On January 23, 2005 ten parishioners from Calvary drove to Long Beach, MS to participate in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort through the Episcopal organization Camp Coast Care.

The mission trip was intense. Work crews went out each day and helped clean up the damage Katrina caused by sorting through destroyed homes for personal items, repairing damaged homes, and unloading donated supplies at the Interfaith distribution warehouse. Volunteers also worked at Camp Coast Care’s free medical clinic, free food store, and free clothing store.

In spite of the overwhelming devastation, it was clear that even the slightest helping hand was greatly appreciated. I remember in particular a single mother, Teri. Alone and barely able to survive before Katrina, the hurricane has left her hopeless. Our work crew pulled up damp carpet and removed damaged furniture from her home. We also listened to her story. A bible on her bedside table, she spoke of her faith in God, her love for her son, and her feeling of despair. We both cried.

People in the gulf coast are still in great need of financial and material donations as well as help from volunteers to rebuild their communities. They also need to know there is hope. I believe hope will be restored through renewed faith in God and through the works of the Holy Spirit that can be seen in the donations and volunteer efforts of people all over the world. Calvary’s mission trip to the gulf coast was a moving experience and one I will never forget.