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This report came
to us from Steve Seipp who headed up a group of volunteers
from The Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Maryland. Their
group joined three other groups (totaling almost 140) at
Camp Hope the last week of December, 2007. Their experience
is not untypical of what many groups experience when they
come to serve.
This
message is to help those of you who may be considering your
first trip to Mississippi, or those who have been here
before and wondering if it would be worth coming again.
Perhaps this little testimonial will help you to make the
decision.
Katrina Relief Family,
We are home! I am happy to report that our December 2007
Mission to Mississippi was a great success! We had 26 folks
who traveled staying at St Ann’s – Project Hope and
Compassion. This time we worked with “Square Foot
Ministries”. We broke the group into several smaller teams.
Our painting team was amazing! They painted indoors and
outdoors 4 different houses. We had an insulation team who
in one day insulated an entire house and then moved on to
drywalling the same soon to be residence. The third team the
“Drywall Machine” finished one house – ceilings and walls
then move over to help out our second team drywalling. Our
pre-trip dry wall class by John Bake and his partner came in
very handy!
As those of you who have traveled to Mississippi know we
came back with many stories which we will get down on paper
and share in the near future. I wanted our whole Katrina
Relief group to know that the Church of the Nativity was
very well served in Pas Christian, Mississippi. We presented
the Giving Tree Gift Cards to Fr. Pete at St. Ann’s. They
were so grateful and will use them to help those in need.
Square Foot Ministries were desperately short on tools and
equipment so we also donated screw guns, t-squares, a nail
gun, tape measures, etc. They told me how impressed they
were with the group and the amount of work that was
accomplished. Our group was up helping out at St. Ann’s
sometimes before 6 AM and worked until the light prevented
us from continuing. Over and over I heard from members that
they didn’t want to stop until they had to because they
wanted to finish the job. That spirit has been the same
every trip. Marie (our group grandmother) volunteered to
take on managing the kitchen for not only our group but the
80 to 100 other volunteers who were staying at Project Hope
and Compassion. She was up before everyone to get the
volunteers preparing breakfast organized and again at dinner
time making sure that there was plenty of good food to eat.
She even gave me a lesson on the proper way to make
pancakes. Karen Parker who is one of the primary
administrators of Project Hope and Compassion was so
appreciative of Marie and her efforts.
We were invited to diner by Square Foot Ministries sponsored
by the Knights of Columbus at the Holy Family Catholic
Church in Pas Christian and the Mayor came to express his
thanks for all the assistance. I only wished I taped his
little speech – it was very moving. He said after this
disaster he is very optimistic for the future seeing all the
young people who have come from all over the country giving
up their vacations and holidays to help them. As we
experience each time the people in Mississippi were so
welcoming and expressed their appreciation over and over for
the help so many provide.
I must express my thanks to Janet Wehner and Bob Barczak Sr.
for their hard work organizing and leading this trip. They
did a great job and made my trip quite easy. This mission
could not have so successful without their efforts.
As you can tell from this rambling message we are a little
tired but in a good way. The Lord again was with each of us
keeping up the momentum working with those who need help. As
one of those in Mississippi who lost everything and is
rebuilding told me this trip – she hoped a tragedy like this
never visited Maryland but if it did she would find a way to
come and help us – we are now family to those in Pas
Christian. This sentiment was echoed over and over from
those in Mississippi.
Here is what
another volunteer said of their experience:
God doesn’t
tickle you with a feather when He needs you to do something.
It started with a small note in my Aquinas College mailbox.
Aquinas was collecting cleaning supplies for Katrina victims.
It fell like dominoes that I made a call, attended a meeting
and signed up to tag along on a bus to Mississippi with the
Church of the Holy Redeemer in Jenison, Michigan. Fortunately
Aquinas was on a break between eight-week quad classes.
Myself, another instructor named Christine and nine students
represented Aquinas and joined the Jenison members as well as
a van from the Georgetown Christian Reformed Church.
