Redstone Presbytery Gulf Trip

2006-01-31T10:07:00.000-08:00

Lynne Laubham has posted her report of the January Redstone Mission Team to Gulfport, Mississippi, under "Comments". Take a look.

2006-01-24T09:28:00.000-08:00

A New Hurricane Disaster Team from Redstone Presbytery is in the Gulf Area. Once again, they are working out of Orange Grove Camp, located on the property of Orange Grove Presbyterian Church. Lynne Laubham,from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greensburg and Bob Tyson, of Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church, in Murrysville are co-leading this effort. Watch for reports!

Thoughts from Jane & Roy

2005-11-22T11:48:00.000-08:00

From Jane and Roy Myers,

It's been a couple of days since we returned from Mississippi and we've had some time to rest, nurse our sore muscles, and collect our thoughts. This has been one of the most incredible experiences of our lives and we feel physically and emotionally drained. We worked very hard, as did all of our team members, but consider ourselves to be blessed to be able to help our brothers and sisters so severely affected by Hurricane Katrina. The rewards were many - the sincere thanks from the homeowners, the satisfaction of completing our tasks successfully, and the feeling that we moved outside of our routine lives to serve God's people.

The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) program is doing a tremendous job in helping Katrina victims, rebuilding churches, and aiding ministers who have been displaced. This is a new ministry for the Presbyterian Church, so there have been some glitches. However, energy and committment are very evident among the staff and volunteers in East Biloxi. They are making a real difference in the area.

We met some very brave and strong folks during our week in the Gulf. In spite of unbelievable tragedy, hardship, and loss, they remain faithful Christians who feel blessed just to be alive. They still suffer greatly and need our prayers and support. Each has a story (actually several stories) to share. We were happy to take occasional breaks to listen, and to learn. Some of these good folks were:

Furman Pearson: a professional shoeshine man who escaped flood waters by moving to a neighbor's house which was just a bit higher than his own (and thankfully unlocked). He proudly showed us some of the shoes he had worked on and was very excited that we were able to find one of his favorite shoes that had floated to the inside of his furnace.

Eddie Fox: an elderly gentleman who showed us the awards he had recently received at his class reunion. They were for the most children (10) and the most grandchildren (23) among his classmates.

James and Helen Lee: a wonderful couple who had a pretty brick house and two lively dogs. One dog was set free during the storm and saved a man's life by allowing him to hold on to its collar as it swam to safety. The Lee's lost a neighbor woman when a refrigerator fell on her as she tried to escape through a window.

Robert Fleeton: a quiet fellow who still lived in his damaged house. We removed trees and debris from his yard, uncovering a set of lawn furniture. The furniture did not belong to Bobby, but he had lost his own outdoor chairs. He decided he could make use of the "new" pieces.

Matthew Bullock: neighbor to Mr. Fleeton. He talked to us over his fence and invited us into his house to look around. He showed us the opening to his attic where he escaped the flood waters. He remained there (with no access to his roof) until the waters receded. Matthew had cleaned up his house very nicely, but had marked each room to show how high the water had risen.

There were other people and other stories shared by the various teams in camp. These added to our own experience and reinforced our belief that we were in a special place surrounded by special people. As Rev. Mark White (on the staff of PDA) explained, we all had become part of the fabric of the Mississippi Gulf.

My flight home

2005-11-18T12:47:00.000-08:00

A note from Danise Pruzinsky,

I flew home last night as I was unable to remain with the team for the full week due to other obligations. It was very hard to leave the team yesterday morning. I wanted to remain with my new friends and continue to help in the chaos of God's people. As a team we have experienced God in so many places and in so many ways. As I left the van to walk into the airport I felt that my time to serve was over in Biolix, then as I walked into the quite, chilly waiting area to wait for my plane the first person I met was a redcross volunteer. This proud, tired volunteer began to share her experiences for the last three weeks . She rode in a redcross van and distributed three hot meals a day to victims and volunteers. She shared of new friends, greatness in the people and a call to return soon. As our conversation ended, I realized that in a big way by chance to serve our brothers and sisters in the Gulfport area was and is only beginning. I desire to create a slide show of our work to share with all those who want to know more about life after Hurricane Katrina. In fact I was excited to get on the plane, open my laptop and begin as soon as I was in the air. God had yet another plan in store.

As I settled into my seat on the plane, a window seat, yea, but wait all I can see is the engine, so I turned to my neighbor and said hello. I was sitting next to two pastors who live inland about 18 miles from the coast, they shared their story of going further north and cramming into a relatives home , of losing electricity, running a gas generator and then running out of gas. They then drove for miles almost running our of gas in the car just to find more fuel for the family. They stayed out of their home for three days to return to broken window, holes in a roof and siding off the house. They felt blessed, the only hardship left was no electricity or form of communication for about a week. Once cell phone service returned they connected with a friend that lived on the coast line and had nothing left except rubble in the yard, they offered up their home and the friends are still staying with them. Every few days the women go to the rubble on a what they like to call a treasure hunt. Many items are found, few if any of their own. This is the case in most rubble piles. The residents dig through the debris and then line it along in a neat row on the sidewalks in front of what was their home. They then walk the streets in hopes of finding just one symbol of thier life lined up along someones sidewalk. One photo, a childs toy, a piece of Grandma's china. It all becomes a treasure, for now a sign of hope. I pray that we as Presbyterians, as children of God can all come toghether to help bring hope to the 79 miles of devastion along the Gulf coast. I pray that we candrop our differances and jump into the chaos and find a way to help bring God's love to our family in the Gulf. In any way that you can. Amen for now.

