MAPC Katrina Relief Project 2006
Purpose: On August 29th Hurricane
Katrina roared ashore between Slidell, La and Bay St. Louis, MS as a Category 3
storm. The
Mississippi and Alabama coastlines suffered catastrophic damage from the
storm's 30-foot storm surge. 1,325 + people have been confirmed dead across 5
US states. Once damage totals come in, Katrina will likely be the costliest
hurricane in U.S. history, with damage totals expected to reach as high as $100
billion. A storm of this magnitude has created
enormous physical, social and spiritual challenges for our nation. Churches and organizations from across
America are responding with generous outpouring of monies, time, and talents. MTW, which has a long history of
facilitating short term teams, has sought to come alongside our sister
committee MNA in the PCA’s efforts to help and encourage the restoration of
this devastated area. We are serving in
numerous locations along the Gulf coast, offering assistance in rebuilding
homes and lives. The Lord is
sovereignly using this tragedy to move His Spirit in the lives of many, both
those serving and being served. One
result of this is a new PCA church plant starting in the Bay St. Louis area.
Through teams and individuals serving all along the Gulf coast there is great
potential for the grace of God to be revealed and hearts to be won for the
Kingdom.
Additional
ministry opportunities include: Backyard Bible clubs, VBS, sports camp,
day camp, kitchen support, and
one-on-one evangelism. Unique opportunities
for equipping individuals and teams for ministry occur as the Gospel is lived
out in practical ways.
Age/Level
of experience: We
encourage mixed adult/youth teams. This
project is excellent for a first-time mission experience, but also provides
unique servant heart development for more experienced mission teams. We would
especially welcome teams with one or more participants experienced in
construction.
Project Cost: $150 per person. The project fee covers all costs (including food, lodging, insurance,
administration and construction materials) except transportation,
VBS (optional) materials, and day-off
activities. As much as $250 per person
is being provided through MTW’s Minuteman Katrina Relief Fund. We also have associate staff to assist the
teams with meals and provide oversight of construction and ministry
opportunities.
Dates: August 5-12, 2006
Travel: One vehicle will be driven down
by volunteer MAPC team members, bringing the basic tools we will need. The remainder of the MAPC team will fly on
commercial airlines.
Food & Lodging: Lodging
will be in the First Presbyterian Church of Biloxi facility. Sleeping bags and air mattresses may be
required. We will be expected to help
with both cooking and clean-up.
Dress: The weather on the Gulf coast
will be hot and humid during the day.
Long pants are required on the worksite. Modesty and safety are
the primary rules.
Immunizations
& Rules: A tetanus
booster within the last ten years is required. MTW’s desire is to provide each individual and team with an
atmosphere that encourages safety and growth in their personal walk with the
Lord. Appropriate guidelines have been established, and each team member must
be committed to them.
Spiritual
development: Bring a
Bible, pen and a desire to grow. In
addition to what takes place daily at the project site, each team conducts
their own team debrief meetings, devotional times, (devotionals will be
distributed to you in late April, well before the trip) and debriefs. An evening devotional program that includes
wonderful opportunities for all ages to worship God through singing and sharing
may be offered. The MAPC team may have
opportunity to contribute to the evening services.
Half-day
off: It is likely, since we
have a team with teens, that we will appreciate some time off during the
week. We will likely be taking
Wednesday afternoon to visit some of the local sites and eat a meal out.
*Bring hard hats to be worn on
any construction project where there is “overhead structural work” being done (see 2 Week Leader's Manual for details).
Comments from Katrina relief
teams:
Gary …
… The only debt I have is to you and
your church (First Reformed PCA, Pittsburgh) for allowing me the privilege and
pleasure of spending the week with you guys. Thank you for all you did to make
it happen!
Now with that out of the way, when
can we do it again? I suggest a nice winter retreat Jan. or Feb. This time we
can fly there and spend more time serving…
Thanks again!
P.S. Gary is returning February with a small team
to cook for other teams.
Jarrod...
(Team member from Covenant College)
One
thing we talked about was how being a Christian should involve our head, our
hearts, and our hands. Going on this
mission trip, I was able to see how the people in our group used all three. It
isn’t just one of these aspects that makes us complete, but using all three to
serve. In other words, it isn’t just about serving, but having a heart to reach
out, knowing how, and doing it! I desire to continue to develop each of these
three aspects. Knowing that God is at work right now makes me want to continue
to be a part of his efforts to show His love- that He may be seen in my life,
in the world, and in my place in this world.
Amy… (Covenant College)
The trip to Moss Point was
amazing. We were humbled, inspired, and floored all in a few
days. The level of service and extreme hospitality of
the members of the church where we stayed and worked was
overwhelming. The perseverance and hope of the residence was inspiring. Those
who had lost the most seemed to have the greatest hope for
restoration. And seeing the remains of
the power and force of Katrina was beyond
sobering. And to think that God's power is infinitely greater
than the power of this hurricane blows my mind. Our God is truly
awesome.
These last few days have helped to reaffirm my call to the mission field
and my desire to serve God's people. It is while I was working on the
roof of the church and cleaning up debris that I most strongly felt God's
presence. It is clear to me that this is what I want to do with my life
and most certainly what God wants me to do. I am now more
anxious than ever to get out on the mission field and serve
my Lord.
For more
information on Katrina relief, please see the Mt. Airy Presbyterian Church web
site: www.mtairypca.org or the MTW
website: www.mtw.org
To sign up for our Katrina relief project,
Call Ken
Scheffter at 301-512-8064 Or Email: kscheffter@pec1.net