On October 4, 2008, fifty Lutheran volunteers from the York/Harrisburg areas traveled via airplane to Biloxi, Mississippi to render relief efforts to the victims of Hurricane Katrina; who are still struggling to return their lives to some degree of normalcy, after two years! Upon arrival at New Orleans Airport (at 1:00AM), we rented six vans, and drove 85 miles over to Biloxi. While there, we stayed at Camp Biloxi, a mobile work camp situated on the grounds of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, of the Missouri Synod.

     We were brought up to speed very quickly, and discovered that there were still over 1,100 work order requests from residents who had damaged homes…two years after Katrina struck…This news was both shocking and humbling! There was much work to do!

     Our first full day (Sunday) in Mississippi was spent getting organized, attending church (I must note here that Good Shepherd Church invited us to worship with them, but informed us that if we were not members of the Missouri Synod, we would not be able to participate in communion with them…our feelings were hurt, and so we declined the offer; and instead, drove five miles to Bethany Lutheran Church), and then on to some wonderful and eye-opening sightseeing. Several of us had never visited the region before, so we loaded up in vans and traveled back to New Orleans (via the coast highway) to see the sights and to see for ourselves, the extent of the devastation! The 9^th Ward and the Christian Bernard Parish areas of New Orleans were damaged beyond imagination; and some coastal areas were wiped clean of all development…wrecked homes, smashed boats, broken piers, and destroyed businesses were everywhere (Katrina’s storm surge was as high as 34 feet in some areas, and went as far inland as one and a half miles!) Television images can not convey the real heartbreak and devastation!

     We divided into five teams of ten each, and went to five different work sites. We only had four days of work, so we knew that we were limited as to how much accomplishment could occur.

     My work group had the honor and privilege to work on a home owned by a military man, who was serving in Iraq when Katrina struck…for ten months, he was unable to return home to inspect the damage or to begin reclaiming his home! Obviously, Mother Nature had increased the level of damage to his home, due to three sections of roofing that were laid bare by the hurricane. By week’s end, we were able to completely replace the roof, gut the inside of the home, and prepare it for mold spraying. We did get the opportunity to meet with the homeowner on our second day of work; words can’t begin to describe the emotions that that evoked!

     God was hard at work restoring lives, volunteers were hard at work restoring homes and businesses, the governmental agencies empowered to respond were hard at work (especially with the infrastructure), and true hope was continuing to flourish throughout the region! Thank You God, for empowering us to serve our neighbors in need; thank you for giving us the will, desire, strength, and love to touch these precious lives! Thy Will be done!

     When Friday morning arrived, we were exhausted from the long hours and hard work; but were proud of the efforts put forth! One of our groups actually finished all the work on their home, and the family was scheduled to move back in that day or the next.

     Upon arrival back home, there were hugs and kisses from new found friends, there were choked emotions, and there was the satisfaction of knowing that we had been called by Christ to respond…and we did!

     I pray that if you EVER get the opportunity to go on a mission trip of love, service, and hope; that you will joyfully answer our Lord saying: “YES, I CAN!”

                                                                                    In His Service, Tom Hoffert.