We loaded about 15 tons of donated supplies into trucks last Friday, Sept. 9th, and made another delivery on Saturday to the Gulf Coast Worship Center (GCWC) in Long Beach, Mississippi.

Seventeen volunteers from the University of the South and Cumberland College helped out.  We’re doing deliveries every Saturday and plan to begin another run or two during the week, as we are able.

At least 2,500 families a day are receiving life-giving sustenance from GCWC.  We’ve also been doing lots of compassionate listening in the food and supply distribution lines.  Tears of anger, pain, and grief are flowing some as the fog slowly lifts. We hope to mature our spiritual and emotional support over the next few weeks and months.

Two other sites (Coast Episcopal School Long Beach & St. Thomas Diamondhead) that we helped with first response donations continue to establish a foothold.  I understand that Coast Episcopal School, also in Long Beach, has turned their damaged gym into a temporary medical facility. 

St. Thomas Diamondhead has been spared and is distributing clothing.  They are a small church and are overflowing with clothes.
 
We loaded again on Monday, Sept. 13th and made another two truck deliveries of supplies to the GCWC site on Tuesday. An ERD rep came along, as well as several folks from Redeemer, Mobile.  Our next trip is scheduled for this Saturday, Sept. 17th.

We are resourcing and coordinating for the International Medical Alliance (IMA) team that began working Monday at GCWC.  They have about twenty people on staff and are seeing several hundred patients a day.

Episcopal Relief and Development has pledged its support of our efforts.  ERD's help has the potential to make a huge difference as we move along.

Support is coming from many different faith groups and individuals.  I just can't say enough about the support of our local congregations.  The generosity and compassion of our volunteers as they sort and box and deliver and distribute has been overwhelming.  Our volunteers are truly the hands, feet, and heart of the living God.