Katrina Relief Efforts

At Bass Memorial Academy, I was expecting to do a lot of manual labor, clearing trees, cleaning, etc.  I was surprised to find that the Academy was a major hub for disaster relief, and that I would be doing a lot of cooking instead.  I felt especially good about the Seventh-day Adventist Church to see that they were the ones heading the disaster relief for this county.  I was impressed with our church's dedication and compassion for the community.

Most of what I did in Mississippi was cooking and serving food.  Food is truly the way to everyone's heart.  People were amazingly grateful and patient in long, long, long lines in the hot sun.  And it was extremely hot there.   Much of the food we served was a 'hodge podge' of whatever we had available.

My faith was definitely increased throughout the experience of this trip.  At one point, we were running out of water.  It was suggested that we give away our water as we had been, and just not worry, that God would provide.  This was pushing it for me.  My faith was not strong enough to give away a necessity and make an assumption that God would provide.  But then we got a truckload of water and God showed me what a fool I am.  This has changed my perspective on life in so many different aspects, starting with, if it seems impossible, it's really not, so long as God is involved.

I am so much more grateful for what I have as a result of this trip.  Everything in my life was put into perspective when I saw people just like me and my family and my friends have everything taken away from them.  I need to be more grateful for what I have, but not get too attached to my possessions, because everything can be taken away from you so quickly and so easily. 

Thank you Communication Department for sending me on this trip!  You definitely had a part in changing my life.
Erica Slikkers

I went to Bass Memorial Academy in Purvis, Mississippi. The school needed help repairing their roof, removing debris etc. Initially, a disaster response team known as the Adventist Community Team Services (A.C.T.S) had already set up shop to help the people of Purvis, using the academy as their headquarters to serve two hot meals a day and provide basic supplies for families (water, canned foods, etc.). But as more people began to show up, it was evident that we needed more supplies.

As a group, we prayed that the supplies that were promised to us from various donors would come. The very next day, to the amazement of all of us, trailer after trailer began turning into the school, way more than we had expected to come! Turns out that some of the drivers were simply driving until they saw a stable place to drop off their load.

That experience allowed me to see disaster in a new perspective, especially when I heard so many people speak of how blessed they were that their situation wasn't worse than it was. I saw that these people were still able to hold on to God's hand and trust Him, even in their hard times.
Jacqueline Spencer

I could truly see God�s hand in everything that happened before, during and after our mission trip to Purvis, Mississippi.  I believe that many people would agree with me when I say that our memories of what we experience will stay with us forever. 

In Purvis, I was involved in many different little projects.  I was in a group that was called the �hoppers� meaning we would go wherever there was instant need to help for few minutes.  Therefore, I helped in the kitchen, moved lots and lots of heavy brush and tree trunks, put up shingles, distributed necessities, moved boxes around, unloaded trucks, interviewed the chief of police and volunteers, and the most memorable task was going door to door and distributing water and snacks around the community.

This was one of the unforgettable experiences; because you were right there with the hurricane victims sharing their stories and sorrows.  But, what touched me tremendously was the incredible gratefulness of the people.  They would have tears in their eyes when they heard we came all the way from Michigan to help in their need. 

By the grace of God I was able to help others and make a small difference in other peoples lives.  Most of all, I realized what is important in life--it�s not how much you possess, but how much you give of yourself to others.
Petra Moskalova