123 Pirate Avenue is the last house standing for over 1/2 mile to the Gulf of Mexico. Katrina got the others, then the dozers cleared away the debris. In one of her lucid moments, the lady of the house called 123 Pirate Avenue her “Long Beach house.”
They are old, he is a Korean War Marine and she is the bride of his youth. Her Alzheimer’s makes it necessary for him to lead her around by her hand. He often sits beside her and just holds that hand. She says that he is a “nice young man.” He is angelically patient.
The Long Beach House is at elevation 23 feet above sea level. It lost the roof, the bricks on the south end, and was flooded about eye-level to a six-footer. Most of the things of their life are gone. One of the few remaining, a framed black and white photograph of the two of them sat on a chair waiting to be restored. Even with the salt crust and corrosion, they were a fine looking couple. The looks in his eyes say she still is.
123 Pirate Avenue is being restored. New wiring, drywall, plumbing, roof, bricks, and paint are being donated and installed with the help of volunteers from the church. Folks from more states than he can recall have been in and on the Long Beach House. It is looking good. They are living in an RV behind the church building.
He is busy at the church building. He is the guy who sends out teams of volunteers to work in town. The group from Central in Huntsville had planned to paint inside the church building but God had something else in mind. God wanted work done in the Long Beach House. The sheet rock in the church building was not as far along as was planned. His old arm had to be twisted before he would grudgingly send people to 123 Pirate Avenue. He is a servant and puts his needs last. He has heard of a guy named Jesus and tries to imitate Him.
There was no flood insurance and the homeowner’s didn’t pay much. There is no long term care insurance for her. He has lost so much. He can’t even talk to her about it - she isn’t there.
He has lost but he has gained. He delights in chatting at length about most any subject with the volunteers who come to help. He is well educated - spent his working life supervising natural gas pipeline and pumping station work. His rapport with the people of the church has grown greatly - he is admired. His relationship with his Savior is strong and vibrant. Listening to his prayers is like hearing a friend talk to a Friend.
He almost gets excited about the 123 Pirate Avenue but not quite. He speaks of it in terms of “if we live there again.” One of the children wants them to move to Texas and live in a retirement home. With his arm draped across his bride’s shoulder, he sighs and wonders aloud but softly, what to do. He will soon have to decide - 123 Pirate Avenue will soon be restored. What he decides won’t matter to her but his life-long friends, the church, are still there.
Katrina hurt the Long Beach House, but it is being repaired. The Alzheimer’s was there before the wind and rain.
Which is the real storm?
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Bless Your Heart
“Bless your heart.” It’s a phrase from the South, old fashioned and enduring. It conveys compassion and sympathy for a person caught in a difficult situation. That person is almost always a woman. Men seldom use this phrase, but women often do, woman relating to woman. With the connotation of “bless your heart” on our minds, ten Christian sisters from the Central church loaded up two vans on Friday, April 21, 2006, and made the long drive to Long Beach, Mississippi, to bring a blessing to the hearts of women there.
Long Beach has been the destination for 80 or more members from Central during the months since Hurricane Katrina demolished much of the small town and surrounding area on the Gulf of Mexico. Many hours of hard, dirty work have been spent handing out food boxes and water bottles, blankets and hugs, and most anything else needed by people who have suffered devastating losses. This trip would be different, though. We wouldn’t be mucking houses or raking yards or tearing out moldy sheet rock. This trip was designed for women to minister to the unique needs of other women.
With little warning, Katrina swept away things cherished by feminine hearts: baby pictures, family quilts, grandmother’s Bible, the china received as brides. Those are just a few examples. When the storm was gone, there was little time for grief. Instead there was a desperate struggle to survive accompanied by the urgency to rebuild. Together with their husbands, sons, brothers and strangers, these women picked up shovels and hammers to tear out what remained of their houses. From time to time they’d find a lost treasure and rejoice, just as the woman rejoiced when the lost wedding ornament-coin was found in the parable Jesus told. Surrounded by mud and stench, they endured conditions that offend a woman’s heart: clutter, debris, destruction, and disruption of relationships.
The ladies at Central were inspired with the idea of a mini retreat. We wanted to communicate to these ladies that we sympathize with their losses. We wanted to bring them, for just a short time, something feminine and fun, pretty, and even extravagant. Our vans weren’t packed with chain saws, axes, and work gloves. No bleach, Pampers or cases of bottled water. Instead we carried bright table cloths, potted plants, foot spas, and ingredients for a “girly” salad lunch. We brought colorful gift bags with cosmetics, lovingly made custom jewelry, and special chocolates. Our speaker brought a message of assurance that God provides and heals. The women from Central prayed, sang, ate, laughed, and cried together with the women of Mississippi. (Yes, guys, those tears you fear are healing to us.) We massaged and lotioned hands and feet and painted nails in preferred colors. It was “A Day for the Ladies.”
