NATCHEZ &045; A new &045; temporary, but extended &045; life started at shelters across the Miss-Lou Wednesday.

Tuesday’s horrific news seemed to have settled as much as possible, and the stark reality of life in the present began.

Basketball goals were erected, reading times were scheduled and group meetings were held.

&uot;Everybody here is just wonderful,&uot; Parkway Baptist Church shelter director Jason Cole said. &uot;It’s one big happy family. We are here to wash people’s feet, and that’s what we are doing.&uot;

As shelter numbers grew to well over 1,000, organization became the key to happiness.

At Parkway, the church staff held the first of what will become a daily 2 p.m. group meeting. They shared any and all information they had, answered questions and dealt with concerns.

Evacuees responded with applause for the shelter staff and repeated words of thanks.

The church shelter has a running list for counseling appointments, a planned outing to Duncan Park for children, a mini Bible school planned and other activities in the works.

At the Concordia Parish Community Center in Ferriday, La., volunteers have also begun counseling evacuees.

&uot;It’s usually not something we do until about the fifth day, but we decided to start and I’ve been doing them all morning,&uot; parish Civil Defense Director Morris White said.

Volunteers from AmeriCorps are visiting the shelter at Parkway and others for reading times with children.

Short of seeing loved ones and getting news from home, refugees across the eight Adams County shelters and two Concordia Parish shelters won’t admit to needing anything more than they’ve got.

&uot;They are doing all they can do,&uot; said evacuee Stephanie Williams of the staff and volunteers at the Steckler Multipurpose Center. &uot;Natchez has spoiled us. I’ve never seen such a friendly group of people.&uot;

Williams, of New Orleans, said many in the shelter were talking of starting new lives in Natchez.

&uot;Instead of being out there talking about what we used to have, we are concentrating on where we are now,&uot; she said. &uot;Eighty to 90 percent of us would rather rebuild here.&uot;

In Vidalia, volunteer Tammy Shields said many of the men in the shelter were out looking for jobs in Vidalia to make money while they are in shelters. Some were thinking about staying in the area permanently, Shields said.

The shelter population grew considerably Wednesday and is expected to continue growing. A sixth Red Cross shelter opened Tuesday night at First Baptist Church, and plans are underway to open a seventh. Two other shelters, not affiliated with the Red Cross, have been running since Monday.

FBC had more than 150 Wednesday afternoon, and was expecting a large group to arrive that night. Steckler has reached capacity. Volunteers at First Baptist Church in Vidalia said the shelter has 25 new residents that came in Tuesday night.

The growth in refugee numbers is due to a variety of factors. Many who have been staying in hotels have run out of money and are moving to shelters. Others who were staying north of Natchez are trying to get closer to home and being stopped by traffic or roadblocks. Others are coming to Natchez straight from New Orleans after escaping floodwaters.

&uot;We depleted our funds,&uot; Harvey, La., resident Shar Russell said. &uot;We’ve been in a loop.&uot;

Harvey and five other family members left their Louisiana home before the storm. They ended up on a Laurel roadside Monday, before being sent the long way to Natchez for shelter. The family finally arrived at FBC Wednesday afternoon.