Arrangements
had been made to stay in Lizana, MS with Project Hope and
Compassion to use their facilities as a base to help the
community. Project Hope and Compassion is an organization
started by Steve Hulst from Michigan. He is using the
facilities at St. Ann’s Church in Lizana, MS to distribute
food, clothing, and (sometimes) medical help. They have been
recognized as an official distribution center for both the Red
Cross and International Aid. Truckloads of supplies arrive on
no particular schedule.
We had nice
facilities in MS – a church building with a full kitchen,
showers and air conditioning. This building had not been
damaged in the storm, but Saint Ann’s Church next door had
sustained some roof damage. Karen, a facilitator for Project
Hope and Compassion, told us a van of men from Guatemala
stopped at the church a few days after the storm and asked if
they could ‘practice’ their roofing skills on the church. They
finished a beautiful job in a day and charged the church
nothing.
Soon after we
arrived we went on a bus ‘tour’ of the damaged area.
Everywhere are blue tarps on roofs. For over fifty miles along
the Mississippi coast and for half a mile inland there is
nothing but cement foundations and matchsticks. Go back a few
blocks from the shore and you might find a house that is
salvageable. These were the houses we worked on. Gloves,
cartridge face masks, crowbars and sledgehammers were the
equipment of the day. We ripped out the sheetrock, insulation,
counters, sinks, stoves, and dishwashers – anything below the
flood water line. Sometimes that water line rose up to four
feet on the second floor. All material was dragged to the
roadside for FEMA trucks to pick up and dispose. Black mold
ruled the houses and needed to be exposed so that they could
dry out.
Some of our
group repaired roofs. Other members of our group cleared
downed trees. There was one elderly couple that hadn’t been
able to use their driveway since the storm – at that time over
six weeks. She was in a wheelchair and he needed to go for
cancer treatments but he refused to leave his wife alone. One
group took all day to clear out their long driveway so that
medical help and transportation could get to their house.
Some of us
worked in the distribution center. I personally helped deliver
over seventy backpacks and boxes of school supplies I
collected to the Lizana, MS Elementary School. The day I
worked in the distribution center everyone received a box from
Amway that contained concentrated cleaning supplies. These
were popular and much needed items as people are still
cleaning up mud and mold from the hurricane. It was easier
knocking out kitchen counters than listening to people talk
about the effect the storm has had on their lives. If they
have power and water they are fortunate. Most have at least
some roof damage. They don’t know when they will work again
and they don’t know how they’re going to pay for the damage to
their property. However, they are very grateful for the help
they are getting. Project Hope and Compassion is filling a
real need and it was good to be a part of it. The emotional
roller coaster we were experiencing all week culminated in a
football game that was a great way to wind down the intense
week we experienced.
It is
impossible to describe the vastness of the devastation we
witnessed. The recovery process will be long and difficult.
I’m pleased that we played a small part in that recovery. The
best quote came from a man named Steve who was coordinating
repair work for people in his neighborhood. He stated that it
is a shame that it takes something like hurricane Katrina to
bring us all together.
Paul H.
Zimmerman
Testimonials
“I came
down to Mississippi hoping to inspire those that had the
least, and I found myself inspired by the very people I
was trying to help…. I was showered with thanks from
people that I had never met, doing work that I knew was
erasing memories of their past. Mississippi people left
an impression in my heart that will never fade with the
passing of time. “
Hello,
I am a 21
year old college student at the University of Iowa. A group
of my friends and I first came to St. Ann Church in March of
2006 to do service work for our spring break. It was
empowering to get into a car in Iowa, step out of it 14
hours later in Mississippi and immediately start helping to
clean up debris. It was as if we had just stepped into a
news story. In essence that is what we did. We were not
just responding to news stories, we were rewriting them and
creating new ones- but the ones we were writing were full of
hope and progress in the face of the despair that had
gripped the region.
After
spending a week at Camp Hope, I did not want to leave. I
asked Karen if I could come back during the summer to help
out in any way I could, and she enthusiastically welcomed
me. Before the spring break trip, I had applied for several
internships and a few of them had even offered me
positions. One in particular was with a multinational
Fortune 500 firm in downtown Chicago- a position that I had
traveled five hours to Chicago to interview for. I didn’t
accept the offer so that I could return to Mississippi. I
don’t mention this to lament the sacrifice that my choice
required of me, but to illustrate how profoundly that one
week had altered my values. Indeed there was no sacrifice
involved in my decision, only gratitude for the chance to
further serve the people in Mississippi.