For a few hours those who came received a respite from the difficult circumstances they continue to face. They had time out in the company of other ladies to enjoy a bit of luxury. Instead of being the care givers, they were the cared for. The sisters from Central served, ministered, and took up the towel of Jesus to wash feet. The God who provides and heals did His work. He blessed the hearts of us all.
Sharon Ditto
Long Beach has been the destination for 80 or more members from Central during the months since Hurricane Katrina demolished much of the small town and surrounding area on the Gulf of Mexico. Many hours of hard, dirty work have been spent handing out food boxes and water bottles, blankets and hugs, and most anything else needed by people who have suffered devastating losses. This trip would be different, though. We wouldn’t be mucking houses or raking yards or tearing out moldy sheet rock. This trip was designed for women to minister to the unique needs of other women.
With little warning, Katrina swept away things cherished by feminine hearts: baby pictures, family quilts, grandmother’s Bible, the china received as brides. Those are just a few examples. When the storm was gone, there was little time for grief. Instead there was a desperate struggle to survive accompanied by the urgency to rebuild. Together with their husbands, sons, brothers and strangers, these women picked up shovels and hammers to tear out what remained of their houses. From time to time they’d find a lost treasure and rejoice, just as the woman rejoiced when the lost wedding ornament-coin was found in the parable Jesus told. Surrounded by mud and stench, they endured conditions that offend a woman’s heart: clutter, debris, destruction, and disruption of relationships.
The ladies at Central were inspired with the idea of a mini retreat. We wanted to communicate to these ladies that we sympathize with their losses. We wanted to bring them, for just a short time, something feminine and fun, pretty, and even extravagant. Our vans weren’t packed with chain saws, axes, and work gloves. No bleach, Pampers or cases of bottled water. Instead we carried bright table cloths, potted plants, foot spas, and ingredients for a “girly” salad lunch. We brought colorful gift bags with cosmetics, lovingly made custom jewelry, and special chocolates. Our speaker brought a message of assurance that God provides and heals. The women from Central prayed, sang, ate, laughed, and cried together with the women of Mississippi. (Yes, guys, those tears you fear are healing to us.) We massaged and lotioned hands and feet and painted nails in preferred colors. It was “A Day for the Ladies.”
For a few hours those who came received a respite from the difficult circumstances they continue to face. They had time out in the company of other ladies to enjoy a bit of luxury. Instead of being the care givers, they were the cared for. The sisters from Central served, ministered, and took up the towel of Jesus to wash feet. The God who provides and heals did His work. He blessed the hearts of us all.
Sharon Ditto
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Common
What do an engineer, a programmer, a financial advisor, a single mom with polio and two daughters, a fifth grade teacher and her banana broker husband all have in common? ---- Steve.
Katrina did a lot of damage to the houses of the single mom and the teacher and banana guy. The single mom’s floor was ruined and the teacher/banana guy lost a ceiling. The engineer/programmer/financial guy (professionals) knew next-to-nothing about floors and ceilings - enough to walk on one and under the other. So what does all this have in common? ---- Steve.
Steve?
Twenty-five years old now, when Steve was fifteen, his dad died. He stopped school and went to work wherever and on whatever. Work ethic, quick mind, good hands, “calibrated eyeball” - these are descriptors of Steve. When a family in the church in Charlotte “adopted” him, he learned to love Jesus and became “adopted” by Jesus’ Dad.
So what’s common? The Charlotte church hired Steve to come to Long Beach for six weeks and work on people’s houses. He has been there about eight weeks. Lately, he has been on his own time. People need what he can do. What can Steve do? If it is in or about a house, he can fix it.
Steve taught his rookie crew of three professionals enough so that a single mom with polio and two daughters has a new floor and a big smile. Steve and the rookies hung a new ceiling for the teacher and her banana guy husband and left them well pleased. Jesus’ light shined in both houses.
What’s “common“ about this? Nothing! Jesus’ brother, God’s adopted son, Steve, is not common nor is what he and the rookies did. It is “un-common.” It is never “common” when Jesus’ light shines --- ever!
Katrina did a lot of damage to the houses of the single mom and the teacher and banana guy. The single mom’s floor was ruined and the teacher/banana guy lost a ceiling. The engineer/programmer/financial guy (professionals) knew next-to-nothing about floors and ceilings - enough to walk on one and under the other. So what does all this have in common? ---- Steve.
Steve?
