It’s COLD in New Orleans!
Thank goodness for kerosene powered heaters.
One advantage of traveling on Saturday is that we were able to worship with the people of First Union Presbyterian Church which is where we are staying. It was this congregation’s commitment to get involved in post-Katrina recovery that eventually lead them to partner with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) and the formation of “Camp FISH” into being.
After worship and a quick lunch, we headed off for a tour of New Orleans. We were guided by the current Village Manager, Charles MacDonald. Charles is a Canadian who first came down to the Gulf with his home church in Ontario and subsequently volunteered to do a three month stint here in Luling. We made our way through the Garden District which gave us a taste of pre-Katrina New Orleans. Beautiful live oak trees, manicured gardens and GRAND homes. A few miles and a few turns brought us to the Ninth Ward and to the reality of post-Katrina life for thousands upon thousands of folk. It was interesting to contrast the reaction of those getting their first look at devastation as far as the eye can see with David’s reaction of the progress that has been made since August. Don’t get it wrong, it is still a mess, but much debris has been removed. Most street have street signs again. There are far fewer wrecked home littering the landscape. Then we made our way up Elysian Fields towards the Lake and a visit to the house that the Louisiana I group worked on. (Don’t tell Emily, but the front yard could use her weed-whacker again!) Other than that it looked pretty much the same – which is good and bad. It gave this group a sense of what they are in for beginning tomorrow when we leave camp at 6:45 a.m.
Our Sunday traveling trio made it safely down. And the best news of the day is that Spearman’s underwear and Claudia’s makeup, which didn’t make it off of yesterday’s flight, arrived on today’s.
Tomorrow the work begins. Keep us in your prayers.
L2 - Day 2
It’s even colder in New Orleans!!!
Today was our first day of work. 6:45 a.m. was the appointed hour. The intent was to beat the morning commuter traffic. Well, we actually left camp at 7:05. Then not 5 minutes into our drive, two two-step ladders decided to jump out of the pickup truck that was leading the way. Our caravan of minivans – and everybody behind us – came to a halt. The pickup though, oblivious to the leaping ladders, kept on keeping on, which meant we had to wait for them to realize we were MIA. It took us a hour and fifteen minutes to reach our first work site.
Because of our size, we are divided into two work teams. Team 1 is working just a few blocks from the house that the August group worked on. Work on the house was begun by a previous group that very graciously left us the killer job – the ceiling. But this was no ordinary ceiling. It’s a plaster ceiling. Not a plaster ceiling over lath though, but over heavy duty “chicken wire” that was stapled every six inches to “one foot on center” ceiling joists. This plaster ceiling was never intended to come down. It was difficult, dusty work just getting it down. And then all those staples had to come out as well. They are confident that it will be finished tomorrow.
Team 2 is working a fifteen minute drive away at the home of an 87 year old woman, Miss Vivian. She and her husband built the house in 1957. During Katrina she had declined her nephew’s invitation to evacuate to Baton Rouge with him and his family. Instead she went to stay with a friend who had a two story house. They ended up on that second floor and on “Good Morning America.” They refused GMA’s attempt to evacuate them for three days. The team removed all the dry wall and nails from the main living area today and will tackle the ceiling tomorrow.
Just as the team was leaving for camp, Miss Vivian arrived with her nephew. As she reached the front door and looked in her home that reverted to a studed shell, the first words out of her mouth were, “Oh, it looks just like it did when we were building it in 1957.” A word of hope from the mouth of a gentile Southern lady. She called the team her group of angels and assured them that they were going to heaven – no questions asked. As she was leaving she said, “Well, if I don’t see you again here, I’ll see you in heaven.”
We returned to camp we learned that the local forecast is for a low of 22 degrees tonight. The church has graciously invited anyone who would like to to sleep in the heated Fellowship Hall (which comes with the opportunity to also use indoor bathrooms. No 22 degree middle of the night runs to the porta-potty. Be sure to ask about the Louisiana II Slumber Party when the crew returns, and
Keep praying!
