Keith & Diane Strong

By Don Wierenga

February, 2007

It was just a year ago that I happened to answer the phone at First United Methodist Church of Pass Christian, MS. I was a rookie volunteer temporiarily taking the place of Mike Zimmerman, the coordinator. The voice at the other end was calm yet desperate. "Our home was nearly destroyed by Katrina" she said. "A wall of water completely filled our two story home, up to just a few inches from the roof. We have been working five months to clean up the mess and salvage what we can. We live in a FEMA trailer and want to rebuild our home and our lives, but we just don't know where to begin." Fortunately, I was able to tell her that she had come to the right place and that I had could . . . and would help them get started. That was the beginning of a year long effort of many teams that worked along side the Strong Family to get their home liveable. It culminated just recently when one of those families flew them to Pittsburg, PA. to experience their first airplane flight, a brutal winter storm, and the love of a beautiful Christian family.

I had the honor of caring for this home and their two dogs while they were gone. It gave me the opportunity to reflect on what it might have been like to experience the loss of nearly every wordly possession . . . but more importantly, perhaps, what it was like to experience the unconditional love of so many people. As we all know problems are ongoing and we always will be faced by new challenges. For this family it was a mom that faced care in a nursing home. But Keith and Diane have a better idea: "Why not finish the lower level room so that she can live with us?" And so they did. I helped push that project along while I stayed at their home. It felt good.

A meal and a prayer of thanksgiving at their table.	The degree of distruction was beyond description.	While caring for their five year old daughter, Brianna, Keith and Di, got started.
Holes were cut in the floor to shovel debris to the lower level.	This view from the living room, looking toward the kitchen . . . Before .	. . . And after
They worked side by side	. . . And with each new team.	. . . And bundled up for their trip to PA. Keith remarked how much he appreciated what I had done for them, but ranked the loan of my heavy winter jacket near the top!
Brianna's room	There's a story behind this painting. Stay tuned	Building new memories. . .
and new rooms.		What a guy! What a gal!