Sherry's Look Back

We all heard about hurricane Katrina and we all saw the pictures on CNN. We knew about the devastation and disaster. We knew that lives had been lost. What we didn’t know was just how bad things had gotten and how bad they still were.

We were all pretty excited to be going to New Orleans and helping out in any way we could. I don’t think we were ready for the devastation we were about to witness and the wide range of emotion we would go through.

Our first trip into the ninth was shocking to say the least. The houses are destroyed and debris litters not just the street but the whole neighbourhood. Our voices grew quieter and quieter until no voice was heard just the occasional gasp or sniffle. Try to imagine thirteen people in complete silence as we witnessed the destruction. I don’t think there was a dry eye among us. This is just a typical neighbourhood in any town or city. The people were just normal people, our neighbours, friends, relatives. Just every day people living every day lives. Until the water came pouring in and changed their lives forever. Changed who they are forever.

This is not a third world country. This is the United States Of America. Our neighbours. We did not get on a plane and fly half way across the world, we got into a couple of vans and drove down the highway. This should not be happening in this country. It has been almost eighteen months and yet it looks as if it just happened a couple of weeks ago. The water has dried up, but the houses remain destroyed.

We met some very remarkable people who were more than willing to share their stories with us. They needed someone to talk to just to know that people still care and are thinking about them. That is part of their healing. We needed to listen just to have a small indication of what things are like for them. By no means will we ever understand what they went through and are still going through. And yet through it all they can still welcome thirteen strangers and make you feel as though you are friends.

The work was hard, the supplies are limited, and not of the greatest quality, but you make due with what you have. Neighbours share resources and going across the street to borrow a plumber is just like asking your neighbour to borrow a cup of sugar. That’s just the way it is.

Tour buses run through the ninth and people look out the window and snap pictures. Pastor Malcolm was asked how he does not get angry at that and he replied with a smile on his face “At least they are coming. We couldn’t get them to come down here before and now they are coming!” Wow, you are a good man. I had asked another man the same question and he said “you just turn your head and look the other way. That’s just the type of people they are.

Of course politics are involved and not in a good way for the most part. These people have been lied to and let down and yet on the front porch of the house next to where we were working an American flag still flies. I asked someone how do you remain so patriotic to a country that has let you down so badly? He really didn’t have an answer for that but we did see a bumper sticker that did have an answer. It read “I don’t have to love George Bush to love my country” Amen to that.

We also had the opportunity to work on a house for a woman named Tammy. Most of us did not meet Tammy but we sure did talk about her a lot and really had a bond with her. I hope that some day I will have the opportunity to met Tammy, but even if I don’t that’s okay. I feel as though I have. Tammy’s biggest request for us was to remove the X from her front door and to paint the wrought iron surrounding her porch. To you it may seem a strange request for a house that is all tore apart, but for those of us there it made perfect sense and we worked hard to make sure it got done. We were all so excited for Tammy and her family to come home and see the changes even if we weren’t going to be there to witness it. Accomplishing those two tasks were very proud moments for us.

Where do I stop my story? I don’t think I can. There is so much to tell. We did what we could where we could and in Dr. Stephens words, we planted our mustard seed. When you see any of us just ask about our trip and we will be happy to tell you all about it. Just be sure to indicate how much time you have so we know which version to share.

Pray for the people of New Orleans, they still need it.

We're home. Grateful for a return to familiar routines. People tell us we look different. Not tanned. Sadder but wiser maybe? Some people leave their hearts in other cities. Ours are in New Orleans.

Reflections on the way home in the USS Samuel L. Jackson

We've had a wonderful time in Orlando---first time in Disney World. We couldn’t believe the size of the parking lot as the shuttle took us from the airport. Went to the beach---string bikinis are awesome! We all got sunburned. Everyone in the van is looking good in their Mickey Mouse Ears.

-Ron

I went to New Orleans, the city of contrasts. The Lower Ninth Ward was more than I expected, the destruction, even though I read lots about it beforehand. On the other hand, the downtown French Quarter is thriving. With a fair amount of tourists (more thriving than I expected). I saw a twelve foot white alligator! It keeps the number of tourists under control. The people were very friendly and so appreciative of our being there. Their level of appreciation blows me away, even if they don’t live in the Ninth Ward (well, used to live or are hoping to come back to). People in the stores, in the restaurants, would thank us for being there. It was more than curiousity about our being there, it was heartfelt gratitude.
-Anne

Our stay wasn’t long enough---we had to leave too soon. There were lots of things we had yet to do. We spent too much time walking (ed. note, she was the one who always wanted to go somewhere!)! The younger boys were very courteous to me (the older boys apparently were not, ed.) and put up with me being slow. I enjoy painting and was glad that I got to do some and see the results when it was finished.
-Vera

I feel like I am attached to two bungie cords. I am grateful we are on the way home (although it is warm and sunny here in Kentucky right now) and am glad the tension is lessening as I have missed Nancy and home. The other cord is pulling me back toward NOLA, the folks still working there, the folks who are a long way from being back in their homes, the folks who are frustrated and exhausted from fighting the good fight against bureaucracy and against the fear of another storm. I felt like we stood with some of them, and that we were privileged to stand in good company.
-Cam

