Ocean Springs

Ocean Springs is located 10 miles north of the Gulf Coast and 90 miles east of New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina destroyed or damaged over 75,000 homes in the six coastal counties in Mississippi in 2005, and the repairs continue. We were told tonight, that it will take another 5 years to complete the work.

The woman whose house we are rebuilding, left her house with only her purse, and she and her husband went out to their van and waited, waist deep in water, until they were rescued. They were given a FEMA trailer to live in, but after 2 years, it was taken back. They then got another trailer from the state government, which was also taken back after a time. So with a bit of insurance money they had, they bought a motorhome, which is in very bad shape. They've been living in it ever since. There's still lots of work to be done on their house, but they are joyfully awaiting the time when they can move back into it.