The team arrived at the Aurora United Methodist Church, which provides shelter for all the volunteers. We unloaded our things and located our rooms and cots. Aurora UMC is located on the westbank, and the relief effort is headed by Kathy and Jake. They have worked ceaselessly and tirelessly since August 2005 trying to help the city get back to some semblance of normalcy. Considering their long hours and devastation encountered, their up-beat attitudes cannot be matched. The church has given up the space, and Kathy and Jake receive and validate the many requests for help. Volunteers are still gutting houses so the city can determine if they are rebuildable. Unfortunately, nothing can be done until the entire house is gutted, down to the studs. Many people have not returned, but a few homes have been rebuilt.

As we travel out to locate our first site, it is still hard to find the streets since most surface street signs have been washed away and not been replaced. Some local homeowners have painted their own signs and hung them at a nearby intersection. The hurricane/flood has also physically changed some routes, so it is more difficult to locate the homes. We locate our first home and find that the owner is standing outside eagerly awaiting our help. We greet the homeowner, circle up for prayer, and start the work. We know it is hard for her to discard everything, and to watch us remove her possessions and stack them by the curb to be trucked away forever. At the end of the day, we circle up, thank God for His blessings and for keeping us safe, present a Bible to the homeowner signed by all the workers, some handmade crosses, and one volunteer presents the homeowner some bread baked before the trip to New Orleans. Then we split up and move on to the other homes. We do as much as we can, but realize that more workers will have to return.

The story we heard from the next homeowner is not easily forgotten. Just imagine you are sitting in your home and hear a prediction of a strong storm approaching. Some folks recommend you evacuate, but you neither have a place to go nor the means to get there. You are a 71- year-old female and must consider the needs of your disabled brother who lives with you. The next day the storm hits, and you lose power. Most folks have departed, so it is difficult to find someone to help you. Then the levee breaks, and you climb into the attic with your pets. For three days you are up there all alone, only candles for light, very little to eat, and you watch the water rise destroying everything you own. The third night you run out of candles, so there is no light. The entire city is dark. The next morning you are finally rescued, but only with the clothes on your back. All material things are gone.

Although many families along the Gulf Coast have lost all their material wealth, they still have their faith, and they need our help. They still smile and are not angry because they know the Lord will provide. As the Bible tells us, we must help our brothers and sisters. The entire Gulf Coast still needs help. It has been fourteen months since the devastation struck. Most news programs have moved on to tell other stories and cover other disasters, so our attention has also moved elsewhere. Hence, the number of volunteers has diminished. These are not your normal mission trips. They are hard physically and emotionally, but the blessings are immeasurable. There is something for everyone to do. If you can't do physical work, you can sit and allow the folks to grieve, or you can provide financial help.

If your heart is touched and you are willing to help, contact "Unto the Least of His" c/o Bobby Gale, 109 Bear Camp Lake Road, Irwinton, GA 31042, or Dick or Judy Hamilton at dick. judyhamilton@cox.net or (478) 988-2614. We are scheduling trips back to New Orleans in December and February.