Redstone Presbytery Gulf Trip

2005-11-18T12:45:00.000-08:00

Today is Friday November 18th, 2005

The team is leaving this evening after working on one home and visiting another. The weather is cold, thirties and windy in the evenings, sleeping bags are being given to many residents as they are still sleeping in tents or in trailers with no heat.

Prayers for the team as they travel home tonight and all day Saturday. The team members are: Thayer Geiger (Level Green), David and Libby Hikes (Level Green), Lynne Laubham(Westminster), Roy and Jane Myers(Mapelwood), Robert Tyson, Tom Seeley, Danise Pruzinsky, Andrew White, Gwen White (Newlonsburg) and Doug Stevens (Redstone).

At the time of this posting the team has completed 5 assignments, which means 5 homes have been cleared of debris, walls removed and stories told. Now these 5 home will move to stage two of the rebuilding process. Stage two of the rebuilding process means that stud walls, floors and any other surfaces will need cleansed of mold and sealed before stage three begins, which is the rebuilding of the walls, new furnaces and air conditioners.

Many stories have been shared, friends made and pictures to share. The team is excited to return and share our experience with you. Many team members would like to return as soon as possible to the Gulf. Maybe even in the next few weeks or at the latest next two months. We hope and pray that many of you are also feeling the call to help in Gulfport. Speak with any of the team members and let us know if you are interested, we will keep you updated on a future trip.

Day 3

2005-11-16T10:59:00.000-08:00

Hello to eveyone in Redstone Presbytery! We are sorry that we have not been able to be on line sooner but it is very difficult to obtain access here. The electricity is intermittent and there is still a considerable amount of chaos. And yet, as is the motto of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, out of chaos, God brings hope.

We have been hard at work since early Monday morning after an 1100 mile drive Saturday and Sunday. On Monday we worked to remove paneling, molding, kitchen cabinets, furnace and woodwork down to the studs throughout the house of Mr. Furman Pearson. Like many people here Mr. Person's home damage was ruled to be by flood rather than hurricane so that he will receive little if any insurance money. He has no funds to pay any person to do the skilled or unskilled labor of removing damaged inner walls. This work typically goes for $10.00 an hour. Our Pennsylvania Team of 11 persons from Redstone Presbytery was able to completely prepare his house for the next step of sanatizing in one day. Sanatizing may take several applications over a long period of time but at least he is on his way. He, like so many others is so very appreciative of the help we are able to give.

We have heard stories of heroism, daring and sacrifice. We have seen homes where some of the victims died and heard tragic sagas. But still through all of this the hand of God is apparent everywhere. People are praising God and are grateful for the assistance of not only this group but so many others operating here...in three other tent villages...Presbyterian, Methodist and Mennonite, to mention a few.

On day 2, Tuesday we worked on two houses and completed our part of one and were half done with another when we had to stop due to darkness. Still, in all this we have not seen the most devastated portions of East Biloxi. Hanging just a few feet from where this is being typed is a wall map with large numbers of squares and rectangles marked in red. Those are homes which cannot be rebuilt and they will be destroyed to make way for new dwellings. Sadly, there are people still living in and around those homes -- it is all they have and they have not yet learned that they are too damaged to be saved.

On another wall hangs a quilt sent to this very place by the "Log Cabin Quilters Guild" from the Ebensburg, PA area. It provides a stark contrast to the destruction and sadness here. Again, the motto, out of chaos, hope.

Just a word about our situation. Until last night we were living in tents provided by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. We were on our own for breakfast and dinner until yesterday when a group of Presbyterians from Durham, NC came in to set up a chow line for us. Our showers, which are absolutely necessary, are field showers. Imagine, showering in a large plastic bag, with no lights and occasional bursts of wind. Exciting! Our lunches are provided by the Red Cross at no cost and are a wonderful gift. However, last night everything changed and we ourselves became a part of this story in a way we never imagined. Under tornado watches, we struck our camp and moved into buildings. Some of us slept on church pews or on the floor, (ironic for clergy!). Outside the wind howled and for a brief time the rain was heavy. We got to see just a tiny, tiny bit of what the people here have had to endure for months. We however, had a hot breakfast today and are well clothed even in colder temperatures. Some of these folks here have no shelter at all. Some of our tents are going to be given to these people and we are going to be housed in new shelters brought by our friends in Canadian Churches. A huge tractor trailer arrived today with new shelters. We helped unload the truck before going to our work site this afternoon. In a day or two the shelters will be completed and ready for new groups of Presbyterian volunteers.

In the days ahead we are told that the camps will be truly ecumenical involving Methodists, Episcopalian, Lutherans, UCCs and others.

Everyone can contribute something. The only skill you need is compassionate faith and the willingness to work with others in the service of our Lord. Please keep the people of the Gulf Coast, at 79 mile stretch of devastation, in your prayers. Pray about where God is leading you...
We hope we will be able to be on the net again but do not know for sure. God bless all of you.

Redstone Presbytery will travel to Gulfport on Saturday

2005-11-07T08:48:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, November 12, 2005 a team of 12 missionaries will travel to the hurricane ridden area near Biloxi, MS. Check in here to share a prayer with them and to keep track of their journal entries. Grace and peace to us all!