VIRTUTE et ARMIS "By Valor and Arms"
Contribute to Emergency Aid around the world
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
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Here I am in the Mobile Learning Labs, a trailer (air-conditioned) with 10 computer workstations, with satellite internet. It came from Canada. A priest came down, and her husband’s Mobile Learning Labs business came with. We can communicate with the outside world. Only in the Episcopal Church would you find such a thing at a disaster relief center!
Straight off of a weekend-long wedding, celebrating the union of two people in the presence of those who have loved and cared for them over the courses of their lives. The sacramental rite of marriage is to be a reflection of God’s love for His people. I’ve been here in Long Beach, MS for 24 hrs now, and I must say that it has been yet another one of the most positive experiences of my life! I can say it about Simon and Monica’s wedding, and about my time here in MS: The Body of Christ has truly come together as one for the sake of God’s people.
I arrived on Monday night at about 9.30pm, to a place that is so hot and humid I can’t breathe! I got to Coast Episcopal School. The door was open, and some lights were on, but no one was around. I went through the whole single-story school, and found no one! After sitting in the car for about 20 min, I decided to do some exploring. I went around the back of the school and heard, then saw a refrigerated semi trailer. As I continued around, I ran into a huge tent, lit, with two people in it. I now know that it is the cook’s tent. They directed me into the gymnasium. The gym has now become “Command Central”. Have the gym is round dining tables, and the other half is lined with cots for the volunteers.
I had a few chats with people, but basically got a cot and got into bed after an entire day of flights. I was quite surprised that the facility is air conditioned, pleasantly surprised. It’s difficult to say this, because I don’t want to complain, but it was way too cold in here last night! I thought I would come down here, not able to sleep because of the heat, but I couldn’t sleep because of the cold! Yes, it’s hot and muggy outside, but the A/C is up way too high!
Onto Page 3 ...