As I looked back over the previous reports from the Mississippi Gulf Coast, one thing became clear. The reason we travel the long miles to Mississippi every year is the PEOPLE: the homeowners, the people on the streets, the people passing in cars tooting their horns and waving at us. They all serve to remind us that the hand of God is working among these devastated people who have become friends. When people offer their thanks, we always say they bless us in return.  This symbiotic relationship began on the first trip and remains today. Therefore, I will focus on the two families for whom we worked this trip.

One thread of commonality that weaves through all the Katrina survivors who remained, whether directly on the coast or for miles inland is the chaos of those first few weeks. Most of the families made numerous moves within the first months following the storm. They suffered not only loss of homes and their life as they knew it, but there was no electricity, no phones, very little water and food, and battles with insurance companies and FEMA that complicated the road to recovery. Yet through it all their unquenchable faith in God remains and shines as a beacon to all who come in contact with them.

When we arrived in Long Beach, we were taken to the site of Julie and Brian’s new home. The only things on the site were posts in the ground. By the time we left two weeks later, the frame was up, the house sheathed, interior walls laid out, the trusses up, the sheath on one side of the roof, and the preliminary electric and plumbing done.  Our hats are off for the great accomplishments at Julie and Bryans’ home.

After Katrina passed, the house was damaged. Before they began the repairs to their house they worked on repairs at their Baptist Church. They stayed with Julie’s Mom while plumbing, insulation, and drywall were repaired. They were able to return to their home and will be there until their new home is completed even though the house has deteriorated to the point where it is barely livable. They were contemplating fixing up the shed on her mother’s property and living there when the plumber, Brian’s’ boss Darren, told them about the possibility of receiving a new home. Darren directed Julie and Brian to the Salvation Army where their case was approved and a new house is daily becoming a reality.

Julie and Brian have three delightful children, two sons William, eleven: Noah, nine: and a daughter Madison who is seven months old. Julie, Brian, and their children stop by the house daily and even the boys helped. They assisted in carrying a truss to be placed on the roof and William helped his Dad dig the ditch for the sewer line.

Their Baptist church and serving God continues to be at the center of their lives. We give thanks for getting to know this family and their story, and helping them on the way to a “New Normal”.

When we arrived at Fritzi’s house we saw a cute blue house with old concrete blue steps. After we met Fritzi, a fifty three year old blonde bombshell who exuded energy and had a marvelous laugh, we were humbled after hearing her story. Fritzi, a piano and voice teacher, lived four blocks from the Gulf beach. Although Fritzi went “to the country” to stay with friends, neighbors who stayed told her that her house literally swayed during the onslaught and the nails just started popping out of the house. Although she wanted to rebuild her house, it was a total loss. Her only request was, “Please, somehow keep my steps.” The steps had been a focal point of the house. Family gathered on summer evenings and family photos were often taken on the steps. Fritzi kept her blue steps.

Although Fritzi’s life has been riddled with tragedy, she always talks about how God has been good to her and somehow He has a plan, even if she may not understand at this time. Her father died in May of 2001, her mother perished in the World Trade Center on 9/11 of 2001 while visiting friends. Her husband died in 2004 and shortly after his death she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was forced to give up her homeowners insurance for health insurance. Then came Katrina with all its devastation. She married a man who she is now divorcing. In November of 2007, her breast cancer recurred. Then this past July her beloved fifteen-year-old son, “Bo”, was killed by a gun in suspicious circumstances that are now being investigated.

As is so often the case with many families the houses are completed but there is no furniture to place in the house. Several groups contributed to a fund to buy Fritzi furniture and on Thursday of the second week the Bandana Brigade (those who spackled and sanded her home) arranged her new furniture in room settings in the Fellowship Hall of Long Beach Presbyterian Church. That evening she was surprised when she entered for the Wednesday night dinner for volunteers and homeowners. Fritzi is now ready to embark on her journey to her “New Normal”.

Three of the folks from the Barn who were on the first week of the trip finished a home that needed drywall, paint, tile, and trim in a laundry room and bathroom combination.

In addition our electrician Jim Henry did finishing electrical work in several homes.

The first week of the trip was blessed with the addition of folks from the Barn, now known as the Barners and a group from Belle Fountaine, Ohio. The second week we welcomed the rest of the work team from our Helping Hands Care Team.

Thanks to the tremendous volunteers who travel to Mississippi every March and October to lend their hands and skills to those who are still suffering.

The lives that have been touched by the Helping Hands Care Team have been huge, both the volunteers and homeowners. We keep the homeowners in our thoughts and prayers as the HHCT continue to rebuild steps or keep the old ones, home by home, and continue to do God’s work on the Gulf Coast.

 Gwen Johnson

Working on houses in Long Beach, MS

Thank you to Chef Bill (Eves) for all his delicious meals!