Twenty-five years old now, when Steve was fifteen, his dad died. He stopped school and went to work wherever and on whatever. Work ethic, quick mind, good hands, “calibrated eyeball” - these are descriptors of Steve. When a family in the church in Charlotte “adopted” him, he learned to love Jesus and became “adopted” by Jesus’ Dad.
So what’s common? The Charlotte church hired Steve to come to Long Beach for six weeks and work on people’s houses. He has been there about eight weeks. Lately, he has been on his own time. People need what he can do. What can Steve do? If it is in or about a house, he can fix it.
Steve taught his rookie crew of three professionals enough so that a single mom with polio and two daughters has a new floor and a big smile. Steve and the rookies hung a new ceiling for the teacher and her banana guy husband and left them well pleased. Jesus’ light shined in both houses.
What’s “common“ about this? Nothing! Jesus’ brother, God’s adopted son, Steve, is not common nor is what he and the rookies did. It is “un-common.” It is never “common” when Jesus’ light shines --- ever!
Monday, January 23, 2006
Katrina Patina
Lori Gordon is an artist who lives amid the ruin in Cleremore Harbor which is south of Waveland, Mississippi. Sharon and Joey and Leslie and I met her when we knocked on her FIMA trailer and offered her a blanket.
What a lady. Forty years worth of hers and her husband's art work was gone. In appreciation, they gave us two coins from his colletion that had been lost in Katrina then found. They called the coins "Katrina Patina" because the salt water had discolored them. I think we will keep the coins.
We were the Christians - they taught the lesson. In their loss, they gave.
Take a look at MSNBC's audio-slide story of Lori. http://risingfromruin.msnbc.com/2005/11/bay_st_louis_mi.html
What a lady. Forty years worth of hers and her husband's art work was gone. In appreciation, they gave us two coins from his colletion that had been lost in Katrina then found. They called the coins "Katrina Patina" because the salt water had discolored them. I think we will keep the coins.
We were the Christians - they taught the lesson. In their loss, they gave.
Take a look at MSNBC's audio-slide story of Lori. http://risingfromruin.msnbc.com/2005/11/bay_st_louis_mi.html
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
A Letter from Biloxi - More Good News and a Call for Help
Tony Callins shared this letter from Paul Warren, a minister at the Division Street Church of Christ in Biloxi. Good news like this is always good to hear. A cry for help too... maybe someone will know what to do.
Thank you you for all the prayers! I appreciate everything you all have being doing for us. it is always good to know when someone enjoys a gospel sermon,because that brings joy to my heart. our evagelistic efforts have been great here. we have baptized in the past few weeks a total of 10 new converts to christ through our relief efforts and sharing the gospel in the neighborhoods. our plan as a congregation is to rebuild . we have a mobile home trailer that will arrive here hopefully saturday evening. please keep praying for us here.
yours in christ,
paul warren p.s. if you know of anyone that can help in the efforts with our rebuilding project please give us a call or if anyone that can send sheetrock it will be greatly appreciated. hope to hear from you soon!!!
Thursday, December 22, 2005
A Shamelessly Stolen Christmas List
Sometimes this year we are making lists of things we want or wish for. Paul made a list of some things we just did. I thought I would drop it here so it would not be so quickly forgotten. I suppose someone might think this is bragging or something - but that would only be the case if this blog was seen by tons of people. Who sees this anyway? This is a journal to remember what we've been up to. Thanks Paul for remembering.
1. We distributed over 300 blankets to people who had only recently received FEMA trailers or were still living in tents, thereby demonstrating the love and compassion of Christ to Biloxi(ans?), the Division Street CoC, and our own children. Many seeds were planted!
2. We provided encouragement to the Division Street CoC through the angels and other donated items at a crucial time (immediately after receiving discouraging news that the insurance settlement is inadequate to rebuild). We all need to know that we are not alone in the face of adversity.
3. We demonstrated the unity of the body that Christ prayed for in the garden (immediately before His arrest, knowing full well what lay ahead – Jn 17:20). “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, black nor white, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal
3:28, Gibbs Modern English Translation, 2005). This was also an answer to our own prayers.
4. We discussed the possibility of the Division Street congregation visiting Central on some future weekend, as yet to be determined.
5. As a result of our example, the Division Street congregation was challenged to focus more outward on the community instead of their own struggles by Paul Warren on Sunday AM.
6. We have been searching for the past few weeks for clear direction about how this relief effort should be continued, and I believe that that answer was provided during this trip. Just as so many other churches have been rebuilt by relief teams, we now have the opportunity to serve the Division Street church in the same way. This is a great opportunity. We have the necessary skills. It would encourage the spirit of the church and further increase the unity of the body at Central. As so many others have already said, the Division Street church needs to be there to
minister to the local community. I do not know if it is the Lord’s will for the church to remain in that location, but I believe that this is an answer to prayer, and if it is so, He will provide the means and the materials to complete this work. It would be most fitting to do so on MLK
weekend, which give us a month to prepare. I hope that we can all join together to meet this need if given the opportunity.
