Mission 3 to Mississippi (MS3), June 10-16, 2007

The MS3 Team

Reflections by team leader Rebecca Hix:

…Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you… (Book of Common Prayer, Rite II post-communion prayer)

On the pages linked below are the thoughts, reflections, and insights from eight St. Philippians living out the post-communion prayer by volunteering in hurricane Katrina recovery efforts with Camp Victor in Ocean Springs, MS.

As you will read, people had different expectations, experiences, reactions and feelings about the week. Some folks went knowing what the experience would be like, because they’ve done it before, and others were on a mission trip for the first time. Virginia and Jacqueline spent the week preparing, serving and cleaning up meals for the 150+ volunteers that were at the camp that week. Randy, Andy, Maggie, Sue, Chris and I worked on some repairs to Kenyatta's house. We did some drywall hanging and finishing, some plumbing work, installing baseboards, painting and then some unexpected repairs to wooden floors and fixing water damage on the exterior of the house.

We went hoping to make a difference, whether we were serving those who serve within the camp or out in the community rehabbing houses. In nightly team meetings (the only time we were all together) before praying Compline, we talked about the difference we were making. In addition to sharing funny stories from the day, we asked ourselves:

• What impact did we make on Ocean Springs?
• Did our work matter in light of the 80,000 families still living in FEMA trailers?
• Where was God in that storm?
• Where was God in the recovery efforts?

Sometimes those questions were easy to answer and sometimes we struggled. But we all agreed that there was one more question that had to be asked and answered:

• What impact was made on each of us?

We were all different on the way home than we had been when we got there. We had experienced, in small ways and in big ways, the sacred mystery that in our giving, we had received. We knew that our efforts were added to those that had been before us and those that would come after us. We also know that this recovery calls for a God-sized effort, and we were privileged to be part of the body of Christ that has joined in that effort.

More effort, more members of Christ’s body are needed to complete recovery on the Gulf coast. If you want to be a part of that effort, considering joining St. Philip’s Mississippi 4 team September 30 – October 6, 2007. To volunteer, or for more information, call the church at 682-5708, or e-mail the team leader, Kelly Skaggs. Folks 16 and over with a willing heart (no specific skill level needed!) are welcome.

Why go on a mission trip to Mississippi when the need in Durham is so great? Because we can do both and we should do both. The love of God is not bounded by geographical limits and neither is ours!

• Monday, 6/11 – Jacqueline Harris
• Tuesday, 6/12 – Sue Guptill
• Wednesday, 6/13 – Chris Ivy
• Thursday, 6/14 – Maggie Silton
• Friday, 6/15 – Randy Guptill
• Saturday, 6/16 – Virginia Bristol
• Thoughts not assigned to a particular day – Andy Silton

© 2006, Saint Philip's Episcopal Church
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 218, Durham, NC 27702
Telephone 919-682-5708, Fax 919-683-1857

Webmasters: Jack Mitchell, David Smith, Gordon Mantler