You see,
coming here gives you a new perspective on life and renews
your faith in both God and our great nation. Project Hope
and Compassion is a place where people of all creeds, ages,
and races from across the nation unite to help those who
cannot help themselves. Perhaps the chores and tasks that I
spent my time doing in Mississippi weren’t as glamorous as
those I would have done in downtown Chicago, but I have no
doubt in my mind that what I have learned about myself, my
faith and my countrymen will serve me in the future far
better than any summer internship would. There is no more
satisfying feeling than knowing you are exactly where God
wants you to be and that you are living your faith.
As the news
stations move on and the stories written begin to fade from
your memory, I urge you to remember the people of the Gulf
Coast and to answer God’s call in your own heart. There is
great need still, and though money helps, the donations they
need the most are those of hope and compassion, and the best
way to give that is in person. I promise you everything you
give of yourself will be returned tenfold, and in the end
you will be changed forever for the better. Thank you.
Sincerely,
JO
My name is
Jo Anderson, and I am one of the longer term volunteers
helping out at Project Hope and Compassion in Gulfport, MS.
The
following is what I wrote upon returning from my first trip
to Mississippi to help in the relief efforts after Hurricane
Katrina. I had joined six other volunteers from my church,
St. Thomas the Apostle, in Naperville, IL. We spent one
week working on the house of an elderly woman who was blind,
hoping to allow her to move back into her home soon after we
completed our portion of the rebuilding efforts. We were
housed and fed during our stay at Project Hope and
Compassion, created and run by Karen Parker and other
volunteer workers whom the Spirit had inspired and touched
with hope that something could be done to heal and move
beyond the devastation that was left by the ravages of the
hurricane. Born out of true Southern hospitality, Karen
and her team developed Camp Hope and Compassion to house the
thousands of workers that would respond to the call for help
to those who had lost so much.
Well, my
life’s path has allowed just that. I returned here to Camp
Hope and Compassion on July 2nd and will be here until the
26th of August. The seed was planted in my heart on Friday
evening of my first visit, and during the long 15 hour ride
back home I shared my thoughts about returning. Encouraged
by my team, especially our group coordinator, who had been
to MS twice himself, the dream began to grow. Then
circumstances in my life began to fall into place which fed
the plan even more. My apartment lease was due to end on
June 31st , creating the option to move out and put my
belonging in storage until I returned to begin a new
ministry at my church in the Fall. Being alone, I wasn’t
quite certain what I could do on my own to help in
Mississippi, but I trusted that the Spirit would guide me.
One e-mail to Karen clarified my purpose. I was to return
to help her with the work of maintaining the camp and
keeping the spirit of hospitality alive while she engaged in
full time employment in addition to the camp direction.
As I
boarded the plane to Gulfport I had no idea what lay ahead.
It is so difficult to put into words all of the experiences
and feelings that have touched me so deeply. There have
been countless connections with Spirit driven men, women and
youth whose hearts spill over with love, compassion and
almost unlimited willingness to give of themselves to help
relieve the physical loss and emotional pain of those who
have lost so much. Listening to the stories of pain,
heroism and determination and seeing the rekindling of hope
for the future is so profound and inspiring. Working
alongside Karen, the heart and soul of Camp Hope, the people
of St. Ann’s and the longer term volunteers who have come
and stayed, like Mike Casey, who has been here for the
greater part of the past eight months, has been an
experience that will forever remain with me. There is an
energy here that beckons strength from deep within to
respond to the needs that arise from one moment to the next.