-Thanks Paul
And then Lisa added....
7. Don't forget the nursing home visit.
8. And another biggie--the impression made on our children. Here's how the weekend was seen through one set of those eyes (attached)..... Which led to Morgans post below!
Merry Christmas all!
1. We distributed over 300 blankets to people who had only recently received FEMA trailers or were still living in tents, thereby demonstrating the love and compassion of Christ to Biloxi(ans?), the Division Street CoC, and our own children. Many seeds were planted!
2. We provided encouragement to the Division Street CoC through the angels and other donated items at a crucial time (immediately after receiving discouraging news that the insurance settlement is inadequate to rebuild). We all need to know that we are not alone in the face of adversity.
3. We demonstrated the unity of the body that Christ prayed for in the garden (immediately before His arrest, knowing full well what lay ahead – Jn 17:20). “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, black nor white, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal
3:28, Gibbs Modern English Translation, 2005). This was also an answer to our own prayers.
4. We discussed the possibility of the Division Street congregation visiting Central on some future weekend, as yet to be determined.
5. As a result of our example, the Division Street congregation was challenged to focus more outward on the community instead of their own struggles by Paul Warren on Sunday AM.
6. We have been searching for the past few weeks for clear direction about how this relief effort should be continued, and I believe that that answer was provided during this trip. Just as so many other churches have been rebuilt by relief teams, we now have the opportunity to serve the Division Street church in the same way. This is a great opportunity. We have the necessary skills. It would encourage the spirit of the church and further increase the unity of the body at Central. As so many others have already said, the Division Street church needs to be there to
minister to the local community. I do not know if it is the Lord’s will for the church to remain in that location, but I believe that this is an answer to prayer, and if it is so, He will provide the means and the materials to complete this work. It would be most fitting to do so on MLK
weekend, which give us a month to prepare. I hope that we can all join together to meet this need if given the opportunity.
-Thanks Paul
And then Lisa added....
7. Don't forget the nursing home visit.
8. And another biggie--the impression made on our children. Here's how the weekend was seen through one set of those eyes (attached)..... Which led to Morgans post below!
Merry Christmas all!
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Thoughts from Tony
When I heard Paul speak about his first trip to Mississippi my heart was moved to want to get involved. I told my wife that night that I wanted to go there and help. But I did not commit to going until the week of December 12th. I was doing other things on the weekends people from Central were going. I was either working overtime at work or working on my house. I realized later that those things could have waited. Some of the reasons that I went this past weekend were: to encourage the brothers and sisters that were impacted by the hurricane, to serve people in community near the church building and to spend time with brothers and sisters that I do not normally spend time with. Those things happen along with much, much more. The trip itself was an opportunity for me to get out of my comfort zone. I realized that I need to continue to work on that.
We had very gracious hosts. The people that I met at the Long Beach Church were extremely nice and good to us. I enjoyed meeting John Tate, Mark Hodges and other members that were there. I can tell by their outward appearance that they have inner peace. The time with the Division Street brothers and sisters was very encouraging as well. The people that interacted with the most there was Eddie, Charles, Tony and his family. They, as well the other brothers and sisters there, have a humble spirit about them. To have the disposition they have after going through what they have been through set a great example for me. The worship service was powerful in terms of the passion in which Paul preached about living by faith. Paul impressed me as someone who loves the Body of Christ. He wants to see the Division Street Church building rebuilt. He seems to be working very hard to make that happen. I pray God’s will concerning that. The Division Street Church of Christ needs to be there. There are so many people that they can minister to. I pray that they will remain in that location. I would like for God to use me in anyway he can to help Paul and the Division Street Church be successful in rebuilding. I went to encourage them and the Long Beach congregation, but I was encouraged by them.
Driving to Biloxi on Sunday and seeing the destruction that the powerful hurricane left was very humbling. But what humbled me the most was seeing people live in tents. While giving blankets to people in the neighborhood, Paul, Tamela, and I meet a man named Elijah. Elijah is living in a tent. Paul met him first. He looked to be in his late 40s or early 50s. It was hard to tell. Elijah had on a blue jacket with U.S Air Force on it. He was walking very fast. Elijah was on his way to get scrap plywood from a man named Fred that was working on his house. The reason he was getting plywood was because the lot his tent was on was covered in mud. We gave Elijah several blankets for him and the other people living in tents on the lot. At work Monday I thought about the trip to Mississippi a lot. But what went through my mind the most was Elijah and the other people living in tents and trailers. The trailers were small, but they are big, big improvement from the tents. Other people I thought about at work included: Martha Jones. She was living in her car before she got a trailer. I will think about a lady named Tiffany. She has a baby boy named Christian. He looked to be about 2 months old. She had lived in a tent with the baby and the baby’s father before she received a trailer. There are others I will think about. They include Mae, Rico Vickie and Mr. Gaines. Looking back I wished I would have asked them if I could pray for them while I was there. What I did was pray for them when I got home Sunday night. I will continue to pray for them.
