Hurrican Relief-Part 1

Since I posted the last blog I have been thinking about how to start with the mission trip saga. I guess it would be appropriate to start at the beginning. He he

On June 9, fifty-six high school students & ten sponsors headed down to Bay St. Louis, MS. Which is one of the towns that the eye of Katrina hit directly.

So off we went, driving, yep driving with a 59-passenger bus and a 15-passanger van. So after being in close quarters for 30-hours we arrived in Mississippi.

It was a amazing even 9 and a half months later how devastated the area still was. People still not receiving money from insurance, due to inner fighting with the companies. Flood insurance saying it was wind damage, wind insurance saying it was flood damage. Storm surge that went 5-10 miles inland. The local Wal-Mart of all places was under 20 ft. of water. Can you imagine?

So arriving in Bay St. Louis was very surreal. As in shopping centers totally empty of any business. Homes in total disarray. People literally living in trailers.

We arrived at the church and found our sleeping facilities. Which were tents outside and outdoor showers. Ok most of the kids have never experienced summer in the south. So for those of you that never have been there. imagaine. taking a shower and never being dry for a week, but also add 100 degree tempatures. Yep that is how it was. hmmm hmm good.

Actually. I have to give these kids credit. They did say from time to time that it was hot and the bugs were biting. But not once did I hear anyone complain about wanting to go home.

Our first full day we attended the church service, which mind you...this chapel, maybe held a 100 people. We had 66 people, so we took up most of the pews. The kids also got up & sang a song for the congratation. It was just one of those, hey if you know this song come up. I was impressed that most of our group went up to singThe pastor shared with us why he was there and why we were there. it was a good time to connect to the people of the community.

That afternoon, we took off for New Orleans. I have to tell you. I know we have all seen pictures on the news about what happened there, however I was amazed on the emptiness of the city. .

I had been to N.O. about 12 years ago, as we were driving through the town it looked as if an atomic bomb went off. Empty gutted buildings, deserted gas stations. It looked like a ghost town.

One thing that really struck me was an apartment complex with HELP still on the roof. Someone had gotten stuck there...just very eerie.

We did have a little fun in the French Quarter. We split the group into 10 and walked around a bit. Enjoyed the MS river and I took some of my kids to the Cafe Démodé. Yummmmy!!!

It was a nice break after the bus ride and before the week of hard work started.

When I am able to get to it, I will post about the different types of work we did, some of the stories behind it. Share some of the things the kids had to say about the trip.

Have a good holiday weekend!