Katrina Update: Two Years Later 

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Church of the Palms continues to be active in Gautier , Mississippi , through the Gautier Presbyterian Church. Our “adopted” family, Anne, Charles and Andrew Roberts, are enjoying almost all of the comforts of home again. A few items of furniture remain to be purchased, but their household is highly functional. Both Anne and Charles are teaching this year and Andrew is now in high school, and doing very well.

We have a new “adopted” family, too. Because the resources provided by the Church of the Palms exceeded the needs of the Roberts family, Gautier Presbyterian identified Vince and Pauline Smith as candidates for our remaining funds, which are being put to work restoring the Smith's home from storm damage. The Smith's house has been gutted and now the sheetrock, flooring, fixtures, HVAC, windows, etc., must be installed. Approximately $4500 from Church of the Palms will be added to $3500 of discretionary funds set aside by Gautier Presbyterian Church to purchase supplies. With all labor being donated, it is hoped the project will be completed in the next two or three months. Dan Woodward from Gautier Presbyterian will handle purchasing supplies and Warren Gifford, a family friend from Ocean Springs Baptist Church , will supervise the construction.

In the meantime, Vince and Pauline are still living in a FEMA trailer. They have an extended family which includes their son, Louie, and his three-year-old son. Their daughter, Samantha, has come back from college to help out. Vince is disabled due to a serious kidney problem. He was a science teacher at Ocean Springs High School until his kidney illness became overwhelming. Pauline is an assistant teacher at Ocean Springs Elementary. Their son, Louie, is also disabled as a result of a car accident during his military service in which he suffered major trauma to his head. Vince is on “the list” for a kidney transplant, but as Pauline says, “the list is very long.”

In the words of Anne Roberts, “We really mean it when we say that we appreciate all of the love, hope, prayers and assistance that have come our way from your church and from all across the county.” Please continue to keep Anne, Charles and Andrew in your prayers. And lets add our love, hope and prayers to our assistance to Vince and Pauline Smith and their family as they courageously face the challenges ahead.

September, 2007