Home from Mississippi

[macsim]

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:

[Mike n NC]

Knowing the kind of people you were down there to help, as long as you were willing to put in an honest day's work you could have been in a pink tu-tu and they wouldn't have said much. Add to that the fact that you were there to help and you have the makings for some great times and friendships.

I admire you for what you are doing, prayed for your safety and I'm glad that you are back.

Mike

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Macsim,

Blessings to you for being able to jump in and help out. What mattered was not what you wore, but the help you provided.

I think that you have also pointed out that the devastation and destruction was massive all over the Gulf coast, not just in New Orleans where most of the news has been focused. Katrina was a massive storm, and hit from Texas to Alabama, but the news has insisted in focusing on the damage to NO, while ignoring the many thousands of people left homeless or with damage in the other areas.

God bless you for helping!

RJI

[GMan]

Well done,

You are a true example of the spirit of humanity!

[Sir Robert]

I am in the US Army in Europe and my wife and daughter are a stone's throw from New Orleans. Thankfully we lost nothing but the flip side is that because I personally lost nothing, the Army will not let me go home to help. I want to help so bad I can't stand it.

Thank you and all the others so much for helping!

Just to make this kilt related, my closets in Louisiana are full of kilts and the water in my yard goes up and down with the tides which means the the dykes between my home and the sea are gone.

[macsim]

Robert, I know this doesn't help you much but part of our group went down to work on a roof for the son of one of our members. He is a captain in the USAF, stationed somewhere around Gulfport. When they finished that job, the captain had a buddy down the road who had some bad damage and no one had as of yet come to provide relief. So, on the last day some of the group diverted from our regular schedule to go and help him with his needs. I think we all felt it was the least we could do for a member of our armed forces. I think one of the reasons I felt so strongly about going was that I never served in the military and I wanted to do something for my country. I have nothing but respect and admiration for you guys who go and do what you do. Thank you for your dedication and the rest of us will try to hold it in the road while you're gone. I pray your family (and your kilts) will be safe.

[Alan H]

GOOD on ya, Mate. Kilted, in the pink tu-tu, it don't matter. You did a good thing, and that's what counts.

GOOD on ya.

[macsim]

Okay, before this goes too far I DID NOT WEAR A PINK TU-TU! I prefer an original black Utilitutu.