Biloxi, Mississippi was my Mom’s hometown. Judging from the news reports, it looks like the whole city was wiped off the map. It has been heart-breaking to watch the news scenes of the devastation on the Gulf coast. I have many childhood memories, old home movies, and faded photos of family vacations in Biloxi and New Orleans.
So many people lost everything. So many people need so much help. Here’s how one family decided to help the hurting. My brother David and his wife, Trish, have taken in some hurricane victims who lost everything. Here’s a recent email from David:

“Yea, we now have electricity and phones. Still cleaning up the tree limbs. Glad to say this week things will return to somewhat normal. Gas, water, ice and milk are still hard to come by.

We took in a family of 6 from Louisiana. We are letting them stay in our cabin across the lake. They evacuated their homes last Sunday and ended up at the shelter run by our church. They have lost everything. Their houses are flooded up to the roof.
The family we are hosting includes a husband and wife with a 15 month old son, plus the wife’s mother and brother and his 12 year old son. We moved them from the church shelter to the cabin today. Trish’s Dad donated some money so we were able to stock them with food and drinks.

The husband and brother have already found jobs working for a contractor who is remodeling the house next door to our church. The 12 year old will start school on Tuesday here in Canton. The family is very thankful but also very lost. They have not had contact with many of of their family members since Monday night. The mother last heard from her husband as the eye of the hurricane was passing over their house.

They say they don’t need anything, but all they have are their vehicles and clothes they packed as they evacuated. The 12 year old wanted to go play in the woods today, but his dad said no because he has no shoes, only flip flops. We want to get the boy some clothes for school on Tuesday. We can outfit the 15 month old boy, with Alex’s old clothes. The adults wouldn’t even tell me their sizes, so not sure how to help them. As they get some rest and peace, they will be able to figure out their plan. I’ll update you as time goes on.”