Today was our first day of work. 6:45 a.m. was the appointed hour. The intent was to beat the morning commuter traffic. Well, we actually left camp at 7:05. Then not 5 minutes into our drive, two two-step ladders decided to jump out of the pickup truck that was leading the way. Our caravan of minivans – and everybody behind us – came to a halt. The pickup though, oblivious to the leaping ladders, kept on keeping on, which meant we had to wait for them to realize we were MIA. It took us a hour and fifteen minutes to reach our first work site.
Because of our size, we are divided into two work teams. Team 1 is working just a few blocks from the house that the August group worked on. Work on the house was begun by a previous group that very graciously left us the killer job – the ceiling. But this was no ordinary ceiling. It’s a plaster ceiling. Not a plaster ceiling over lath though, but over heavy duty “chicken wire” that was stapled every six inches to “one foot on center” ceiling joists. This plaster ceiling was never intended to come down. It was difficult, dusty work just getting it down. And then all those staples had to come out as well. They are confident that it will be finished tomorrow.
Team 2 is working a fifteen minute drive away at the home of an 87 year old woman, Miss Vivian. She and her husband built the house in 1957. During Katrina she had declined her nephew’s invitation to evacuate to Baton Rouge with him and his family. Instead she went to stay with a friend who had a two story house. They ended up on that second floor and on “Good Morning America.” They refused GMA’s attempt to evacuate them for three days. The team removed all the dry wall and nails from the main living area today and will tackle the ceiling tomorrow.
Just as the team was leaving for camp, Miss Vivian arrived with her nephew. As she reached the front door and looked in her home that reverted to a studed shell, the first words out of her mouth were, “Oh, it looks just like it did when we were building it in 1957.” A word of hope from the mouth of a gentile Southern lady. She called the team her group of angels and assured them that they were going to heaven – no questions asked. As she was leaving she said, “Well, if I don’t see you again here, I’ll see you in heaven.”
We returned to camp we learned that the local forecast is for a low of 22 degrees tonight. The church has graciously invited anyone who would like to to sleep in the heated Fellowship Hall (which comes with the opportunity to also use indoor bathrooms. No 22 degree middle of the night runs to the porta-potty. Be sure to ask about the Louisiana II Slumber Party when the crew returns, and
Keep praying!
L2 - Day 3
Both teams headed out of camp at 6:30 a.m. this morning in an effort to minimize the traffic delay. And it worked - 45 minutes instead of 75. A whole half hour more to work.
At Miss Vivian’s house the ceiling came down in short order. The nails on the other hand took a lot longer, but they too had met their match. The pile in front of the house just kept growing and growing. Sheetrock, plywood paneling, an old shower stall, fiberglass insulation, leaves, and ancient golf club and 10 dead fish heads. (The best guess is that they arrived via a toss over the back fence since they didn’t look like they’d been there very long).
The team was ahead of schedule and so they packed into the van and went to visit the house where Team 1 was working. Their plaster ceiling was slowly, but surely disappearing.
It turns out that the three sisters of the man who lived in their house had visited them early in the morning. Their brother Bobby was living in the home where they had all grown up. He was fighting cancer and his mother had managed to pay off the house just two years prior so that he would have somewhere to live.
As Katrina drew near, his sister and younger brother desperately tried to get Bobby to evacuate with them, but he would not budge. He was staying home with his dog, Rover. In exasperation, his brother, knowing that Bobby didn’t know how to swim, told him that he was leaving a life preserver on his patio and he should come and get it.
Fortunately something convinced Bobby to do that. As the flooding reached the top step of his front porch, Bobby knew he had to do something. The next door neighbor had a flat roof on part of his house. Over the course of the next hours, Bobby managed to help get two elderly neighbors to safety on the roof and finally used a four foot wide piece of fencing as a raft to get Rover to safety as well.
They were soon rescued by a Coast Guard helicopter and taken to a shelter. Unfortunately, Bobby and the other had to be evacuated a second time and this time he had no choice but to leave Rover behind. He was heartbroken, but there was no option. Three days later, a pastor finally was able to get a phone call through to Bobby’s sister for him. They were obviously overjoyed and managed to retrieve him from the shelter.
Next they set out on the seemingly hopeless quest to find Rover. Through the intervention of some wonderful people and the Humane Society of America, Bobby and Rover were reunited in St. Louis. He and Bobby are presently living with one of his sisters and his cancer is in remission.
