This week is the second anniversary of Katrina. Right after Katrina Rita hit TX and LA. It has been determined that 1.5 million people and 90,000 square miles of the Gulf Coast was effected by these two hurricanes. This is an area approximately the size of Great Britain. A resent government report stated that there are still over 15,000 families living in FEMA trailers just in southern Mississippi. Even with a 2.5% decrease in population the Journal of Southern Mississippi Business reports that the Memorial Hospital in Gulfport is seeing twice the mental health cases they were seeing before Katrina. This last week the Gulf Coast Business council issued the following report. http://wlox.images.worldnow.com/images/incoming/Two%20Year%20Report.pdf It is a mixed bag of interesting information concerning conditions in southern Mississippi two years after Katrina. All of the above information confirms in my mind the fact that God’s Church needs to keep praying, giving and serving these needy folks who’s lives have been devastated. Only the Word of God and a compassionate response of love shown by His Church is going to be able to heal the hurting souls of these dear people. Does spending a week in Mississippi working to repair one or two of these families houses help solve anything? Does the little bit that a church can do make a real difference? It makes a difference in the life of one family at a time based on this letter we received at church after returning from one of our trips to Mississippi. To all who came and gave …. Where do I begin? There are just no words that could ever begin to express my gratitude, appreciation and love I have for every one that has given so unselfishly to me, my family, my church and my community in this most difficult time. Please know that you will NEVER be forgotten…EVER!!! My prayer is that God will hold you highly favored and abundantly blessed throughout your lives. After Katrina, the first scripture I read that I drew strength from was 1 Peter 5:10 And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. He is using YOU, the body of Christ, to restore our broken homes and broken spirits. We see His love and grace in the labors you have preformed so unselfishly. Thank you so much, my dear brothers and sisters, for everything that you have done and for giving of yourself … you are precious, precious people and I love you all.Your sister in Christ, Lauri (Pascagoula, MS) Another friend of ours, Denise from Gulfport recently moved back into her home, she posted the following blog on mychurch, http://www.mychurch.org/blog/47467/Im-in-my-new-home
It’s not the government or the insurance companies but the Body of Christ that is making the difference and giving people like this hope. Yes, the monies we have given, the time we have spent, and the energy that has been spent to help the victims of Katrina has made a difference and it will continue to make a difference. During a resent sermon, my Pastor spoke on the importance of us partnering in the Gospel, James 2:14-17 came to my mind. "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." Our deeds do not save us (Eph. 2:8-9) but in contrast the lack of deeds can be an indicator that our faith is dead.
I feel blessed to be a part of a church where faith is so real and alive. I look how folks have risen to the occasion when given the opportunity to minister. I see how some folks have rallied around helping in the Mississippi Gulf Coast after Katrina. We have taken 6 trips and had 36 people go at least once to help. We have had a small part in preserving or repairing twelve houses and one church. The food and supplies that have been donated have gone to bless many families. We were able to get relief supplies to Moselle, MS almost two weeks before FEMA arrived. When Katrina hit two years ago it would have been so easy to have had a prayer meeting, taken and offering and mailed a check with a note saying, "God bless you, we wish you well, keep warm and well fed". Instead folks have made a real difference by showing the love of God to a hurting community. I am not saying all this to say, “Look at what we have done”. I assure you that we come home from these trips with our heart aching over the fact that we are unable to do more.
Please pray for us as we plan our next trip to Gulfport, MS. that will happen the week following Thanksgiving. We will be working on people’s homes while we look for opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel. If you want information how your church can make a real difference in the Gulf please contact me. It is a blessing to be a part of what God is doing through His Church in the Gulf Region. To God be all the glory! Mark Wigley <>< |
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