Another day, more work done

Last night when I woke up in the middle of the night, I saw a few flashes of light but didn't hear any thunder. That was because one of the other camps just down the road from us had three big rainfalls during the night--we were lucky and only had a few sprinkles. We may yet have rain this week, though. That's in the forecast.

The group in camp now is small, but by March and April the camp will be full of volunteers. There is still an unbelievable amount of work to be done, and there will be for many months to come, possibly years.

Our group went to two different places today; one group worked on putting in doors for a young woman who cares for her father who is in his 70's and has Parkinson's disease. Her house can be fixed eventually, but a house just down the block is totally gone. How much damage is too much? Hard to say, from what Lori Pistor, the camp manager, tells us. In some cases it's easier for folks to have nothing left and start from scratch.

The group that was here from Indiana finished up this morning and started for home, except for Kim. He decided to stay behind, hoping to be of more help. So today, he was going to go put up some closet shelves for Hannah, a 71 year old woman, who is raising a 12 year old foster son. It was a small job that one person could do. I had been doing a lot of things around camp for Lori--some phone calling about plastic recycling and about hazardous waste disposal. But that was done, and Kim didn't want to go on the job alone--better when going to a woman's house to have someone along.

We drove through Gautier to Moss Point and eventually found the house--somewhat challenging as the street signs are often missing or so twisted that it's hard to tell which street is which. We found Hannah, who had told Lori that she'd lost everything, has had some work done and just wants shelves and rods in her closets so she can hang her clothes in an attempt to start finding some order in her life.

The first challenge was to go to Lowe's for the supplies. A busy place, indeed. Most people are buying lumber, insulation, roofing materials--far different than my trips to Lowe's for fluffy things like a pretty light fixture. Once we got back to Hannah's, Keith, her foster son, was eager to help, so Kim put him to work, measuring, cutting the wood, helping to nail the boards in place. So, Hannah and I sat and talked while they worked. At some point I want to write more about this lady, who has such faith and such a passion for life. During the hurricane she went to her next door neighbor's house after putting her photos and books up high in the house, thinking they would be safe. But the storm surge was so strong that when the water came in, everything fell and was ruined or damaged. She has managed to salvage some pictures, including the first baby picture of her 51 year old daughter. We had hard things to deal with in life, but God is always with us. As Hannah and her neighbor watched the creek behind her house flood, she told me that she said a prayer and the water didn't come any higher--her house and belongings were ruined, but they were all safe.

Her sheet rock has been replaced, the flooring, two windows, the electric wiring has been redone, but she still can't live in her house. She and Keith live in the FEMA trailer in her back yard. She's one of the lucky ones and has received money to buy supplies. She has the cabinets to put in her kitchen, some of the new furniture she'll need, but there is still much to do. I admired her strength and her faith and her positive attitude. Most people from our camp have found the same kind of attitude. People need help, and they are so thankful to have us here.

We all felt better this evening after we had dinner and devotions. Our groups from Washington and California, with Kim from Indiana, and Kathy and Jean, mother and daughter, are beginning to have a special bond as we work, laugh, eat and share with one another. It's a time when Lori encourages us to share our experiences, the grace we have witnessed. The hymn we sang this evening was "Abide with Me". Those verses of that old hymn will hold a special meaning for me, as I'll always think of this time in Gautier.

Good night, and God bless you all. Thank you for your prayers.