UMCOR Bright Spots

IN TODAY'S ISSUE
May 24, 2007

Miss Sadie Loves the Volunteers - And Her New Bike
"God Taught Me a Lesson"
This Week's Quote
Recovery Stats
New Volunteer Housing, Dulac (Slide Show)

MISS SADIE LOVES THE VOLUNTEERS - AND HER NEW BIKE

By Susan J. Meister, Gulf Coast Communications

Miss Sadie is proud of her new bicycle, and loves to ride in on the sidewalk and in a nearby parking lot. She is grateful to the volunteer team from Ohio that arranged to purchase the new turquoise tricycle-style bike to replace the one she lost in Hurricane Katrina. When she's not riding, she sits in front of her home and greets volunteers and visitors with a wide smile.

Miss Sadie is beaming as she shows off her brand new bicycle, a gift from volunteers in Ohio
Susan Meister/UMCOR

"I just love all the volunteers," Miss Sadie exclaimed. "They are so nice." Miss Sadie's home took on about 8' of water from the storm surge. After the storm, she said that everybody tried to help each other. "People came from every which way," she said. "The Salvation Army helped feed us and a lady from the front desk at Keesler brought clothes and food. The Air Force helped with the clean up."

Air Force base assisted with clean up efforts

Keesler Air Force Base is a major employer in the Biloxi community. Personnel from the base not only were involved in the clean up efforts and rebuilding of their own facilities after the hurricane, they also were very active in the community clean-up.

Miss Sadie is anxious to move back into her rebuilt home with her dog, Buster.
Susan Meister/UMCOR

Miss Sadie worked at Keesler for 24 years, making beds and setting up rooms. One of the items she was able to salvage is a certificate from the Department of the Air Force which recognized her years of service.

She evacuated to Hattiesburg, Miss., to be with her son when the storm approached. She said that it was the worst she saw in her life.

Julie Duncan, case manager at Seashore Station, Mississippi United Methodist Disaster Response, helped connect Miss Sadie to volunteer help and supplies to help rebuild her home. She also helped pick up Miss Sadie's new bicycle from a bike shop in Ocean Springs.

"I am tired of that FEMA trailer," Miss Sadie sighed, "but God blesses us with all the volunteers who are coming to help us."

To help families in Biloxi and other places along the Gulf Coast rebuild from the wind and water of Hurricane Katrina, contact the Mississippi United Methodist Katrina Response.

For more on the United Methodist recovery work visit these web sites:
UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)
UM News Service
Mississippi Conference
Louisiana Conference
Texas Conference
Alabama-West Florida Conference

Our Work

Mr. Johnny was able to salvage a few of his favorite Fitz and Floyd ceramics from his Christmas collection.
Susan Meister/UMCOR

“GOD TAUGHT ME A LESSON”

When the waters from Hurricane Rita inundated Mr. Johnny’s home in Erath, La., in the fall of 2005, Mr. Johnny lost many valuables, including family pictures, antique furniture, and most of his prized collection of Fitz and Floyd Christmas ceramics. He says that God taught him a lesson, because “it’s not about what you have.”

Mr. Johnny had knee surgery just before the storm, so he was unable to do work to rebuild his house. “Things can’t be above your health,” he said.

But the ties to his home are strong, and he is so grateful for volunteer help in the rebuilding process. “I inherited the land from my grandmother,” Mr. Johnny said, “and I moved a lot when I was a kid. So it is so hard to move out and move things back in.”

“We lost some rooms to save the house,” he continued. The house had over two feet of water, and had to be completely gutted. He is so glad he was able to save a few ceramics and a favorite photo of one of his dearest friends.

Relationships connect homeowner to disaster recovery

Debbie Beaudreaux, case manager with the Abbeville station of the Louisiana United Methodist Disaster Recovery Ministry, had worked with Mr. Johnny’s wife, and through that relationship, the family got connected to rebuilding assistance.

“I just love everybody that came,” Mr. Johnny exclaimed. “These people will always be in my mind.” Mr. Johnny was proud to relate how he kept treats for all the workers, and gave plants to volunteers who came from Texas.

“The situation is what you make of it,” he said. “I just wish all the volunteers could come back here and get together again.”

The Abbeville Station and other stations of the Louisiana United Methodist Disaster Recovery Ministry are helping families with the multi-year rebuilding effort after the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. To volunteer or for more information, contact the Louisiana United Methodist Disaster Recovery Ministry.

This Week’s Quote: “We should always have faith in God and let our faith grow stronger as the trials come along. I think there is a reason for everything. Maybe the reason for Katrina is to draw us closer to God!” — Alanna Tippin, 15-year-old volunteer, Jackson, Miss.

Recovery Stats: Representatives from the Louisiana and Mississippi disaster recovery organizations are traveling around the connection to make presentations at annual conferences in May and June. Folks from Mississippi will appear at 14 conferences.

Power Point Slide Show DOWNLOAD
NEW VOLUNTEER HOUSING, DULAC
Download this slide and use in your Sunday morning announcements or mission minute