THE CIRCUIT RIDER
July 2006
Page 4


MISSISSIPPI MISSION TRIP

We arrived at Gateway UM Church in Gulfport, Mississippi, on Sunday evening, May 28. As many as 100 volunteers were staying and sleeping at the church, including groups from Tennessee, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Mississippi. There were many high school students, as well as older volunteers of all ages. We slept in the Sanctuary and in Sunday School rooms...wherever we could find a spot to roll out our sleeping bags. Meals were prepared at the church by volunteers from the groups and people would also sign up for "clean-up duty".

We received our assignment and drove to the job site first thing Monday morning. Our project was a continuation of renovating a 70' x 14' trailer home belonging to a young couple and their 14 month old son. The trailer had suffered extensive water damage from flooding and had been completely gutted. A 30' FEMA trailer was parked next to their damaged home and had been their shelter for the past eight months. Earlier volunteers had begun hanging pre-finished sheet rock. We commenced replacing flooring, insulation, and sheet rock. Temperatures each day reached 95 degrees and the humidity was high as well. Fortunately, a beautiful old oak tree provided shade over half of the trailer, and we took full advantage of it during lunch and work breaks! Thanks to the availability of some useful tools provided by UMCOR (United Methodist Committe On Relief), we were able to get a substantial amount of work done each day. After 4 days, we had completed replacing most of the sheet rock and replaced all of the bad flooring. All that remained for future volunteers was plumbing and electrical repairs, and refurnishing the trailer.

Although the extent of damage to the gulf coast is overwhelming, we felt satisfied that at least we put this family much closer to moving out of the FEMA trailer and back into their home. The times we spoke with them, we could tell they were impressed and grateful that a group of church volunteers would come to their aid.

We found time in the evenings to tour the damage along the coast. Evidence of the awesome power of the storm was everywhere. We shared many thoughts and observations and Pastor Dave put our feelings in perspective during our evening devotions. We soon became a closely knit group and enjoyed working together.

Rebuilding the gulf coast will take many years, and it will never be the same again. We can be proud of the work and services the United Methodist Church is providing. We should continue to monitor and pray for the people and the progress of the rebuilding effort...the work of the church there, and especially the status of this young family trying to rebuild their lives in rural southern Mississippi.
- Bruce Bro, Mission Team Member