I had a lot with of fun with the people from Central that went on the trip. I have always respected the families that went. The example that the Burns, Burgess, Gibbs and Whiting families have set has always been an encouragement to me. Being around them this weekend I see clearly the compassion and love they have for people. My wife is always asking me when we are going to spend time with other people. I saw the benefit of serving with your brothers and sisters and encouraging them and receiving encouragement from them. There are many things I will try harder to change about me since coming back from the coast. My interaction with people inside the Body and outside is among them. It was a coincidence that Bennie and I went the same weekend. I had been thinking about going for awhile and I happen to ask at work him if he was going. Then again maybe it wasn’t coincidence. Lord willing I will continue to be involved in the Katrina relief effort. I will serve in any way God wants me to serve. I ask some of the people that went what they noticed about how I served. What I can different or better. I look forward to other opportunities here and elsewhere.
- Tony Callins
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Excited Cautious Optimistic Concern
We're about to go! This is out first trip to Mississippi together - all of us. Jan and I are looking forward to the trip for so many reasons. We can't wait to share Christ's love, which compels us... We are hoping to share a life lesson and experience with our children. We're also a little nervous about going into an environment that is outside of our normal comfort area. Is it going to be safe? Will my kids be all right. Gotta trust God on this.
We were talking to the kids last night about the upcoming trip to deliver some Christmas gifts, blankets and Bibles to Biloxi. One child was ALLLL excited. WoooHoooo!!!! I bet those people are going be excited - they probably can't wait.... i can't wait to.... i sure hope i get to..... excitement and cheer in abundance. Now the other child was a little more concerned about this situation.... is this okay... do they want us to come... are we gonna be okay.... what if.... will we have...
Now both children are about equally good and evil as far as I can tell. God just made them a little bit different. I would imagine that each reflects God's image a bit differently - and unfortunately captures the fall in their own way.
When we blend together as a family our strengths blend together to accomodate our weaknesses. The concern of one can aid the ignorance of another. The boldness of one can encourange the fear of another. Family. Maybe that's why God made families - both blood and spiritual.
That is what has been so neat about the Mississippi trips! Look at how each has overcome some of our various issues - aspects of the fall - struggles and entaglements with the world and sin. We have had to lay down distractions to make time. Look how each part of God's image has blended together to achieve the goal we've set out to do. Has it not been so beautiful.
May God bless those on the trip going this weekend.
-Jamie
We were talking to the kids last night about the upcoming trip to deliver some Christmas gifts, blankets and Bibles to Biloxi. One child was ALLLL excited. WoooHoooo!!!! I bet those people are going be excited - they probably can't wait.... i can't wait to.... i sure hope i get to..... excitement and cheer in abundance. Now the other child was a little more concerned about this situation.... is this okay... do they want us to come... are we gonna be okay.... what if.... will we have...
Now both children are about equally good and evil as far as I can tell. God just made them a little bit different. I would imagine that each reflects God's image a bit differently - and unfortunately captures the fall in their own way.
When we blend together as a family our strengths blend together to accomodate our weaknesses. The concern of one can aid the ignorance of another. The boldness of one can encourange the fear of another. Family. Maybe that's why God made families - both blood and spiritual.
That is what has been so neat about the Mississippi trips! Look at how each has overcome some of our various issues - aspects of the fall - struggles and entaglements with the world and sin. We have had to lay down distractions to make time. Look how each part of God's image has blended together to achieve the goal we've set out to do. Has it not been so beautiful.
May God bless those on the trip going this weekend.
-Jamie
Monday, December 12, 2005
Christmas In My House
Elizabeth started fourth grade this year. There was a break from school after Katrina - school got wet. Mom’s barber shop and their house had a break, too - they flooded.
The first time I met Elizabeth, she looked way depressed. She would hardly make eye contact. She retreated behind Mom’s leg.
Saturday night Elizabeth and her Mom and her brother came to the Christmas party. Folks from Macon, Georgia brought Christmas to Long Beach. There were stuffed toys, and a chocolate fountain for covering cocoanut delights, and a huge decorated tree. There were children and people and noise everywhere.
