Today in the Distribution Center

Unlike Ray, I'm not seeing much of either the scenery or destruction around Ocean Springs first hand. I am driving one of Christus Victor's vans loaded with volunteers from the church to the distribution center in the morning, back again for lunch, and return once more at the end of the work day. This trip is about one mile each way, so the scenery doesn't vary much! Between times, I spend my day in the warehouse or in the driveway, checking on the crews inside and out - and answering a wide variety of questions.

I have quickly become the resident expert on the location of special items and the proper procedure for handling special situations. I have certainly been calling on some of my business experience in customer service and materials management for this assignment.

Clients drive up, give us their requests for food, water, personal hygiene items, baby food, diapers, towels, blankets, etc. Then a member of our team retrieves the items for them and places it in their vehicle, and off they go. We have ample opportunities, too, to talk with people and listen to their stories about Katrina and the affects of the storm on their homes and families.

Today, I was privileged to talk with some people who were donating goods for others. One elderly couple was bringing in things for others, but also told us how grateful they are to volunteers who have helped clean out, repair, and refurnish their home. It seems that one congregation from Georgia has adopted this couple and are really developing a relationship with them. In fact the couple went to Georgia to visit the congregation over the Thanksgiving holiday! Their story seemed to me to be a perfect model for ministry. Imagine the impact if every family in need was adopted by a congregation...

It is definitely not too late to get involved. Most recent estimates are that it will take up to eight years for this area to recover from Katrina. Enormous needs for supplies and for volunteer labor will continue for a long time to come.