February 6th through 17th
Our Mission Team at Westminster Presbyterian, Gulfport, MS
Eric and Debbie Fagans gathered a 17-member ecumenical team from various congregations including Bethany, Brunswick, Hamilton Union, and Stillwater, that stayed in Westminster Presbyterian Church, Gulfport, MS and worked on a number of projects in Biloxi, Gautier, Gulfport, and Pass Christian.
The devastation along the coast overwhelms you. 65,000 homes were lost in Mississippi alone. Yet, the spirit and confidence of the residents has not been broken. Westminster has served as a distribution site and host to volunteers from the very beginning. Their hospitality and support of volunteer teams is amazing, allowing us to sleep, shower, cook, and do laundry in their church facility.
Westminster's Sanctuary Where Many Slept at Night
Week One: Everyone started in Gautier (pronounced, “Go Shay”) putting a new roof on the First Presbyterian Church complex and doing some interior painting. The various roofs were finished on Friday, covering a total of 7,800 square feet. By mid-week several team members moved to Pass Christian to assist in Katrina’s Kitchen, a tent city that fed and provided clothing and food to residents and volunteers.
Coastal Devastation and Debris in Mississippi
Week Two: Work continued at Katrina’s Kitchen and a new roof was put on Jerry’s home in Biloxi. Some interior and exterior work was started on Diana’s home in Gulfport and assistance was given to finish a roof in Gulfport being done by a team from Illinois.
On both Sundays we added members to Westminster’s choir, and on Sunday 12th, because the church is without a minister, we led their worship service.
A Scene from the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans
Work Being Completed on the Gautier Church Complex
Clothing at Katrina's Kitchen
The Feeding Tent at Katrina's Kitchen
Work Underway at Jerry's House in Biloxi
Three Members of Our Roofing Team:
Lisa, Debbie and Betty
Jerry's House Completed
A Quiet Evening in the Church Parlor at Westminster