Sunday, January 01, 2006
Today was the last full day for 12 of the 13 members of the Recovery Team. Clarke R. is staying for an extra day and will spend tomorrow, January 2, working in the POD. Monday is a very busy day at the Point of Distribution as it and Friday are the only days food is provided. The rest of us are traveling back to Maryland.
Nine team members attended worship at the Presbyterian church in Gautier (Go-shey), about 10 miles east of D'iberville. This congregation has suffered greatly and we thought it would be good support for them to know that their brothers and sisters of the PCUSA were supportive. We made up about 25% of the worshippers. The folk seemed genuinely glad to see us. First Pres. of Annapolis has supported this church by providing a sweater and book to each of the children. Several other churches have also sent various items of support.
The four members who didn't attend worship got an early start on the home that is having drywall put up.
At 1:00 we enjoyed a great picnic with the lead volunteers from the city of D'iberville. Even in the few days we have been here we have grown close to Dr. Irene McIntosh, Dr. Ed, and Miss Karen. Dr. McIntosh has really done a remarkable job creating and directing the volunteer recovery program. Dr. Ed is an extremely capable no. 2 and Miss Karen directs an excellent food service for volunteers and any resident who wishes to be fed. It was our pleasure to host them for lunch.
After lunch the construction crew, joined by Stephanie J., headed back out to work on the house. Clive and David returned to their neighborhood to visit with more residents and assess their needs. Ron, Perry and Clarke headed across the small bay directly south of D'iberville to explore the city of Biloxi.
In the evening we were all amazed at hearing the explorers stories of what they found in Biloxi. While the devastation we have witnessed here in D'iberville has been stunning, they report that the destruction in Biloxi is many times worse--multi-story buildings with whole sides completely gone, condominium high rises you can see right through, mountains of debris piled one after another with small FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration) trailers scattered in their midst. The only comparison they could make were to pictures they had seen of war-torn cities in World War II.
Inspite of the devastation and horrific stories of surviving the storm, the realization of the loss of property and life, and the recognition that it will be several years before this community will return to some semblance of its former state, the most prominent feeling for those of us who have come to lend a hand is one of hope and not despair. At least in this community there is a vision of how to recover. In this place there is a sense of direction. In this city there is a plan and a process that will lead them to a brighter tomorrow. And in D'iberville and communities all across the gulf coast their are people who look at their plight and say things like, "it could have been worse," "I've been blessed," "we'll be stronger because of this," and "this is our home, of course we'll rebuild."
As is always the case, it is hard to leave. We have grown close to each other and to the people of this town. We want to be a part of the recovery and the healing. We want to see what happens in the lives of those whose stories we have heard and whose lives have touched ours at least as much as ours has touched theirs. To be a part of this community and strengthened daily by others like ourselves who have traveled to this Presbyterian camp, to take time for group devotions every morning and every evening, to recognize the hand of God at work in every personal encounter and every swing of a hammer or twist of a drywall screw, is to live and breath the faith we all claim in every moment of our lives. It is regrettable we don't seem to live that way in our every-day lives back home.
If you are reading this reflection the Holy Spirit is already at work in you. One this first day of a brand new year, make it your resolution to discover anew Christ at work in the world and in your life. Make it your resolution to join a Recovery Team and make this journey. You are not too old, too busy, too unskilled, too disabled or too anything else to spend a few days that will make an eternal difference for people in need and for yourself. Neither are you too poor. Right now, sitting in a bank in Crofton, Maryland, is money designated for scholarships to help those who need some financial help to make this journey.
Do not let anything get in your way. Whatever you circumstance, there is always a way. If the people of D'iberville can find a way to recover from the destructive powers of a hurricane named Katrina, certainly the obstacles we may encounter are really not much more than pebbles along the path.
Finally, if this is to be the final posting for this Recovery Team, we would be remiss if we did not extend our gratitude and appreciation to all who have made this journey possible. I fear I will forget someone if I begin to list all of those who have contributed because so many have done so much. So, to our families...Thank You! To those who attended meetings, raised money, publicized activities, contributed money, organized and shopped and helped in the vision...THANK YOU! To you who have prayed for us and for the people of D'iberville...Thank You! And finally, to the one who planted the vision, shaped the dream, encouraged the plan, sustained the participants and continues to bless us all, we give thanks to God. Certainly, the Spirit is at work at Prince of Peace.
