Day Six: Gulfport, MS - Today we would see the ocean...

We awoke from our comfortable hotel early this morning and had a quick complementary breakfast before driving about half an hour southwest to Pass Christian along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. It was nice to see the Ocean but hurricane damage has taken many homes in the area leaving only front steps or foundations of many homes.


This brought us to our mission for the day with MDS (Mennonite Disaster Service). They had about five house projects going and each one was in a different stage. A Pennsylvania group was also out for the week and it was their first day on the job as well. Some of us worked on masonry with the foundations that were built eight feet off the ground for flood protection while others helped with framing or siding.




David's roofing experience came in handy and had no problem finishing off the rest of the shingle work with some help from a few others. Because of the extra tall foundations it was like being on a two story house even though there was only one floor. It is common to use the bottom half of the structure as a garage or storage. Some houses were built up super high like they were on stilts while others lived in mobile units. It seems as though a number of people have decided to situate somewhere else to avoid future hurricane threats altogether as many sites are still vacant.

Neils reminiscing with another private pilot also on his framing crew that day. Interesting that this pilot received his private license before spin recovery training stopped being taught in the United States.





Kyle on a scaffold preparing the windows for siding. It was a nice day for everyone to be working outside and the rain held off until the evening so we all got a nice days work in.






Below: a group of workers for one of the houses - tasks for the day included vinyl siding, roofing ect. Good job holding that flag high for us!


At around four in the afternoon we were led through the area driving past some of the destroyed properties near the coast. The most remarkable part was seeing the numerous fishing trawlers that still sit shipwrecked miles from the coast. We had fun climbing on board and walking through the cabin - surprised to see the com and nav equipment still on board but abandoned on some of the wrecks. From there we trekked back to Gulfport. A few of us dipped in the hot tub and outdoor pool to refresh ourselves and enjoyed the muggy temperatures sharply contrasting our familiar Manitoba winter. Also of interest to us pilots were the airliners fighting their way through the dark haze on their approach into Gulfport. While relaxing in the hot tub a jet roared into sight directly overhead by a few hundred feet - close enough to set off a car alarm nearby! While many guests of the Best Western are likely annoyed by this air traffic we often run out to the balcony to watch the show. Finally we decided to close the day with a nice meal at Lookout 49 - famous for their fine choice in seafood. While catfish is still catfish no matter how you serve it the shrimp was enjoyed by many. Weather is still on our minds as a squall line is currently travelling through Southern Mississippi and it is likely that we will have to stay until Thursday before moving out. Not the worst place to be stuck of course, though our planed stops heading back north will have to be curtailed.

“ Who are these who fly like a cloud, And like doves to their roosts?" Isaiah 60:8