And these
needs will continue, probably for years to come. The only
way to truly understand the extent of the loss is to stand
amidst the destruction that is still so evident here, even a
year later, and feel it yourself. It is powerful! It is
heartbreaking! It calls for action! A week of giving, even
a few days of giving time and effort to the rebuilding here
is so little to offer and yet can mean so much to the
overall relief that is needed. Come for a short stay and if
the opportunity arises to offer help for a longer term,
listen to your heart and let the Spirit guide you. As the
fire of His love spills forth through you, its warmth will
be returned beyond imagining!
God Bless!
August 1, 2006
Project Hope and Compassion
Gulfport, MS
Hello,
I am a volunteer at Camp Hope in
Lizana, Mississippi. Karen Parker asked me to jot down a
few notes about how I came to be involved with Project Hope
and Compassion and what the experience has been like for me.
So, here goes:
In October of 2005, I had
recently moved to Newaygo, Michigan from Grand Rapids. At
that time, George and Pat Farkas and David Booth (fellow
parishioners of St. Bartholomew Church in Newaygo) were
regularly giving my mother and me rides to daily Mass. On
our way to church one morning, David told me that we would
have to find a substitute driver the next week because he
would be going out of state. When I asked where he was
going, he said, “Mississippi.” My ignorant response was
something like, “Why Mississippi, of all places? They just
had that huge hurricane!”
David patiently explained that
he was going to be part of a hurricane Katrina relief effort
for a week or two, and he told me about the history and the
work of Project Hope and Compassion. Having nothing better
to do for a couple of weeks, I asked if he’d like some
company on the trip. He said I was welcome to join him. In
retrospect, I realize that I had no clue what I was getting
myself into. Suffice it to say that I am still at Camp Hope
ten moths later and that there is still an enormous amount
of work to be done here.
We left for Mississippi in early
November. As we approached the coast, the damage we saw
became increasingly grave. Trees and power poles were down,
there were innumerable cars in ditches, road signs and
billboards were destroyed or simply missing, etc. About ten
miles from the Gulf, every structure was damaged. I would
estimate that 90% of the buildings’ roofs were gone, most of
them replaced by the ubiquitous blue FEMA tarps. Five miles
south of that, there were no roofs. None. On the coast
itself there were no buildings at all. I was overwhelmed
and literally stunned into silence by the severity and
geographical extent of the devastation. Mere words you have
heard or pictures you have seen in news media do not begin
to convey the awesome enormity of the situation.
We had two major tasks in the
early months: distributing food and other necessities of
life to those in need and providing food and shelter to
teams of volunteers who stayed at Camp Hope while they
ventured out into the community to do demolition,
reconstruction and other work. At the peak of our
distribution efforts, we were supplying about 500 households
(not individuals, but households of one to a dozen or more
people) a week. This continued successfully for seven
months. Our mission to house and feed volunteers has done
equally welll. In calendar year 2006 alone, somewhere in
the neighborhood of 2,500 volunteers have made Camp Hope
their temporary home.
This trip has had a colossal
effect on me. I have witnessed and felt the entire gamut of
human experience. I have heard countless stories of
tragedies from people who lost loved ones and every
treasured possession and record of their pasts. I have
listened to the tearful gratitude expressed by so many
previously self-sufficient Mississippians. They are amazed
that there are still people who genuinely care enough to
follow their God-given direction and put their own lives on
hold for a time in order to help. Having lived with the
majority of Project Hope and Compassion’s volunteers, I can
assure you that they exemplify the best of human nature.
Given the wide range of ages, races, religions,
socio-economic statuses, professions, talents, skills and
abilities that they represent, they have shown a remarkable
singleness of purpose. All are willing to act unselfishly
in order to be of service to those less fortunate than
themselves. Their faith and virtue are expressed through
their actions.
Again, Mississippi still needs
help and there are many ways that anyone can help. Project
Hope and Compassion still needs volunteers, financial
assistance, thoughts, prayers and people to spread the word
that this disaster is continuing and will likely do so for
years. I can guarantee to those who help in any way that,
if their experience is anything like mine, the reward will
far exceed the effort.
