During our trip down there we stayed at an Econo Lodge in Grenada, Mississippi. The next morning we packed up and got in the car - we were on our way to church in Jackson, Mississippi. The church was called Galloway United Methodist. After the worship service they always have lunch and since we were their honorary guests, we got free lunch. We decided to make up a meal for a homeless person that we saw in the park. After we made him the meal we took it to him. The look on his face was great - our day was made, and so was his.
Brad, Christy, and Cassie
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Friday, October 13, 2006
Stories...
Our mission trip has about ended but I feel so blessed for having been here.
God has richly blessed me; I especially realize that after all that I saw in the lower and upper 9th Ward in New Orleans.
Folks, we have done so much here, but we have just scratched the surface. There is much, much more that needs to be done.
On Thursday I had the opportunity to work in the UMCOR office answering the phones and setting up appointments for interviews next week. Trish, who works in the office, was a nurse at the hospital where the doctors are being sued for the deaths of their patients.
Trish told me that doctors carried patients up several flights of stars to the roof to get them to safety. She cradled babies for several hours because mothers had been discharged and babies had to remain behind. Trish also mentioned all those who had died long before the hurricane, whose bodies remained at the hospital through the storm because the funeral homes took a long time to pick up the bodies.
I learned so much, please pray for these people and don't believe everything you read in the papers or hear on the TV and radio news. It may not all be true.
What an awesome experience this has been for me. I hope to come again and encourage others to help in whatever way is possible.
Linda from RUMC
God has richly blessed me; I especially realize that after all that I saw in the lower and upper 9th Ward in New Orleans.
Folks, we have done so much here, but we have just scratched the surface. There is much, much more that needs to be done.
On Thursday I had the opportunity to work in the UMCOR office answering the phones and setting up appointments for interviews next week. Trish, who works in the office, was a nurse at the hospital where the doctors are being sued for the deaths of their patients.
Trish told me that doctors carried patients up several flights of stars to the roof to get them to safety. She cradled babies for several hours because mothers had been discharged and babies had to remain behind. Trish also mentioned all those who had died long before the hurricane, whose bodies remained at the hospital through the storm because the funeral homes took a long time to pick up the bodies.
I learned so much, please pray for these people and don't believe everything you read in the papers or hear on the TV and radio news. It may not all be true.
What an awesome experience this has been for me. I hope to come again and encourage others to help in whatever way is possible.
Linda from RUMC
Trip to New Orleans
Our trip to New Orleans was enlightening. I was there in March, and I am glad to say that there has been a tremendous amount of debris removed. There are no longer mountains of soggy personal possessions, dry wall and insulation spilling into the road everywhere. Mnay houses have been gutted; however there are some that seem untouched. The city of New Orleans has started tagging the untouched houses for demolition. In the upper 9th Ward most of the houses were brick, and so the shell of the house remains. These were nice homes, the type you would see back home. I wondered what has become of the families that lived in these houses, and what has happened that would cause them to walk away from their homes without trying to salvage any of the value.
There were a few FEMA trailers around. To have a FEMA trailer in your driveway you have to have a building permit, so these home owners are starting the long process of rebuilding. In the areas of Slidell where we are working there are trailers in almost every driveway. While it is hard to imagine living in a camper for a year, at least those folk are making progress. In the 9th Ward there are still whole blocks with no progress being made, and then some with a single FEMA trailer. There are no streetlights and in many areas, no police patrol. I try to imagine the courage and hope it must take to be the first home owner to make the commitment to stay and rebuild.
The Lower 9th Ward has also had a lot of debris removed, and the grass is taller. Other than that, nothing has changed. The silence is deafening.
We've heard over and over that folks like us are critical to the recovery of this area. I pray that we will continue to be able to be a blessing to our sisters and brothers in this devastated area.
Kathy from TRCP
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
laworktripumc
We are into day 3 of our mission in Slidell and it has already been an awesome experience.
Sunday evening several ladies and I drove route 11 and saw all of the damage still evident. We drove back on route 10 and saw even more destruction. I realize how blessed we are when I see the devastation from more than a year ago.
