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.