They’ve named the site at Gulfport Church of God, Camp Hope. President Bush was there on Monday. I’m not particularly political, I don’t have any strong opinions for or against Bush. But I do think it was impressive that he stopped by Camp Hope for some pictures and to serve a meal to the folks of Gulfport. Check here for pictures.
I also wanted to take a minute to recognize my father, who along with 5 other guys, met us in Gulfport. It was the first time in a long time I was able to serve along side him. It was an honor and I can’t wait to do it again.
In this picture you can see my dad - second from the right, serving our first meal of the week on Thursday afternoon. Grilled chicken, green beans and sour cream and onion potato chips.
And here’s dad and I cooking together, you can see his back and me scrambling eggs. This is our first breakfast Friday morning. Eggs, sausage and pancakes. Dad’s manning the sausage, Norm is flipping pancakes and I got the eggs, barely under control.
click the pics for larger view
I meant to talk about meaninglessness in the last post. But didn’t get to it. Work does that to me sometimes. So I’m home, back to the daily grind. And it seems like so much more of a grind than it ever has. While in Mississippi I worked for over 18 hours a day, hard, manual labor, harder than I’ve ever worked in my life and it was a joy. I’m depressed that I’ve been sitting on my butt all day, working with folks who’s biggest concern is that they can’t print their email. I’m certainly reminded of how unfulfilling my job is. And I’m about to get all rightous, so DaB - you might want to tune out, I really need to find where God wants me to be. I’m convinced that I’m not there. That I’m supposed to be doing God’s work all day every day. I truely believe that we were created and put here on earth to serve other people. To love on people, to take care of the sheep. We may not be The Shepard, but we are His hands and feet. It’s such a struggle to put in my 8 hours, just to get home. I had no problems doing 18 hours with 5 hours of sleep. My comrades still down there continue to do just that, and will until the work is done. Some of them are planning on spending Christmas in Louisianna.
I’m sorry if I just ramble incoherently. I’m not trying to pretend I have any sort of connection, that I hurt and care more than others do, or that I have any right to anything. I’m just trying to sort through my emotions and spirit. It’s all meaningless.
“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “utterly meaningless!”
-Ecclesiastes 1
So I’m back. I was hoping to take some time and put some time into an entry about my experience. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to though. I do have some pictures I’ll post this evening some time, probably later than earlier. We’ll be going to church tonight to help assemble some hygine kits to send to Gulfport, and New Orleans. Still here, doing what we can to help. Christ In Action is still in need of support. Keep informed of what they’re doing here- just this morning I found out that they’re opening 2 satellite feeding locations in addition to the main one that I worked at. They need money, they need volunteers.
Thanks to all who prayed for me and my family. But don’t stop now. Please continue praying for us. That we can continue to serve those who need it most. That we can figure out some way to be used so far away.
I spoke with Dean last night and they are working long hard days, barely stopping to feed themselves while they serve meals to Hurricane Victims. Christ In Action has updated their info as well if you are interested. They are serving in Gulfport Mississippi until they are able to get into New Orleans to set up there. Dean should be home sometime before Tuesday but we dont yet know how he’ll be getting here, prayers for that would be great! The group is in need of financial support, their hearts are big but it costs a lot to feed 10,000 meals a day and FEMA is asking them to feed more people. You can donate to them via the website link above. I’m sure Dean will have a lot to share about his trip when he gets home. —thanks for everyone’s support —Amy