Salem Katrina Team Update October 31

What a blessing yesterday. It was exciting to be commissioned as representatives of our church in service to Mississippi. For some, its our first mission and we know it won't be the last. There was lots of good news as well, beginning with even more funds provided to support the mission. We have our minimum needs met and now the funds simply mean more help directly to the Gautier Presbytierian.

Rob's sermon was perfect and a well-timed reminder to not let any praise or thanks for work on this trip fall on our own shoulders, but on the Lord's. Karen's children's sermon was absolutely beautiful and know we know that daily we've got little angels praying for us as well. Karen's extra efforts doing the name tags we appreciated.

We now all have our I LOVE GAUTIER stickers and wore them during the commissioning. Checking with the folks down there, today was a "paint party" and somehow, with the help of volunteers from everywhere, they painted the entire church!

As for loading up the very last items for the trip, that was a challenge. We stuffed the UHaul, we stuffed the Dodge van and we certainly stuffed the motor home...here's the shower, jammed full of bears, first aid gear, propane stoves, blankets, cooking items and more.

And finally, pumpkins and ghosts tied to the bumper, we're off on our 2600 mile journey. To all our church family and dear friends from other churches, our thanks for your generosity and support in this effort.