a note from Courtney O.

Today was the first work day here at Mission on the Bay, and I have to say it was full of surprises. The first surprise was the different pace there is down here. Up in the Mid-West there is very little time to sit around. At Mission on the Bay there was not a big rush to get off to our sites, and for many of us it was difficult to wait. The second thing was the openness of the people. They were very willing to share their hardships of Katrina, Rita, and the economy because of the oil spill. As expected, work was difficult too. The house I happened to be at was a ways inland and was surrounded by lots of vegetation. The actual house was very unique. The outside was mostly unharmed except for the roof, and was decorated with outdoor antiques and collectors items. The interior has been gutted, sheet rock has been installed and our job when we got there was to begin finishing the sheet rock (mudding and taping). After dinner we drove to the beach for devotions. There we met a local named Craig. He told us many tales of his experience sticking out the storm, and was planning on coming again tomorrow. The first day has been very exciting, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the week.

Grace from GOD!
Courtney

a note from Chris Gade

We arrived safely on the Gulf Coast at 5:30 p.m. CT. After dinner "on the town," (Popeye's; Burger King; or Pizza Hut), we gathered to learn more about the week ahead. Our team of 40 will be split among three assignments -- finish work, primarily woodworking and other finish work at a home nearing completion here in Bay St. Louis; drywalling a home under construction near Gulfport; and teams assisting in the breakdown of the "Mission on the Bay" camp here in Bay St. Louis. We heard a moving account from the camp director as the Mission on the Bay winds down its mission -- she shared that many of those being helped now at first, in the earliest days after Katrina, declined help. They were ready to tough it out on their own. Now, five years later, with fewer and fewer resources coming in and many experiencing the brunt of the economic downturn, the need remains strong. And in many cases, stronger than ever. Increasingly, the expression of financial support from outside sources is waning. The camp here is expected to close down by summer's end. In part, our work will be to help those here at Mission on the Bay who've helped so many to begin the transition of closure.

We feel fortunate to have the opportunity to help in the continued mission of recovery for the Gulf Coast. We look forward to tomorrow and the week ahead.

God is in the Details...or in the Numbers

Here is how Mission on the Bay has served the Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina came ashore on August 29, 2005:
-60,000 people have been hosted here
-$15,000,000 in cash donations have been received
-$40,000,000 in volunteer services have been received
-550 homes have been built
-5,000 properties have been cleared

But:
-5,000 families in the area still have unmet housing needs
-it is very hard for families to get insurance
-it costs more money to build now than it did pre-Katrina
-people in the area have seen a lot of contractor fraud
-it is hard to ask for help
-people down here are emotionally, spiritually and physically exhausted

Unfortunately, at the end of August 2010 Mission on the Bay and Camp Victor, both operated by Lutheran Episcopal Services of Mississippi, will be closed down.

Indeed, the reality of our camps closing is an occasion for sadness. We wish it were not the case -- not for our clients, for our staff, for the communities we serve nor for YOU, our volunteers! Having been the recipient of generous grants from ERD, LDR and countless donations for the first two to three years after the Storm, those monies have become but a trickle. The time that has lapsed since Katrina, the downturn in the economy and the reality of other disasters, including the BP Oil Spill, have played significant roles in drawing funds in different directions. Thus, the fiscal responsibility has surpassed our abilities and our current economy does not show signs of relenting.
-Mission on the Bay & Camp Victor Ministries

Where did you see God today? As Tori K. pointed out, we are thankful to God that we have been given the chance to serve as one of the last groups through this ministry.

Let's see what 40 Minnesotans can do!

We're here!

We have arrived! We rolled into Mission on the Bay at 5:00 this evening. The place looks great. We're spread out for fast food dinners across the street...a first experience at a Popeye's for many. More later!

Finding God Where You Least Expect Him

If you were to combine the trips together that Pastor Shelley, Bus Driver Earl and I have taken you would come up with a fairly large number; however, today marked a first for the 3 of us and for the other 37 passengers - worship on the bus. We may not have been home worshiping at Zumbro, but today we were reminded that "where two or three gather in my name, there I am among them" (Matthew 18:20).

We praised God in song,

we heard the Word of God,

we prayed,

and we celebrated communion together.

At one point I looked up from the music and was amazed by the beautiful scenery we were surrounded by. While we may have been traveling down the interstate (Hwy 55 in MS to be precise), we were looking out at the sun shining down upon God's great creation. As I was taking in the moment, a big semi pulled alongside us and rudely interrupted my view. But after just one second I read the words printed on the side of the bus. "Another one of God's blessings." God's blessings. They were surrounding us. Minutes earlier I had just heard Kirsten S. share a message reminding us that sometimes God shows up when we least expect Him to. I certainly wasn't expecting to be reminded of God's love by the semi that interrupted my view...but that is what being on the look out for God is all about. Keeping your eyes open so that you can see where He is all around you. May you all find God today where you least expect to see Him.

a note from Alex O.

Well this has been a great mission trip so far. All of my peers are friendly and the traveling has been really fun. When we stopped in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, for lunch it was very warm out so I and a couple other boys stuck our heads in the water fountain. Everyone was full of energy from the lunch we had and had a blast. After everyone ate it was time to get back on the bus so we could be on schedule. With a loud collective of groans and whines we got back on and headed to the hotel. ~Alex O.

Alex and Alex cooling off at the lunchtime stop (with Josh documenting the moment).

We're on our way!

Roughly three hours ago we left the Zumbro parking lot. Tonight we will be staying at the Pear Tree Inn in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Tomorrow evening, after two restful and peaceful days on the road (believe it and it will happen, right?) we will arrive to Mission on the Bay in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi! Here's what the crew is up to so far...

Playing video games,

catching up on the news,

playing cards,

and sleeping!

(George must have been out late last night because he's been sleeping since we left!)

Shortly we'll be stopping for lunch at a rest stop. This bus is so quiet I can't believe there are 39 other people on the bus with me. Of course, coming from a house with three boys under the age of 7, going to the circus would be quieter...

We thank you all for holding us in prayer as we travel, play and serve. Stay tuned this week as youth and adults will take turns blogging and posting pictures about our experiences.