My hair turned white from all the sanding that had to be done, but thank God for running water and hot showers. We are about to see the fruits of our labors and I am so thankful that I am here.
Linda from Riverside
Hope amidst devastation
This is my first UMCOR trip and my first trip to Louisiana. There are so many sights to take in--sights of hope as well as sights of devastation--even a year-plus after the hurricane. Our crew's been working in a "mixed" neighborhood--mixed because some homes are being rebuilt while others appear to be all but abandoned. You can tell the ones that are being rebuilt because the front yards are taken up with FEMA trailers. At the abandoned ones--no utilities, no trailers, no sign of life. Nothing but a "For Sale" sign in the front yard.
Thankfully, we've been able to work on the side of hope, working in homes owned by people who are generally elderly and who had no flood insurance. If UMCOR had not come to their aid--and if the volunteers had not come in along with UMCOR--these people would have been left with nothing--absolutely nothing.
I'm thankful that at the last minute I decided to pack my power drill. I've used it often here to hang drywall. And I had the joy of teaching a couple of teen girls how to hang drywall and "mud" it. Tommorrow we'll texturize it and bring it one step closer to completion--a most gratifying feeling.
I'm amazed by the scope of UMCOR's recovery efforts here in Slidel--including the staggering generosity of Aldersgate UMC which is hosting both us and this UMCOR station. The church is basically giving up half its facilities to UMCOR for three or four years--that's how long the relief effort will no doubt last. As a pastor, I wonder how would I respond--and how would our church respond--if UMCOR ever called on us for a relief project. Hopefully, that will never happen. But after this experience I know we would rise to the occasion.
Dave Schultz, Orion, Illinois
Day Three
As you can tell from the time stamp, it’s Wednesday morning and people are moving slower and slower and getting up later and later. I think some are just tired and others have finally become acclimated to the sleeping accommodations. Yesterday was a good day as we moved around and reassigned some people to different locations. I have stayed on the door hanging and trimming and will be hanging exterior and French doors today in Charmane’s house. It finally hit me yesterday that 1 week is not enough. So little time, so much left to do.
We took a drive yesterday along the lake that sits toward the south side of town that inflicted the majority of the water damage. It was a good thing to do because it help us to realize the magnitude of what was left to do. Tomorrow we go to New Orleans to visit areas that have yet to be touched. The UMCOR workers do that so we don’t forget that this project in the South is years away from being completed.
Just a short before I close to say what a joy it has been to have the teens with us. They are fantastic workers and have added a bit of youthful vitality to the effort. I know that they have been working as hard as the adults and still spend the afternoon running and chasing after each other.
Pastor Jim
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Eleanor's House
A group from East Moline Christ UMC worked on fixing a house for a lady named Eleanor. After Katrina, the house was flooded up to the eaves. Eleanor evacuated to Baton Rouge where she had family. The EM crew on Tuesday - Kathy & Dave, Judy & Jerry, Kent, Diana and project leader Dennis have the awesome task to work on finishing the drywall, repair mistakes, tape, mud, and sand. Eleanor was very thankful and let us take her picture posing in front of her house.
Later Tuesday night after our great lasagne dinner, we were entertained by a New Orleans jazz band called Bohemian Royalty. It was a real treat to hear their music and hear how they lost their homes and music jobs after Katrina.
Long Distance Thanks
While we were hanging upper cabinets, we had a young man stop by; he asked to take some pictures of the house we were working on. He is a Karate instructor in New Orleans, and is a friend of the homeowner. She is in Texas, where she has been since the hurricane. While he was there he called her (she's a single mom with a 14 year old), and told her about the progress. He put her on the speaker phone so that all of us could hear her shouting "thank you".
Our work crew is mudding, patching dry wall, plumbing, wiring, yard clean-up and more. There's a lot to do, but we are blessed to be doing it!
Erwin from Hampton
Our work crew is mudding, patching dry wall, plumbing, wiring, yard clean-up and more. There's a lot to do, but we are blessed to be doing it!
