2006 Katrina Mission Trip Pass Christian
Mississippi
I’m very happy to hear of the interest in the Summer Mission Trip. I believe that it is important and it allows us the opportunity to make a significant difference in our world. We’ll be returning to Pass Christian, Mississippi, 45 minutes east of New Orleans, right on the coast.
We’ll
leave by caravan on Saturday June 2 and return the same way on Saturday June
9. There is no age limit, as long as the parent is going and the child
understands what we are doing. It’s not a pleasure trip. Last year we
had a (50ish) mother go with her 4th grade son. It merely
requires the parent to keep an eye on the child and make sure the child
knows this is a work-mission trip. Her son stayed in the guy’s tent
and we always kept an eye out for him We had work
for everybody, regardless of their skill level. I did a lot of sanding on
walls, painting and
helping
create a textured ceiling. I have a lovely picture of me at the end of the
day. Others did more construction
On the first day I was working fine until 3 pm (I remember the moment well). I simply ran out of steam. So I sat down. Nobody said anything. And I never had another problem the rest of the week. I think I got used to it. On Friday others were tiring out, but I was going strong. You pace yourself and if you need a break, you take one. We don’t have slave masters to over see us. It’s pretty laid back.
Note
the dining tent behind Rev. Doug Baker, Jim Eikenberry, Dick Norris and Bob
Nicholson.
American Baptists have rented a portion of land where we have tents set up. Today I’m told they are air conditioned. They weren’t last Summer. L All the equipment, tools and building supplies are on site. We use them. Clean them and return the unused portion back to the supply tent.
We usually went to work around 8 and
finished at 5 depending on how close we were to finishing one part of that
job. At the end of the day, we would return to our camp, shower, and dress
as comfortably as possible to sit in the hot sun until evening. Now they
have shade.
The meals were always ready for us. As a worker, I would be very tired by
the end of the day. It was simply marvelous knowing that the food was
prepared by someone whose main job was to purchase, prepare, serve and clean
up. We ate like kings and still lost weight.
We had Margie and a guy
from South Bend to buy and prepare the food for us.
They would bring snacks and drinks to us on site. Lunch was prepared in one
of the two kitchens. We also had a dining hall. Mind you, these were all
non-air conditioned tents. I think they are now all air conditioned. It’s
still very hot and humid. That is why we want to go as early as possible
this year. I want to avoid a more humid date. But we have no way of
knowing what the weather will be like in Pass Christian, Mississippi in
June.
There is another group of American Baptist from one of the Dakotas who will share the camp with us this year. Last year there was a group of 40 American Baptists from West Virginia who shared the camp with us. This year we’ll have about 15 from our church go and some from our sister American Baptist Churches as well.
The accommodations are
not a 4star hotel. We’ll sleep in air conditioned tents, but it will be
warm. You’ll have a cot. Women and men have separate tents. We had
outhouses for the necessities of life. We had 17 showers.
My
they were wonderful. They are private and made you feel human again.
It was rough and it’s not for everyone. But I know that I was serving Jesus Christ. I sincerely want to make a difference in my world. I want to sense HIS pleasure in my service. So I organized our small band of volunteers because I wanted others to have the chance to help, in response to the commands of Christ.
We had devotions each night and tried to focus on why we were there, not to complain.
I want to
encourage you to join us this year. All I’m asking you and others to do is
to tell me you are
interested. We’ll work out the details later. You may need to
back out at a later date, but let’s talk about it now. No commitments.
Just let me know if you might interested.
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
The
only cost to the team last year was each persons own personal expenses. The
congregation took up an offering which helped pay the gas and meals down.
They donated food which we used. One of our own business men donated a
large van, the gas and a son to go with us.
I am glad I went. I want to encourage you and your family to join us as we serve Jesus as we help our fellow man.
Let me know if you are still interested in going.
For the Cause of Christ,
PJ