Salem Katrina Team Update October 22

This photo is so sad. Some folks still living live like this, under a blue tarp, trying to put their lives back together. Wow!

But, as for me, I'm grateful for nice feelings all day long. First, Jim Doran, our local Dodge dealer went over the minivan we're taking, for free. He found the alignment off and suggested we call our local tire dealer, who tomorrow will be doing that service...also for free! By the way, my cell phone is 971 241-9322. Let's try to all swap phone numbers during the organizational meeting this Sunday at church.

Hey, I finally got my tetanus shot! On the way out of the hospital last night, I saw a huge box of stuffed animals and a sign reading "for Katrina Kids". I asked around, and now it looks like we're going to haul a few hundred teddy bears with us for kids in Gulfport and Gautier. On Monday, the same hospital will be delivering the rest of the medical gear for our first aid station.

Remembering that we live in our lovely sales tax-free state, we've been buying dry goods and some food for the trip, plus more food service gear like coffee pots, etc. Did pretty good at the Dollar Tree last night and and Goodwill also. This week I will ask Don or Karen to prepare something like letters of authorization for the team so just in case, we can make it clear who we're representing. Speaking of Karen, she has set up her flight into Gulfport for arrival on the 18th and departure (at 0630...is she serious??) on the 19th. Joan Carter will take the same flight so she can get a ride home with Karen because I'm staying a few more days. I fly back to Oregon on the 22nd, then turn around and go back to Gulfport on December 8th to work through the end of February unless I burn out beforehand. Or get tired of cheese grits. Or get homesick!

The Swanson's wrote from Wyoming as they were driving east. Just saw a herd of antelope before they wrote...what a beautiful sight! They offered wise caution regarding towing the trailer to Mississippi...like them, I've had the occasional problem in the past and we'll be sure to be careful. They are going hunting in Georgia, and then will drive to Gautier to join our team. (Wayne and Mary, check your email...my messages to you come back marked "mailbox full".)

Heard from the host Gautier pastor, Chris Bullock who's about as busy as you can image. Seems like a good, strong man to have there at such a time. He's already got a candidate to receive the donation of our Dodge van. We have also found a TV, multi-function printer/copier and other gear for him.

Here's an idea for our music committee: can we manage to raise some funds to help the organist at Gautier Presbyterian? Her home had terrible damage. Joan and Christine, can you consider that...perhaps put the word out to our areas' organists.

If I haven't mentioned before, our team is bringing some "creature comforts" to Gautier. For your computing pleasure, we'll have at least two laptops, CD burner, digital cameras, digital video recorder, one flatbed copier, one fax machine, two Mac or PC printers, one photo printer, one label printer and an LCD video projector with 6' screen. We can even have movies in the evening if you'd like. There isn't much room, but each of the motor homes (Carters' and Swansons') has a small refrigerator, and ours has a small safe if you need to lock up something. The motor homes also have "basement" areas if you want to put something a bit larger into a locked space rather than leave it in your tent. The RVs also have satellite television...I'd hate missing The West Wing.

Local transportation: Pastor Bullock says the roads are too difficult to drive the motor homes around, but we'll have the 7 passenger Dodge minivan plus the Swanson's CRV which will seat four. We're covered, plus we can easily handle anybody's airport runs or whatever you need. I'll have a few spare keys for the Dodge van for whoever needs to use it. I think I'll also have a bike and a small electric scooter.

Team Members: Here's who I understand is going. The Swansons, Morella, Karen, Wes and Joan, David, Rick, and Diane. That's nine of us (Ed signed up the next day), certainly a good crew but remember that we have room for more! I have flight arrangements from Karen and Morella only. The Carters and Swansons are driving, so that leaves me worried about Rick, David and Diane. Soothe my worried brow, dear friends, and tell me what flights you're on or whether you're riding with the road crew on the 30th. FYI, Morella's flight gets her into Gulfport quite early, on the 4th, so she'll be our advance scout for a couple days and make sure we get the best tent sites, far from the port-a-potties.