Sunday

Sunday morning we met with the church at Pass Christian. Russell preached and Raney did special music. We were able to meet the people and see the building where we will be working next week. In the evening service Raney, Morgan and David played and sang.

As we drove along the beachfront highway today we all gained a new understanding of the devastation that this community encountered from Katrina. It has been three years since the storm but the area is still in the midst of reconstruction. In much of the area we saw lots of bare foundations where reconstruction has not yet begun. A few of the businesses and hotels have been rebuilt and are now open for business. Many are still under construction as are some of the homes. We were told that half of the church members lost their homes completely or else they were damaged beyond repair. Some people have moved away while others are still living in temporary housing.

The sign is still here but the restaurant is gone!




New hotels are under construction.



Some businesses are complete.




While some homeowners have not started repairs.




The gulf looks so peaceful now.





Some buildings are just boarded up.





Some are in ruins.





Others have been cleared away except for the foundation.






This was a church.




They salvaged the steeple.



A chainsaw artist has made good use of some of the live oak trees that were broken off.








Some homes look completely restored.




Some have historic significance.




... but are still under repair.



Other mansions along the beach have been completely restored.




Some of the live oak trees suffered major damage but are trying to regrow.




The tall pines suffered a worse fate.