For years, the town of Biloxi was a quiet seashore town on the gulf coast of Mississippi. In recent years, it’s become a weekend mecca for those wanting to get away and catch entertainment or gamble the night away at a local casino. The damage that Grand Casino and Beau Rivage sustained is probably well over $100 million dollars. The Hard Rock Casino that was going to open up the week of Sept. 8th was rocked by the storm surge. They’re going to have to demolish part of it and completely rebuild it again.

Our story today brought us to Seashore United Methodist Church – along the beachfront in Biloxi. Samaritan’s Purse – Frankin Graham’s non-profit assistance group has set up their base here for the time being. They hit the ground running last week and they are prepared to stay there for up to a year.

The damage here is amazing to see. Antebellum homes and hundred year old trees were no match for Katrina. I’m sure most people left this area…and I’m also sure they don’t have much to go back to. Sections of Hwy 90 (runs along the beach) have caved in and buckled. Debris covers the beach and the roads.

The church sustained heavy damage – the only thing left is half of the roof and the steel frame it was built on. As I walked through and around the church one thing interesting caught my eye – an offering plate. The plate was sitting at the top of the stairs leading up to the church and it was empty. If there was ever a time for someone to help the church – this is it.

I’ve had my issue with religion over the years. My mother would listen to praise and worship tapes in her car while playing a tambourine and trying to drive her car at the same time. What I witnessed in Biloxi was refreshing.

Volunteers from all over the country have descended here with Samaritan’s Purse. They don’t preach, yell or scream – they just rebuild. They go door to door offering assistance and people are taken aback when they find out it doesn’t cost them a penny. Amanda and Ed had an interview with a woman who was truly shocked at this and called it a miracle. You can call it a miracle – I just find it refreshing…delivering with actions instead of words.