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Hurricane Wilma swept through this fishing village last Monday. The hurricane wiped out dozens of homes and put its only church under 4 feet of bay water.
On Tuesday, the day after the storm, parishioners tore out battered pews, ripped out carpet underlayers and scrubbed the sanctuary with a vow to have service Sunday.
"This looks like a mess now, but when we redo it, it'll be better than it was before. You've got to use your spiritual eyes," said Lessie Raffield, 46, the associate pastor.
She plans to bulldoze the home she shared with her husband and 5-year-old daughter. They can't live there anymore. When Raffield came to the church after Wilma to pray, she opened the door and found 4 inches of mud.
Little girls wore white shoes with little bows. Men smoothed their hair before entering church. Women walked up church steps wearing heels showing painted toes.
Church-goers passed on handshakes from neighbors and instead gave hugs. They came for the hour break from the toil of cleaning their clobbered homes.
They didn't sit on the 100 plastic, folding chairs that replaced the pews. They stood, clapped and sang. They closed their eyes, raised their hands and tipped their chins heavenward.
Pastor Morris Dantin, a 68-year-old Cajun who has led the church for 10 years, has practice at renewal. This is his fourth storm. He hasn't questioned God for a second, he said, and urged the people not to either.
Dantin traded his T-shirt and baseball cap for a pink shirt, suspenders and suit Sunday. He spent his week clearing debris and handing out supplies stationed in front of the church.
"I believe we had a little rainstorm," he greeted church-goers before thanking everyone he could remember and introducing Operation Blessing, an organization founded by evangelist Pat Robertson. It was the first to offer relief.
"I want everyone who has that dream to put yourself right here," he said, pointing near the pulpit. "This is a day of renewal for your home, your island, your family. It's terrible it takes a hurricane, but God know what's he doing."
"Renew that vision in your heart. In the name of Jesus, let your vision come in. Build in your heart. Hallelujah. Hallelujah," whispered Atkins, to a crying woman.
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