Erwin from Hampton
A New Day
It’s a new day and believe it or not, 5:30 am in Louisiana looks just like 5:30 am in Illinois. The camp of workers are slowing waking up but I figured I would drop another line because tonight we have a jazz band from New Orleans coming in to entertain us. Today I will have a new group of teens helping me hang doors and shooting nail guns (and they actually are a big help). We are working two houses, side by side, owned by two widowed sisters. One lost her husband when the hurricane hit, the other post-hurricane. At 80+ years old, he could not handle the stress and passed away shortly after the hurricane hit. One of many stories of tragedy followed very soon after by visions of hope. Even though hanging doors requires some carpentry skills, there is still plenty of time for the mind to wander (not too far though because the teenager next to you has a nail gun). As my mind wanders, I ponder the capacity for hope that these people here in Slidell have for the day when life returns to normal. I also ponder how grateful I am for those things that God has blessed me with, including the fact that working with me is my wife and three of my four children. More thoughts to come later.
Pastor Jim
Pastor Jim
Monday, October 09, 2006
Welcome to WalMart
While shopping for a basketball hoop at Wal Mart (there's one of them in every town) we were met at the door by the ubiqitous Wal Mart greeter. When we said hello, she immediately realized that we were not from around here. Maybe it's because we didn't call her honey! She asked us where we were from, and then said, "We are so grateful for y'all's help. God Bless You!"
Kathy C., Andrea, and Corbyn
Kathy C., Andrea, and Corbyn
Basketball dreams
We worked on a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house. Mostly, we mudded, the men put in a toilet and the door on the bathroom. We met the daughter of the owner of the house, Amanda. She is 13 and in 7th grade. Her brother came home after her - he is 8, and his name is Tyler. Amanda told us about how her house was 5 feet under water. All of her belongings were destroyed. Her mom had the anticipation to leave before Katrina hit so they still have many of their photos. Amanda explained to us that she liked playing basketball, but her hoop just broke. We are planning to surprise her with a new hoop so she can practice for making the team this year. They were very thankful we were there to help.
Andrea Dykman & Crew
Come see us!
Dear Friends,
The weather is great!
The food is great!
The fellowship is great!
Lots of work to do!
Lots of fun to enjoy!
God is great - come see us!
Jerry & Judy - Christ UMC
The weather is great!
The food is great!
The fellowship is great!
Lots of work to do!
Lots of fun to enjoy!
God is great - come see us!
Jerry & Judy - Christ UMC
Hard Work and Sleep...
I feel I'm one of the lucky ones to sleep in big bunks, but when my grandson heard that he said, "Don't sleep in the top, Grandma, I fell out of a bunk once!" Learning to tape and mud drywall was a new experience - hate those corners!
Didn't get to meet the owner as they are living in another state until the house is done. The cabinets are waiting to be hung as well as the doors. We're sure anxious to get as much done as possible so the owner can come home.
June - Hillsdale UMC
Didn't get to meet the owner as they are living in another state until the house is done. The cabinets are waiting to be hung as well as the doors. We're sure anxious to get as much done as possible so the owner can come home.
June - Hillsdale UMC
Mission to Slidell
We all arrived safely to Slidell Sunday afternoon after experiencing true Southern hospitality in Jackson, Mississippi at Galloway UMC. Some of us saw cotton fields for the first time on the way here. Our group today repaired dry wall, taped and mudded, and did general clean up. The Ramps learned how to tape for the first time!!! Maybe they will now do their own basement...:) Jerry, Dennis, and Kent kept us all focused on our tasks, or they at least tried to. All of the homes that we are working on have homeowners that are over 80. Many of them have lived in a FEMA trailer for the past year and some are looking at continuing to live there for a few more years. We are bunking out at Aldersgate UMC in Slidell who have donated much of their property over to Katrina Relief. It's nice to see UMCOR at work in our world. Some of us took a little tour to the shoreline and witnessed the devastation of the flood and the hurricane in many, many places. Whole shopping malls have been wiped out. Thursday, we head into New Orleans to be able to see firsthand the damage there. Thanks to all of you who are praying for us. Those of us who are here are privileged to share Christ in word and action and represent the United Methodist church of the Quad-City area.
