By Darragh Doiron
SABINE PASS — Based on his reputation, Four Seasons Equipment representatives donated nearly half a million dollars in equipment to a man they’d never met to tear down Sabine Pass structures Hurricane Ike destroyed.
On Saturday morning, Richard Scott and Margaret Balliet worked amid the remains of The First Assembly of God Church. They planned to level a personal home that afternoon.
“It’s a big mixed blessing. You know how that is,” Balliet said.
She referred to the coming together of people, and the destructive way it had to happen. She represents Disaster Corps and he represents Burners Without Borders, groups that provided the same sort of services after Katrina.
It’s been difficult, living out of a van, but Balliet said they just couldn’t turn down the chance to help others.
“I wouldn’t have felt right,” she said.
He said he’s grateful for the opportunity to tear down, so that people can rebuild.
“You’ve just got to feel blessed,” he said, explaining how some residents have watched their homes come down with tears in their eyes.
Balliet said workers have demolished 18 houses, cleared four collapsed houses off lots, towed seven travel trailers from the marsh, back-dragged six lots for trailers to move in and cleaned debris off half a dozen lots.
She said she’s especially moved that Sabine Pass has been hit by two hurricanes.
“What Rita didn’t take, Ike finished off,” she said.
In other Sabine Pass Church news, the Baptist church across the street from Arthamous Harris may get a new visitor on Sunday… Harris.
Billy Graham Rapid Response Team members gathered hands in a circle around Harris on Saturday, as he said he gave his life to Jesus.
The longtime resident was on his rolling stool, making his way through thick mud when he noticed the team of out-of-state workers who have been in the area since Hurricane Ike.
“They must have circled around here about 19 times,” Harris said.
When they got out of their vehicles to pray with him, he let them. Toni New said Harris had difficulty walking from a bout with polio.
“But we believe God’s changed that today,” New said.
Harris said he intended to visit the church across the street on Sunday.
Contact this reporter at ddoiron@panews.com.
