March 2006

Vessels of Mercy International

Rebuilding Homes and Hope in the Gulf Coast

It’s hard to believe that it has been 7 months since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast. There are over 85,000 people still living in trailers and more waiting for trailers, many are still living in tents. The theme we kept hearing throughout our time there was: you are still here with us, you have been here with us through the tears and the pain. Now you are here to help us and rejoice with us as we rebuild our homes and our lives and our hope.  Our team has just returned from a time of rebuilding in Biloxi, MS. We worked on several homes hanging sheet rock and preparing the homes to be painted so that the families will be able to move back in. We are working in cooperation with Samaritan’s Purse. Our team was also joined by four Naval Academy Cadets who were a part of Military Ministry and three ladies from Wisconsin.  It’s the body of Christ working the way He intended for His Glory!

These are two of the families that we have worked with where their homes are being restored, but most importantly their HOPE is being restored.

We saw first hand what it means to lose everything you ever owned and wonder will you ever make it. The people survived the hurricane and for so many now they are wondering if they will survive in the days ahead, the lack of help and funds continue to devastate the area. So many of them have such a sense of despair and hopelessness. We here at Vessels of Mercy Intl. want to sound the alarm and let you know that your brothers and sisters NEED YOU ! They need to see Jesus.  The only way they can do this is if we go and become His hands and feet to so many hurting people.  The frightening thing is that we are less than 60days away from Hurricane season starting again. The question remains now WHO WILL BE JESUS TO THE WORLD?

Next Gulf Team: July 15-23, 2006   Cost $300.

Watch our website for future Gulf Coast Missions Projects!