This makes me appreciate what I’ve got. I loved listening to the people telling us their stories. I really liked the style of houses we worked on---the architecture and design. It’s nice to see another culture that is different from ours. It takes us out of our comfort zone but that’s good. I wish it wasn’t so far away---I’d like to come back again. Everyone was so friendly. We almost felt guilty about being there because we get to go home. I’m not downplaying the importance of our being there. But it feels like we’re getting more than we are giving when we already have so much. They sure know how to feed us! Everyone treated us above and beyond.
-Sue

I’m glad that I went. I was apprehensive about what we would face---work conditions, the neighbourhood. We met some really good people. I wouldn’t have any qualms about recommending someone go down there. That’s my biggest concern, what we were going to face, and now we need to encourage a lot more people to go. It was good to see my wife and daughter work too! (Sue admits it was nice to see Mike working hard too---I say this in the interests of family harmony, ed.)
-Mike

I’m not sure what to do with my feelings from this trip. I’m glad we were able to contribute even a small part through the work we did (and which also included assisting the souvenir trade) I thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many good people. The hope that can only be found through their hope and faith is evident. But…I’m tired (I’m really not used to that kind of physical labour) I’m sad (the destruction and despair is past unbelievable) I’m worried (hurricane season is coming quickly, with safeguards still not complete) and I’m ticked! Ticked because the destruction should never have happened to the degree it did and ticked because the re-construction seems to be all but at a standstill. The only thing that seems to keep it moving at all is where the people of faith are at work lifting up the people of New Orleans in all the ways that count. I’m not sure what to do with my feelings – so I’ll put them in God’s hands to sort out – just like the people of NOLA have had to do.
-Karen

Vera has offered to be in charge of fundraising so we can afford to stay in the French Quarter next trip and so we won’t have to walk so far.

We worked at Tammy's home today. Only two of us met her but she is slightly closer to being able to move in because of us. We did a very little bit of electrical work, repaired some floors and a fence and painted ironwork. Small stuff, but a step toward hope for her and her mom and son. Three doors down another group was working, gutting a home. They had Ontario license plates, and we found out they were with Presbyterian World Youth, from Waterloo! This has been part of the great experience here. There are thousands of young and not so young people working here on Spring Break. We are not a drop in a bucket, we are part of a tidal wave of compassion and hard work and giving of ourselves for the sake of others.

Later we walked through Thomas Edison School.
The clocks were all stopped at 4:03. We could see the floodwater level, over 2 metres deep. On the second and third floor were new computers and textbooks and art supplies and class lists. It was such a shame to see the place so ready and so empty and destroyed.















What was more troubling was knowing the news reports describing the Lower Ninth Ward as a depressed area. This was a nice school in a nice neighbourhood with churches and clinics and stores and libraries and community centres.

Today we wished we had brought our guitars. We saw 3 or 4 good street musicians or bands. A solo guitarist who played amazing riffs. a classic swing band with a clarinet, a high hat made out of plumbing pipe, and trumpet, guitar and an amazing singer. During the evening on the way to dinner we saw an awesome jazz band who played loud and great music. OK, rewind to the morning. We were supposed to be in the lobby at 8:30 but 3 handsome young men did not want to get up. It was just one of those days. Once we arrived at the house we had to board up the windows and finish the sub flooring. Everyone was working till about 11AM when work started to run dry. So the 4 kids went to the abandoned school to play b-ball. It was all going great until Eric got the ball stuck in the roof(no explanation needed). After we were bored we went back to the house and finish the work. The work was diminishing again so Eric and i went to the church down the road. It was crazy to see the water line about 9 feet up on the higher part of the chapel. We explored and saw a bath tub(WEIRD!). we took a couple photos and left to go to the bible study hall and look around. We went through the big glass door and looked to the left and looked to the right. i took 5 steps frontward then turned around and voila! Another basketball! i think god knew we were sad that Eric got the ball stuck.....in the roof. We went back to the house and then looked around and all the women were over at the far house. So Eric went over and I followed. My first near death experience in a long time(and during the whole day....I'll explain in a bit) I walked across and ...i look left and there's a car about 3 feet from me and the girl freaked out. It turns out she learning how to drive a standard vehicle. Just my luck. So i went to go get the basketball from across the street after Treven threw and i threw it back and i started to cross and another car....almost hits me...again. Anyways back in Town and after a 1 hour nap(AWESOME..TILL ERIC BEAT ME UP). We went to the French quarter and went shopping for a bit. We got back and time for dinner. We met Jeff Connor(sorry if spelling is wrong) another pastor and he took us to dinner. It started pouring on the way there so we went to Krystal's(a fast food restaurant). It was SUPER deliciously exponentially awesomely goodly Great. We liked it, We had 3 burgers. Back to the hotel we go and time for devotion, good thing and bad thing and a prayer. Now were sitting in Cam's(SR.) room. It's nice. Yesterday we bought about 10lbs of candy(mom isn't gonna like that) still eating it!:) Anyways I'm sure that's enough detail...aha little to much but the work is going good and we'll see you in 4 days or whatever. Bye!!

