Well folks, I made it through the week in Mississippi. I want to thank everyone who prayed for us or otherwise kept us in your thoughts. I worked my butt off down there cleaning up, pulling drywall down and so forth. We were fortunate to work in a couple of homes where the AC was working and later in the week we were the beneficiaries of a magnificent breeze that kept us cool. Of course there were also a couple of places where it was just plain H-O-T!



I have never seen such massive destruction. The newspapers and TV just don't do it justice. I saw people who lost everything. Black people, white people, rich and poor, the hurricane was no respecter of persons. These folks were waiting just like those in New Orleans. We had one older couple who hadn't had help in 3 weeks. We had to take out all their furniture before gutting the inside walls and carpets. New Orleans gets the press but the misery is very widespread.



I must give some special props to some Canadian brothers and sisters who drove and flew all the way from the western coast of Canada with a tractor trailer load of supplies. It's the kind of thing that transcends politics; just people helping other people.



To make this kilt-related, I did take my UK and wore it most evenings after the work was done. It was quite a hit. Several people wanted pics but I didn't manage to get anyone to take a pic with my camera. Hopefully I'll get some from my other team members and post them later along with some damage photos. I wore the kilt to the Sunday night service there at the church where we bunked. I got some strange looks and a few jokes but I played right along and a good time was had by all. I wasn't there to cause controversy. You know what? Those people were grateful for the help and they'll remember "that guy in the kilt" a long time after we've gone. One guy did sort of misinterpret my wearing the kilt and asked how I used it as a "witnessing tool." As I said I wasn't there to cause controversy so I deflected the question by saying, "Well, it's a real conversation starter." I don't see it as a "witnessing tool," just a garmet. But, it does start people talking and things can take their natural course from there.

Anyway, I'm tired but I had a great time, made some new friends and introduced the kilt to some folks who probably had never seen one up close. By the end of the week I don't think anyone noticed what I was wearing as much as they noticed what I was doing. Thanks again for the support!:smile: