Sabine Pass: Our Mission Accomplished

The next morning after our arrival, we were assigned to paint the interior of “Tammie’s Olde Tyme Diner.” We worked a few days with two other out-of-state volunteers. The diner was closed for inside seating but was open for drive-up meals. In fact, it was the only business other than the school and the post office that was open. Free food from the Salvation Army was available at Tammie's to residents. There were no gas stations, no newspapers, no grocery stores, and no laundries. Few homes were standing: The ones left with walls had roofs covered in blue plastic and were mostly uninhabitable.

When the diner painting was finished, we and the other two volunteers helped Richard demolish some structures at his residence that were beyond repair. We may not be handy, but give us some tools and we can destroy anything. The island’s new code requires buildings to be erected 13 feet above sea level. Richard and other residents had a big job on their hands. It was a sad day for Richard’s wife, Sharon, as she watched the remnants of their launderette and leftovers of former rentals being shoved into piles and set ablaze.

We worshipped with the local Baptist pastor and his small congregation on Sunday. Their church had been broken in half by the storm and practically gutted. The organ had been hurled into the adjoining field. The church is now meeting in the former community center. They have installed two washers and a dryer available to all residents of island. We were thankful to see their faith in action.

We worked in Sabine for one week, and now our “premier campsite” across from the school was needed for more FEMA trailers. The courageous victims of Rita continue to be in our prayers, and they will be in our hearts for years to come. If we are ever tempted to complain about anything, we need only to consider their great misfortune.