God bless you,
MC
On-Site Volunteer Manager
Camp Hope
Project Hope and Compassion
“I enjoyed working with all the
different kinds of Christians: Catholic, Reformed, Baptists,
Methodists – all of being as one, together the hands and
feet of Jesus.” (JB Feb 19-24)
“We realized the truth: Katrina
was BIG, but God is BIGGER! We saw this through the
optimism of Camp Hope and the determination of the people.”
(Anonymous, March 12-19)
“ We were spoiled with the most
phenomenal hospitality... This experience has humbled me
and made me look at life from a different perspective. My
priorities will not be the same.” (EM, March 11-18)
“I can tell this is a community
built through God’s love. More camps like this are needed
in the area. “ (LS, March 10-17)
“I never knew that hard work
could be so much fun. I am speechless and cannot express in
words what I truly feel. I will never forget this
experience or the people I have met.” (RD, March 10-17)
“Nothing could have prepared me
for this experience…Thank you, Project Hope. Your
leadership inspires me . You bring people together in their
trials and joys. Thank you again for a wonderful week!” (JC,
March 10-17)
“I was changed by my trip to
Mississippi. The people, no matter how much they lost, were
always possessing the best spirits. They always kept their
heads held high, which made me truly be thankful for what I
have and not worry about the small problems in life”
(Anonymous, March 5-10)
How great it was to share some
of life’s journey with you wonderful people at Project
Hope! It was one of my life’s most meaningful experiences!
I saw some real examples of people dedicated to following
Christ, living the Beatitudes and being there for people.
It is so impressive that such a small, poor parish could, on
its own, organize and keep going such a monstrous project; I
see the Lord’s hand in it.
St. Simon’s Island, GA
We worked the first day in Long
Beach, taking off a roof, pulling nails and rolling felt
paper. We met the family and they were kind enough to
provide chicken for lunch. We sat and talked during lunch
and they shared their hurricane stories. They were very
grateful for our help and told us how their lives had been
changed by it all.
The second day we worked in Biloxi- on another roof! We are
physically spent but spiritually filled and grateful for the
opportunity to help. Karen is a great cook. The people
were all friendly and we’re so glad we came.
Montgomery, AL
We worked
the first day in Long Beach, taking off a roof, pulling
nails and rolling felt paper. We met the family and they
were kind enough to provide chicken for lunch. We sat and
talked during lunch and they shared their hurricane
stories. They were very grateful for our help and told us
how their lives had been changed by it all.
The second day we joined the Auburn, Alabama crew and worked
in Biloxi- on another roof! It’s funny how God works.
After working the first day, we had made up or minds that
the next day we would ask for easier detail. . . God had a
different plan!
We are physically spent but spiritually filled and grateful
for the opportunity to help. Karen is a great cook. The
people were all friendly and we’re so glad we came. We hope
to pass the word to other parishes in Alabama.
– The Davis Family
Montgomery, AL
1/19/06
I am so
glad I joined this trip! When I saw pictures from fellow
parishioners who made a similar trip in October, I told my
husband that if a group went again I wanted to join them.
When the poster went up the second time asking for
volunteers, I again mentioned wanting to go. When it
actually came to signing up, however, I hesitated. I’m not
a skilled laborer, I’m too old, I’m not physically fit –
suddenly, I could think of a million reasons not to go. I
started to talk to those who had made the first trip and
they all agreed that there would be something I could do. I
told Pete about my conversations and at that time he said,
“Well, we’ll both go,” and here we are.
Meeting Mary (the homeowner) was great! Working the
Distribution Center yesterday was good but similar to the
time I spend in our parish food pantry. I was really proud
of Pete and the hard work he did on a roofing project but I
knew I couldn’t have done anything like that. Today, when I
took off with 4 men to do an electrical job and tub removal,
I wasn’t sure just what I might be able to do. Then Mary
came down the street looking for us (we were lost). While
the men swung hammers and did other “manly” things, Mary and
I talked. Mary talked most and I listened. I really
admired all she has done so far on her own and it made me
realize how much these people need the help of volunteers to
get their lives back together. Though Mary has received
over $18,000, it is really not enough to cover all she needs
to repair. She does what she can by herself, she pays for
things she can’t do and she prays for the help of volunteers
in between. Today, when she had the help of volunteers, she
was able to take a little break and share her story with me
and I was the one who received so much.
