Update: Days 1 and 2

Yesterday and this morning we worked at Mr. Gilbert's house. He has Asperger's Syndrome and has a difficult time relating to people well, especially females. So at times, working for him was very tough and uncomfortable. But he really loved having us there and we were able to paint the inside of his garage. Before the storm he'd lived right near Biloxi Bay. In Katrina, he took 6-8 feet of rushing water (moving at about 14 meters per second) through his home . He decided to rebuild several miles inland near family. He'll be able to move into his new house by July. Right now, he lives in MEMA cottage that's a lot like this one:






These are much better than the FEMA trailers, but still they're not like living in a real house. So of course Mr. Gil's excited to move in and claims that his new house will be "second to none!"

Cassandra and I've become known as "The Painting Crew" (not exactly sure why other than we're willing to do it) and therefore were assigned to another painting job after we finished at Mr. Gil's. Actually, we're a great painting team cause she likes to do the parts I don't like (painting trim) and I like the parts that she doesn't (taping and rolling walls). After a most delicious shrimp poboy at Rusty's store, we drove around a little to see the rebuilding progress. There's still a lot to be done especially along the coast at Biloxi but there are definite signs of recovery!

For instance, this apartment building in Biloxi is right on the Gulf and looked like this one year ago (May 2007):
















Today, they're rebuilding:



















Also, there's less "Katrina blue" than there was the first time that I came here. I haven't been to Bay St. Louis and Waveland yet on this trip, but we're headed there tomorrow to visit and go to an art festival. We're also hopefully going to Mayfest in Ocean Springs tomorrow evening. AND, tomorrow's the day to go to New Orleans! Busy day! Then, Emily's coming over to hang out for a couple days and I'm super excited to see her.

I always meet some really incredible people on mission trips. Emily's one--I met her on my first trip here and we've kept up over the past year and gotten to visit each other and hang out lots of times. :) Maybe it's cause people who come do these kinds of things are just neat. Anyway, a group from Boone, NC left this morning and even though I'd only gotten to know them for a couple days, it was hard to see them go. It was a group of middle-aged and retired guys and they were just fun and incredibly willing to serve. This is the group that is Ed and Irene's first response team, which means that if another storm is ever headed for this area, the Boone group will leave NC even before the storm hits so they can be here within hours after the storm blows by. Some of them have made more than 20 trips to D'Iberville in the past 2 1/2 years and know so many of the residents very well. I was sad to not get to hang out with them more.

Diane is here again, too. I met her on my first trip to D'Iberville last March. She's from Canada and she and her husband come here for months at a time. I'd gotten to know her only a little bit before, but I'm getting to talk to her so much more this trip. Last night at dinner I found out that she lived in Africa for five years and taught at a boarding school for missionary kids. One of her daughters is still serving there! Diane's also awesome at dominoes, an incredible cook, and I'm excited to get to know her more over the next few weeks, you know? ;)

Before I left home I was so excited to come on this trip but also kind of nervous at times because I knew I'd be "by myself" (no friends from home here with me) for most of the trip. But God's been so incredible. He's been very evident to me through the people here and in the peace I've felt since I've arrived. The long term folks here have just been so welcoming and wonderful. Before I left Indy I figured they'd be great, but I was still nervous about how I'd fit in or survive the loneliness I felt would surely come because I didn't have anyone from home here. But I've really felt okay about being here for the rest of the month. I will certainly miss Cassandra when she leaves and I certainly miss everyone back home, but I feel so much better about being here "alone." Another cool thing: the first morning I woke up, it really hit me that'd I'd be here for so long. But when I climbed out of my tent, there was such a beautiful sunrise. I think it was God saying to me that yes, this was His plan and that'd He'd always be here taking care of me. It was really, really awesome. Isn't He incredible?!


(Click the picture to see it bigger-aren't the rays of light amazing??)

Guess what! We found tiny kittens under a FEMA trailer at Mr. Andrews's house (our 2nd painting job) this afternoon! Aren't they cute??? Mama, can I bring one home? ;)

































So tomorrow, it's off to NOLA to get beignets, see the French Quarter, Tulane, the 9th ward, the eastern neighborhoods, and avoid Bourbon Street. Then, we'll catch the art fest on the way to Mayfest and then dominoes and/or movies with Emily back at camp. Maybe I should go to bed soon...

But before that, a few pictures:

At the fruit stand in Florida selling California-grown strawberries:

















First CFA stop of the trip!

















Cassandra at Pensacola Beach: (look, she's standing in the water in early May and not freezing!!!!!)






















Caulking at Mr. Andrews's house this afternoon: