January 31, 2006
We are still here working away in Gautier, Mississippi. The need for volunteer help for Katrina Disaster Relief is great. The organization we are volunteering for is Nazarene Disaster Relief USA. People from across the US have been here in this short time we have been here. The church has a gymnasium that sometimes is wall to wall mattresses. This is where the groups who come here to work are sleeping. It is so awesome meeting and working with these Christians, all dedicated to serving God in this needy area. This week we have been part a big project rebuilding the inside of a Nazarene Church in Pascagoula. Most of the homes and buildings in this area had 4 to 5 feet of water in them. All sheetrock, flooring, furniture and appliances has to be removed and replaced plus most personal items. Gene has been putting up trim and I have been painting. We work each day until about 3:30. We then have a little time to rest before meeting at the church “café” for excellent meals and good fellowship. We have become good friends with 2 couples, one from Delaware and another from Indiana. Each were here for just one week and at different times. Both couples have been involved with other work projects. We hope to meet up with them in the future. We drove along the coastal highway for several miles on Sunday. As we travel west, the devastation is much worse. In the areas hit by the eye of the hurricane and next to the water there is nothing left of most homes and businesses but rubble. Back from the water’s edge several miles houses are litterally washed off their foundations. Cars look like they have rolled several times. In Biloxi the city requires all casinos to be off shore and so they are built on huge barges. Some of these barges are now sitting on dry land on the north side of the highway—just the barge, the casino is gone. In Waveland we saw a road that was buckled just as if it was an earthquake. Most of this damage is due not only to high wind but the impact of wind AND water. One of the workers rebuilding a casino told us the water was 35 feet high in the casino hotel. In the midst of all this destruction is a huge tent set up to feed the hungry, the workers or just anyone. It is called Katrina’s Kitchen. They serve meals all day every day. They have not charged anything but do ask for donations from those who can afford it. We are told the food there is good. It is run by a Christian Radio Station we think. Sometimes we wonder what good we are doing but as someone told us “you fill a bucket with one rock at a time”. That is the way we have to look at this awesome task of rebuilding. Help will be needed here for a long, long time. We are thankful for small part God has allowed us to have in rebuilding the Gulf Coast.

These two houses were moved off of their foundations. Once lodged up against a tree and the other slamed into the house. The writing on the houses was used by officials to let others know if there were people in the houses, dead or alive.

This is beach sand that has been cleaned of any debris by a big machine which scoops up the sand and separates it from the junk leaving the sand in rows and piles.

Much of the debris was blown into the trees which some day will have to be cleaned up too.

Katrina's Kitchen also has clothing and other supplies needed by many.

Destruction of this apartment building was extensive.

This Walmart lot has been cleaned up and the inside gutted. The interior was completely destroyed.

This seemed to be a large very nice home once.

Cars thrown around like toys

House now nothing but rubble

January 13, 2006
We have been volunteering here in Gautier for nearly a week. It is such a rewarding experience helping the people here who are in great need. They are so appreciative and we find opportunities to share the love of God. We have hung paneling and sheet rock, installed kitchen cabinets and done other odd jobs. We are very tired at the end of the day but it is a “good kind of tired.” There is soooooooo much to do and so many people to help I think we could be here a year and still find people in need. Thanks be to God we are able to do a very small part. We just watched a segment on one of the news networks tonight begging people to come to Mississippi to help with the relief, specifically Gulf Port which is just down the road from where we are. The devastation is much worse as we travel west towards New Orleans. We have lost our camera and so until we buy another, there will be no pictures. On Wednesday afternoon we went to New Orleans to share in the 3rd birthday of our nephew, Jack. It was an enjoyable afternoon and evening with family. He is an especially sweet little boy. In New Orleans many business are closed, houses ruined and many people out of jobs. The city is working hard and “coming back” but it will be a struggle for some time. We will go back again to visit when we have finished our job here in Mississippi.

December 6, 2005 to January 5, 2006

Happy New Year. We spent one month in Florida. Our campground was near Starke and was about a half hours drive from Gene’s brother and wife, Ron and Olivia Feltner. Their daughter and family has been living with them since Huricane Katrina. They were unable to return to New Orleans until after Christmas. There son and family were also there for several days so it was quite a full house. Ron and Liv are great hosts and even greater cooks so it was so much fun spending time with them for Christmas. We spent one day in St. Augustine. It is a very old town with lots of history. We walked around the very old St Augustine district, ate dinner there and then enjoyed the Christmas Lights. On Tuesday after Christmas we went to Kennedy Space Center. As we arrived I overheard a worker there say the week between Christmas and New Years is the busiest week in the year there. We can attest to that. We actually spent much of our time in long lines waiting for a bus to take us to the next stop. However it was very interesting and we learned much about the space program. There were several films to explain and even an IMAX movie about the International Space Center. It is a trip we would encourage everyone to go on. I have developed a new hobby, beading. I am enjoying making jewelry and hope to maybe be able to sell some to people in the campgrounds we stay in. We are hoping this won’t be wishful thinking as we will have lots of jewelry hanging around. It is a fun hobby. Our daughter, along with Gene’s encouragement got, me started. Gene seems to always find something that needs to be done on the motor home. Anyway, between our projects and visiting relatives, we kept very busy while here in Florida. After Christmas, the families had gone home, and we were able to spend time with Ron and Liv. We walked along the beach one day and also toured the Budweiser brewery in Jacksonville. We played card games, and just enjoyed being in their home. We also enjoyed eating out several times and the great meals they prepared. We enjoyed our time there so much and appreciate their hospitality. We are on our way to Gautier, (pronounced Goshay) Mississippi, to do volunteer work for the Hurricane Katrina relief. We are not sure exactly what we will be doing there but it is something we have anticipated being able to help with since last fall. We will be there one month.