Weekly Devotions - Sowing Seeds of Faith

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“Katrina & Mission Mississippi: Building Hope" Part 4

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need.”

“Can I help you?” said the young man as he strolled across the street toward our mission group. He didn’t look as much dangerous as quirky with his red goatee and loose fitting beach shirt. Oh yeah… did I forget to mention he was eating cold spaghetti out of the can? “Quirky is definitely the right word.”

“He let me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength.”

“Where are you all from?” Maybe to him, our group of twelve appeared out of the ordinary, standing around an abandoned church in the midst of the damage left behind by Hurricane Katrina in downtown Gulfport, Mississippi. We were supposed to be meeting the pastor but communications were all but impossible. On the front door someone nailed several large sheets of paper for members to write messages letting others know where they were and how they were doing: crude but effective.

“He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to His name.”

Our group was frozen in place and rapidly becoming frustrated. We quickly discovered excellent contacts in Pascagoula and Biloxi Mississippi who will enable our church to send future supplies and teams of workers to help them rebuild. We also needed someone in Gulfport but instead we found ourselves standing around talking to a guy eating cold spaghetti out of a can. Now what do we do?

“Even when I walk through the valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.”

Sensing our frustration the young man again asked: “Can I help you?” Figuring, there was nothing to lose, while others gathered around, I began telling him of our journey from Lynchburg, Virginia and our need for a contact in Gulfport. Others also excitedly chimed in. He listened intently, occasionally interrupting to ask questions then he looked at each of us and said, “Let me show you something.”

“Your rod and staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of enemies.”

We followed him across the street toward a typical downtown structure marked only by a dingy gray colored brick wall and a door with a sign overhead: “The Extreme Teen Center.” Inside we discovered the ultimate teen hangout complete with wild posters, strobe lights and even a stage for the rock band. In this quirky young man who quite obviously had a heart for youth ministry we found our third contact.

“You welcome me as a guest anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.”

“My name is Brad Holt with Coastal Mississippi Youth for Christ. We provide youth ministry for hundreds of churches and faith groups in the area. God must have sent your group here because we believe our ministry in the wake of Hurricane Katrina is to direct volunteer work teams and provide a place for them to sleep. If you can provide us with cots and bedding materials, we’ll supply the rest.”

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,”

Immediately, our group gathered and pooled our resources in order to provide Brad funds for much needed food and supplies. Then we continued meeting with him to make plans for future work teams. Later, while walking the debris covered streets of Gulfport surveying the damage, we marveled how even in the midst of the chaos and tragedy of Katrina, God delivered exactly the answer we needed.

“…and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23, New Living Bible)

All too soon, it was time to leave Mississippi for the long trip home. While saying good bye to our hosts and newfound friends, we sensed a new mission which will keep us working together for months, even years to come. Mostly, we rediscovered God as our loving shepherd, even in the midst of disaster.

What can you do?

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.
Packaged Food - These are still major items of need.
Cleaning Supplies – Bleach and other basic supplies used to clean houses of water damage.
Money – is always needed. You can donate through your church. We support an agency receiving free food but needs money for transportation. So 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.
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.
Cots or Air Mattresses – These are needed to sleep the many folks working in the area.
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 September 27, 2005.

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