Girls' Heart Point 

Keeping Her Head Above Water

“I feel as though I’m in a time warp. I’ve been suddenly whisked away to another life. I had to leave my friends; I can’t call people from my old youth group because I don’t know where they are. It’s freaky. Depressing. These were my close friends. It feels like there’s been a death in my life. Everyone’s missing. All I knew has been turned completely upside down.” Those are the words of 15-year-old Jasmine Hughes whose life was changed by Hurricane Katrina last fall. The past several months have been an emotional roller coaster for her, but her faith is solid, and her attitude is upbeat.

“I’m taking this devastating experience and becoming better because of it,” she says.


A Monstrous Disaster
While you probably won’t forget hearing about Katrina’s devastating effects on Aug. 29, 2005, the action actually began a day earlier for Jasmine. “We had to leave on Sunday, Aug. 28, because of mandatory evacuation orders,” she says. “At the time, I wasn’t that concerned. We’d experienced several hurricane warnings in the past, and nothing had happened.”

Jasmine’s family loaded their car with a few belongings and made an eight-hour drive from New Orleans to Tyler, Texas. “We tried to make hotel reservations in Houston, but there wasn’t anything available,” she remembers.

They settled in at the Best Western in Tyler until a family friend called with word of temporary housing in Houston. While in the hotel, they sat glued to the TV. “Katrina was so big. So real,” Jasmine says. “The sight was terrifying. I cried and wondered, What’s going on? I was in shock.”

After a week, Jasmine’s family heard about some available apartments and made the move from temporary housing in Houston to the apartment. “As soon as we got to Houston,” she says, “we didn’t waste time finding a church. We plugged into Metropolitan Baptist, and they actually helped us move into the apartment. They furnished it for us and also provided food and clothing.”


Home Sweet Home?
Jasmine and her family went back to New Orleans during Labor Day weekend to check on their home and belongings. “Our church was completely destroyed. Our house was totally wet but not destroyed. All of our clothes were wet and mildewed, but we were able to grab our television, family photos and some of our clothing. I had to leave Sasha, my rabbit, behind. But she’s safe and someone is caring for her.”

Though Jasmine is grateful to be safe with her family in their Houston apartment, she misses some things. “I miss my old everyday routine, certain foods, my home. We’re in a two-bedroom apartment, so right now I’m sharing a room with my 9-year-old brother.

“I miss having my own bedroom decorated in purple — my favorite color — with my queen-size bed. I was able to bring my stuffed animals with me from New Orleans, but I’m missing my drawings. I love to draw, and when we went back home, I couldn’t find any of my work.”


Starting Over
“A man from our new church in Houston told us about a Christian school and offered to help get my brother and me enrolled. So we’re going to Cypress Community Christian School.”

Jasmine admits she was nervous on her first day, but once she got there, the other students welcomed her.

“It’s a great Christian environment,” she says, “and the people here have just made me feel great! They went out of their way to show me where everything was and to make sure I got to the right class at the right time. There was none of the ‘new girl stuff.’ The other students included me immediately. I’m so glad I found a place where I’m accepted.”

Jasmine was a guard and point guard on her basketball team in New Orleans and has now joined the team at her new school in Houston. “I’ll become a better player with this team,” she says. “They’re up a notch from what I’m used to. I wasn’t pushed to put my talent to work at my old school, but I’m pushed to shine here.”

Though the transition has been tough, Jasmine doesn’t view her experience as a nightmare. “This has been somewhat of a blessing in disguise,” she says. “Our whole lives were wrapped around our church in New Orleans. We were happy there, but I believe that everything happens for a reason. Even though I had all of the same things going for me at home — basketball, friends, church — I’m getting the same things here . . . only better!”


A Deepening Faith
Though she was angry at first, Jasmine never doubted her faith. “My faith is everything,” Jasmine says. “ I don’t know what will happen to my house, my city or my old friends. But I know I can trust God. In fact, He’s the certainty that can sustain me.

“God has always been there for me! He’s saved my life multiple times. One example: I only weighed 1 pound and 12 ounces when I was born. My parents tell me the medical staff actually lost me for a while. But prayers were lifted, and God brought me back to life. When I was 8, I had a seizure and died again. Guess what happened! Prayers and God’s power once again gave me life! I know I’m here for a reason.”

Jasmine flashes back to last July: “Our youth group had an incredible retreat,” she remembers. “We learned about forgiveness, obedience and kindness. The girls got really tight with each other. We all grew so close to God. Everyone was testifying about His goodness, and there was so much unity in our youth group. Then a month later, Katrina hit.

“But through it all, my faith has been strengthened. Without this experience, it’d be hard for me to understand or empathize with others who experience tough times.”


Eggs or Potatoes?
The devastating times in life can either harden us or soften us. Think of it this way: The same boiling water that hardens an egg can also soften a potato. Each of us has the power to decide how we’ll react to hardship.

“I’ve thought about Job from the Old Testament,” Jasmine says. “I know that God allows trouble in our lives. Hurricanes had come close to New Orleans several times, but they had missed us. We were bound to be hit someday. Hurricanes are simply a part of nature. Storms happen. But God will make something good out of the devastation if we let Him.”

Sure, her faith has been tested. Meeting Katrina was an introduction Jasmine could have certainly done without. But Jasmine has chosen to let her circumstances make her better. That’s a choice we can all make.

How are you handling the problems in your life?