Weekly Devotions - Sowing Seeds of Faith

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“Katrina & Mission Mississippi: Building Hope" Part 3

On the first day in the Katrina damaged areas of Mississippi, our team saw God's miraculous hand at work as we delivered a huge truck full of needed supplies including twenty new beds to a church in Biloxi, hard at work, helping others despite their own severe losses. We also witnessed the tender witness of a woman offering God's encouragement and love to those standing in line to receive aid.

Later that afternoon, we drove to the waterfront area of Biloxi to witness the damage firsthand. No words can describe the enormity of the destruction for miles all around us. The few trees which were still standing were strewn with paper and plastic over twenty feet high. Looking up, you had to wonder how trash could possibly end up so high in the air. Then you realize… this is the water level. How could it possibly be? Realizing the enormity of so much water sent cold chills through us all.

Houses and businesses along the shore were ripped apart. You would see buildings minus one or two walls but stripped bare of any furnishings. Automobiles were buried in the sand or stacked on top of each other. Virtually everything was destroyed. Yet in the front yard of one house was an ominous sign: “You loot, we shoot.” The owner stood guard with his gun cocked and his car parked in the yard.

On one street corner where an antique store once stood, the owners gathered and reorganized what merchandise they could find and displayed it on the ground. What you first noticed was the old door standing by itself with no walls for support alongside a sign: We Buy, Sell or Trade. Within the door frame was another sign: No Trespassing. I did not know whether to laugh or cry at the strange sight.

We also witnessed many signs of hope amidst the ruins. Several people drove by to offer food, clothing and other assistance to those still living in the area. One man unloaded several boxes of canned food and bottled water. He said simply: “I have more than I need and just want to share.”

There is a letter in the Bible that speaks eloquently of our need to share: “Dear brothers and sisters, what’s the use of saying you have faith if you don’t prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can’t save anyone. Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, “Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, it isn’t enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn’t show itself by good deeds is no faith at all—it is dead and useless.” (James 2:14-17)

All the sermons in the world will never adequately show our love to the people affected by hurricane Katrina. Our actions speak so much louder than our words. What we saw in Coastal Mississippi was devastation beyond our imagination yet we also witnessed so many gestures of Gods amazing love.

As we returned later in the evening and crossed the bridge from Biloxi into Pascagoula, we noticed a barge with a large crane on top resting by a section of the bridge. We assumed the crane was there to repair bridge damage. Not true. The barge and crane was originally on the beach nearly a mile away. Somehow the storm blew the barge across nearly a mile of land where it smashed into the bridge causing damage which could take months or even years to repair. Now a major artery in the area has gone from four lanes to two causing over an hour’s delay traveling across this section of Mississippi.

That evening, after driving all night and working all day, we returned to our host church exhausted, expecting to eat our packaged meals and get some rest. We were however surprised with some wonderful Mississippi church hospitality. Several members prepared a tasty rice dish, popular in the area, called Jambalaya filled with chicken and sausage: Church fellowship at its delicious best. We were also provided the chance to take a hot shower which was a rare privilege in the area at the time.

While everyone slept, I printed photographs taken of the damage in Biloxi. One picture, almost forgotten was of a lighthouse standing on the beach of Biloxi. Underneath was a pile of rubble from the storm. The lighthouse represents our church mission statement: “A light to guide you safely home.” Our church and the people on our team wanted to be a lighthouse for the people affected by Katrina. That lighthouse standing strong against the storm reinforced and revitalized our own mission of hope.

Part 4 and final article: Click Here We enter Gulfport Mississippi before going home and planning our next steps.

Sowing Seeds Ministry received hundreds of emails asking advice on how to help. Here is a partial list you might find useful but we are open to other suggestions. What did you do? Send us an email.

1. School Kits - We are filling back packs with school supplies. We hope to send a thousand book bags so that children scheduled to start school in October will have adequate supplies.

2. Packaged Food - These are still major items of need.

3. Cleaning Supplies – Bleach and other basic supplies used to clean houses of water damage.

4. Money – Is always needed. We have an agency receiving free food but simply needs money for transportation. Thanks to this special arrangement you can spend approximately $25 per family and ship a month's worth of food. This is a bargain we want to take advantage of.

5. Work Teams – The rebuilding is beginning now with great needs for carpenters, electricians but also people with chain saws, people to pass out food or work in the kitchen.

6. Cots or Air Mattresses – These are needed to sleep the many folks working in the area.

7. Gift Cards – This allows families to make their own choices based on different needs.

Sowing Seeds Ministry Website set up a way for you to donate to Katrina relief. The money will be transferred to Timberlake United Methodist Church to be used for supplies. Over the next few months there will be a need for medical and building supplies as our church will send physicians and nurses as well as construction crews. No money will be used for overhead, only for supplies going directly to the area. Just click here for the contribution page.

Do you want to join us in prayer for others? Do you need prayer? Click Here.

Last modified August 8, 2005.

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