Hands to the plow

Members of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board's glocal missions and evangelism team staff are accustomed to sending Virginia Baptists within the state, across the United States and throughout the world as volunteers in mission service.

But between Jan. 24 and 29, GME staff members, 14 strong, traveled to the field themselves as they put their own hands “to the plow” of efforts toward Port Sulphur, La.'s, recovery from Hurricane Katrina.

The following comments share some of their experiences:

• “Why would the glocal missions and evangelism team spend the money and time to leave offices uncovered to travel to the Katrina affected Gulf Coast? One answer, obviously, is to offer help to victims whose lives are still disrupted a year and a half after the storm. Other answers are team building and expanding the vision of our on-going recovery partnerships. There is another answer that, though equally important, could be overlooked. What distinguishes the staff of the VBMB from that of a secular corporation is our mission—to serve the Lord and the Lord's people. The trip to Louisiana was an experience that reminded us of this mission. We will better serve our Lord and the Virginia Baptists who mobilize for missions because we have left our offices and ventured into the ‘trenches' and connected with the people. We have renewed passion for what we do in the office because we have experienced ourselves what we send people forth to do.

— Terry Raines

• “I wasn't sure how much help I would be on our work crew. The guys were pounding the nails in with three strokes to my 20. The row of shingles I nailed in went slightly up hill. The joint compound on the drywall was a little too thick. But I did take lots of photos—over 350 photos. I hope these photos will help make a lasting impression—as long lasting as the church building we worked on and the sheds that will make life in a FEMA trailer a little less cramped. It was a privilege to be a part of the team and an honor to meet folks with such strength in spirit and who are determined to rebuild their lives and rebuild their communities after such devastation.”

— Alice Rusher

• “Hearing the survival stories of Katrina victims is truly humbling and inspiring. One remembrance that spoke deeply to me was told by 6-year-old Hannah Rodrigue. She recalled having to evacuate from Port Sulphur, La., to Baton Rouge and all that she was allowed to carry with her was one toy. Grabbing only her pink pocket book she left everything familiar and secure behind not knowing that she would never return to the same house, toys, friends and life. For me, the moment of our trip that had the greatest impact was when Hannah retold her story of survival with such pure emotion. Katrina not only affected adults, this storm changed the lives of children.

— Nichole Bulls

• “We built a storage shed for Ms. Gus (or “Goose,” the French Louisiana pronunciation), who lost her home and lives in a FEMA trailer. She is 81 years old and has just taken in her three great-grandsons to raise, ages 2, 3, and 5. ‘The children, they wanted to come home—they belong here,' she says. With the boys running around and offering hugs, our team gathered around the table with them to eat fresh, hot homemade shortcake with butter and sugar and drink steaming chicory coffee. This family may have lost everything, but they kept in mind some of the most important things in life: caring for family, offering hospitality to strangers, and acknowledging God's goodness and grace through difficult times.”

— Sue Smith

• “The rains came on Saturday of our work week, and we spent the afternoon visiting two former church sites in Buras and Venice that had been completely destroyed. A feeling of emptiness came over me as we walked through the rain and cold to look inside and see nothing but devastation. But, oh the contrast between Saturday and Sunday, when our team worshipped with the good folk of Port Sulphur Baptist Church. Rather than emptiness, I sensed an overwhelming sense of hope, strength and assurance from the people whose lives had been so upended. I left knowing that God will continue to use that spirit to rebuild the lives and community.”

— Greg Smith

• “We stood in the midst of the complete rubble that had been the sanctuary of the Baptist church in Buras. Before us stood what was left of the piano, stripped of its panels, keys and hammers exposed. On top, secured by the wooden slat that holds the music in place, the tattered pages of a water-marked hymnal fluttered in the cold wind, still open to the verse and hymn chosen for Sunday: ‘… in the night his song shall be with me—a prayer to the God of my life'; Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee. We stood quietly reminded that we are to praise God in all circumstances of our lives and trust him for songs in the night. Sunday as we stood worshipping beside the Port Sulphur people who had suffered such loss, it was to experience this kind of trust, this quality of praise, and to join our voices in their songs was joy indeed!”

— Jerry and Jenny Jones

• “Our time in Louisiana was both depressing and rewarding. I was reminded of the work of Christ who went where the people were and to those in need. The worst of life often brings out the best in our life. The endurance of those there remind me of the heart and mind and Christ and why we do what we do within his call.

— Billy Hutchinson

• “Who would make a sandwich when there's real gumbo in the fridge? You don't measure a journey in miles, but rather in the friends you make. Regarding the worship service: Nobody looked at his watch.”

— Craig Waddell

• “I desire a faith in Christ that is as strong as the hope these individuals have that their home—which is lying in a ditch two lots away—will be recovered and life will return to a sense of normalcy.”

— Dean Miller

• “First let me say how I admire the endurance and perseverance of the people who have returned to what is left of their homes after such a devastating storm. It would be so easy to just give up and leave to never return. I was touched to meet one such survivor named Miss Ruby. When she came out to our boat on the bayou to greet us, I could see the joy in her face. After experiencing some storm damage myself, I knew where her joy was coming from. Our God works miracles and when we have obstacles placed in our lives, we can look forward to a newness that only he can provide.

— Jeannette Hildebrand