MTS TRAVEL is still busy sending teams to the Gulf Coast in the clean up of the devastating hurricane Katrina. Many teams were there early to help feed the people that lost their homes, and had to scatter throughout the country to save their lives. During November and December we helped numerous teams travel to the area for the beginning of the clean up. The clean up and re-building of homes, churches, and businesses will continue for many months to come. This writer's own home church is sending a team of 35 who will leave on Sunday to start work on the rebuilding of a church.

Here are some comments from MTS TRAVEL employees;

"Bob Klamser from Ventura Missionary Church sent out several teams to help with rebuilding of homes. He said that the people were very appreciative and the people that did the helping were very fulfilled."
- Mary Jo Isusquiza, MTS TRAVEL, Claremont, CA

"I have a client who is over preparing meals for 40,000 to 65,000 people on the coast."
- Linda Foster, Bryan Tours/MTS TRAVEL, Jackson, MS

"I have helped about a dozen teams through New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, which is different churches within NY and CT going to Gulfport/Biloxi, MS for relief work. Most teams average about 15 passengers, but it looks like my total number of passengers is 170. I also have a group with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bridgeport and they are sending a group of 15, with hopes to send more teams over the next few months and into the summer. "
- Laura Miller, MTS TRAVEL, Ephrata, PA

"So far I have sent down about 12 people down to the Gulf coast since Katrina hit."
- Cindy Upton, MTS TRAVEL, Ephrata, PA.

MTS TRAVEL has two offices in Mississippi, Jackson and Greenville. We are all thankful that none of our people lost home or family. Being so close to the area, they did "pitch in" in many ways such as helping in shelters, and making travel arrangements for people who had fled the coast.. We did experience the loss of phone service for several days and we want to thank you for your patience if you were among the many people that did try to contact us during that time.

Because of our presence in Mississippi, and the fact that the devastation in the state seemed to be somewhat overshadowed in the media by what happened in New Orleans, MTS TRAVEL chose this as our place to help. Employees contributed, and were matched by the company, to help with relief work in Mississippi.

Did you send a team to the Gulf Coast to help in this huge rebuilding need? It is not too late, contact your church or organization and get them signed up to go and help. The need is still great!