Sheryl from Riverside UMC-Moline
Sheryl from Riverside UMC-Moline
Childhood Revisited
I still remember the first mission trip I ever took. I was in the 4th grade and we went just over the border into Mexico from San Diego. I still remember to this day driving over a hilly road to a scene of nothing but corrugated tin and cardboard shacks as far as the eye could see. Today, as I started our first project, I again realized (as I have for years since that mission trip to Mexico) that mission trips change your life forever. Mission trips change not just the lives of those you come to serve, but they also change the life of the servant. As ones who were created to serve, what better way to feel fully created than doing that which you were created to do.
Pastor Jim
Pastor Jim
New Friends
Brittany Stone- youth , Silvis UMC
I got the chance to meet a very nice girl here in Louisiana: her name was Claire. She was a junior in high school and very friendly. She came up to me Sunday night as we (some friends and I) were taking a walk around the church yard. She asked all of us if we would like to come to their youth group service tonight the rest of them said no, but I decided to go. I went by myself and got the chance to meet many of the youth from here. They act like the rest of us do and love to get visitors. She said thank you for coming and God bless us all. We mean a lot to the people of Slidell.
I got the chance to meet a very nice girl here in Louisiana: her name was Claire. She was a junior in high school and very friendly. She came up to me Sunday night as we (some friends and I) were taking a walk around the church yard. She asked all of us if we would like to come to their youth group service tonight the rest of them said no, but I decided to go. I went by myself and got the chance to meet many of the youth from here. They act like the rest of us do and love to get visitors. She said thank you for coming and God bless us all. We mean a lot to the people of Slidell.
Messages from Home
Janet, my wife, has again organized a flood of messages from herself, family, and friends with a different envelope to be opened each day I’m gone. The messages include their show of love and support for me while we are assisting the people of Slidell to get back into their homes. It has been a huge boost to me this week.
God has truly blessed me as we Share the Love of Jesus Christ.
Dennis from CUMC
God has truly blessed me as we Share the Love of Jesus Christ.
Dennis from CUMC
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Builder's Club
A week before this mission trip, Angela Vyncke asked me how her Builders Club at Glenview Middle School could help with the mission trip. I really couldn't think of anything right then, but Angela's mother suggested that they could make some snacks for people traveling down to Slidell. I agreed that would be a great idea.
Angela has a great heart for mission, and came down to work with the youth at this summer's mission trip. Angela actually came up with the idea and the Builders Club agreed. Angela and her mother brought 5 LARGE bags of Chex Mix over to me last Wednesday, and I distributed them to different vehicles for them to enjoy as they traveled. Everyone commented that the Chex Mix was great and thought it was a wonderful way to support our mission.
Angela told me that she wished that she could have come this year (school is in session for Glenview), but she is planning to come back to Louisiana if we come back next year. I'm looking forward to the work ahead of us this year, and will look forward to working with Angela when she comes with us next year!
Dennis - CUMC
Angela has a great heart for mission, and came down to work with the youth at this summer's mission trip. Angela actually came up with the idea and the Builders Club agreed. Angela and her mother brought 5 LARGE bags of Chex Mix over to me last Wednesday, and I distributed them to different vehicles for them to enjoy as they traveled. Everyone commented that the Chex Mix was great and thought it was a wonderful way to support our mission.
Angela told me that she wished that she could have come this year (school is in session for Glenview), but she is planning to come back to Louisiana if we come back next year. I'm looking forward to the work ahead of us this year, and will look forward to working with Angela when she comes with us next year!
Dennis - CUMC
Southern Hospitality
Kathy and Jay - Twin Rivers Cooperative Parish and Riverside UMC
Well, we have all arrived....by planes, trains, and automobiles...ok, not trains...but we're here!