One sister has written a children’s book, “Finding Rover,” and is using the proceeds of the book’s sales to raise money to rebuild Bobby’s house. The sisters gave the group a copy of the book for the church library so you’ll have to check it out. They are also going to send us a CD of some of the news coverage of the reunion. What a delightful visit it was and what fun to know the story behind our work.
Tonight we went out for dinner. We invited Charles and Rosalind (he has been the Village Manager but is leaving for a couple of months break tomorrow), Lauren (who will be filling in as Manager), and Debbie who was the Work Site Coordinator when we were here in August to join us. The food was plentiful and delicious, topped only by the fun, laughter and fellowship. God is good!
Lauren even gave us a reprieve from evening devotions. It’s 9:30 p.m. as I finish this up and I can tell you that there aren’t many creatures stirring. Hard work, full stomachs and a 5:30 a.m. wake up bell will do that to you.
Tomorrow is “hump day” so please so some extra praying..
At Miss Vivian’s house the ceiling came down in short order. The nails on the other hand took a lot longer, but they too had met their match. The pile in front of the house just kept growing and growing. Sheetrock, plywood paneling, an old shower stall, fiberglass insulation, leaves, and ancient golf club and 10 dead fish heads. (The best guess is that they arrived via a toss over the back fence since they didn’t look like they’d been there very long).
The team was ahead of schedule and so they packed into the van and went to visit the house where Team 1 was working. Their plaster ceiling was slowly, but surely disappearing.
It turns out that the three sisters of the man who lived in their house had visited them early in the morning. Their brother Bobby was living in the home where they had all grown up. He was fighting cancer and his mother had managed to pay off the house just two years prior so that he would have somewhere to live.
As Katrina drew near, his sister and younger brother desperately tried to get Bobby to evacuate with them, but he would not budge. He was staying home with his dog, Rover. In exasperation, his brother, knowing that Bobby didn’t know how to swim, told him that he was leaving a life preserver on his patio and he should come and get it.
Fortunately something convinced Bobby to do that. As the flooding reached the top step of his front porch, Bobby knew he had to do something. The next door neighbor had a flat roof on part of his house. Over the course of the next hours, Bobby managed to help get two elderly neighbors to safety on the roof and finally used a four foot wide piece of fencing as a raft to get Rover to safety as well.
They were soon rescued by a Coast Guard helicopter and taken to a shelter. Unfortunately, Bobby and the other had to be evacuated a second time and this time he had no choice but to leave Rover behind. He was heartbroken, but there was no option. Three days later, a pastor finally was able to get a phone call through to Bobby’s sister for him. They were obviously overjoyed and managed to retrieve him from the shelter.
Next they set out on the seemingly hopeless quest to find Rover. Through the intervention of some wonderful people and the Humane Society of America, Bobby and Rover were reunited in St. Louis. He and Bobby are presently living with one of his sisters and his cancer is in remission.
One sister has written a children’s book, “Finding Rover,” and is using the proceeds of the book’s sales to raise money to rebuild Bobby’s house. The sisters gave the group a copy of the book for the church library so you’ll have to check it out. They are also going to send us a CD of some of the news coverage of the reunion. What a delightful visit it was and what fun to know the story behind our work.
Tonight we went out for dinner. We invited Charles and Rosalind (he has been the Village Manager but is leaving for a couple of months break tomorrow), Lauren (who will be filling in as Manager), and Debbie who was the Work Site Coordinator when we were here in August to join us. The food was plentiful and delicious, topped only by the fun, laughter and fellowship. God is good!
Lauren even gave us a reprieve from evening devotions. It’s 9:30 p.m. as I finish this up and I can tell you that there aren’t many creatures stirring. Hard work, full stomachs and a 5:30 a.m. wake up bell will do that to you.
Tomorrow is “hump day” so please so some extra praying..
L2 - Day 4
It surely was “hump day!” Most everyone was moving a bit slower this morning. What helped immensely was that it was a beautiful day today. Bright sun. Temperature in the low 60s. Mike Parry even broke out his work shorts.
Team 1 headed out to finish off the dreaded plaster ceiling. Their stick-to-it-ness has been a blessing to watch. If Bobby and Rover ever so get to return home, they can rest assured that their new ceiling’s prep work was done with love.
