Reflecting

I had lunch with a friend today who asked about Mississippi. Actually her first statement was "I keep expecting you to tell me you're moving to Mississippi." Me too.

Anyway, my friend asked about the trip and my thoughts on being home. Our conversation got me thinking. Unlike the last few trips where I've gone into them saying out loud "this might be our last time in Mississippi" only to come home and start planning the next trip, this one really did feel like it might be our last time in Mississippi...at least in the way we've been going to Mississippi. Yes, there is still work to be done, but it's slowing down. The need is slowing down and the teams coming in to help are slowing down.

While in Mississippi we heard about a program being started in Hancock County, where the County and FEMA will buy out property owners, tear down any existing structures on the property and then let the land return to it's natural state, never to be sold or built on again. My first take was to be a little outraged, admittedly at first that they seem to have lost hope in the County's ability to recover but then, upon reflection, that it took so long for the local and federal governments to start this program. It makes sense but also is frustrating. We also heard that there are still homeowners waiting on settlement checks from their insurance company...WHAT??? It's been 4 1/2 years...what is the problem??!!

Driving around it was apparent to me that there are many who have just left. They aren't returning. The houses sit empty, mildewing. And those who might want to return don't have the income, the means to make that happen...and that's where our desires to help and the reality of the situation meet up.

The days of taking a group of 20 to Pearlington seem to be done. The days of a group of well-meaning but not completely able people heading to work may be done. There are more physically challenging jobs ahead, there are fewer jobs for those who are limited in knowledge of how to do certain things and especially few jobs for those with limitations on what they can do. It's hard to admit all of that but it's necessary. The day is coming when we will say "we used to take a group to Pearlington..."

We will always have memories of doing something GREAT with God's leading...