You can make a difference in the Gulf Coast. As you know I have been very passionate about the plight of the folks in the Mississippi Gulf region. Here is the latest statistics you probably are not hearing on the evening news. There were 64,120 homes totally destroyed by Katrina and 77.640 damaged in southern Mississippi alone. Based on a FEMA report dated April 24, 2007 there are 25,871 families still living in FEMA trailers. http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=35655 Insurance companies are just paying people token money to get them off of their backs. The government isn’t doing much to help people get back in their homes other than providing temporary housing and low interest loans. If this doesn’t make you sick enough, Thursday FEMA came out and said that starting March 1 2008 they will start charging people that are living in FEMA trailers fifty dollars and increase that fifty dollars every month. So by March 2009 these folks will have to pay $650.00 a month to live in a FEMA trailer. http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=35729 Another option is that they can buy the trailer at a “reduced rate”. I can tell you this, they are not going to get any of the people I have talked to that have lived in one of these garbage cans for more than a month to buy it. FEMA says, “This coordinated, 18-month extension will provide stability to residents while providing effective incentives and assistance to help them transition into long-term housing solutions.” My opinion is that this is the government’s way of saying; we are finished with helping you.

       So who is helping these people get back in their homes? I asked that question to just about every local person I have come in contact with down there at the Gulf and every time the answer is, “Churches and faith based organizations”. That’s it!  

     Christian friends it is time for us to step up to the plate and rise to the occasion and do what God has called us to do.  FEED THE HUNGRY AND STAND BESIDE THE BROKEN.  

James 2:14-17  What good is it, my brothers; if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

     If you can’t go and help you have a responsibility to help someone that can. Ezra 1:4  Those Jews who do not go should contribute toward the expenses of those who do, and also supply them with clothing, transportation, supplies for the journey, and a freewill offering for the Temple. 

    If you are serious about doing something but don’t know where to start check out this CBS news video and contact the North Carolina Baptist Men. http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=1936562n These people got it together and are making a difference. These are awesome people who have already fixed 513 homes. They may be finishing up their stay in Gulfport by the end of the year so you will need to get your show on the road soon.  

     On calvarycommunitychurch.com there is a video slide show of a previous trip to Pass Christian, MS on November 06. After clicking the link below select "PLAY NOW" The video is entitled "Make A Difference"

http://www.calvarycommunitychurch.com/make-a-difference/

    On flicker.com Mary Ann and I have posted pictures that I took during our trip last week.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8081707@N08/

      Aside from the fulfillment our church has experienced from helping a number of families in southern Mississippi we have been blessed in many other ways. There has been visible spiritual growth in the lives of those who have gone. Members of our teams have grown closer together, which is the foundation of what a strong church community is all about. Often people that have stepped out of their comfort-zones to go on an outreach event like this come home with a renewed zeal to be more involved in God's work at home. We have been blessed to create some very real relationships with those we have helped. These are just a few of the things I can think of but I am sure some of you can add more.

     Yes it takes effort to get out of our easy chairs and go do something about this real need. If your church is doing something to help, PRAISE GOD. If not I say you need to join one that is. Its time for the God’s Church in America to go make a difference.