"...One of the main things we learned was that to begin rebuilding a
flooded house you have to first remove the damaged walls and
furnishings . . . and clean out all the sludge and mud. Everything
has to be removed except the frame of the house. Once it is clean
you can begin rebuilding. What I noticed was a parallel between
the house and the homeowners. When we first came, the homeowners
--Joe and Karen--were persevering, but their hearts were damaged. The
house looked hopeless--so much filth; it was overwhelming. And yet,
as we shoveled out the crud, wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow, I saw their
spirits rise. It was as if we were cleaning the bitterness and loss
out of their hearts. The fruit of our labor was giving them hope.
By the last day, they were smiling and laughing again. We found
Joe's wedding ring and their son’s baby shoes. We were able
to work side by side with them to take out the final barrels of dirt and
debris. Now they can begin rebuilding their lives as they rebuild
their house."
"This trip showed me how a mountain can be removed with small steady
actions and a team of committed people."
-Sonia
"Whatever I gave, I received 100 times back from residents and from my
teammates."
-Steve
"Cooking is one of my talents. I am not any good with a hammer, but the
kitchen I can handle."
-Glenda
"When I told my co-workers I was taking my vacation in Biloxi doing disaster
relief, they wondered what there was to do down here. They knew there
was devastation, but they don't know the depth of it . . . There's joy in
helping others."
-Letty
"We met an 83-year-old man walking with a cane near the beach. He cried
about the things he lost. His name is Uncle Bob and he just wanted to
talk. So we walked awhile with him."
-Donna
"Twelve years ago, I owned 66,000 sq. ft. of building space that was
covered by 8 feet of water. It was hard to go through, but Service
International helped us. It looked hopeless, but they gave me hope. Now
I come on these trips to help others. It really is better to give than
receive. This was a great week!"
-Dave
"I feel like I have discovered the secret to happiness: giving and
serving."
-Rick
"I was a horrible camper and not a kitchen person. Now I am totally
addicted to it."
-Brenda
"At home in Wisconsin, I saw a homeowner (Jean) being interviewed on
the Joyce Meyer broadcast and it touched my heart. When Jean talked about
SI she said, 'Without them I couldn't get through this.' That's why my
husband and I are here."
-Lisa
"This was my first trip. I had no idea what to expect. Working with Walt
[teammate] has opened my eyes. We all have different skills, but we all
have one heart: to serve. I am coming back and bringing my friends."
-Bill
"I love SI and the spirit of it all. It's a great organization. It's
love in action, extending God's love through muscles and sweat."
-Vicki
"I am overwhelmed by people [here in Mississippi] who, even in their
devastation, have been so loving."
-Ronda
"A month ago, I worked in New Orleans. I had no idea how bad it was
here too—mile after mile and as far as five miles inland. To come with a
wonderful group, great leaders, very organized, great food—I have been so
rewarded here."
-Craig
"Every morning I look into my teammates' eyes and I see determination.
Every day I look into homeowners' eyes and I see gratitude."
-Dave
