Good Monday morning from Waveland, Mississippi. As we told you earlier this past weekend was our opportunity to complete the painting at Hope Haven Home for Abused Children. www.hopehavenshelter.org The building is temporarily headquarters for Hancock County Social Services because their building was leveled and washed away. The home consists of about 16 rooms. On Saturday we finished priming the walls and yesterday we completed the painting. It was easier because every room is the same color and so we just kept "rolling" along. It was two long hard days of painting and we are glad that part of the job is complete. The four of us along with our young couple were the painters. I brought fabric along and my sewing machine and have started sewing valances for all the windows. Full curtains and drapes are not practical because if a child arrives with head lice all fabric items in the house must be washed. There are so many things that we take for granted. The house uses disposable dishes because of the danger of transmitting some of the diseases the kids come in with. Although we are wondering if an industrial type sanitizer dishwasher would meet the needs here and allow them to use dishes that would make it feel more like a normal home? The stories of abuse that some of these children have endured would tear the heart out of the strongest of you.
Terri and I attended services at the little Baptist church across the street on Sunday morning. The service was held outside in the parking lot and we were warmly welcomed by the congregation of about 100. 90% of their people are gone. We again were impressed by the upbeat, positive attitude we encountered. The choir was lovely and the preaching was moving. We were so glad that we attended.
We also wanted you to know about the role of the Red Cross down here. They have small trucks that drive a set route each day delivering water, juices, snacks and hot meals along the way. We met people from Oklahoma and (Yahoo!) Wisconsin. They drive their route and stop in front of every house where people might be working and toot their horn. Anyone can get a meal from them and it makes it great because you don't need to try to go to the "Rainbow Cafe" for a meal. So many here are gutting out their houses and have nothing to cook with or on. We know the Red Cross is doing many more things here as well so your donations do make a difference.
No comments:
Post a Comment