Campus Christians helps out over break
Larry Fleury
Issue date: 3/26/09 Section: Front Page
Students often go on vacation or to their hometown and relax during their spring break, but one group on campus spent its break aiding people in need. The PSU Campus Christians went to Slidell, La., and Pearlington, Miss., over spring break to aid hurricane victims and rebuild damaged homes.
William Payne, junior in communication, is currently a member of Campus Christians. Payne says that the Campus Christians have been active near the Gulf area for the past four years and they worked on different projects during that time.
"We worked with a group called the International Disaster Emergency Service," Payne said. "Before the hurricanes, there were 850 houses standing, but as of now, there are only 30 houses standing."
He says that the group did some construction work, as well as community and church involvement.
"I put flooring down on a house and did some painting, both in Pearlington," Payne said. "We also went door-to-door passing out fliers for a church. I was also there when there was a dedication to a man with cancer. His house wasn't finished yet, but they did the dedication, and that was cool."
Payne says he got involved in the trip to do something extraordinary with his life.
"Hurricane Katrina was a very tragic moment in American history, and I wanted to be part of something historic," Payne said. "It was something that I felt that I should do. During this trip, I got baptized by our campus minister. It was something that was amazing."
Adam Reynolds, PSU alumnus and campus minister for Campus Christians, was in charge of the trip to the Gulf and says that the interaction with people is what strikes his interest during these trips.
"I really enjoy meeting the people in the Louisiana and Mississippi area," Reynolds said. "There are people that are down there that we've worked with in the past and it's very cool to see them again. It's also great to see how hopeful people are even when they lost their house and possessions ... People are just now getting back to routine, but it's still hard to deal with."
Reynolds says that this is the last year for both the International Disaster Emergency Service group and the Campus Christians to be in the Gulf area.
"We will stay in contact with the International Disaster Emergency Service and see if they are doing any projects next year, but as of now, it's not determined what will happen," Reynolds said.
William Payne, junior in communication, is currently a member of Campus Christians. Payne says that the Campus Christians have been active near the Gulf area for the past four years and they worked on different projects during that time.
"We worked with a group called the International Disaster Emergency Service," Payne said. "Before the hurricanes, there were 850 houses standing, but as of now, there are only 30 houses standing."
He says that the group did some construction work, as well as community and church involvement.
"I put flooring down on a house and did some painting, both in Pearlington," Payne said. "We also went door-to-door passing out fliers for a church. I was also there when there was a dedication to a man with cancer. His house wasn't finished yet, but they did the dedication, and that was cool."
Payne says he got involved in the trip to do something extraordinary with his life.
"Hurricane Katrina was a very tragic moment in American history, and I wanted to be part of something historic," Payne said. "It was something that I felt that I should do. During this trip, I got baptized by our campus minister. It was something that was amazing."
Adam Reynolds, PSU alumnus and campus minister for Campus Christians, was in charge of the trip to the Gulf and says that the interaction with people is what strikes his interest during these trips.
"I really enjoy meeting the people in the Louisiana and Mississippi area," Reynolds said. "There are people that are down there that we've worked with in the past and it's very cool to see them again. It's also great to see how hopeful people are even when they lost their house and possessions ... People are just now getting back to routine, but it's still hard to deal with."
Reynolds says that this is the last year for both the International Disaster Emergency Service group and the Campus Christians to be in the Gulf area.
"We will stay in contact with the International Disaster Emergency Service and see if they are doing any projects next year, but as of now, it's not determined what will happen," Reynolds said.
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