Salem Katrina Team Report November 19

We said goodbye to Karen and Joan this morning at 6:30 as they began their journey back to Salem. You'll see them both in church tomorrow, so thank them for their hard work. Tell the ladies that their team misses them!

Mea culpa. Our church team's blog (this one) has occasionally placed the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance logo for illustration purposes within our articles, just as we do the PC(USA) emblem. We've been asked to stop by the PDA's area supervisor, as the churches aren't to use it because it's against copyright laws. This writer and our church meant no trespass - we mistakenly thought it was our logo because the files were on the PC(USA) website for churches to download and use. We've since deleted it from our earlier postings and removed the PDA signs from our vehicles and from the contact cards we hand out. We appreciate the error being brought to our attention.

Good news. Yesterday a fine replacement organ was delivered and is ready for installation. The old unit was a victim of the storm and is now resting somewhere - in wherever landfill FEMA's trash removal contractor has trucked it. Next to be removed, the santuary organ and piano, also ruined.

Today is a beautiful Saturday, a bit warmer than yesterday and all the crews are out working. We have fewer folks here today...the Brevard crew began their long drive back to North Carolina yesterday. Tomorrow, services here at 10:30, more teams come in, more work in the afternoon. The mail arrived with Virginia's checks for Rev. Chris Bullock, part of our relief teams' fundraising. We collected a bit more than needed for the dentures we're buying for a man who lost his in the flood, so we gave Julie from the PDA money for Victor's needs. We will try to increase that amount before our last team member departs Gautier.

Friends back home will have to ask the team members about the two Rice boys. Please...do ask about Victor, Julie, the Rice boys and all the other neat people we've met...your team has got so much to share with you. Anyway, the Rice guys won their way into our hearts by their unending hard work and cheerful "We'll do it" volunteering. They have sometimes been accused of being the Presbyterian model of eager Mormon missionaries (except for being in grubby sweats!). Last night, they took us to ice cream, and we had a great time.

David took some good-humored offense at being called a "Yankee" today, for the first time in his life! A nice lady said the "Yankees are down here to help us, but we could do it ourselves". A minute later she asked where our free food pantry was. I guess everyone north of Vicksburg is a Yankee to our local friends. David said he very much wants to come back for another trip but only for a week, as two weeks was very hard on everyone.

We've been doing a blog for our host church because Rev. Chris Bullock is simply too busy. Their blog is www.gautierpresby.blogspot.com .Yesterday Chris wrote his friends a nice note about how happy is with the blog...makes us feel good to help in any possible way.

As for our team, Wayne and Mary wrap up their Katrina service and leave tomorrow, heading for Pensacola, and Ed leaves for Portland. Sunday David flies home, and Wes leaves Gautier on the 22nd. Still work to be done here, but things are winding down for the Salem team. This morning Mary spoke about how meaningful this experience has been for her...we all agree. Our challenge becomes in the next weeks one of continuing to support PDA and the local churches, and to not let America forget the millions of people along the Gulf Coast who will continue to need our prayers and support for years. Our challenge becomes supporting Katrina victims as well as responding to disasters such as the earthquakes in Pakistan. It was wonderful reading today on the PDA website that we've sent so much support!

Tonight, for the first time, we were able to gather our team and guests like Julie, Victor and the Rice guys to have dinner out (thanks, Wayne!) and then a quiet campfire together. Nice cool weather, a warm blanket and great people to talk, swap lies and joke with after a day of working.

Good night, Oregon. We sure miss everyone at First Pres!