Yvonne takes her role as official toy donation supervisor quite seriously. We have toys donated both through MinnesotaHelpers.org and Operation Vanessa as well as some donated by the employees of Chevron here in Pascagoula for distribution. Our toy sup was quick to remind us that there may be kids along the way in need of something as well...
Loaded up and ready to go - I actually remembered to bring the camera AND the cell phone for this trip... And paper for writing contact info... Oh and some of the flyers with info about Minnesota Helpers, Operation Vanessa, as well as our contact information for families in need... I forgot to bring a pen though. (Hey! I'm playing this by ear! I'll get it right eventually...)
On our way out of the neighborhood I spotted another one of the telephone crews working in the area -- the bane of my internet connection for the last few days... Grr!! But seriously though, it's fantastic that these guys have finally made it into our area to restore service!!! I think this crew is from Canada but I could be wrong -- if anyone out there recognizes what there is of the logo visible in the pic - please lemme know.
Today we crossed Ingalls Avenue and ventured into the neighborhood we had scouted out on our last trip. There was lots of activity in the area -- plenty of work trucks and roofers and materials being moved around. That's something good to see these days... Progress.
The road that can be seen to the right is aptly named "New Hope"
We couldn't find anyone at home along this street...Yet again we met a lot of great people today and heard their stories. We hugged a lot. We got hugged a lot. I've noticed that ever since Katrina -- people down here hug more. You've gotta consider that a plus, don't you?
These are a couple of the people we hugged (and got hugged by) today. On the right is Mike (green really is your color, Mike) - one of the nicest guys you'd ever like to meet. On the left is Hazel (You took a lovely picture, Hazel! You look great! Thank you!). It's rare that we run into folks willing to pose for a picture for us so this was a real treat.Like so many, Hazel is having to start over from scratch after losing everything. Her niece tells me, "She used to like to cook for people who didn't have any food" and hopes that she can find people who would be willing to help her put a kitchen back together for her aunt. If you're reading this and in a position to help -- please contact me at paglia@cableone.net asap.
By the time we returned home this afternoon we were down to about three blankets and a handful of toys in the car and I had handed out about a dozen more flyers. We can't ever thank Minnesota Helpers enough for giving us the opportunity to help with this amazing project.
We have a visible dent in the stack of donations now - but we're not done yet.
There was a great rainbow today just before sunset. I saw it from my kitchen window while I was trying to match some salvaged trim to the window frame. I stood there for a second and thought to myself "You know... I think that has something to do with today.. With the people out there... With the donations, the volunteers, with the storm... What is it?" And I heard the answer in my head as if it had been whispered to me by some unseen passerby -- God's promise to His people. He keeps His promises.
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