Blessings to All,
Jon Fregger
Nine team members attended worship at the Presbyterian church in Gautier (Go-shey), about 10 miles east of D'iberville. This congregation has suffered greatly and we thought it would be good support for them to know that their brothers and sisters of the PCUSA were supportive. We made up about 25% of the worshippers. The folk seemed genuinely glad to see us. First Pres. of Annapolis has supported this church by providing a sweater and book to each of the children. Several other churches have also sent various items of support.
The four members who didn't attend worship got an early start on the home that is having drywall put up.
At 1:00 we enjoyed a great picnic with the lead volunteers from the city of D'iberville. Even in the few days we have been here we have grown close to Dr. Irene McIntosh, Dr. Ed, and Miss Karen. Dr. McIntosh has really done a remarkable job creating and directing the volunteer recovery program. Dr. Ed is an extremely capable no. 2 and Miss Karen directs an excellent food service for volunteers and any resident who wishes to be fed. It was our pleasure to host them for lunch.
After lunch the construction crew, joined by Stephanie J., headed back out to work on the house. Clive and David returned to their neighborhood to visit with more residents and assess their needs. Ron, Perry and Clarke headed across the small bay directly south of D'iberville to explore the city of Biloxi.
In the evening we were all amazed at hearing the explorers stories of what they found in Biloxi. While the devastation we have witnessed here in D'iberville has been stunning, they report that the destruction in Biloxi is many times worse--multi-story buildings with whole sides completely gone, condominium high rises you can see right through, mountains of debris piled one after another with small FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration) trailers scattered in their midst. The only comparison they could make were to pictures they had seen of war-torn cities in World War II.
Inspite of the devastation and horrific stories of surviving the storm, the realization of the loss of property and life, and the recognition that it will be several years before this community will return to some semblance of its former state, the most prominent feeling for those of us who have come to lend a hand is one of hope and not despair. At least in this community there is a vision of how to recover. In this place there is a sense of direction. In this city there is a plan and a process that will lead them to a brighter tomorrow. And in D'iberville and communities all across the gulf coast their are people who look at their plight and say things like, "it could have been worse," "I've been blessed," "we'll be stronger because of this," and "this is our home, of course we'll rebuild."
As is always the case, it is hard to leave. We have grown close to each other and to the people of this town. We want to be a part of the recovery and the healing. We want to see what happens in the lives of those whose stories we have heard and whose lives have touched ours at least as much as ours has touched theirs. To be a part of this community and strengthened daily by others like ourselves who have traveled to this Presbyterian camp, to take time for group devotions every morning and every evening, to recognize the hand of God at work in every personal encounter and every swing of a hammer or twist of a drywall screw, is to live and breath the faith we all claim in every moment of our lives. It is regrettable we don't seem to live that way in our every-day lives back home.
If you are reading this reflection the Holy Spirit is already at work in you. One this first day of a brand new year, make it your resolution to discover anew Christ at work in the world and in your life. Make it your resolution to join a Recovery Team and make this journey. You are not too old, too busy, too unskilled, too disabled or too anything else to spend a few days that will make an eternal difference for people in need and for yourself. Neither are you too poor. Right now, sitting in a bank in Crofton, Maryland, is money designated for scholarships to help those who need some financial help to make this journey.
Do not let anything get in your way. Whatever you circumstance, there is always a way. If the people of D'iberville can find a way to recover from the destructive powers of a hurricane named Katrina, certainly the obstacles we may encounter are really not much more than pebbles along the path.
Finally, if this is to be the final posting for this Recovery Team, we would be remiss if we did not extend our gratitude and appreciation to all who have made this journey possible. I fear I will forget someone if I begin to list all of those who have contributed because so many have done so much. So, to our families...Thank You! To those who attended meetings, raised money, publicized activities, contributed money, organized and shopped and helped in the vision...THANK YOU! To you who have prayed for us and for the people of D'iberville...Thank You! And finally, to the one who planted the vision, shaped the dream, encouraged the plan, sustained the participants and continues to bless us all, we give thanks to God. Certainly, the Spirit is at work at Prince of Peace.
Blessings to All,
Jon Fregger