Team 2 headed off for a new part of the city for us. Further east in a predominantly African-American neighborhood. There were two houses just a few doors apart – 5042 and 5135 Louisa Street. 5135 needed a hot water heater removed, windows and doors secured and, guess what – nails removed. The demo in the 5042 had been started but in a haphazard, sloppy way. The easy parts had been done, but the hard stuff left. But before long walls were coming down and floors up.
Both teams trekked to BK for lunch together. We got back to the sites just in time for Charles and Lauren to deliver the supplies needed to secure the windows and doors and Team 1 got to work on 5135. Most of the windows had decorative security gates on them as did the front and back doors. The problem was that the locking mechanisms were old, rusted, and non-functioning. The owner, Patricia, had been cited by the city for the problem so it was imperative for us to find some way to get those doors secured. The next step after being cited is a $2500 fine. He didn’t ride in on a white horse, but he might as well have. He – is John Bittner who with a few tools and a can of WD40 had each and every door lock working again by the end of the day.
The other yeomen’s job of the day was performed by Bill Ward, Harold Gantert, Bob Runde and John Spearman. The tile floors in 5042 were adhered to the concrete slab. In a perfect world, you would be able to use what looks like a large scraper on a broom handle to get under the tiles and pop them off. This was no perfect world. The only way that these tiles were coming up was by pounding them to smithereens with a small sledge hammer. It was exhausting work. In the morning, Bill and Harry worked like possessed men. Bob pulled the afternoon shift and David finally made Harry hand over (under protest) to John.
Late in the afternoon, David Martinez was seen showing off – posing with a half sheet of plywood on his shoulder. Some think it was to impress his wife Jamie.
We learned a lesson about how hard it can be down here in the Big Easy this afternoon. We asked Susan, the Work Site Coordinator, about the terrible workmanship of the demo work at 5042. She said the family had paid to have it done. It was like getting kicked in the stomach to hear how the worst of human nature is never absent. What a blessing to be able to maybe give back a bit hope to the owner – who happens to be a single mom with two teenage daughters.
Our day came to a delicious conclusion as we feasted on Bobby Anderson’s rendition of Thai Chicken. It was fantastic!!!!
Unfortunately Claudia came down with some kind of bug and has headed off to Baton Rogue with her cousin for some TLC and a read bed in a heated room. Keep her in your prayers. We will miss them both.
Tomorrow is half a day’s work and then a trip to the French Quarter for some sightseeing and dinner.
But YOU still have to pray the whole day!
Team 1 headed out to finish off the dreaded plaster ceiling. Their stick-to-it-ness has been a blessing to watch. If Bobby and Rover ever so get to return home, they can rest assured that their new ceiling’s prep work was done with love.
Team 2 headed off for a new part of the city for us. Further east in a predominantly African-American neighborhood. There were two houses just a few doors apart – 5042 and 5135 Louisa Street. 5135 needed a hot water heater removed, windows and doors secured and, guess what – nails removed. The demo in the 5042 had been started but in a haphazard, sloppy way. The easy parts had been done, but the hard stuff left. But before long walls were coming down and floors up.
Both teams trekked to BK for lunch together. We got back to the sites just in time for Charles and Lauren to deliver the supplies needed to secure the windows and doors and Team 1 got to work on 5135. Most of the windows had decorative security gates on them as did the front and back doors. The problem was that the locking mechanisms were old, rusted, and non-functioning. The owner, Patricia, had been cited by the city for the problem so it was imperative for us to find some way to get those doors secured. The next step after being cited is a $2500 fine. He didn’t ride in on a white horse, but he might as well have. He – is John Bittner who with a few tools and a can of WD40 had each and every door lock working again by the end of the day.
The other yeomen’s job of the day was performed by Bill Ward, Harold Gantert, Bob Runde and John Spearman. The tile floors in 5042 were adhered to the concrete slab. In a perfect world, you would be able to use what looks like a large scraper on a broom handle to get under the tiles and pop them off. This was no perfect world. The only way that these tiles were coming up was by pounding them to smithereens with a small sledge hammer. It was exhausting work. In the morning, Bill and Harry worked like possessed men. Bob pulled the afternoon shift and David finally made Harry hand over (under protest) to John.
