by Karen Wamstecker

September 3, 2005 — I have just returned from Gautier, Mississippi where we were grateful to receive mission teams from Alabama. I also thank God for the supplies contributed by folks in Alabama, and from Trinity Presbyterian Church, Pensacola, Dogwood Acres, and the Presbyteries of Florida and South Alabama. We also appreciate the support and encouragement we have recieved from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Princeton Theological Seminary.

Folks gathered today to rip the carpet out of Gautier Presbyterian where three feet of water has already contributed to extensive mold growth throughout the sanctuary and education wing. The sheetrock walls are buckling. An outside wall and a portion of the roof are somewhat concave. Pews are covered with mold. Bibles and Hymnals had to be thrown away (but new hymnals are already on the way). I cannot list all the things that were water-logged and damaged. Chris and I were saddened to see our wedding invitations saturated and covered with mold but we can make some new ones.

I visited with a church member who walked me through his home. All that remained was the brick tile floor, stairs, and foundation. He showed me where his kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, den, fireplace, shed used to be. Yet we found a china soap dish that wasn't even cracked. A friend of the church posed for a photo atop his boat which was moored in a pile of debris on what used to be someone's front yard. And later in the evening we combined resources for a camp-stove cooked meal on a patio cooled by fans powered up by generators. After a long day, Chris was overjoyed to see that power had been restored to his home (although many places still do not have power).

At a nearby trailer park people were without food, water, hygiene products, and diapers so we loaded up the trucks and brought things in.

The congregation plans to worship at 9:00 tomorrow although they will most likely meet outside since the sanctuary is uninhabitable at the moment.

Yesterday we were happy to find Rev. Tim Brown (Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Ocean Springs) and his wife, Leigh working with members in the front of the church. They too are planning a worship service. I also heard on the radio that First Presbyterian Church in Pascagoula will worship Sunday as will Westminster Gulfport.

It is strange to drive along the highways and see the national guard with huge guns manning the gas stations, all kinds of military and emergency convoys and rickety trailers (like the one I drove) as common scenery.