My experience in Pass Christian is one that I will never forget. The Lord has taught me several things as a result of this trip, and I would like to share with you what I have learned.

First of all, I have learned that the work that was done in Mississippi was not about the houses we gutted, or the monuments we rebuilt. The whole trip was mainly about the people. Those who have lost their homes, and all that they have ever known. That is what needs restoration more than anything else. My heart, and the hearts of all who went on the trip go out to the citizens of Pass Christian.

The second thing I learned is how little material possessions matter. People can spend their entire lives acquiring stuff but it serves no purpose. Also, anything we have can be taken away at any moment. The hurricane is a perfect example of this. We should all focus on more important matters than possessions.

God has also taught me that the things that we do have are not ours. They were never ours to begin with. Anything and everything we possess is God’s and His only. He can and will do with it what He pleases, and we should consider ourselves lucky that we were able to be stewards of what God blesses us with.

Finally, I learned that God uses tragedy to bring about something remarkable. While down in Mississippi, I was amazed at the great hope that the citizens shared. A pastor from Gulf Port, Mississippi spoke one night, and he told all of the volunteers he was sorry we had to leave. Not because of the work we were doing but because there was going to be a state-wide revival. A holy movement of God’s people and it was going to start as a result of the hurricane. I was so impacted by what that pastor said, and I believe that what he said is true. God has already began doing a great work along the Gulf Coast as a result of the hurricane. He is bringing people to Him and He is restoring lives.

I thank God every day that I was able to give up a Thanksgiving, and serve the people of Pass Christian, Mississippi.

-Aaron Baker