Relief Recipient Thanks Alliance

I am writing to thank all of you for the blessings you have brought to us in Waveland/Bay St Louis. In a time when everyone talks only of misfortunes, I want to share the good things I have received during this trying time. My family has survived the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina due to your generosity and love.  
     The Saturday before the hurricane we prepared for evacuation as we had during previous hurricane warnings. I loaded up our family photos, enough clothing for three days, and an ice chest of soft drinks and snacks for the kids. My parents, who lived in New Orleans, made hotel reservations in Winnfield, Louisiana, for us and my siblings’ families.  
     Anticipating about six hours on the road in bumper to bumper traffic, we decided to leave early. My husband, a funeral director, decided to stay behind, feeling he would be needed in Bay St. Louis. After 45 minutes of pleading with him to go with us, my husband finally called his office to say he would be evacuating and would return in a few days.  
 
Lives Changed in a Night 
     We spent Saturday night and Sunday lounging by the pool and enjoying the sunny skies, not giving much though about the impending storm. We were safe, and that was all that mattered. But our world changed in just one night. On the morning of August 29, our worst fears were realized. The eye of the storm passed right over my parents’ home, my newlywed brother’s home, my sister’s home, and my brother-in-law’s home. That meant that my home in Bay St Louis, east of New Orleans, would be in the worst part of the storm. I never once thought that my home would be flooded; after all, it was four miles from the beach.  
 
Silent Destruction 
     When I returned to Bay St. Louis with my husband and supplies, I thought I was ready, but nothing could have prepared me for what I saw. All was silent; not even a bird in sight. Everything was destroyed. Cars were on top of homes; boats on top of churches. Buildings were swamped; homes washed away. There were empty spaces where once there had been life and color. Everything was black and gray. I will never forget that moment.  
     Everything was wet, moldy, and ruined. My daughter’s baby dolls were strewn through the house. Shoes and clothing were everywhere. The stench from the refrigerator was awful. All of my furniture was destroyed. I had to leave. I couldn’t bear looking at it. We had just finished remodeling our home in July. All our hard work was down the drain.  
     Five weeks later we returned, bringing the kids with us. I felt that they had to see the power of a storm like this or they would not fear it in the future. I wanted to make sure they understood why we evacuated and why I wanted them to promise me that they would always keep their family safe from these storms in the future. We began to throw things out that day. The children helped us remove their toys. It broke my heart, but I knew the lesson was important. On the way back to our hotel in Louisiana, our children thanked us for evacuating and told us everything would be alright.  
 
Unexpected Help 
     We received a FEMA trailer on October 31 and were able to move “back home” on November 4. The kids began school on November 7. There were no grocery stores, laundry facilities, hardware stores, or drugstores. That’s when I found the Christian Life Center, better known as the “Big White Tent.” Volunteers provided canned goods, snacks, juice, and water. I was able to get clothing, shoes, and socks. I didn’t realize until then that I had only one pair of jeans.  
     Then the kind and generous relief volunteers were asked to move their tent city. Many prayers were answered when they found a building to move into. This is when Phase II of their mission began—rebuilding and helping with donations of materials and building supplies. Volunteers from across the country flocked here to lend a hand.  
     When a friend of mine told me about this new phase, I immediately went to the center to seek help. I completed some paperwork and left. Within 24 hours I received a call, and 16 hours after that, the beginning of a new roof was on our home! We had no money for a roof or to complete any work in our gutted home. This gift became our Christmas miracle.  
     Your volunteers have shown concern and love for all of us and have promised that only good things will begin to happen. They have given me hope to keep my faith strong and to survive. I have made many new friends and will continue to encourage those who wish to donate tools and building supplies to your mission. What Hurricane Katrina took from us in one day cannot compare to what you have given back to us. Please walk with us until we reach the end of our long road. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. 
 
     Your friend, 
     Ellen Hoffmann 
     Bay St Louis, Mississippi 

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