A recent disaster relief trip to Bass Memorial Academy and the Gulf Coast was a joint project featuring 24 members of the Glendale, Arizona, church and a group of 19 from the Turlock church in California.

Relief efforts were divided into two areas, with about half of the crew working at Bass Memorial Academy, and the second half traveling an hour south to Gulfport each day to repair damaged houses of local church members.

Glendale associate pastor Ray Navarro worked at both locations—two days in Gulfport and three at Bass Memorial—primarily doing roofing. "When I first saw the hurricane hit and followed news reports, I just wanted to go and help," he said. "I felt sorry for the people."

Despite damage to several buildings and roofs and being in a perpetual state of cleanup, Bass Memorial Academy was still functioning and continuing with its classes. Some windows that had been blown out by the storm needed to be replaced, drywall and rafters installed, roofs repaired, and shingles put on—the latter two included those of faculty members' homes and the main chapel building.

"They did a lot of demolition and rebuilding inside the church, not only to repair the storm damage, but also to complete remodeling already underway before the storm," Glendale Pastor Gary Venden said. The relief crew slept on mats in the school's gymnasium, which also served as the temporary dining area after the storm.

Those who traveled to Gulfport worked on four church members' homes. One job entailed repairing the home of "Momma Crockett," a woman considered the matriarch of the church. Damages sustained by Bass Memorial Academy were less dramatic than what the relief crews saw in the Gulf Coast towns, particularly in Waveland.

"The devastated areas were incredible," Venden said. "Along the coastline from Biloxi to Waveland, extending more than a mile inland, was complete devastation — only rubble everywhere. The water had been 20 to 30 feet high."

I've seen areas where a tornado has destroyed what’s in its path, but never something like this where the whole area was destroyed by wind and water,” Glendale member Joe Hendrix said. “At the Gulf, it looked like a bomb had leveled everything.”

As the relief crews drove by the various neighborhoods, they saw numerous spray-painted signs on wood or cardboard posted by residents determined not to be beaten by Hurricane Katrina. Among the ones Navarro spotted read: "Still alive," "We're staying," and "Vent, we listen." The entire experience was one Navarro and the rest of the relief crews will never forget.

On Saturday, the crews attended church in Gulfport, enjoyed potluck and toured of the Gulf Coast. Each individual brought back with them not only the memories of the destruction, but also the friendship, appreciation and support of the local people they helped.

“Everyone was so respectful and thankful for the help we gave,” said Navarro. "They treated us well and fed us and and showed a lot of appreciation. Just the satisfaction of having helped somebody, putting roofs on was a wonderful experience for us all. The kids were good workers. They all did a fantastic job."

“The best part was hanging out together and working on a common goal,” said Venden.