Going back to Biloxi, but not to gamble

Last week I made my way back to Biloxi, but I didn't go to gamble. I went on a mission. My mission and the mission of my friends and colleagues in the Provisional Ordination Group was to repair destruction caused by hurricane Katrina and Rita.

The week was a awkward one. We were in an awkward place. We had to do awkward work. We had to deal with a few awkward situations. But the week was also a rewarding one.

Our Provisional Group divided into two separate teams. Each team helped a different family. Our group helped a wonderful lady named Aretha and her family. She had been waiting since the days after Katrina for relief. Katrina hit Biloxi on August 29, 2005. So for nearly five long years Aretha and her family have waited for somebody to come and help her. With thanksgiving in her heart Aretha told our group, "I thought this day would never come."

As I said earlier we worked long days. Over the course of four days we tore down and replaced a bedroom ceiling. We took up an old floor, and put down a new floor. The work was awkward at times because most of our group had very limited construction experience. I told the group, "This week of construction work is at least doing one thing--it is affirming that we are called to be preachers and not construction work."

There is still much work to be done in Biloxi. Katrina and Rita were big storms. What Katrina didn't destroy, Rita came in and soaked it with rain. Many homes in the area were abandoned. Many other homes were completely destroyed and never rebuilt. I can't recall how many concrete slabs I saw.

I do hope that having a repaired home will help continue the long road of healing.

It is nice to leave Biloxi this time with not only money in my pocket, but with a renewed sense of hope and belief in the goodness of people in my heart.