2009 Hurricane Katrina Relief Mission Trip to Ocean Springs, Mississippi

 

Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005 and was the 6th strongest hurricane on record killing 1836 people, leaving people homeless from all economic levels, and destroying billions of dollars worth of homes and buildings some of which had even survived over 250 years of hurricanes.

Four years later after many relief organizations have left the area, Lutheran and Episcopal relief agencies have combined efforts to continue the relief work under the new name of Starfish Ministries based in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

In the Ocean Springs and Biloxi area alone there are over 200 homes which still have not been repaired for the families to return. Some remain homeless. It is estimated that the relief work will take upwards of 5 more years.

Quilters from All Saints sent 5 quilts to give to these relief efforts. All were given to families in need within 2 days. One widowed mother who now lives in a car with her 2 children wept when Starfish Ministries gave her one of those quilts. It’s now one of the few possessions she has following Hurricane Katrina.

Those who went from our Northern Illinois Synod to Ocean Springs: All Saints Lutheran – Bryon Bob Branson, Joe Danielowski, Brandon Eisenberg, Reuben Johnson, and Pr. Scott Schmidt.   Salem Lutheran, Sycamore -  Patti Beamsley, Scott Graves, and Marty & Rod Oehlert.   St. John Lutheran, Sterling -  Pr. Leo Patterson

 

Day one, in the warehouse.

  

We did some much needed cleaning and reorganization
 
     

We prepped old and partial cans of paint to be recycled

  

Day two through five at a rebuild site
 

A previous crew stripped all the drywall and wiring

  

Our crew received instructions from leaders
 

The beginning of a pile of damaged building materials

  

Brandon removed some of the remaining drywall nails

 

Much of the old flooring needed to be removed

  

Rueben cut out one of several old window
 

Pr. Scott held the window from the inside

  

Floor joists were inspected and many were replaced
 

Bob analyzed the next among many projects

  


Joe & Brandon befriended home owner Joshua Jesse
 

This has been 87-year-old Joshua’s home for 57 years

  

Waiting for repair, the home was infested by termites
 

The living room floor and joists needed replacing

  

Joe & Brandon helped remove the rotten and termite damaged wood
 

Houses in this area often sit upon block pylons

  

The home settled on one end and needed raising
 

Due to damage, floor joists needed re-leveled

  

Front and back joist headers needed replaced
 

Each day concluded with storing tools and clean-up

  

Our sleeping areas were in dormitories of bunk beds
 

Brandon & Joe rested after a work day that began after breakfast at 7 am and concluded before supper

  

Bob and Reuben prepared to return to camp
 

The dining hall - Volunteer groups leave signed t-shirts

  

This t-shirt is from Trinity Lutheran - Manlius
 

Our group signed a t-shirt to hang from a camp rafter

  

At camp, volunteer groups often leave a mural
 

We left a mural from All Saints

  

Murals are found throughout the building
 

Brandon, Joe & Patti made a blanket for Mr. Jesse

  

Mr. Jesse received framed photos from the week
 

Mr. Jesse said he would use the blanket on his bed

  

Our crew for the week on Mr. Jesse’s front porch
 

Our crew from around the country said goodbye

  

Joe & Brandon said farewell to Joshua Jesse