Hurricane Katrina Relief

Warming up in Waveland

I went to Waveland in November. The first day was hot but the night and next day turned cold. My area of serving was "Women's Tops". Shirley came in to the tent on my first day there looking for something warm to wear.  She said that she needed something that buttoned because she couldn't raise her arm. She was also elderly, living in a tent and going through chemo for breast cancer.  We excitedly found her the perfect sweater and a warm jacket.

That night I couldn't get her off my mind. I was cold and I knew she and the others had to be also. I was upset and I began praying something like, "Look God in case you didnt know it,, it is a big mess down here. Now, it's cold and how in the world are you going to keep Shirley warm? I am doing my part here--where are you?" (Fortunately God is big enough to handle our frustrations.)

I was pleasantly surprised the next day when Shirley came in to the tent right away to let me know how warm she had been the night before in the clothes we gave her! And to top that she said her brother had driven from Alabama with his camper for her to sleep in! Of course God heard and cared, but it meant so much to me that He would let me know that through Shirley.

Barb Binford

Skating for Katrina Survivors

When Rebekah's birthday was coming up she made this request. "Mom, can we take donations for hurricane relief in place of gifts this year at my party?"

Instead of letting her invite a few friends for a roller skating party, we rented the whole rink and she invited her entire middle school. We had a "Mardi Gras" theme in honor of New Orleans and over fifty kids showed up with bags full of relief items. After the party, we were able to donate 835 items and $175! It was also the best party we've ever had.

Given the chance, these kids were willing to give all they could to help those in need. I want to find more ways to give them opportunities to change the world for His Kingdom!

Leslie Devine

The Cold Weather Comes

Life has not been easy for me. I knew in Waveland I would meet people going through tremendous struggles and felt it would be easy for me to maintain a positive attitude because of my personal experiences.

The section of the clothing tent where I worked was initially the linen area. When we arrived, the shelves were mostly empty. I was told it was a faith area and that we had to pray for blankets and linens to arrive. What I wasn't told was how overwhelming the need was.

The week I was in Waveland it got down into the low 40s at night. People still slept in tents, in unheated, moldy houses, and even on the ground. They needed blankets and we had very few to give out. They needed warm clothes and we often didn’t have the right size. I got so excited when a new shipment of towels and blankets and pillows arrived, but within a very short time everything we had was given out.

It was hard for me to tell people the blankets were all gone and see the disappointment on their faces. It was hard to trust that God would take care of all those people.  Yet, I was blown away by how grateful people were for even a wash cloth.

I have been home for a while now and am still so appreciative for all that I have. Even my old stained bedspread has become beautiful to me. I am warm.

Kathy Lacina

No Home or Church for Christmas

I recently talked with an insurance agent concerning the claims for damage to homes in Waveland.

He said, “It’s a big battle with the insurance companies down there. If the damage is from the 30-foot-wave surge that came through after the hurricane, then it goes under flood insurance and would be covered only if you had flood insurance. If it’s wind damage then it may be covered. If the damage is from both wind and flood, a court will need to decide and that could take years.”

In each of these places in the photos, a home and a church, families gathered. But this Christmas, they will not be shelter for anyone. They both have wind damage and were under the tidal surge of water for almost ninety minutes.

Even though I have seen so much destruction from Katrina, I gasped when I saw these pictures. Maybe because my mind automatically went to the people who lived in the home and worshipped at the church. What would I be feeling if it were my home? Would I still be calmly trusting in God, or would I be angry that I don’t have a home for the holidays? Maybe I would be doing both: swaying randomly between anger and trust.

What would I being doing if I couldn’t go to my church building because all that remained was a few rafters? I hope I would seek out other believers and meet wherever we could. I hope I would set aside my worries to sing carols celebrating the greatest possession ever given to me – God’s son.

I am not living in these desperate situations right now. But thousands still are battling, not just for stuff, but for their faith to stay strong. I will pray for the people in Waveland this season, that their battles will be won quickly and that Jesus would turn their mourning into dancing.

Deb Poling

Can I Use a Hairdryer?

We arrived in Waveland very tired today.  It was a long bus ride through the night. There are three computers set up for e-mail in the food area. Very cool.  People have been down here for weeks and it gives everyone a chance to connect with home.

When we pulled into Waveland MS, there was no doubt that something powerful had blasted through town. The bus drove us to the Gulf of Mexico, which is less than a mile from the K-Mart parking lot where our relief efforts are staged.  It is indescribable.....

I spoke to my aunt Christina today (whose apartment was destroyed in Waveland). She and her mother, who lived in Bay St. Louis, are coming to visit us on Monday. They are looking forward to picking up some of the free food and clothing. They are thrilled that people care enough about them to come down and serve.  She said that it gives them hope to know they are valued.  I pray that I can give them words of encouragement as I listen to their stories.

I now know why they laughed when someone at the orientation meeting at Willow asked if they could use a blow dryer.  Electricity is still only available for lights, water and cooking.
 
My asthma has been bothering me with the humidity and the mold.  I had to use my rescue inhaler twice, which I don't like. 

Sometimes I feel like crying from overwhelming despair over the destruction and then I feel like smiling because of all of the wonderful people and churches that have come together to help this small community.

Pray for our team and that my asthma settles down!  It is pouring rain now and we will have to keep emptying the rain buckets by our cots in our sleeping tent. 

Michelle Johnston

Thanksgiving in Waveland

I went to Camp Katrina for Thanksgiving. I walked through the gates and was greeted with a “Happy Thanksgiving” and a big smile from one of the workers. I was totally amazed at what God has done through the people of Willow Creek, Heartland Community Church and Life Church. I wish each and every person could come down to see how much their donations are helping people who have lost everything.

