Hello from Mississippi

It sure is hot in Miss. I'm at this new camp that seems more like burning man-big tents outside with smaller tents inside of them. Port-a-potties. But the rest is in this big building. Huge dining room, couches, people viewing a DVD on a cotton screen. It's Sunday, the day off so many people are gone. It seems so different than NO. More isolated, not the same need for security.

I've learned so much in the past 24 hours about what is really going on down here and my pre conceived perception is being turned around. I ask alot of questions and many answers are surprising. More on that later. But the general idea is that our government is hardly doing anything for the people of NO. Funds have been cut off and people were paid $6000 or much less from the government to restore their lives. Many people bought themselves a car. You can't buy a house in NO as the prices have skyrocketed. Corporations are buying up the land where all the homes were torn down.

I was so surprised when we arrived in Biloxi, I needed to use a restroom and went into a coffee shop. When I walked in a man told me they were closed today as they were having church in there but I was welcome to come in for the service. (their church was destroyed) I said I just wanted to use the bathroom and this woman looked me dead in the eye and said,

"We are closed until Tuesday so you can't use the bathroom." I was embarrassed and started to leave with an apology and then she just burst out laughing saying, I'm just kidding" and everyone is the room was laughing. It was just so sweet.

They said come back anytime and have a great day. Church on Sundays at The Joy of Coffee.

This morning when I woke up on a bunk in the church (in NO), I awoke to some beautiful singing coming from the church. The soloist was singing like an angel. It was something else-hard to describe. I could hear the sermons all morning. I was informed that there were 7 sister churches and this is the only one that is operational so all the church members and ministers come to this one church. Services run from 7am to 1pm.

I'm hanging out in the big room waiting for a staff member to arrive and tell me where to set up.

So much to learn.

Thanks to everyone who helped me get here and love to all of you.

Maria