How does it work
for a presbytery that had been very active in mission to be
on the receiving end? That was the question the 6,271 members
of the 46 churches in the Presbytery of Mississippi awoke to
on August 30, 2005, the day after Hurricane Katrina, the worst
natural disaster ever to strike North America, wreaked havoc
on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Mississippians have always had a broad streak of independence
and self-sufficiency, so when volunteers from many other states
and countries came to help them in their hour of need, how did
they react? Most were gracious and appreciative but reluctant
to accept help. The common response when help was offered was,
“Thank you so much, but I’m so much better off than
other folks.” And this might come from someone whose house
and all its contents had been reduced to a clean-swept concrete
slab!
But come around they did! The volunteers came and kept coming
by the thousands, offering help. Houses were cleaned of the
muck deposited by the giant storm surge; ruined carpets were
removed; mold was sprayed; debris was removed from yards; roofs
were replaced; drywall was hung, finished, and painted; and
the work went on and on, step by step, until families were able
to return to their homes.
And the churches were repaired! Presbyteries adopted churches.
Other churches partnered with affected churches. Ministers from
far away filled pulpits so that Mississippi ministers who had
been through so much could have time to rest. Mississippi Presbyterians
can say, “Thank God for a connectional church, and thank
you to all who prayed for us and to those who came to help.” |
