Final hours reflection

Day 6 - 7:00 am

The week's work is done and the group is splintering. Three left at 5:00 am; by day's end, we'll all be enroute home. We tried to summarize our experience yesterday at our last dinner together. The consensus was: great week, lot's done, wonderful experience, expectations appropriate, new friends. Mary, a Katrina rookie 5 days earlier, said it best when she reminded us our biggest task was to go back and tell everyone how much work lay ahead, to in/ex cite our friends to get involved.

Driving to/from work sites and touring key areas, we had ample opportunity to see both the devastation and the recovery effort. Upper-middle class and low-income neighborhoods were treated equally by the hurricane. The recovery effort has been less even-handed. Several rebuilding projects in the upper and lower 9th wards show promise but the scope of the work ahead is difficult to fathom. Each house showing fresh paint and flowers sits among those sporting plywood windows and blue tarp roofs. The live oaks give shade to empty slabs. Still we heard encouraging talk from those who live here. The residents and long-term volunteers are focused on the progress and prospects. Hope has replaced resignation. The future looks brighter.

So, if you're troubled by what's happened to your investments in the last year, if you're worried about keeping your job, If you're having trouble making ends meet; come to the Gulf and spend a week and get a perspective adjustment. You can't do anything better with your time or money - and these folks will think you're doing them a favor!

Zeke

Friday, January 16

It has been a wonderful week in New Orleans with our group of thirteen people from the Somers UCC Church and our group from Holy Trinity Episcopal in Enfield. As we have come to our last day together, some of us have commented on the way this group of thirteen people has become such a close-knit group. It is a diverse group of personalities, but the thing we seem to have in common is a deep commitment to serve folks who have been living as displaced persons for the three years since Hurricane Katrina, and to work as productively as possible in the name of our Lord Jesus, in harmony as a team.

For myself, what was most daunting about our work this week was that we would have only five days to do whatever we would be able to accomplish. Our list of tasks needed in our houses seemed overwhelming. For each of our three work teams, the result was that we accomplished more at each house than we could have hoped on Monday. It was a great feeling to go to all three houses this (Friday) afternoon and see all that each group has done. Team effort, and using one anothers' skills accomplished more than any of us might have imagined.

My other enduring memory will be of seeing firsthand the incredible breadth of destruction wreaked by the storm. Having lived through the flood of 1955 in northwestern Connecticut, I have real appreciation for the power of wind and water in a hurricane. But here in New Orleans, instead of destruction of hundreds of homes and businesses, and the loss of scores of lives, we encountered the signs of many thousands of buildings destroyed, and the loss of nearly two thousand people. The scale is hard to imagine, let alone try to describe. It is distressing to tour the damage.

Yet the best thing about being here in 2009 is to see the scale of rebuilding, and to walk through neighborhoods, and meet people from all over the United States who are here to lend a hand. On Wednesday, as we toured some neighborhoods of this city, we encountered a group of college kids from California who were working in a large team from the peak of the roof to the footings of a large house. They were as excited to hear about us, as we were to hear about them. It is inspiring to realize that the traditions of generosity and solidarity with people in crisis and suffering, which have characterized the people of this country for so many generations, are alive and well in our time.

While this has been anything but a restful time away for this group of middle-aged and one college-aged people, we have been refreshed by finding certain evidence that we live in a great time, in a great country, among great people. We know that people today are still moved by the Christian principles of compassion for human suffering, and in self-sacrificial service in behalf of one another in obedience to the teachings of Jesus. And we have discovered once again, that as we offer ourselves in blessing to others, we are blessed by our God in return.

