Brookhaven Academy has adopted Cedar Lake Christian Academy in Biloxi and last month took a load of school supplies, household items and $1,200 in financial donations to the coast. Members of BA's Student Council and advisers discussed their experiences Wednesday during a student assembly at the school.

"Pictures don't do it justice to what you physically see when you go," adviser Dawn Freeman said.

The destruction left some students at a loss for words.

"It was unfathomable how bad it was. I can't describe how bad it was," senior Anna Moak said.

During the three-day trip, 11 students and seven adults worked around the school, which has approximately 200 students from 18 months old to seventh grade, and at the heavily damaged homes of several of its faculty members, said Penny Mitchell, council adviser. Mitchell said BA chose Cedar Lake from a list of damaged coast schools on the Mississippi Private School Association's Web site.

Senior Katie Ryan said the trip was a "rewarding experience." Fellow senior Steven Covington recalled the children's reaction after BA students managed to assemble a piece of playground equipment.

"Just to see the kids on that and the expressions on their faces, that's really something special," Covington said.

Mitchell also relayed an e-mail message from Cedar Lake Principal Lisa Williams.

"I cannot express in words how much I appreciate everything," Williams wrote. "God has truly blessed us above and beyond in the midst of 'yuck.'"

Freeman and senior Bobby McGuffie observed how problems encountered by Lincoln County residents were small compared to those on the coast.

"It was just an inconvenience (here)," said McGuffie, who mentioned a loss of air conditioning and no television at his home. "Down there, it was more than an inconvenience."

In a touching testimonial, Freeman said she considered herself "spoiled" after complaining about being without power for 13 days. She went on to describe the tents which are now homes to many hurricane victims.

"These are tents you pitch to go to the woods to camp," Freeman said. "That's what they're living in."

Freeman said the trip provided a clear distinction between wants and needs.

"There are so many things they need so much more than what I want or have at this time," said Freeman, who urged students to remember to be thankful every day for the things they have.

While encouraging students to remember the hurricane victims, Mitchell said another trip is being planned for after the holiday, possibly in February. She said recovery efforts are under way at Cedar Lake but said the school and the community still have a long way to go.

"God is doing a great, great thing on the coast, but there is still so much to do," Mitchell said.