Salem Katrina Team Report November 20

Today is cool and overcast, but dry. Last night around our campfire the guys generally agreed to do some extra work at a lady's home on Sunday afternoon if I'd prepare a hot breakfast. Works for me! I got breakfast ready and then cleaned up for services, but laid down and slept right through church and woke up in the afternoon.

What a sad day, even with the satisfaction of being able to reflect on a week's accomplishments. After church our volunteers, led by Victor and David Dyer, went over to help a lady we've been assisting this week...the one living in the tent with her six cute puppies. David was shocked as he and Victor, with the rest of our crews, went to clean a shed five feet from the lady's tent...and discovered the shed was full of chickens killed in the storm ten weeks ago! Rats and snakes were there and a rat ran into the lady's tent. Thankfully, our guys got it out, but we have to get the lady herself out somehow, and then get that shed bulldozed and removed. Wayne arranged for a Gautier Pres member to care for the puppies this next week. We have a lot of people and talent here, and we cannot bring enough "guns" to bear to solve even one problem among the millions here along the Gulf Coast, but we keep trying.

We've enjoyed two nice evenings after devotions just talking and enjoying being together. We welcomed new teams today, and the folks from Michigan joined us around our campfire to help share experiences.

I was asked for a photo which is to the left, of the two RICE guys, also called the Bobbsie Twins, the boys, etc...many names for two great young men who are a blessing to all they meet. As are Rick, Karen, Joan, Wayne, Victor, Julie, Morella, Ed (I won't forget to bring your quilt home, Ed), Mary and David! The guys are posed before a fundamental part of Camp Gautier!

These cars are speeding past the airport-area sign which two months ago said "Welcome to Beautiful Gulfport". There's nothing left of the sign and very left of Gulfport. But it will be beautiful again!

Team Leaders: Other teams mentioned this evening they still need more information about Gautier and the overall situation on the Gulf Coast. Certainly, contact Rev. Bullock here at Gautier Presby, or the PDA itself for the best possible information! You can also email other teams which have been here, or call the on-site PDA manager (until November 30, that's Julie) here in Gautier. You can expect greatly improved comforts and support facilities, including warm showers, larger and winter-ready tents, cots, port-a-potties, a kitchen ready to prepare your meals to eat as a group, no clothes washing other than local laundries, cooler temperatures during the days and cold evenings...you'll enjoy your warm sleeping bag!

We have enjoyed freezers full of pre-made dinners which have helped our volunteer cooks get that meal ready. For lunch we put together sandwiches to take to the job site, and we've organized five hot breakfasts per week. Our volunteer cooks start breakfast around 5:30 to be ready by 7:00 and to have coffee ready for the folks coming in from the tents to enjoy visiting. Local supermarkets price foods very reasonably. We pass the basket for about $7-10 a day towards the food budget, but teams and individuals can do as they wish.

The bugs of summer are gone but we have small gnats bothering us sometimes. Water is needed but can be purchased locally, so there's no need to transport long distances - don't load a trailer in Omaha and waste money driving it here! Buy it here instead! You can bring "field kitchen" sets of cooking equipment but there's stuff here and yours might be useful in other Gulf Coast settings. Try to bring money, not just for your own needs, but to work on projects or individual needs which catch your attention. In our case, we found helping a few specific folks very, very rewarding in addition to our assigned work load. This area can use experienced social workers -- with an MSW or not! Take it easy on yourself - bring a pillow.

Regardless of any restructuring of PDA camps or church-specific volunteer projects, there is much work to do here. There are miracles to deliver through your prayers and labors. There is a need for your financial strength and generosity towards PDA and area churches. Come serve in Mississippi and you'll remember it all your life. So will the people you help.

Mississippi thanks you!