Tuesday - been here for a week

We arrived last Wednesday, so this is our 7th day. The last large group from last week left after lunch today; two more large groups arrived this evening. We should be back up to 100+ workers for tomorrow.

I ran out of flat tires (at least for now). Today was chain saw day. We have 3 crews going out tomorrow - one of them to a house where there are 15 trees down. All the saws now have nice, sharp blades and are ready to go. I am constantly amazed at the volunteers that come here, and what they are willing to do. Two families traveled down together in a camper, bringing many of their own tools and saws. When they heard about my problems getting chain saws sharpened, they volunteered their electric chain saw grinder and helped me sharpen saws tonight (after a full days work). Not only that, but after seeing the condition of our saws and what I had to work with, told me that they would donate the grinder when they left! Almost every group that has been here in the last 7 days brought something with them that they have left here for us to use - power tools, hand tools, ladders, wheelbarrows, and now a chain saw sharpener.

I went to Biloxi today, checking job sites for crews later this week. I stopped at one house only to be told that she already had most of the work done, but still was so thankful that we were here and helping. She has lived in this area for more than 30 years, and is still in shock over the damage to this place she calls home - historic landmarks gone, friend's houses gone, friends gone who won't come back.

I drove through another area today where the destruction was so complete, that it was hard to believe that it was once a plush golf community. One house was completely gone, except for the concrete steps that probably led to the front porch; and then there was the large boat sitting in what would have been the back yard - and I'm pretty sure the boat does not belong to anyone in that neighborhood - it looks like it rolled and tumbled its way there from one of the marinas, a couple of miles away.

Several people wondered, before we came, what kind of things were needed here. Christus Victor has many things listed on their web site but food, blankets, and money are the main things. There are very few food distribution centers still running in this area. As the temperature has been dropping this week, the need for blankets and sleeping bags has increased. Money to help buy food to feed the volunteers is a big expense. The folks at Christus Victor are feeding anywhere from 50 to 200 people per day - volunteers, people from the community, people from the church who don't have a place to cook for themselves. Some volunteers bring food; others donate to the kitchen fund, but all want and need to be fed.

Time to go for now. Pray for us - all of us - as we try to help these people regain some sense of peace in their lives.