Since Katrina, volunteers from all over have been doing things at Elizabeth’s house. It has been “mucked out.” The electrical and plumbing and insulation and sheet rock have had attention. There is a stove and a washer and a dryer.
Elizabeth was different Saturday night. She bounced and glowed. Her eyes sparkled. There was a “mile-wide” smile that was contagious for everyone. No retreating tonight; there were neck hugs and grins.
Down on one knee, eye-to-eye, I had to ask, “Elizabeth, what are you so excited about?”
“Christmas at my house!”
Yep, it happened again, Ed’s eyes got wet.
Higher, more evangelistic motives for volunteering? Yes, there are; like sowing the seed of the kingdom, and more. But I am a child, my Father’s child, and for Saturday night, it was enough motivation for this child to hear from another child, “Christmas at my house!”
Please forgive the slightly sloppy theology; I am a child and I am excited thinking of “Christmas” in my Father’s house.
He has already given me the gift!
The first time I met Elizabeth, she looked way depressed. She would hardly make eye contact. She retreated behind Mom’s leg.
Saturday night Elizabeth and her Mom and her brother came to the Christmas party. Folks from Macon, Georgia brought Christmas to Long Beach. There were stuffed toys, and a chocolate fountain for covering cocoanut delights, and a huge decorated tree. There were children and people and noise everywhere.
Since Katrina, volunteers from all over have been doing things at Elizabeth’s house. It has been “mucked out.” The electrical and plumbing and insulation and sheet rock have had attention. There is a stove and a washer and a dryer.
Elizabeth was different Saturday night. She bounced and glowed. Her eyes sparkled. There was a “mile-wide” smile that was contagious for everyone. No retreating tonight; there were neck hugs and grins.
Down on one knee, eye-to-eye, I had to ask, “Elizabeth, what are you so excited about?”
“Christmas at my house!”
Yep, it happened again, Ed’s eyes got wet.
Higher, more evangelistic motives for volunteering? Yes, there are; like sowing the seed of the kingdom, and more. But I am a child, my Father’s child, and for Saturday night, it was enough motivation for this child to hear from another child, “Christmas at my house!”
Please forgive the slightly sloppy theology; I am a child and I am excited thinking of “Christmas” in my Father’s house.
He has already given me the gift!
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Where would you be?
Three guys, three stories. What got into Paul, Steve, and me to dash off to Southern Mississippi on Friday, September 16, barely two weeks after Miss Katrina’s visit? Ask Paul and Steve about their story. It is always true that one viewpoint is incomplete.
Another question. What has gotten into the approximately seventy people from Central that made them dash off to Southern Mississippi? Ask them.
Here’s my version.
During the morning of Wednesday, September 15, a buddy at work asked, “Ed, if you weren’t here working, what would you be doing?”
“I guess I would be down south somewhere helping people recover from Katrina.”
That was Wednesday morning. By Wednesday night after the assembly at Central and the subsequent phone call from Paul at home, I was “signed-up” to leave for Gulfport, Mississippi on Friday morning.
Paul told us to take everything we even thought we may need. We didn’t know where we would be staying, what we would be doing, where we would be going - nothing. We just knew we had to go.
“Um, God, could you give us a little guidance, please? Maybe a cloud or a fire?” That qualifies as a prayer.
“Oh, you want us to go to a place where you will show us? Didn’t you tell some guy that a long time ago? Like, maybe Abraham?” Talking with God still qualifies as prayer and it is always full of exciting little surprises.
Armed with shovels, rakes, sledge hammers, gas masks, a turn-out suit, junk food, water, bug spray, and the jitters, we set off from the Ditto’s house early on a Friday morning.
“Where are we going?”
“Gulfport, Mississippi.”
“Yeah, you told us that, but where?”
Paul had been to Gulfport the weekend before with a co-worker. They had done some work at Diamond Head. He had seen a sign along highway 49 in North Gulfport that heralded a Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Distribution Center. “We will go there.”
“And do what?”
“I don’t know.”
Paul had done some research on Mapquest and had directions to as many of the congregations in the area as he could find. It was not a tall stack of paper.
We found the Disaster Relief Center sign. It was at the Orange Grove Church of Christ building. The National Guard was directing traffic. We ducked in the busy driveway and parked in the “Volunteer” lot.
“Who is in charge, here?” I asked. We were directed to Gary Finley from the Creve Hall Church in Nashville, Tennessee. He was in charge of giving away huge amounts of food, water, and other necessities supplied mostly in boxes from the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Fund.
Gary recommended we go to one of two congregations, one in Gulfport or one in Long Beach. After an hour of searching for the one in Gulfport, despite having addresses and a map, we finally decided God wanted us to go to Long Beach. I called George Eyrich, an elder. He answered on the first try and gave us directions. Seemed like a pillar of clouds to me.
