Missippi's Katrina

Linda and I spent part of the past week with a group of students in Pass Christian MS. The students, 45+, where from 20 different states. They came to MS as part of a Campus Crusade summer project to do relief work, demolition and construction. Paul & Amy Mayer (along with a bunch of other Cru Staff) have done a fantastic job leading this beast. It was one of the most inspirational things I have ever been a part of.

Each day the crew makes their way to from the Library (the place they are staying is the shell of the old Pass Christian Library) to a place a few blocks away where a gentlemen named Randy gives them the days assignments. Of course, many assignments last for more than a day and the students are all over the city making repairs and generally helping out. While we were there we helped gut the home of an 84 year-old man who had not touched the place since the storm (safety tip: Dont open the fridge). My kids worked pretty hard along side 4 students from the University of Toledo. One of the students, Erin, was on her forth trip to the area. There ar a lot of young people doing very similart things - planning their next trip almost as soon as the leave.

The project operates with 4-5 crews focusing on different things around the city. One crew arrives at “God’s Katrina Kitchen” at 4:30am. This food tent is right of the beach on hwy 90 and serves three squares to the workers and residence alike. The food is hot and good and there are great opportunities to minister to whoever shows up.

Paul and Amy and doing a fantastic job. Watching these staff and students work made me feel proud to be part of this organization. We should have hundreds of projects like this – for this truly seems to be the hands and hearts of Christ to those who are hurting.