Camp Hope is a miracle with its own story and Karen and Mike
have done a wonderful job. Sharing our daily experiences is
a good idea and needs to continue. We can learn from each
other and our experiences. I’m not sure how the job
assignments actually get done, but they do. Groups just
seem to form and it all works out. The accommodations were
good and the food was great! Thank you so much for your
hard work.
– Chris P.
Auburn, AL
1/19/06
First off,
I would like to thank Mrs. Karen Parker for the wonderful
meals and kindness she has shown to me and the others. I
would like to thank St. Ann parish for the hospitality and
the openness to work/help. Before I left Auburn, I was
annoyed at coming. Being a student, it’s hard to find time
to sleep and to enjoy life and most of the time that comes
on the weekend. Now I see how much this trip has impacted
me and shown me not to always think of myself. I felt like
God was giving me an opportunity and I couldn’t let it go.
You see these disasters on T.V. and you always think, “since
it wasn’t my house or my property it doesn’t matter,” and
move on. I’m so glad that God and the parish of St. Ann
have given me this opportunity to open my eyes on life.
The stories and the people we have met along our journey
have been eye-opening as well! The way that families have
been able to accept it and see it in a positive way is
awesome! I would like to thank the St. Ann parish family,
Mrs. Karen and all those who work behind the scenes to make
this ministry trip possible. I hope to come and help again
later down the road and see the progress that will be made.
I will ask our parish at St. Michael to continue our
prayers. Remember God is with you always and His shepherds
and flock have your back!
God Bless
– Shawn F.
Auburn, AL
(17 years old)
1/19/06
My stay was
most pleasant in that I truly felt welcomed. The
accommodations were comfortable and the food was as good,
and at times better, than at home. I felt fully comfortable
at all times – and I’m sure it was because of the atmosphere
set by Karen, Mike and Fr. Pete.
You all provide an outstanding opportunity for a person to
carry out Our Lord’s direction to love our neighbor.
Through your efforts, it is such a joy to provide one’s
labor to the victims of the hurricane! Thank you so very
much for all you did and continue to do to make this
experience so meaningful – in helping me serve others as
well as in working with such wonderful people (volunteers
and others).
God bless you for your 100% effort!
Bill H.
St. Simon’s Island, GA
1/19/06
This has
been such a delightful experience. I had worried some as to
whether I could be of help. You have something for everyone
and a way of making everyone feel that in some way they’ve
been part of a family as much as a help in the whole Katrina
relief effort. I look forward to returning and intend to
pass the word to others. You will hear from more people as
we go out to tell others. It is your fine support of
volunteers that brings more to the area. I’ll be back.
Kae V.
Auburn, AL
1/19/06
How great it was to share some
of life’s journey with you wonderful people at Project
Hope! It was one of my life’s most meaningful experiences!
I saw some real examples of people dedicated to following
Christ, living the Beatitudes and being there for people.
It is so impressive that such a small, poor parish could, on
its own, organize and keep going such a monstrous project; I
see the Lord’s hand in it.
Karen, you’re a saint! Mike, you’re a treasure! My love and
prayers to you all.
Bill J.
St. Simon’s Island, GA
1/19/06
“I just
wanted you to know that we had great trip! You have a great
set up down there and I think we all gained weight from
Karen's awesome cooking :-) I think we all fell in love with
her, I just hope she doesn't burn herself out. The guys had
some good contacts for work and felt they got good jobs.
It's just a little hard to leave though when you feel you've
made just a small dent in all that needs to be done.”
D & K B. &
group, Howard City, MI
At Camp Hope Nov 19-26
“I will
never forget the people's eyes down there or the friendships
forged. You cannot do something like this and not be
forever changed. None of us will ever look at things quite
the same way again. Our trip was one of perspective. What
sticks in my mind most though is the indomitable faith of
the people down there. They all had faith that everything
would be okay. And that....is the message of the cross.”
C G.,
Jenison, MI
At Camp Hope Nov 22-26
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