"We're going to make it back"

Hey guys!

So this is my first time blogging since we've began the trip and to sum it all up, "it's been freakin amazing!"

This past week has been full of excitement, frustration, challenges, moving stories and breakthroughs. I can't even begin to explain what we've encountered down here in terms of our visits with the residents. My SP2 partner and I have truly enjoyed just sitting and listening to their stories and viewing their pictures. I can only imagine what Pearlington was like before the storm hit.

One of the challenges has definitely been the seemingly lack of interventions we can provide to individuals and families. It has constantly been frustrating to encounter all these health needs during our visits that often seem to be overshadowed by their immediate concerns such as obtaining the funds to rebuild, having enough food for the family, getting transportation and getting their kids to school (often taking about a 45 minute drive). There is such a lack of resources. It was an exciting day when the post office re-opened its doors in Pearlington just in the last few days.

I'm excited to return to Penn and continue our work there in bringing attention to the needs of Pearlington and the work that still remains. If nothing else, I hope that what we've accomplished here will bring resources into the community and make it known that there is great need here.

It's almost time for our lunch with Congressman Gene Taylor where we'll be discussing what the team has done and seen down here and how he can be advocating for the community. But I want to end with one quick story. Or as quick as I can make it :p

One of the most memorable days I had was last Monday when my partner and I spent 3 hours with an elderly woman, Ms. Bryant. She was 82 years old and living in a nice, brand-new trailer that she had bought with the money she received from her flood insurance. Compared to many others we've encountered, she has bounced back tremendously and is in good shape in terms of health and finances. But one thing that she truly misses is her garden. From what she described, I can just see the beautiful trees, greenhouses and 500 different plants that populated her yard. After an amazing conversation with her, we got down and dirty and helped Ms. Bryant clean up her yard and plant flowers. Honestly, that was one of the best times of the week. I felt like that small action of raking the leaves for her brightened up her day and made the loss of her garden easier to bear in knowing that something new was blooming. She warmed our hearts when she said that she would remember us every time she looked out on her yard. That is what I came here to do - to make even the smallest difference in someone's life and I feel so privileged to have been a part of creating a more positive outlook.

Extremely blessed,
Stephi :]