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.