-6043 fax
318-286-3116 cell
(MAIN NUMBER)318-7977464
"If ever a horse needs a helping hand, Please God, Let it be ours"
While most of the nation has been focused on New Orleans, the "Chocolate City," Hopeful Haven has been delivering truckloads of hay, vaccine, and cow cubes every two weeks down into the parishes, and the counties of East Texas, to people who have been desparately working to "stand on their own two feet." I've always been happy to throw any little publicity I can their way. God Bless. ¶ 7:30 AM
