Just before New Years we headed down to Mississippi with some of our youth group kids and several other people from our church denomination from across the country. Our goal was to continue relief efforts started back in August of 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit. Our trip was going to be a very short one since the kids were due back in school so early, but we were anxious to go and make the best of the two days we would have to work. One of our first stops was at the beach in Long Beach just miles from where we were lodging and only a short walk to the home of Mrs. Hue where we would be working.
It was truly amazing to see how much devestation still exists after all this time. One woman in our group who was part of the mission team last January pointed out how there is still trash and debri hanging in trees. The lives of these people have been forever changed. But with the lack of media attention given after the shock is over, it's so easy to think things are back to normal for them. It's just so not the case. Many of the people who lived in the area where we were working could not afford insurance for their homes and belongings, so when we hear that they lost everything ... they truly lost everything - including jobs to make an income to replace what they'd lost. It's such a vicious cycle of bad circumstances.
Here is a picture of some trees across the road from Mrs. Hue's house, along with a home that is in the process of being rebuilt ...
We spent two days sanding dry wall. It was a cumbersome task, and quite tiresome work. We were fortunate to be traveling with a woman from our church and her two brothers who build homes for a living. Their wisdom and expertise were invaluable. They were so careful to do the best job possible for Mrs. Hue, who has been living in a FEMA trailer for over two years, and patiently and enthusiastically instructed us novices well. They taught us so much, and gave us knowledge we will be able to use in the years ahead.
Here is Spencer fighting with a shop vac that didn't work too well ...
Here I am sanding in the family room area ...
Here is Rick with one of the girls from our youth group sanding in one of the bedroom suits. Rick was taught how to tell a good dry wall job from a bad one - he loved learning this!
We were really bummed to not be able to stay the whole week to work on Mrs. Hue's house. There was a big crew who took our place after we left. They did amazing work and were able to finish sanding dry wall, mudded and textured the ceilings, and primed and painted the walls of the entire house! And let me tell you, this is no small house. There are three bedroom suites, each with full bathrooms! Mrs. Hue looks forward to being able to help house some of her family and others who come to visit. In fact, she told us that if we ever come back to the area we should stop by her restaurant and get her house keys to stay with her! She has such a big heart!
Here's an after picture. Isn't it beautiful?!?!
Here is a picture of Spencer with Mrs. Hue in front of her home.
During our trip we were housed in a church that had converted four upstairs classrooms into permanent volunteer housing. Here is a picture of our living quarters for the week ...
The bunks were three levels high and had either matresses or air matresses to use. Not the most comfortable, but of course it was just one of the many things that made the trip all the more memorable and created funny stories to share.
The church also had an academy on the small campus. Next to the church was the school building and cafeteria where we were fed fabulous meals. In fact, it was the first time I had grits (the ones we had were cheesey) and they were soooo goooood! On the other side of the school building was our shower building. Take a look at this ...
This is basically a shed converted into two shower rooms, one for the guys and one for the gals. Each had three shower stalls and one restroom and was unheated and not insulated! It made for a cold shower trip in the thirty degree weather we had!!! Not to mention the lack of warm water! But, as I mentioned before, it has made for some funny memories. Note the countertop and mirrors set up on the outside of the building for people to use. Let me tell you, they were not used while we were there!
Now, let me share one funny story from the first night we were there. I got a cell phone call from my youth group girls who had gone to take showers before we went to bed. They sounded hysterical and I thought for sure someone had gotten hurt. Come to find out, they were screaming and laughing, not crying. They wanted me to come save them from the gecko that was "trapping" them in the shower room - all eight inches of him!!! Too funny!
We would so love to go back some day, if God should call us. We would especially love to go see Mrs. Hue, who was able to re-open her restaurant, The Rusty Pelican, a few days ago. It was a grand event and over 100 people attended a party the night before. So, if you ever make it down that way, but sure to stop in and meet this amazing woman.