The Camp Katrina Store is like walking into a Wal-mart or K-mart. The volunteers have the whole store organized and categorized by gender, size and products. The day I was there was a little slow, but I could see the differences on people’s faces from when they walked into the camp and when they left with much-needed clothes and supplies. There were smiles on their faces and hope in their eyes.

I took a drive around Waveland to see the destruction and wondered how people will ever rebuild and get their lives back to normal. It's been almost three months since the storm passed through and it still looks like no one lives there any more. I truly believe with God, generous people and churches like Willow, they have a strong start in the right direction.

WAY TO GO WILLOW AND EVERYONE WHO HAS HELPED!

David Tatina

Hurricane Survivor Breathes Easier

Gulf Coast native Anne Hardegen is breathing easier these days.  When the hurricane wiped out her home, she lost everything, including her oxygen machine. Suffering from sleep apnea, Anne needed the machine in order to sleep.

When she made a visit to Camp Katrina, she met Sandy Griffin.  "I had been greeting people at the tent," says Sandy. "When Anne approached, I asked her what she needed."

"I need an oxygen machine," said Anne, figuring it would probably get a laugh.

"I just happened to have one," says Sandy. Before traveling to Mississippi from Willow Creek, Sandy had been talking with a friend who told her his mother had just passed away.  His mother had been using a CPAP oxygen machine before she died.  He offered it to someone who might need it in the area affected by the hurricane. So, Sandy took the $2,300 machine with her to Camp Katrina--just in case.

"It's amazing," is all Anne can say. 

God is always amazing!

Abandoned Dog Serves Neighbors

I wanted to help out with the Katrina efforts. I’m the kind of person who needs to DO something in order to feel that I have actually helped. I heard about PAWS Chicago posting pictures of abandoned animals brought in from the hurricane area. I had no intentions of adopting until I saw this one dog. I always wanted an older, male, golden retriever and I want to help in someway with the Katrina efforts ... he was the way I could do both!

We named him Nola (New Orleans LouisianA) and he is such a sweetheart. He has been a great addition to our family and gets along with Roxie (our 13-yr.-old female Shepherd/Beagle mix).  He is playful and affectionate and acts like a 70 lbs. puppy!  But we have a lot of work to do with him due to neglect he suffered from his previous owners. Turns out he was saved both from the hurricane and abusive owners.

Nola has medical issues and some odd behavior when allowed to roam the house. The vet said that’s because he was caged most his life and he doesn't know how to act in a warm, cozy home with soft surfaces.   

My daughter is learning a lot by adopting Nola. She understands what happened to the people and the animals in New Orleans. She understands that Nola was left alone and abandoned and that we are to nurture him and give him lots of TLC.   

The best part of this is that Nola is already going to serve others. On Thanksgiving Day we are taking Nola to visit nursing home patients. I imagine the joy he will bring to people who are without family. I hope being greeted by our daughter and a great dog will bring some joy to these people.

Jeannine Walaszek

Creeker Dave Tatina moved to New Orleans to start a new job with an insurance agency shortly before Hurricane Katrina hit. He has been emailing me some of his experiences. Here are some portions of those emails.

October 2005
It’s been 5 weeks since I arrived in New Orleans and I still can’t believe how many miles and miles of destruction exist. I thought the area I was working in was bad until I went into New Orleans East on Friday to scope some homes. It’s hard to imagine anyone coming back to this without God in their lives to help them keep their sanity and emotions intact.

…Personally speaking, after many times of wanting to give up and go home, God has consistently come through for me, to let me know He has a plan for me to succeed. On a daily basis, things are disastrous and things go wrong, but so far everything that has gone wrong has worked out in a day or two.

…Sometimes I cross the path of someone who just needs encouragement, someone I never would have met if everything went right. It happens so often that I know God's hand is at work through me helping others even when I don't realize it.

…I am learning daily to let go and let God take care of what happened. Also I have come to the conclusion that if you give from the heart it is impossible to out-give God!

November
My most recent test came a few days ago when I was while photographing a home for damages. My shoe and foot were punctured by a large nail protruding through a 2 x 4 on the ground in the leftover sewage, sludge and garbage. I struggled all day to not let my mind run wild with what might happen as a result of the wound. Actually though, sometimes when something goes wrong, I look forward to seeing how God will work it out! But I will admit that I prefer that things go smoothly and stay problem free. May we all know, realize and accept that we are under God's love and protection even if it does not turn out they way we want.
 
  …I came down here intent on starting a new career and seeing if I could give back and help others. What has really amazed me is there are so many believers down here. I talk openly with my customers about God and Jesus on a daily basis. To my surprise, everyone I have talked with agrees and believes. WOW!

…I do miss attending Willow's weekly services and I am not looking forward to spending the holidays down here alone.

…I just got in touch with Mae Cannon who organizes the Willow relief teams. I’m going to drive the 85 miles to Waveland and be at Camp Katrina for Thanksgiving. Mae told me to come early and they will put me to work. Why not? What a great way to spend my first day off after working 10 weeks straight, 7 days a week. It will be a good change to not be walking around in mold-infested homes and dealing with insurance claims.

Dave
(as told to Deb Poling)

Seniors Serving Camp Katrina

Inside Out met Hurricane Katrina Relief this week. Forty-five volunteers from the Willow seniors group went to Heartland Church in Rockford to organize clothes collected for the Waveland, MS relief center.

Over 9,000 items were sorted, folded and boxed for shipment in one day by these folks. It may be impossible to take a week to serve at Camp Katrina, but it is very possible to be involved serving those who lost everything in the hurricane by helping at Heartland. The need continues.

LaVerne Weber