They still need our help...

In August of 2005, as everyone knows, Hurricane Katrina slammed into our nation’s Gulf Coast, killing almost 2,000 people, and leaving thousands of people homeless and jobless. Now, a year and a half later, there are still hundreds of people without homes, living in tents or FEMA trailers, depending on others to provide their families the most basic of needs: shelter, food, and medical care. Imagine, facing a second year in a tent. Imagine your children; say under the age of three, having no memory of living in a house. Imagine, your school age children, trying to attend school daily after sleeping in a tent every night. Imagine, being a renter, losing your apartment in the storm, and then finding out that only home owners were eligible for FEMA trailers, not renters. On average, 30% of the Gulf Coast residents were renters, facing this very issue. And now, the residents that were lucky enough to receive a trailer are at a critical point; FEMA usually takes back temporary housing (trailers) at the 18 month point following the disaster. For those residents: now what do they do?

In October of 2005, a group of people from COB (our church-Community of Believers) traveled to Biloxi, Mississippi to serve the victims of this massive storm. Biloxi was one of the hardest hit areas along the Gulf, and to this day, is still in dire need of help. Our group had the privilege of staying at the Prince of Peace Baptist Church in Biloxi, MS. Pastor Darrell Taylor opened up his church & property to teams that came to serve the area, and to residents that were awaiting assistance themselves. We were able to help muck out houses & serve in the free clinic that opened up shortly after the storm. It was hard work, but very much worth it to serve those in need. (please check out the links below)

On June 26th, a team of 4 are returning to Biloxi to serve once again. Maureen Petrasko & I were part of the original group to go down in 2005, and we felt God had laid it on our hearts to specifically return to Biloxi & help some more. This time, Maureen's daughters, Maria & Vanessa, will be joining us. After contacting Pastor Taylor, we learned that the need is still great. People are still living in tents. The Prince of Peace Church has a huge food pantry that is serving hundreds of residents weekly, and the free clinic is seeing between 70 – 85 patients a day, 6 days a week. They need help, and we feel led to answer that need as much as we can.

We have purchased airline tickets for an amazing price, which actually will be more cost effective than driving 2,000 miles round trip with the rise in gas prices. We have had a rental car donated to us for use while we are in Biloxi. A church in southern Ohio came & built a small dormitory on the property of our host church for volunteers to stay in, and it will be used by the church for other purposes after the relief effort is over. And we have been blessed by financial donations by many caring individuals, ministries, & businesses.

But we covet your prayers... for a safe trip, for good health while we are there, for the people we interact with, and for our families while we are away. We will be returning on July 3rd.

Please pray for this trip, and all of the residents affected, still, by Hurricane Katrina. And watch for an update when we get back!

http://myweb.cableone.net/princeofpeace/

http://www.photosfromkatrina.com/default.htm