Biloxi Mission Team Day 1

Day one and we worked in a neighborhood named Forest Park. Lutheran Disaster Services is working to restore 172 homes in the neighborhood and have a goal of completing 40 by April. It's hard to believe but 2 1/2 years after the storm Camp Biloxi has 8,000 requests for help and are unable to take any more requests based on current volunteer availability. Many estimate that there will be work like this going on for 10 more years, there is so much opportunity to help and spread God's love to people who truly need it.

Here's Mike in one of the storage units filled with tools and materials for the 40 neighborhood houses in various levels of restoration. We worked on three different houses today.
Here's L.V. Louis, we spent the most time in his house fixing insulation, filling the holes with fire caulk, adding reinforcements to the studs and installing new windows. Louis is 80 years old and has been married for over 40 years, he has 9 children and five grandchildren. He's a wonderful man and very thankful for our help.

Here's Lisa hanging with L.V. Louis.

Here's an example of one of the houses that still needs restoration. The water here (7-10 miles inland) was up to your chest. L.V's house had the roof blown off, it is unbelievable until you experience it.

Here's LV's house, he moved all of his usable belongings into the PODS unit out front. When it's done he'll have a great home!

While replacing windows we got to do a little demolition, this was the high point of Alex's day. This is an all new window now looking good.

You've gotta love this! Da Mann in Harrison County Mississippi.

Here's Rich reinforcing the studs with metal brackets so they pass inspection on Monday.

Here's Lisa preparing for a little heavy demolition...