Support Collins Family After Devastating Fire

As some of you may have heard, my (Amy) brother Micah, and his family, Keely, Liam, and Grace, experienced a tragic house fire on December 31st. Micah is not only the pastor of Elizabeth Memorial Baptist Church in Branch, LA, but he is also the Fire Chief there. After seeing the devastation firsthand, I truly believe it was his quick acting and calm under pressure that got his family out alive.

Unfortunately, the contents of the parsonage are a total loss, and their family is having to start over. Thanks to the community and missions like the Acadian Baptist Center, they have shelter while they navigate these next steps and how to take care of their two children. A temporary home is being made available to them, but at this point, it seems they do not have any basic needs to fill the home.

While I was visiting yesterday to see how I could help, I learned that my brother left his own tragic situation to help volunteer firefighters fight two additional fires in surrounding towns in less than 48 hours. Yep, the following night of his own house fire, he was out until 3:30 am, putting out the fire of another family’s home. This is my brother and his wife. The sacrifices they make daily for the people around them do not stop, despite their own loss and needs. I know the churches where Micah and Keely have had the fortune to be in leadership. I have met several members of the community and firefighters like Tammy, trying to salvage clothing from the fire, only to leave with Micah to put out another fire, as well as ABC volunteers like Ms. Billy, who have rallied behind my brother and sister-in-law over the last three days. This family has impacted the lives of so many. My heart just breaks for them.

Micah told me that Keely said to him last night, ‘A mama is the heart of the home. Now the home is not there.’ She is not only a mother and wife, but she is also Grace’s teacher. Keely and Micah made the decision a couple of years ago to homeschool Grace. I’m not sure how to help Keely and Grace regarding school right now, but if you have thoughts on how to help her recover any academic losses, please let me know! Liam is 15 and at Lafayette Christian Academy. If you are associated in any way with the school, please show him your love and support next time you see him, as well!

We are fundraising to help Micah and his family rebuild their lives after losing everything in the fire. Any support you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

- Amy