Many of us had the opportunity to worship in Jackson, Mississippi, this morning. We attended the 11:00 worship service at Galloway UMC, which is in downtown Jackson. You can check it out at www.gallowayumc.org.
They graciously welcomed us and even invited us to stay to lunch. We enjoyed the prophetic preaching and found ourselves challenged, and our hearts strangely warmed. The meal was a gift from the congregation, and was outstanding, as was the company at each table.
We are looking forward to getting our work assignments tomorrow morning. We appreciate your prayers for us as we serve the people in this community. We have already heard from many residents who saw our work trip t-shirts and shared their gratitude for our presence.
Well, we have all arrived....by planes, trains, and automobiles...ok, not trains...but we're here!
Many of us had the opportunity to worship in Jackson, Mississippi, this morning. We attended the 11:00 worship service at Galloway UMC, which is in downtown Jackson. You can check it out at www.gallowayumc.org.
They graciously welcomed us and even invited us to stay to lunch. We enjoyed the prophetic preaching and found ourselves challenged, and our hearts strangely warmed. The meal was a gift from the congregation, and was outstanding, as was the company at each table.
We are looking forward to getting our work assignments tomorrow morning. We appreciate your prayers for us as we serve the people in this community. We have already heard from many residents who saw our work trip t-shirts and shared their gratitude for our presence.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Travel Underway
Beginning today, approximately 45 students and adults, primarily from the Quad City region, will travel to Slidell, Louisiana, to aid in hurricane relief. Our diverse group will be traveling in many different ways, at different times, but for many, our travel begins today. As each of the workers travels, we appreciate your prayers for safety. We are grateful for the opportunity to be Christ's hands and feet this week to the people of Slidell.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Ninth Ward
Patty from Christ UMC
This afternoon, the pastor from First UMC in Slidell is taking us into New Orleans to show us the ninth ward, the area of devastation that's been in the news so much.
I'm excited to have this opportunity to see this area that we've heard so much about, and I'm rather anxious because it's been so hard to see the destruction here, and it's hard to imagine what this might be like. Here in Slidell, in the midst of the sadness and devastation, there's a spirit of hopefulness that they will rebuild and be able to restore their town again. I'm not sure we'll experience that this afternoon.
It's hard to leave today, knowing that we leave some things undone, and some lives incomplete. But there's new people in today and tomorrow who will pick it up from where we leave off, and who will continue to share Christ's love with those who need to experience it.
I haven't read the blogs for several days, so I don't know if anyone has written about this, but this group is committed to doing this again in the fall, probably in October over the fall break that a number of the schools have. As soon as we get that scheduled, we'll get the dates out to the churches and probably on this blog site, so start thinking about being a part of this God-sized experience now!
I'm looking forward to seeing Mike, Kara, Mark, and Taffy tomorrow, and to seeing Christ's Church on Sunday. Thanks to all who have posted comments (which I haven't seen, but others have), as they let us know that what we're doing matters to you, too! Blessings!
This afternoon, the pastor from First UMC in Slidell is taking us into New Orleans to show us the ninth ward, the area of devastation that's been in the news so much.
I'm excited to have this opportunity to see this area that we've heard so much about, and I'm rather anxious because it's been so hard to see the destruction here, and it's hard to imagine what this might be like. Here in Slidell, in the midst of the sadness and devastation, there's a spirit of hopefulness that they will rebuild and be able to restore their town again. I'm not sure we'll experience that this afternoon.
It's hard to leave today, knowing that we leave some things undone, and some lives incomplete. But there's new people in today and tomorrow who will pick it up from where we leave off, and who will continue to share Christ's love with those who need to experience it.
I haven't read the blogs for several days, so I don't know if anyone has written about this, but this group is committed to doing this again in the fall, probably in October over the fall break that a number of the schools have. As soon as we get that scheduled, we'll get the dates out to the churches and probably on this blog site, so start thinking about being a part of this God-sized experience now!
I'm looking forward to seeing Mike, Kara, Mark, and Taffy tomorrow, and to seeing Christ's Church on Sunday. Thanks to all who have posted comments (which I haven't seen, but others have), as they let us know that what we're doing matters to you, too! Blessings!