There were no signs - none - they were gone with the wind named Katrina. Somehow we followed the pillar of clouds and arrived at the Long Beach building, or what was left of it. The roof was gone. There were guys crawling all over the skeletal rafters trying to get a cover on before any more rain came. The drive-through porch was gone. A good bit of the inside was soaked. There was no power, water, or sewer. A line of cars wrapped around the building all the way to the Port-a-Johns. Food was being given out. State Farm Insurance Company had set up shop in the parking lot in a trailer to help people with their claims.
“Who is in charge, here?” I asked. This was getting redundant but it worked. The preacher, Mark Hodges, greeted us weakly. He looked totally exhausted, like he could barely stand. An elder, John Tate, appeared a few minutes later. He looked worse.
“How can we help?” I asked. “What can we do?”
A long sigh, “We don’t know.”
In the storm-ruined auditorium, we five sat on pallets of diapers, and food, and water, and on the concrete floor. Mark and John were about done for. “Have you had tetanus shots lately?”
“Maybe.”
“Go to the temporary clinic across the street and get a shot then come back and we will talk.”
The two of them were sitting in the same spots when we got back. I think they had only moved as much as was necessary to breathe and blink their tired, red eyes.
They told us what had happened and was happening. They opened themselves totally to us to do what we saw to do. Our prayers were answered. Opportunities were everywhere. There was food to hand out the door to the passing car-loads of worn-out people. There were boxes of food to deliver door-to-door (or tent-to-tent) in Bay St. Louis and Waveland. The auditorium stage was lighted by the evening sun beams shining through the holes on the roof - there was work up there. The “Job Board” in the dry corner of the fellowship room was full. People needed help in their yards and in their houses. Mark and John and George needed someone to relieve them.
Questions about where to sleep and what to eat came later. The sledge hammers and chainsaws could wait. Our first work (after an aborted food delivery trip to Bay St. Louis) was to sort and stack pallets full of cases of diapers. No one told us to sort diapers; we saw - we did. It was a follow-the-clouds thing. It was about a 2-hour job for us three macho-men. Little did I know He was training me for Saturday morning, but that is another story. My Father had it all figured out. Follow His pillar of clouds even if it means sorting diapers.
Sometime between Friday afternoon and Sunday after the assembly under the tent, It became clear, at least to me, that anything Central could do was what was needed - anything. Over the years, God has brought Central through some very hard things seasoned with some wonderful things. He inspired a Lifetalk group to lead the congregation in 50-days of prayer. I believe one of His answers is a trip to Southern Mississippi. He has uniquely prepared Central for Katrina and the people of Southern Mississippi. He showed me that I had to let Him use me to tell the Southern Mississippi story in a way that made it personal to His prepared people at Central. One of the three of us had to do the Power Point presentation the next Wednesday night and Paul and Steve out voted me. Follow the cloud.
So what got into me to take three weekends and two weeks to go there? What has gotten into seventy women and men and teens and old folks and college students? What makes me be unable to not go again?
There is no glory in doing servant’s work. The glory goes to God. At best, what I do is “dirty rags” (Is. 64:6). But somehow, I get the picture of my Father, Abba Himself, taking my pitiful attempts and hanging them with little decorated magnets on His refrigerator door. Somehow, the tiny impact I have is white linen in which Jesus’ Bride is dressed (Rev. 19:8). If you want to make the Groom happy, make His Bride look good.
What got into me to go? The better question is, how can I not go?
Here’s a question, “If you weren’t here working, what would you be doing?”
Another question. What has gotten into the approximately seventy people from Central that made them dash off to Southern Mississippi? Ask them.
Here’s my version.
During the morning of Wednesday, September 15, a buddy at work asked, “Ed, if you weren’t here working, what would you be doing?”
“I guess I would be down south somewhere helping people recover from Katrina.”
That was Wednesday morning. By Wednesday night after the assembly at Central and the subsequent phone call from Paul at home, I was “signed-up” to leave for Gulfport, Mississippi on Friday morning.
Paul told us to take everything we even thought we may need. We didn’t know where we would be staying, what we would be doing, where we would be going - nothing. We just knew we had to go.
“Um, God, could you give us a little guidance, please? Maybe a cloud or a fire?” That qualifies as a prayer.
“Oh, you want us to go to a place where you will show us? Didn’t you tell some guy that a long time ago? Like, maybe Abraham?” Talking with God still qualifies as prayer and it is always full of exciting little surprises.
Armed with shovels, rakes, sledge hammers, gas masks, a turn-out suit, junk food, water, bug spray, and the jitters, we set off from the Ditto’s house early on a Friday morning.
