VIRTUTE et ARMIS "By Valor and Arms"
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Episcopal Relief & Development Fund
Mississippi is named for the Mississippi river which forms its western boundary and empties into the Gulf of Mexico. The name roughly translated from Native American folklore means "Father of Waters." The translation comes from the Chippewa words "mici zibi" meaning "great river" or "gathering in of all the waters" and the Algonquin word "Messipi".
Mississippi was organized as a territory in 1798 and was admitted as the 20th state to join the Union on December 10, 1817. Jackson is the capital city and the largest Metropolitan area.
Population, 2004 estimate: 2,902,966
Land area (square miles): 46,907
Distance N-S:
320 miles
Distance E-W:
180 miles
OK, so I don't exactly agree with half of the Mississippi State Motto, but there is certainly some valor down there as I share with you my experience of 7.5 days of hard work in aid of those affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. My diary and the photos from several people who were there will hopefully aid you in understanding just a bit of what it is like down there.
As most of you know, I spent half my Fall vacation in Long Beach, MS at the relief centre run by St Patrick's Episcopal Church. The center operated out of the grounds of Coast Episcopal School. It was started by Fr David Knight, of St Patrick's Episcopal Church, Long Beach, and his wife Jennifer, RN. Together with the headmaster of the school, they started a store and a medical center, stocked, staffed and led completely by volunteers from across the country. As of the mark of Week 4, there had been 2,400 volunteers from 38 States who served 30,000 needy people.
I arrived on Monday, September 26, 2005 at about 9.30 at night. Since there wasn't much to see, I drove to the front of the school. Lights were on. I went in. There was no one to be found. It was really eerie, and I felt like I was in a horror film!! But when I finally walked to the back of the school, and found the Volunteers' Centre, which, to my surprise, was full and air-conditioned! I chose a cot, put down my stuff, and the saga continued the next day...
This diary is what I emailed to some of you (with some modifications and additions), which recounts not only the events of my time, but the theological reflections that I experienced while there. All the names are real, and the intention is not to defame anyone, rather, celebrate the Body of Christ gathered in this special place for a special time together. Enjoy!
Thanks to the people who provided photos, especially those who I don't know. Where I don't have a photo to go with the text, I've added photos that you should see of the area. After all, it's not my story, it's the story of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I simply went down to engage with the people and situations that are there.
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