A Thank You to the Christians of the Gulf Coast

As I mentioned in my last blog, I went down to Mississippi for spring break to help out with Katrina relief. Two and a half years later there are still people without houses, money, and hope. Two and a half years later there is still trash and debris everywhere, though much of it can't be seen because of the two and a half years of overgrowth. People have lived two and a half years worrying about a dead tree that with the right amount of wind could fall on what is left of their home.

This is the first entry of many that will detail some of my experiences in MS. The needs in our very own country, our supposedly rich country, are very great. In Biloxi, MS, we encountered several people who were still homeless, living on the streets or in their cars, ever since Katrina. Some people have been lucky enough to get Katrina cottages, but some are still living in and getting sick from FEMA trailers, waiting...

The scenery looks nice if you didn't live there before. Many of the trees are bare--killed by the massive amount of salt water that flooded the area. There are many, many lots where houses used to be but where now only a remnant remains. The elderly are immensely suffering as there is little they can do themselves and very few who are able to help so many.

And two and a half years later, there are still a few camps, organizations, and individuals that are dedicated to restoring the people of the gulf, most of them are Christian. There are not nearly as many as are needed, but the communities of the gulf are grateful for whatever help they can get.

So, I would like to say that I am thankful for the Christians whose hearts are so in tune with God's. For those who labor constantly for the lives of the people of the gulf. This is what missions, what the church, is all about.