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> Here Am I, Send Me - Hurricane Katrina Relief - Pearlington, MS 2006

On July 11-18, 2006 a group of 17 youth and adults from SPC and GVPC served the community off Pearlington, Mississippi with the help of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA).  Pearlington is located 40 miles east of New Orleans and 25 miles west of Biloxi, MS. The eye of the hurricane made direct  contact with Pearlington. Those who live there feel that they were a forgotten city.

We prepared for our mission trip by learning to hang dry wall, studying the geographic area, hammering nails, having tetanus shots, and especially learning to trust the Lord and to allow the Holy Spirit to shape us into missionaries. We held a number of fundraisers, from decorating teapots and working NASCAR, to selling stock certificates and organizing an all-church rummage sale. With the support of many people, we raised more than enough funds to be sent!

We lived in PDA housing, which were little pup tents for 2 people with limited air-conditioning. We prepared our own food with very limited supplies and we experienced the most primitive of shower set-ups. The weather was 98 degrees with 90% humidity all day long. Needless to say we were hot and we sweated like we never sweated before! The Lord provides, the Lord is gracious and good, and we were given everything we needed to serve this forgotten city in love.

We were shocked and confused at the amount of devastation and destruction. At times it was too much for eyes to believe.  The pictures we took did not begin to capture the amount of damage. We drove around the towns and just sat and watched in sadness and awe. How could we, only 17 people, begin to help this poor community?

We started by unpacking our bags and moving into our tents. Some of us were to install windows at one house and some of us needed to spray for mold at another home. We mixed the ingredients, gathered our tools, put on our masks, and began the tasks at hand. We removed old electrical units and debris from homes. We then were sent to another home, (Pam, Bubba, Courtney and Coby Bennett), where we spent the majority of our week working. We measured and cut dry wall, installed insulation, did the mud and spackle, and even re-plumbed the house. The family watched us, played with us, and even helped us work side by side. It was amazing. We enjoyed each other’s company and opened ourselves to God’s love. God is so good. Through the laughter and the tears, God is faithful.

This group of 17 people woke up each morning ready for anything. No matter the time of day, no matter the meals or lack of food, no matter the heat or amount of mosquito bites. These 17 people continued to press on in God’s grace, with one goal in mind: to sweat for Jesus, and serve the people in Pearlington in God’s love. No complaining, no griping, no grouchy faces. We were called, were sent, and we went.

It was an incredible week, shared with incredible people. We look forward to being sent there again. Feel free to ask any of the mission team to share their experience, and please be ready to be touched by a testimony of God’s amazing power to transform lives.