By The Thousands, Faithful Toil to Resurrect Gulf Cities (wonderful Good News story)

The Washington Post ^ | February 6, 2006 | Jacqueline L. Salmon

[Dems_R_Losers]

BILOXI, Miss. With drywall, two-by-fours and a patient faith in a sometimes-exasperating God, Burke resident Bart Tucker is trying to raise a small neighborhood from the dead.

But in this Gulf Coast City of 50,000, a slender thumb of land smashed by the winds and waters of Hurricane Katrina, nothing comes easy -- least of all miracles.

Since arriving in Biloxi with a convoy of supplies and volunteers from his fairfax County church, Lord of Life Lutheran, shortly after Labor Day, Tucker hs spent a total of eight weeks here. He goes home only to raise more money and recruit more volunteers.

His efforts have rippled across Northern Virginia. Other faith organizations have joined in -- churches, Habitat for Humanity, Bible and other study groups -- sending members and money, forming partnerships with Biloxi churches and adopting families.

[Dems_R_Losers]

Bart Tucker is a friend of mine and a true Christian. I hope this story inspires all FReepers to remember that the Gulf Coast is still in desperate need of help.

[A message]

Very inspiring story. Thanks for posting.

Prayers and a bump to our savior and friend Jesus.

[CobaltBlue]

Maybe all the morons ranting about how "New Orleans deserved it" because "they live in a bowl" and "they're sinful" should take a few minutes and read about the devastation in places like Biloxi, Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Waveland, Slidell -- none of which are bowls, none of which have the French Quarter.

I admire your friend. Rather than sit in judgment of his fellow man, he's doing what Christ commands us to do, and compassion requires us to do, but so much more than is required. My husband goes to Living Savior Lutheran Church in Fairfax, I will make sure he reads this.

He doesn't usually read the "Washington Compost." ;^)

[ExcursionGuy84]

Rather than sit in judgment of his fellow man, he's doing what Christ commands us to do, and compassion requires us to do, but so much more than is required.

So ture & inspiring.

[Coldwater Creek]

Bellvue Baptist in Memphis has been sending cleanup and cooking teams every week for months. I know that there are So. Baptist churches all over the country are doing the same.

Hayley Barbour is the only Gov. that has said thank you.

[CajunConservative]

That is not true, Blanko has said thank you but you know what we aren't supposed to be doing our works for the Lord in order to get recognition from the world. Our left hand isn't supposed to know what our right hand does when we give.

I live in the Rita direct impact area and know first hand just how much help and assistance has been given by various faith based organizations including my own church. We do not do our works of service to get thanks from the government but to be a witness to and for God. My church has an outreach center and I can honestly say that the people who have come to us for help in these troubled times are very grateful for the help we can give them. People are helping out each other and have been since day one.

[Coldwater Creek]

I apologize if you thought that I did not think the people were not grateful. I just have never heard your Governor express anything but whining. Hopefully I just missed her comments on faith based volunteers.

[mwyounce]

Mississippi ping...

[SuziQ]

Our Parish's Youth Ministry is sending a team down to Biloxi for 'Service Work' this summer. Actually they might be going to my b-i-l's Parish in Gulfport! He started a remodel crew in his Parish. He'd had a few folks arrive from around the country who wanted to help, so they made up t-shirts, put signs on their trucks, and arrange for crews to go out and fix up their parishoner's homes, and the homes of others in the Diocese.

[dixiechick2000]

What a wonderful story.
God bless your friend, and all of
those who travel to MS to help.

Thank you for the post and the ping.