Strangers and thanks
Ken - Christ UMC
When I went to Lowe's for sandpaper today (Thursday), I met a man who asked me, "You're from out of town, right?"
I said, "Yes, we're from a church group, doing some repairs."
"Thank you," he said.
I was puzzled.
He said, "When we first came back, there was so much to do all we could do was stand around and look. Finally the church groups from up north came. They started cleaning up and working. there's been a whole different attitude around here ever since."
It has been a privilege to be here this week. Folks have been so appreciative.
When I went to Lowe's for sandpaper today (Thursday), I met a man who asked me, "You're from out of town, right?"
I said, "Yes, we're from a church group, doing some repairs."
"Thank you," he said.
I was puzzled.
He said, "When we first came back, there was so much to do all we could do was stand around and look. Finally the church groups from up north came. They started cleaning up and working. there's been a whole different attitude around here ever since."
It has been a privilege to be here this week. Folks have been so appreciative.
Memories
Tony – ChaingLink Ministries
Perseverance, that is the one word that comes to mind when I think of the situation down here. The news really portrays the bad things that happen down here and gives all the air time to the people that like to complain. But what they don’t show are all of the people that have traveled by our work site and thanked us for our help. It wasn’t even their home that we were working on. People are so appreciative of any and all help. A lot of people are working hard to restore their homes and they are doing their best to repair their lives. I wish I could have taken the picture that I wanted, but I will always carry it in my mind. (The picture was of a family having a bbq outside of their camper with their family, having a good time. The house to their left was completely destroyed and their neighbors on the right only had the foundation where their house once sat. I will always remember that scene.)
I have done a little of everything while I’ve been down here, but the hardest was when we were helping dismantle a home. Tearing down walls was one thing, but we were throwing away pictures, books, clothes, antique furniture, and anything else that may have sentimental significance to the owners. That was hard. But the owners were going to be all right. When I first arrived and saw everything for the first time, I felt overwhelmed. But then Phyllis said that we are just helping people one person at a time. When I think about it that way, it helps because I know that the one family that we help, will make it, they will persevere.
Perseverance, that is the one word that comes to mind when I think of the situation down here. The news really portrays the bad things that happen down here and gives all the air time to the people that like to complain. But what they don’t show are all of the people that have traveled by our work site and thanked us for our help. It wasn’t even their home that we were working on. People are so appreciative of any and all help. A lot of people are working hard to restore their homes and they are doing their best to repair their lives. I wish I could have taken the picture that I wanted, but I will always carry it in my mind. (The picture was of a family having a bbq outside of their camper with their family, having a good time. The house to their left was completely destroyed and their neighbors on the right only had the foundation where their house once sat. I will always remember that scene.)
I have done a little of everything while I’ve been down here, but the hardest was when we were helping dismantle a home. Tearing down walls was one thing, but we were throwing away pictures, books, clothes, antique furniture, and anything else that may have sentimental significance to the owners. That was hard. But the owners were going to be all right. When I first arrived and saw everything for the first time, I felt overwhelmed. But then Phyllis said that we are just helping people one person at a time. When I think about it that way, it helps because I know that the one family that we help, will make it, they will persevere.
A story of thanks
Marge -
Gloria, her husband, and late teenage son live in a brick home in a middle class neighbor area of Slidell. Her husband was listening to the weather report continually. He said “we might not be so lucky this time with the report of the wind and flood coming in. Gloria began preparing sandwiches to evacuate. Suddenly the water came up and into their home. The water knocked over the refrigerator as it came through their home. They quickly ran across the street to their neighbors who had a boat. The two families got into the boat to flee as the water rising was too high to get by car. They headed west in the boat but couldn’t get out that direction. So they turned back toward home and headed to the other neighbor’s house which had a second story. The three families were safe on the second floor but without food or water for 3 days. Gloria said she was getting dehydrated and her stomach was bloating. The 3rd day a boat came through offering evacuation. The group asked for food and water rather than evacuating even though the water was over 5 feet in their homes. The evacuation team said they wouldn’t be back for 4 weeks. The second family decided to leave plus Gloria’s son who had leg injuries that were bleeding. As the water went down, Gloria and her husband decided to walk out. A truck came by and gave them a ride in the back of the truck. Then they found a ride to an area where they had friends. They walked to their friend’s home and found no one home. They walked the streets to another friend’s home. They knocked at the door and just went in saying “we’re coming in.”
