I was one of 12 members of a mission work team in Gulfport, Miss., from Guilford Park Presbyterian Church, April 26-30, under the direction of the Presbytery of Mississippi's Disaster Assistance Organization.

Collectively, we were impressed and deeply moved by the love, appreciation and kindnesses shown to us by area residents. Their faces are etched in our minds, and they will forever be in our hearts and thoughts.

The Gulfport residents are a wonderfully proud people who have been struck a fierce punch that dropped them to their knees, but they have not stayed down. Their resilience and courage have been and will continue to be an inspiration for all of us who have come to know them.

We assured them that they are not alone in their struggle and never will be. Volunteers will continue in a steady stream for years to come. That's what Americans do for one another in times of crisis.

May God continue to walk with the Gulf-area residents and give them strength to face the daily frustrations and pain of loss and provide them with a vision and hope for the future.

Bob Kollar
Greensboro