We're in Gautier!

Getting here last Saturday was a challenge. I (Pat) had to meet the rest of the group in New Orleans. I had spent three days visiting my college roommate and her husband in Spring Hill, Tennessee--near Nashville. That meant I just had an hour and a half flight to get back to New Orleans--easy, right? Wrong. New Orleans had fog that morning, then the runway lights were off for a while. My 9.40 flight finally took off at 1.30. The group flew in about 2.30--and we connected around 3 pm.

We set off for Gautier. We didn't have time that afternoon to stop to look around much. But much of the damage in New Orleans and just east is visible from Highway 10. There were whole areas that are still deserted--brick houses and fences are completely destroyed. Cars and boats are left along the road, in yards, even one still along the highway, clearly part of the hurricane damage, as it was coated in mud. Along the way, and even near the airport, we could see much of the wind damage. Huge trees were either blown over, uprooted, or broken in half. Most houses still have blue tarps on the roofs.

Many homes are beyond repair and will be torn down. In one neighborhood we saw houses with damage and white FEMA trailers parked in front--the families are living there until they can move back in their houses. I had several opportunities to talk with people who were flying home to New Orleans. Some lived in the 9th ward, where the damage was the most severe. It was very humbling to realize what they had been through, or even what they had seen--a city they have lived in and loved, with so much destruction. I was also struck by the common bond that they now have. People who share the memory of Hurricane Katrina and Rita are crossing those cultural barriers as they talk about their homes and neighborhoods. And from all of them, I heard how thankful they are to have people coming here to help.

The camp where we are staying is in a cow pasture just outside of Gautier. We are in huts, that are a kind of blue and white corragated material, plastic coated to keep out the rain. They are fairly comfortable, with two cots in each one. (However, during the day, it's like being in a sauna--it is very humid here. We are thankful that it isn't warmer.) There was a group here from North Carolina who will be leaving for home in the morning. Another group camp in last night after we did--they are from California. And today and mother and daughter came--so for this week, we have a small group here. They always need more volunteers.

Our group went out today to a home where the floor needed to be removed, so they were gone most of the day. Tom took a lot of pictures that show the devastation in this area--they were in Pascagoula. Some houses were quite large and expensive and were nearly leveled, others were untouched. One in particular, had a lovely grand piano that had been carried to the end of a long driveway and was upside down.

It's late--so I'll wrap this up for now. The weather has been windy and cool, with clouds, but no rain--so far. About half our group went to town to watch the Seahawks win--yay!!! The rest of us found a Pizza Hut and brought pizzas back to camp. We've all sampled the hot showers, and they are great--not fancy, but hot. However, none of us had the heart to put bug spray back on after we were clean, so I think I'll crawl into my sleeping bag under my mosquito netting before I lose the battle.

Good night to you all. Thank you for your continued prayers. And to all the kids at Marine View, we all say a special hello and thank you. See you soon.

Peace and Joy and may God bless you.