In September of 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of the United States with storm surges of up to 15 feet. The surge of water pushed inland for miles, and the path of the storm stretched from west of New Orleans, Louisiana all the way to the Florida panhandle. Presbyterians were some of the first folks on scene providing emergency aid.D’Iberville, Mississippi is one of the hundreds of communities affected. It’s located directly north of Biloxi, MS, separated by Biloxi Bay. The devastation was horrific.
FEMA didn’t arrive on scene for 7 weeks. D’Iberville responded quickly, providing help to all citizens and establishing a volunteer worker camp, initially funded by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.
To date: 405 homes completed out of 1240 damaged, 370 destroyed. As of May 1, 2007, 410 are in the process of being repaired.
In association with the D’Iberville Volunteer Foundation, the Kiskiminetas Presbytery will is sending a volunteer in mission work trip of 33 people to the Gulf Coast on October 27 through November 3, 2007, led by pastors Gary and Lisa Lyon.
Follow their trip through this blog, and hold them in your prayers!
Vicky Westley said,
October 27, 2007 @ 12:15 am
To Gary, Lisa, and the entire work team, please know that you are in our prayers here at Calvary Presbyterian Church of Indiana as you begin your mission trip to the Gulf Coast. We will be watching the BLOG.
Vicky Westley, Secretary
Calvary Presbyterian Church
695 School Street
Indiana, PA 15701
Patty Brady said,
October 31, 2007 @ 9:26 pm
I’ve been reading your daily blogs – thank you for sharing with us. Makes me remember our days in January of 2006 and looking forward to January 2008 when we return again to D’Iberville. Sounds like you are all doing great work and making a difference in the lives of the people you are working with down there. Continued blessings on your efforts and giving thanks for the wonderful weather that you are enjoying. Keep the blogs coming!
Patty Brady
Jane Gudakunst said,
October 31, 2007 @ 9:51 pm
Wow !! Great to hear all of the stories and see your smiles. ?? Getting shocked with a paint brush ??! Maybe you can start a new fun reality show …..”Kiski Survivors”…….show the world what you can do with the power of God!! You could offer bonus points to anyone that can pronounce or spell “Kiskiminetas”
God Bless all of you with continued success in rebuilding lives.
Jim/Pat Potter said,
November 1, 2007 @ 4:27 am
Hi Gary,Lisa And Presbytery Team,
Good to hear from you.Sounds like your getting a lot accomplished this week.Our prayers are with all of you.It is a very rewarding experience and We wish we could be with you.Have a safe week and don’t eat too much Gumbo.Please finish it up before we come down in January!!
Gary and Lisa-Please tell Barbara to have those cookies when I get there.
God Bless.
Patty and Jim
Melody/Mike Troup said,
November 1, 2007 @ 6:14 am
Hi everyone….just wanted to let you know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers this week. What an experience!
God Bless and keep you safe.
Evelyn & Clarence Grantz said,
November 1, 2007 @ 7:59 am
Hi you all,
Very pleased to receive your daily up dates. Good to here you are having good weather and can get a lot of work done. Tell Barb we said hi. We are keeping you all in our prayers. I don’t care what Jim said about the GUMBO just save me some!
God Bless and have a safe return
Lesley Shoup, Synod Stated Clerk said,
November 1, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
My Christian love and prayers are with all of you as share the love of our Lord Jesus Christ in positive, meaningful, and measurable ways. Thank you for your time and effort, your prayers and your goodwill. The Synod of the Trinity is proud to know that you have done well – good and faithful servants of God!
May you have safe and blessed travels as you return home.
Dori Atkinson said,
November 3, 2007 @ 2:22 am
HEY, Kiski Crew— Have enjoyed seeing your pictures, recognizing faces and hearing your joyful tales of work and play while serving our God. You are a blessing to us as well as to the folks there. Thank you for doing what you do each day. Anxious to hear from you when you return. Blessings and prayers, Dori