Late in the afternoon, David Martinez was seen showing off – posing with a half sheet of plywood on his shoulder. Some think it was to impress his wife Jamie.
We learned a lesson about how hard it can be down here in the Big Easy this afternoon. We asked Susan, the Work Site Coordinator, about the terrible workmanship of the demo work at 5042. She said the family had paid to have it done. It was like getting kicked in the stomach to hear how the worst of human nature is never absent. What a blessing to be able to maybe give back a bit hope to the owner – who happens to be a single mom with two teenage daughters.
Our day came to a delicious conclusion as we feasted on Bobby Anderson’s rendition of Thai Chicken. It was fantastic!!!!
Unfortunately Claudia came down with some kind of bug and has headed off to Baton Rogue with her cousin for some TLC and a read bed in a heated room. Keep her in your prayers. We will miss them both.
Tomorrow is half a day’s work and then a trip to the French Quarter for some sightseeing and dinner.
But YOU still have to pray the whole day!
L2 - Day 5
Louisiana II – Day Five
We didn’t get to see the sunrise today because of the overcast skies. Our commute continued the drear as it took us an hour and a half.
Team 2 headed back to Louisa Street where they met up with two folk from the First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro, NC. They were the two remaining member of a group of young adults (the others had left for home the day before). Dolly is an Associate Pastor at the church and – it’s a small world after all – a graduate of Austin Seminary and knew David Martinez. Unfortunately David was off at the other site.
Adding to the small world, later in the day a debris removal crew from a company that had been contracted by FEMA came to remove the pile outside the Louisa St. house. The crew chief was asking where we were from. “Connecticut.” “Oh, I used to live in NJ.” “Where in NJ?” chimed in David. “Toms River,” he replied. “You’ve got to be kidding. . .”
Team 1 began work at a new site today – a large two story on Dreux St. The furniture and belongings had been previously removed, but nothing else had yet been done. The walls were black with mold. The owner’s uncle met the group so that he could sign the liability release form which has to be “in hand” before any work can begin.
When a group arrives at a new work site there is a prescribed regimen. 1. The Team Leader enters the home alone to verify that the water, electricity and gas have been turned off. 2. The Team Leader opens all windows to ventilate the space. 3. The group begins to work at the entranceway and work into the house. 4. If there are appliances still in the house, they must NOT be opened. Instead they are duct taped secure and removed.
We broke from work at a pm today in order to go back to camp and get cleaned up for our trip down to the French Quarter. We had great fun and good food at the Gumbo Shop. There was much laughter!
Now it’s a cold, cold night heading into our final day of work, so, keep praying.
We didn’t get to see the sunrise today because of the overcast skies. Our commute continued the drear as it took us an hour and a half.
Team 2 headed back to Louisa Street where they met up with two folk from the First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro, NC. They were the two remaining member of a group of young adults (the others had left for home the day before). Dolly is an Associate Pastor at the church and – it’s a small world after all – a graduate of Austin Seminary and knew David Martinez. Unfortunately David was off at the other site.
Adding to the small world, later in the day a debris removal crew from a company that had been contracted by FEMA came to remove the pile outside the Louisa St. house. The crew chief was asking where we were from. “Connecticut.” “Oh, I used to live in NJ.” “Where in NJ?” chimed in David. “Toms River,” he replied. “You’ve got to be kidding. . .”
Team 1 began work at a new site today – a large two story on Dreux St. The furniture and belongings had been previously removed, but nothing else had yet been done. The walls were black with mold. The owner’s uncle met the group so that he could sign the liability release form which has to be “in hand” before any work can begin.
When a group arrives at a new work site there is a prescribed regimen. 1. The Team Leader enters the home alone to verify that the water, electricity and gas have been turned off. 2. The Team Leader opens all windows to ventilate the space. 3. The group begins to work at the entranceway and work into the house. 4. If there are appliances still in the house, they must NOT be opened. Instead they are duct taped secure and removed.
We broke from work at a pm today in order to go back to camp and get cleaned up for our trip down to the French Quarter. We had great fun and good food at the Gumbo Shop. There was much laughter!
Now it’s a cold, cold night heading into our final day of work, so, keep praying.
L2 - Day 6
This might be the coldest morning yet. Even the bright sun didn’t seem to heat it up at all.
