Situation Report — Mississippi

Out of chaos, hope. . . for as long as it takes

by Susan Ryan
January 2006

It was with heavy heart we read and re-read your editorial of December 14, Mississippi’s Invisible Coast, in which you lament the roaring silence left in the wake of national media coverage withdrawing from the area. You fear the lack of coverage will permit the quiet terror of desperation to creep further into your towns, breaking families, friendships and roots already bent beyond belief.

Let me assure you, media coverage or not, we have not forgotten you. Our concern does not depend on the shadow of satellite trucks or video cameras overlooking our efforts.

Of course, we appreciate recognition for our efforts, but that’s not why we’re there.

The tag line of our ministry is Out of Chaos, Hope. This speaks to our belief in the indefatigable qualities of love, compassion and generosity. It places the emphasis of our efforts not in the heroic rescues of first-responders, but in long-term commitment to sustained assistance long after headlines have turned to distant sensational topics. We know that it takes years to reweave the fabric of community after disasters have torn everything asunder.

Since the first week of September, the 2.5 million members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have embraced Mississippi Gulf Coast families with selfless donations of talent, time and financial resources.

Many of our efforts represent interfaith coalitions, with members from a variety of local and

regional congregations coming together to create armies of goodwill and high energy. Our unique Volunteer Villages have been created to host rotating teams of volunteers from around the country, for weeks at a time, for years to come.

We do it because we can and because we must. Mission for us is not an option but a part of our identity. We are committed to supporting the rebuild of Mississippi’s Invisible Coast for as long as it takes to recover the normalcy of community pride and all the potential that comes with spiritual, structural and economic well-being.

Many communities today fear the loss of jobs. Others battle the drain of young, talented young people. But neither of these is as damaging as the loss of hope.

So we encourage you to be strong in your faith. Know you’re not alone in this challenge, and neither are we. As we pause during this holy season to remember that God so loved us that he came – in the flesh, we are reminded that disaster survivors need to experience, in the flesh, the care of others. We answer yes, we are our brother’s keepers, even when the story isn’t the lead on CNN.

Susan Ryan
Coordinator, PDA