Peter Bushnell

Stories - faith and courage

Group from California

As I walked around getting more and more depressed, I suddenly heard cheering somewhere close by. I began to look around and saw a brightly colored house surrounded by young people cheering as their friends on the roof scraped off the old roofing and tossed it down to the ground. It turned out they were college students from Los Angeles who had come here to help those in the Ninth Ward by offering legal aid and comfort. How wonderful to see young people so involved in a project for others - and having a blast doing it.We saw the Brad Pitt project - sorry fans no Brad - and the Habitat for Humanity projects, and it is so encouraging to see life returning to New Orleans. After a wonderful New Orleans dinner, we walked Bourbon Street and later talked to a Carriage driver who told us All her life story. It was something to listen to someone who has been trying to cope and survive since Katrina - and hear how hard it has been to do so. There are so many stories of evil here - people willing to do anything to survive - balanced by stories of faith and courage - it is a complex place and no one story tells it all. As we finished our work today - how hard it is to leave with so much left to do - it feels like torn in two. There is the wish to stay, (we could do so much more now that we know how), and keep working - and the wish to go home and see friends and family - and dear little grandboys. So as Peter and I head home, we send our love to everyone in Connecticut! And we find our hearts turning both ways - and as we go we wish everyone here in the Big Easy a fond farewell. We know we will come back - this has been too great an experience to not come here again - and we would encourage anyone who feels a call to service to others to check this type of trip out. I have heard it said that you get more than you give, and in this case it is all true.With love,Kathy

Bright colors all in a row

Habitat for Humanity ... Musicians Row

Well our work week here is done, but there is SO much more work that needs to be done that I hate to leave. It is almost impossible to comprehend the destruction that the flooding caused not only to property, but to people's lives.

New Orleans borders a huge lake and is located below sea level. The city has a series of canals that run through the city to carry rain run off water which is then pumped back into the lake. The canals have tall walls on each side which make the levees. A combination of the pressure of the huge amounts of water on the levee walls and the failure of the pumps to pump the water back to the lake caused a breach in the levees and the water from the lake just started to empty into the city.



The residents were warned of the hurricane and encouraged to evacuate and the majority of the city did. Many if those that stayed never thought that the storm would be that bad as they had lived through several others. For others who relied on public transportation - there was none in the evacuation plan, so there was no way for them to leave.



The levees broke very early in the morning and the water levels rose in some areas at a rate of more than a 1 foot an hour. At that point there was no time to gather belongings and leave. We heard many stories of folks who kept going to higher levels in their homes and ended up on roof tops and needed rescue.



Because the city is below sea level, none of the homes have basements and are built on cement slabs. During our tour we visited 2 areas where the levees failed and homes were literally swept off their foundations. Throughout the city homes were filled with as much as 9 feet of water. As we drove through 1 area (Lower Ninth District) that bordered the levee, it was gut wrenching to see blank slabs where homes had been and sets of cement stairs leading to nowhere. It was like visiting a cemetary, and in that area it truly was the death of a community. More than 1800 people in New Orleans lost their lives as a result of Katrina and many more were injured. More than 1000 of those lives lost were from the lower ninth district.



We look around and see so many homes and businesses 3 1/2 years after Katrina that are still boarded up. It is sad and discouraging and you wonder if they will ever come back. But the good news is New Orleans IS coming back!!!!! Rebuilding IS happening. FEMA trailers are starting to disappear. People are rebuilding their homes and their lives. One of the things that personally touched my heart was the wonderful job that Habitat For Humanity is doing down here in conjunction with The Musician Build. They have rebuilt a whole neighborhood in the Ninth District. The homes are painted bright colors and are all in a row. They really look like a beautiful garden. It makes me very proud and grateful to be involved with Habitat at home.
Blessings and Smiles


Elaine

Devastation and loss... but now there is hope

Only a slab where a house once stood

Even though I had seen the 9th ward last year it is still mind boggling - devastation and loss. It is heartbreaking to think of all the survivors and starting their life over. The tour was most informative and ended on a positive note with some of the newer communities being built.
Jane

Stairs to nowhere

We are all excited about going on the driving tour of New Orleans. Seeing where the levees broke and the high marks where the water rose. Asking our guide a hundred questions but when we came to the lower ninth ward we became quiet as we drove down street after street of building lots that once held houses with people living within, now left with stairs that go no where and slabs of concrete. My over riding feeling was sadness for the devastation. The lives lost and the people who will never come back. Generations of families without their ancestral home. The power of water and its destruction is more than I can comprehend. It overwhelms me, so I am sad for all that happened here. However, in all this there is a hope in all the thousands of people and organizations that have come seperately and together to rebuild the broken lives of the people that lived in the path of Katrina that fateful day.

