Work Camp 2014 – Back Bay Mission

Every Fall, a group of adults from our church travels to Biloxi, MS, where we assist in housing rehabilitation projects sponsored by Back Bay Mission. “BBM, a community ministry of the United Church of Christ, serves the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the wider church community by faithful witness for social justice and compassionate service to the poor and marginalized.”

From November 9 – 14, seventeen adults from our church and three adults from Memorial U.C.C. in Fitchburg, WI, worked on removing shingles and re-shingling a house in Gulfport. We painted the interiors of the 6 unit apartment building, “Home Port,” and also began installing doors, door trim, and baseboards. Home Port is an apartment building in Biloxi for homeless veterans. Several of us also served breakfast and lunch at the local “soup kitchen,” and/or assisted in Back Bay Mission’s food pantry, and/or helped at the Micah Center. The Micah Center is Back Bay Mission’s day time facility for homeless individuals. It provides showering and laundering facilities, computer access, and counselors to assist in obtaining ID’s, birth certificates, and other resources.

Our group enjoyed good work, good food, and good fellowship. Once again, it was a rewarding experience to participate in Back Bay Mission’s programs for “serving the least of these.” We look forward to returning in October, 2015!

Every couple of years there has been an international work camp which offers an opportunity to serve abroad and experience a different culture. We have participated in Habitat for Humanity in Guatemala, and Community Service Alliance in the Dominican Republic.