Still a lot to do on the Gulf Coast...

[RickCarpenter]

We just got back from a quick mission trip to Biloxi MS. There is still a LOT to do! Many houses remained up in the storm, unlike further westward, but it is very deceptive. In the area were were in, most houses are still being worked upon, but with some obviously vacant. On the one street we were on, probably 75% still had FEMA trailers in the yards. We were the 22nd team to work on our client's house.

Y'all go on down there to the coast and help out. Leave your fine furniture skills at home, it's a great place to practice your general carpentry skills!

Rick

[DUD]

I agree Rick, I went down for 3 days with My Brother, it was a mess. Bill

[Crash2510]

Funny that you say this because my father and I will be leaving on 3/26 for a week in perlington mississippi. although I won't get any carpentry done we should get at least 1-2 houses roughed in for electrical.

[RickCarpenter]

Good for y'all, Bill and Phil, keep it up! Our first trip was to Picayune, north of Pearlington, second trip was to Waveland, where the beast hit. Rick

[RickCarpenter]

Imagine how busy a Biloxi MS pastor must be with a regular appointment at a single church. Then imagine how busy that pastor must be with a circuit of two churches. Then imagine at one of those churches, that pastor has operated a dorm facility in the fellowship hall since 2005 for workteams coming in from all over (Florida, North Carolina, New York, and East Texas within three days' time in March 2007 alone) to work on houses damaged in the storm. Then imagine that pastor paying for the wear and tear on the building by non-congregants; keeping it cleaned; paying for the electricity and water and gas; keeping up with donated and loaned tools; and personally greeting each team.

Then imagine, after you've left, that pastor donating all of your team's $540 lodging contributions to the client whose house you worked on.

Rick

[Crash2510]

I am back and only have 2750 posts to read!!!

Hey guys it is nice to be back in the country, basically. I just returned from Pearlington Mississippi and am getting readjusted to society. I have to say I am both shocked and amazed by what I have seen in the last week. I can not believe how the people down their have been forgotten. It is amazing to me that our government has abandoned many of the people affected by the hurricane almost two years ago. It was a very humbling experience for me and I would recommend it to anyone that could get a chance to go down. They are especially in need of skilled labor. Hopefully I will get some pictures posted later.