Pat

We are seeing the best of people

Up early this morning. Still awed by the contrast in the day yesterday. Morning was occupied by our work responsibilities. Wednesday is a great half day of work for the over 40 group as the body finds a new level of soreness. Afternoon was full with a tour of the Upper and Lower 9th Ward. As we walked amongst the devastation, there was a lasting quiet and yet....there was hope. Young people were building homes and having a great time doing it (even a dog house with FEMA painted on it was neatly constructed and painted). There are signs that show the work that Brad Pit has initiated but it is the signs of strength and unity from the residents who have not been displaced that make the deepest impression. Signs that say: "We are coming back" or "the strength of our country can be found on this street". I find that hope and faith almost always fill in the void caused by a disaster. We are seeing the best of people. And then, in the evening, we took a trip to the French Quarter where everyday is Mardi Gras. I had no interest in seeing the French quarter prior to last night but I have to say that it is an architectural oasis in the middle of sky scrapers and city scape. I still would not want to be here on Shrove Tuesday but it was a good experience walking around on a chilly Wednesday night. We found a great restaurant (Royal Manor) where we had oysters and other local fair. Back to the church around 11:00pm for a respectable time to retire. Now, in the morning, it is reminiscent of a scene from the movie The Big Chill as our group members come in at varied times, in various levels of alertness and search out the coffee and cup, longing for the effects of the caffeine to take effect. Well, I've got to make lunch and get ready for another day of hanging sheet rock. Today we start hanging the cathedral ceiling.
Chris

Bravo New Orleans!

One of the design's in Brad Pitt's "Make It Right" housing development

The tour today was a real highlight of my week spent here in N.O. It is very difficult to imagine just how horribly Katrina impacted this city BUT a 2 hour tour made it very, very real. The fact that 3 plus years have gone by and there is still such desolation is so hard to believe. The people who have remained to rebuild are to be admired for their faith and hope.I'm heartened by the church groups and individuals who are still committed to this cause. It was fun to see Brad Pitt's houses and the colorful Musicians Row. It is a privilege to help in any small way in this recovery effort. Bravo New Orleans--

Joan Desautelle

Tour of New Orleans

Having seen new Orleans 1 year after Katrina, 2 years after Katrina and now 3 and half years later, one can get very discouraged seeing the number of neighborhoods where so little has been done. It will take years to re-build and how much money is left and people to help? Seeing the habitat homes at the end of the day only re-enforced how volunteers can make a difference. Working on a house this week and realizing there is so much more to do just on one house, and yet we know another group will arrive next week to pick up where we leave off just like we did on Monday.

Anne

Wednesday, Day 3

Words of hope

We are mid week in our projects and today we only work till noon. When we here this on Tuesday I think, "I'm no Sally, what is this working only half day". This organization we are working with, United Church of Christ, knows what they are doing, at noon today we are all glad to have the afternoon break. Our backs, shoulders and knees are all sore and the prospect of a full day tomorrow gives us pause. Sara, from UCC, took us on a tour of New Orleans post Katrina. Our first stop was Lakeview where the first breech of the levy took place. The neighborhood is 3 feet below sea level, the water flooded 18ft above ground level in minutes. We saw the new flood gates and rebuilt levy. Next we drove to the lower 9th Ward; over 3000 homes we destroyed here, 1000 lives ended. Driving down the streets we felt like we driving thru a cemetery, we felt the death of a community. Lastly we drove thru rebuilt homes with bright colors and neighborhoods filled with people of all generations. I can see how the devastation is overwhelming, where do you start? How can you possibly make a difference? After being here I believe the only way to help is to get involved, one house, one project at a time. I want to share a quote with you, written on a 2X4 in a shell of a church by a volunteer: Love thy neighbor, no matter who, no matter where.

-Mary

Day 2

Today I learned to lay tile and appreciate knee pads. Everything takes longer that you expect but I think I have the hang of it. We prepared 3 rooms for tile, painted doors, tomorrow we mix the cement and place the tiles and finish the interior trim painting. After showers we met in Fellowship Hall, some of us danced in the church to a wonderful band followed by dinnner and competitive Taboo. We are so glad we are here, we have accomplished so much and we strive for so much more.

