SMALL STEPS ON THE ROAD TO HURRICANE RECOVERY
by Ann and Larry Barber
A hot bath and seven steps to a front door were just two small luxuries made possible for two households that were damaged by Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina.
Mr. Willie, a decorated helicopter pilot in Viet Nam, and his family lived in a motel for six months after Ivan and then moved back into his house that still had faulty wiring and no heat or hot water.

The home of Mr. Louis, a severe asthmatic, was raised off its foundation by two hurricanes, breaking the floor joists and separating the rafters from the house.

Eleven volunteers representing Troy Conference spent a week in Washington County, Alabama, in late March making the homes of Mr. Willie and Mr. Louis more secure and safe. Some of the tasks accomplished included cleaning, plumbing, wiring, painting and installing new doors, removing old carpet, installing trailer skirting and building a deck with steps. This mission team that we lead brought hope and encouragement to Mr. Louis and Mr. Willie and his family whose lives had been affected by two hurricanes within just two years.

Troy Conference volunteers
with Mr. Willie & granddaughter

Ann & Larry with Pastor Moses
& Relief Coordinator Searight		 Alabama's Washington County Long Term Recovery manages these two projects and many others. Funding is provided by the United Way, the Alabama governor's office, FEMA, the Bush-Clinton Foundation, and the Methodist and Lutheran Churches.



We spent the previous week headquartered at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Biloxi, Mississippi. That week we worked on the homes of two widows currently living in FEMA trailers. The wiring in Ms. Mildred's tiny house, put in by a local contractor, had not passed city inspection. We changed one breaker, strung wire and installed twelve additional outlets, and grounded several existing outlets. This time Ms. Mildred's wiring passed city inspection!
Ms. Carolyn & Ms. Mildred

Ms. Carolyn's son had been single-handedly repairing his mother's water-damaged home for six months but was stymied by the kitchen.

We measured and helped pick out countertop material and worked with Carolyn's son to install a microwave/oven unit and cook top.

Our encouragement and Larry's suggestions were all that was needed to complete the job.

Many of the Gulf Coast houses beyond repair are being demolished. Many roofs damaged by wind have been replaced. But homes damaged by the huge tidal surges were not covered by insurance. When volunteers help with repairs, the homeowners' money is stretched to provide other necessities.

We were privileged to have the opportunity to serve our great God by being volunteers in Mississippi and Alabama.