Waveland Bound

I would love to comment on any number of socio-political issues right now, but cannot at this time. You can refer to the amazing bloggers on my left panel for all that stuff. They're far more articulate than me anyway.

I leave, once again, at the crack of dawn to return to storm-torn Mississippi. Not until tonight have I been excited. I've mostly been overwhelmed at the amount of prep work needed, but now I can't wait to see all that's progressed since my last visit.

Apparently, much has changed since my last trip (Dec 1-8). The church in which we stayed, Word of Faith, has since converted to a base camp for volunteers. They housed over 30 teams in the month of December alone. Where once they were feeding about 70 volunteers at the most, now they're feeding 300.

A wonderful woman from our church, Alva, came with us in December to serve as a chef. This woman had such a gift; she could just look into a pantry full of randomly assorted food and know exactly what she would make (for 50+ people). She has since gone back and will remain in Waveland for the next three months, serving the volunteers and residents of that little town by feeding them some of the best food they'll ever have. (We really were spoiled in the cuisine area.)

So we (me, my brother, his best friend and another college guy) have packed up our air mattresses, bug spray, work clothes and anti-bacterial hand sanitizer to embark on yet another amazing trip where we're sure to be meeting hundreds of people from all over the United States who've given their time, money and physical being to help restore lives. It's really an amazing sight to see--people from Alaska, Hawaii, Tennessee, California, Illinois, all who've never met each other, unite to help people they've also never met and may never see again.

I have no idea how our little team is going to fit in the equation. I know the boys will be blown away. I'm looking forward to seeing how God uses them and works in them as they step out in faith, take time off work and school, and give.

In the meantime, in case you were left out of the joy of reading about my first trip, here are some links from that time. MacStansbury courageously filled in for me all the way from Georgia during my stint in what he refers to as CST (or Central Standard Time). I'm sure he'll make a surprise appearance now and then while I'm out, but I will try to blog some from the Gulf Coast.

Have a lovely week. I look forward to returning and reading all my fellow bloggers' work. I always miss that while I'm gone.

Day 1: Arriving in Mississippi via Tennessee

Day 2: The devastation becomes more obvious

My surprise appearance from the trenches and request for prayer.

Day 3: Vandalism and Reconstruction

I'd provide more, but my browser has been unusually uncooperative. I blame Bush. Everyone else does.