Just after leaving camp, Lauren called to tell us that Interstate 10 – our route to the work sites – was closed due to icing. So, it was time to improvise a winding route through the city.
Team 1 went back to Dreux Street and Team 2 to Louisa St. It was bitter cold, but both teams worked hard, hard, hard.
The Louisa Street house was finished with some time left over to do the front and back yards. Including removing a VERY heavy cast iron tub. After loading up the van and just before securing plywood over the front door, the group gathered in the house to pray. We gave thanks to God for the opportunity to serve Christ by serving the owner, Sheryl, and her two daughters. We asked God to bless the house so that one day it might again be a home.
Then Team 2 drove over to the house on Dreux so they could see it. It was incredible how much Team 1 accomplished.
After lunch at the Golden Arches, we took a drive through the Ninth Ward. We wanted the three who missed the tour last Sunday to have the opportunity to see the area. We also wanted to drop off our extra supplies and tools at Common Ground. CG is a grassroots organization that the August group happened upon. They are committed to supporting and empowering the people of the Ninth Ward. It was encouraging to see new telephone poles and electrical wiring up in the neighborhood. David commented on the fact that a great deal of the wreckage that was there in August had been cleared. The landscape is desolate – which is actually a positive thing. In a way, the land is being prepared so that, first, the dream of rebuilding and then the rebuilding itself can begin.
Once back at camp, it was a flurry of unloading tools, cleaning vans, doing laundry, making dinner, showering, sweeping, packing and sharing stories of the week. Susan (the Work Site Coordinator) told the group that she couldn’t remember another group – except maybe the initial group of college kids – who had accomplished as much as this group. Three houses were added to the “Gutting Completed” list this week and another one was well over halfway there.
There was cake and pies for dinner tonight. Before serving, David told the group that they had indeed fulfilled their high calling this week and so he had bought special dessert plates and napkins. They were black and gold – the colors of New Orleans’ football team – and whose name this Louisiana II group embodied – the Saints.
Don’t stop praying yet, we still have a flight ahead of us tomorrow. But this is the last installment from NOLA – until Louisiana III, that is!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support!
Just after leaving camp, Lauren called to tell us that Interstate 10 – our route to the work sites – was closed due to icing. So, it was time to improvise a winding route through the city.
Team 1 went back to Dreux Street and Team 2 to Louisa St. It was bitter cold, but both teams worked hard, hard, hard.
The Louisa Street house was finished with some time left over to do the front and back yards. Including removing a VERY heavy cast iron tub. After loading up the van and just before securing plywood over the front door, the group gathered in the house to pray. We gave thanks to God for the opportunity to serve Christ by serving the owner, Sheryl, and her two daughters. We asked God to bless the house so that one day it might again be a home.
Then Team 2 drove over to the house on Dreux so they could see it. It was incredible how much Team 1 accomplished.
After lunch at the Golden Arches, we took a drive through the Ninth Ward. We wanted the three who missed the tour last Sunday to have the opportunity to see the area. We also wanted to drop off our extra supplies and tools at Common Ground. CG is a grassroots organization that the August group happened upon. They are committed to supporting and empowering the people of the Ninth Ward. It was encouraging to see new telephone poles and electrical wiring up in the neighborhood. David commented on the fact that a great deal of the wreckage that was there in August had been cleared. The landscape is desolate – which is actually a positive thing. In a way, the land is being prepared so that, first, the dream of rebuilding and then the rebuilding itself can begin.
Once back at camp, it was a flurry of unloading tools, cleaning vans, doing laundry, making dinner, showering, sweeping, packing and sharing stories of the week. Susan (the Work Site Coordinator) told the group that she couldn’t remember another group – except maybe the initial group of college kids – who had accomplished as much as this group. Three houses were added to the “Gutting Completed” list this week and another one was well over halfway there.
There was cake and pies for dinner tonight. Before serving, David told the group that they had indeed fulfilled their high calling this week and so he had bought special dessert plates and napkins. They were black and gold – the colors of New Orleans’ football team – and whose name this Louisiana II group embodied – the Saints.
Don’t stop praying yet, we still have a flight ahead of us tomorrow. But this is the last installment from NOLA – until Louisiana III, that is!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support!
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