From the amazingly smart and good looking minds and bodies of Eric Hueston and Cam Killough!

tuesday ?

:D




i'm tired .
my ankles kind of hurt .

and my legs
ache .

and i've got itty bity cuts
on my arms .


but really ,
i'm
pretty happy .


neworleans
is pretty swell

if you have not
been before



you really should go

its like
disneyworld



all the doors of the stores are open

and at night
people spill from the inside


you can always hear
music
from somewhere


and everyone
is very friendly


and honest


it's
different






back home
people are nice



they'll smile to you
on the street


say hello
maybe




but here
you pass someone

and they are
just so kind

as if they were
and old friend

asking you
where you're from
and
why you're here

so thankful
when they discover
that were here
to help


if i were them


i'd be so bitter
and angry
about my loss

about everything
really



even eighteen months
later




but they're not like
that



its crazy


i couldn't tell you
if the hurricane
made them
nicer ,
closer
people



i didnt know them
before




but now
what i can say is


these peoples
houses
are destroyed
and
alot of their stores
are closed .

and they're still
much happier
then i could
ever imagine .



today when we were
at the house


this man stopped infront
of the house

honked
got out of his car


and yelled at us
"Thanks !"




we'd never seen him before .
just this guy .








it was
pretty
cool .










- sara

This is our house

And these are the people who are moving it toward being a home again.
Rev. Malcolm Collins owns this house. He has donated it to a team of "Missioneers" who will move in in September to provide a presence in the neighbourhood. They will share the duplex with another family. The more people who move in the more encouragement it will be to others to "come home". Eighteen months after the levee broke and this neighbourhood, the Lower Ninth Ward, was flooded, maybe 5% of the homes are occupied or within a few weeks of being ready for someone to move in. They are hoping that things will be back to normal within 10 years. The water level here reached to the street number.

Today was a work day and work we did. Pulling up plywood flooring, fixing a hole in the roof, some yard work, and "trimming" a dead tree. We had the delight and privilege of meeting, working, and eating with Pastor Malcolm Collins. As with so many of our trips, some of us got to know power tools and learned some new skills - including the skill of patience in waiting. (If anyone has to pick something up at the Lowe's on Elysian Fields please send Cam, Cam & Mike home - we think they are still waiting in line there) At the end of this day, we are all quite exhausted, we've had our time of devotion, prayer, and reviewing the day...and we're still disturbed - disturbed that New Orleans is (18 months later) still in the process of trying to begin to rebuild - disturbed that violence is infesting a city and neighbourhoods and it seems to be taken for granted by everyone but the people who it affects the most - disturbed that the little we can do for the very short time we are here is so very little when so much is needed. But we are here, and so very glad we are here and as one of us mentioned, we do know the truth. We'll try to do our small part as Jesus hands and feet (and backs & muscle)

The despair in these mostly-deserted, once-lovely subdivisions is palpable. We felt it in the enormity of the task of making a difference to one or two homes. What is it like for the residents and community leaders who see it each day?

We used the afternoon to tour the lower Ninth Ward, where we plan to be working this week, starting work on a Mission House that will house 6 young men and women later this year as they form a community group to help people come home. The other home we have been asked to do some work on belongs to a woman who is trying to move back in but who has been taken advantage of by unscrupulous contractors.

We were treated like visiting royalty at Christian Unity Baptist Church. And more so when we presented the stained-glass cross Gene Timpany crafted for us to take as a gift. Next week is their 18^th Anniversary. Their scattered folks from all over the United States will gather together to remember God’s faithfulness to them. Pre-Katrina they had 300+ at each of their two Sunday services. Today they may have reached 100 with us there.

As usual, our trip was an adventure.

Mike noticed that one of our rental vans was making an odd noise. One full 4-wheel brake-job later and we were on our way. Late. We planned on being in Louisville KY by 10 pm Friday night. We got to our rooms by 2. A.M. Saturday. That slowed us down on Saturday too, so we got to our hotel here in New Orleans around 10 pm.

Adventures aside, we travel well together, especially when favoured by Ron’s out of left field sense of humour and Karen’s steadying influence.

We leave tomorrow

Twelve of us are travelling south by van, another hopes to meet us in New Orleans.
This is the fifth mission trip for us in 9 years. We've been to Cielito, Puerto Rico, to work with the Baptists there to clean up after Hurricane Georges. We went to Inuvik, NWT, to repair a local Anglican Church and run a children's programme. We went to Windsor to put the finishing touches on a house for newly-arrived refugees. We were in Vieques working with the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques to make repairs to their camp. We are richer and blessed for all of these experiences, and anticipate the same as we work with the folk at Christian Unity Baptist Church.
Y'all pray for us on this trip.

March 4 Commissioning Service

Here we are, well most of us, and some friends/supporters, sending us off and telling us to come back.

We leave in a week

As March comes in like a lion, we anticipate better weather, and dealing with the devastation of weather and human error.