Long Week

Last Sunday night we headed out on our adventure to Mississippi. We had no idea what to expect when we got there, but we were ready to serve. After 19 hours of driving and trying to sleep a little we showed up at Light House Baptist in Gulfport. We got out of the van for about 2 minutes and stretched and then headed to one of their church members house to start working. That day we cleared out one family's house and let me tell you the smell was terrible. You could see the water line about 4 feet up throughout the house and everything in the house was molded and damp from the water. Our job was to take everything out of the house and throw it by the curb for trash removers to come and pick it up. Everything stunk, and I mean everything. A lot of containers that the people had were full of water and when you moved it or dumped the water out the most awful smell would just slap you in the face. Think about it, moldy water that was mixed with sewer water...not pleasant. The whole time we couldn't help but be thankful for what we have. We cleaned out two houses that day and then that night we made our home at the church. We tried to stay up and watch the Eagles get beat, but we were all out by halftime.

The next day (Tuesda) we did more of the same. At lunch, Pastor, Bill and I were eating some of our food that we had brought and I said, "Man I wish we could have a chance to help someone who doesn't go to church and we can reach out too." Right after I said that this older lady walked out of her house with a dolly trying to carry some furniture...was this coincidence? I think not. So, we walked over and talked to her and found out she was all alone. Here was a lady, who was probably about 65 years old and she was left with a house full of stuff that needed to be cleared out. We spent the afternoon clearing out her house. We left her with a tract and the address to our website, so we pray that through this she will find Christ.

Wednesday we headed out to find people we didn't know and just show them we cared. We loaded up our vans with the tar paper to do patch work on peoples roofs. Pastor was also excited to use his new chain saw. We were able to help about 5 different families get their roofs patched up and clear out some of their trees.

Thursday we spent the whole morning and part of the afternoon at one ladies house cleaining out her back yard and this huge tree that had just barely missed her house. We then drove to some other areas just to see more of the devistation. We began the long drive home that night around 8:30 and made it home around 2:30 on Friday afteroon. We left Mississippi with the blessing of helping people who really needed it and with the overwhelming feeling that we really coudn't do enough to help them. Please continue to pray for all of the people who have lost so much as a result of this storm. Pray for the many people who are searching for answers that they will turn to Christ, and find the only true hope there is.