-Mary

Rebuilding Homes - Rebuilding Hope

South Central Conference Disaster Ministry progress since Katrina:

Houses cleaned out - 847

Rebuild projects completed - 27

Volunteers - 3920

Groups - 343

Total hours worked - 98000

$value of labor added - $1,862,000

HOPE to a family - PRICELESS

Thank you for letting us be here

Today was a tiring day - holy cow! We are becoming experts in sheetrock measuring and cutting. Chris and Steve are amazing! They keep going when dummies like me are running out of steam. We are progressing very quickly considering we are doing ceilings - yes ceilings - Lord have mercy - I was almost too tired to shower - almost. What a feeling as we move from back to front of house. Something great is happening as the team gels and we work without need to talk - just knowing what needs to be done. Elaine is Sooo smart as we move along and I miss the stuff she catches. Does the Lord work with Dummies - you betcha' - when that's the best available. Thank you for letting us be here and wear ourselves out for someone else! I am most grateful for all this learning and hard work and joy!Kathy

Patience Day - Day 1

Mondays are always called Patience Day for each work week. There is an orientation meeting for all the volunteers who may be staying at any one of 3 churches in the area. Several of us met with the Construction Coordinator as “crew leaders” to get the details on the projects they would like us to do. Sheet rocking ceilings and walls, tiling four rooms with tiles that are each 2’ by 2’ and many many doors that need to be painted and third house that needs much caulking, painting and a large amount of carpentry hanging doors, finishing baseboard and more. We know that none of us will be able to complete any of the projects, but that has not prevented each group from setting some personal goals, lofty as they may be. My group had an extra test in patience because we couldn’t get into the house to start work until 1:00 pm which is another story, but after all it was patience day. The day ended with a delicious pot luck supper of home cooked food prepared by the women of the Little Farms church where we are staying. They have provided a meal every week for the volunteers since Katrina three and half years ago.

Anne

Some pictures

Jane... the painting machine

Chris and Kathy ... a little to the right


Tyler ... miles of baseboard to go

Elaine and Kathy ... our sheet rock cutting experts

Chris ... the sheet rocking giant

Water, water everywhere!

So we are here now, and as we flew in yesterday I looked out of the window and saw water spread out everywhere. It was quite alarming looking to someone born on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains. It looked like the gulf was reaching long watery fingers into the land and still trying to reclaim it all.
This clearly is where the real problem lies - there is so much water here now, that adding a hurricane worth to it must have been overwhelming. We stood in the house we are working on today and I held up my arm to where the water must have been when it filled the house - it was the whole first floor - and only the peak would have been showing at that point. The owner said there was nine feet of water in that area - and the neighborhood still stands there - one side of the street houses mostly occupied - the other mostly empty. it is so hard to imagine the real scope of it all.
Kathy

Day One of rebuilding - meeting the owner of the home

WOW... what a fantastic day. We spent the day sheet rocking and although it took awhile to get into the swing of things, we really gelled as a team. Elaine and Kathy became expert sheet rock cutters and Steve and Chris were the installers. Anne kept all of us in line with her expert training and measuring. The best part of the day was when Percy, the owner of the house, came to visit us. It was so great talking to him and hearing about how he and his wife fled Katrina and how it affected their lives. It was hard to imagine that the home we were working on as well as the entire neighborhood was under 9 feet of water. Then, when the water receded, they pulled out all that was salvageable, only to have it looted the next day. But his positive attitude was to me an inspiration. This is why we are here this week.

Steve

Go Steelers!!!!

Go steelers!

Mary

Where's the Home Depot in New Orleans?

Neither snow, nor sleet, nor freezing rain could keep us from the Big Easy. Steve and Elaine did yeoman duty as livery for us to the airport. Traveling in our country on an airline conjures images of Frodo Baggins and Gandalph. If you travel from Connecticut to Cleveland or Connecticut to California, it takes a full day. What company to travel with! There is no Gimley, no Aragorn but we have the best time and the company is true! We arrived here in the Big Easy and after a dicey rental car experience, we came to our host church. Women in one bunk room, men in another....reminiscent of college days. We go into the common room of the church late afternoon and watch a group of parishioners practice "ante bellum" dance. Kind of a very smooth square dancing. We make our bunks, open a bottle of wine and mingle together. A meal tonight and all will sleep well in anticipation. The fatigue of travel will be supplanted by the fatigue of doing Christ's work.

Chris

Ready, Set, Go!!!!!

We have arrived at the airport to begin our journey and it looks like the flight is on time. The adventure has officially begun. We are so excited to finally be on our way. We will update later this evening.

Steve