“Where are we going?”
“Gulfport, Mississippi.”
“Yeah, you told us that, but where?”
Paul had been to Gulfport the weekend before with a co-worker. They had done some work at Diamond Head. He had seen a sign along highway 49 in North Gulfport that heralded a Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Distribution Center. “We will go there.”
“And do what?”
“I don’t know.”
Paul had done some research on Mapquest and had directions to as many of the congregations in the area as he could find. It was not a tall stack of paper.
We found the Disaster Relief Center sign. It was at the Orange Grove Church of Christ building. The National Guard was directing traffic. We ducked in the busy driveway and parked in the “Volunteer” lot.
“Who is in charge, here?” I asked. We were directed to Gary Finley from the Creve Hall Church in Nashville, Tennessee. He was in charge of giving away huge amounts of food, water, and other necessities supplied mostly in boxes from the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Fund.
Gary recommended we go to one of two congregations, one in Gulfport or one in Long Beach. After an hour of searching for the one in Gulfport, despite having addresses and a map, we finally decided God wanted us to go to Long Beach. I called George Eyrich, an elder. He answered on the first try and gave us directions. Seemed like a pillar of clouds to me.
There were no signs - none - they were gone with the wind named Katrina. Somehow we followed the pillar of clouds and arrived at the Long Beach building, or what was left of it. The roof was gone. There were guys crawling all over the skeletal rafters trying to get a cover on before any more rain came. The drive-through porch was gone. A good bit of the inside was soaked. There was no power, water, or sewer. A line of cars wrapped around the building all the way to the Port-a-Johns. Food was being given out. State Farm Insurance Company had set up shop in the parking lot in a trailer to help people with their claims.
“Who is in charge, here?” I asked. This was getting redundant but it worked. The preacher, Mark Hodges, greeted us weakly. He looked totally exhausted, like he could barely stand. An elder, John Tate, appeared a few minutes later. He looked worse.
“How can we help?” I asked. “What can we do?”
A long sigh, “We don’t know.”
In the storm-ruined auditorium, we five sat on pallets of diapers, and food, and water, and on the concrete floor. Mark and John were about done for. “Have you had tetanus shots lately?”
“Maybe.”
“Go to the temporary clinic across the street and get a shot then come back and we will talk.”
The two of them were sitting in the same spots when we got back. I think they had only moved as much as was necessary to breathe and blink their tired, red eyes.
They told us what had happened and was happening. They opened themselves totally to us to do what we saw to do. Our prayers were answered. Opportunities were everywhere. There was food to hand out the door to the passing car-loads of worn-out people. There were boxes of food to deliver door-to-door (or tent-to-tent) in Bay St. Louis and Waveland. The auditorium stage was lighted by the evening sun beams shining through the holes on the roof - there was work up there. The “Job Board” in the dry corner of the fellowship room was full. People needed help in their yards and in their houses. Mark and John and George needed someone to relieve them.
Questions about where to sleep and what to eat came later. The sledge hammers and chainsaws could wait. Our first work (after an aborted food delivery trip to Bay St. Louis) was to sort and stack pallets full of cases of diapers. No one told us to sort diapers; we saw - we did. It was a follow-the-clouds thing. It was about a 2-hour job for us three macho-men. Little did I know He was training me for Saturday morning, but that is another story. My Father had it all figured out. Follow His pillar of clouds even if it means sorting diapers.
Sometime between Friday afternoon and Sunday after the assembly under the tent, It became clear, at least to me, that anything Central could do was what was needed - anything. Over the years, God has brought Central through some very hard things seasoned with some wonderful things. He inspired a Lifetalk group to lead the congregation in 50-days of prayer. I believe one of His answers is a trip to Southern Mississippi. He has uniquely prepared Central for Katrina and the people of Southern Mississippi. He showed me that I had to let Him use me to tell the Southern Mississippi story in a way that made it personal to His prepared people at Central. One of the three of us had to do the Power Point presentation the next Wednesday night and Paul and Steve out voted me. Follow the cloud.
So what got into me to take three weekends and two weeks to go there? What has gotten into seventy women and men and teens and old folks and college students? What makes me be unable to not go again?
There is no glory in doing servant’s work. The glory goes to God. At best, what I do is “dirty rags” (Is. 64:6). But somehow, I get the picture of my Father, Abba Himself, taking my pitiful attempts and hanging them with little decorated magnets on His refrigerator door. Somehow, the tiny impact I have is white linen in which Jesus’ Bride is dressed (Rev. 19:8). If you want to make the Groom happy, make His Bride look good.
What got into me to go? The better question is, how can I not go?
Here’s a question, “If you weren’t here working, what would you be doing?”
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