Their home was totally ruined. They have it totally rebuilt from the wall studs out. Gloria took me for a tour of the house saying they will be able to move in to the home in a week. She said “time goes slow” and thanked me for coming. She expressed her deep appreciation for a church group from out of state bringing food while they were stranded and for church groups who have and are, helping others. “We don’t even know their names to thank them.
Gloria, her husband, and late teenage son live in a brick home in a middle class neighbor area of Slidell. Her husband was listening to the weather report continually. He said “we might not be so lucky this time with the report of the wind and flood coming in. Gloria began preparing sandwiches to evacuate. Suddenly the water came up and into their home. The water knocked over the refrigerator as it came through their home. They quickly ran across the street to their neighbors who had a boat. The two families got into the boat to flee as the water rising was too high to get by car. They headed west in the boat but couldn’t get out that direction. So they turned back toward home and headed to the other neighbor’s house which had a second story. The three families were safe on the second floor but without food or water for 3 days. Gloria said she was getting dehydrated and her stomach was bloating. The 3rd day a boat came through offering evacuation. The group asked for food and water rather than evacuating even though the water was over 5 feet in their homes. The evacuation team said they wouldn’t be back for 4 weeks. The second family decided to leave plus Gloria’s son who had leg injuries that were bleeding. As the water went down, Gloria and her husband decided to walk out. A truck came by and gave them a ride in the back of the truck. Then they found a ride to an area where they had friends. They walked to their friend’s home and found no one home. They walked the streets to another friend’s home. They knocked at the door and just went in saying “we’re coming in.”
Their home was totally ruined. They have it totally rebuilt from the wall studs out. Gloria took me for a tour of the house saying they will be able to move in to the home in a week. She said “time goes slow” and thanked me for coming. She expressed her deep appreciation for a church group from out of state bringing food while they were stranded and for church groups who have and are, helping others. “We don’t even know their names to thank them.
A Happy Note
Ray
Here it is the end of our fourth day and while the group I am working with has accomplished a lot, I feel frustrated. One, there is so much to be done and two, the job I have been working on is particularly irritating. I have spent three days trying to install a new bath tub and it still is not working correctly.
To end on a happy note, in the far distant past of last Monday, I helped install a new front door. When we got to the job sight the next morning, Natasha, the owner, told us she was overjoyed that she could now lock her house.
Here it is the end of our fourth day and while the group I am working with has accomplished a lot, I feel frustrated. One, there is so much to be done and two, the job I have been working on is particularly irritating. I have spent three days trying to install a new bath tub and it still is not working correctly.
To end on a happy note, in the far distant past of last Monday, I helped install a new front door. When we got to the job sight the next morning, Natasha, the owner, told us she was overjoyed that she could now lock her house.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
UMCOR
Dennis - Christ UMC
I have always known that money going to UMCOR is used for the purpose intended. What I have experienced here with UMCOR has shown me that they are filled with compassion and love for the people that they work with and the volunteers that are doing the work.
Phyllis Mitchell is the Construction Coordinator for the Slidell station. She knows the clients, calls them by name, and works to make sure everything is done for them.
Phyllis always sends us off with instructions and prayer and is willing to offer advice to the teams (having spent 23 years as a carpenter).
UMCOR is a very efficient organization and deserves our support.
Update on Huston
Dennis - Christ UMC
I visited with Huston today and gave him an application for help from UMCOR. By late afternoon, he had filled it out and said that he will turn it in. Huston told me that his biggest loss from the hurricane is the loss of his pictures of his mom and dad and family. All his memories are in his mind, but he doesn't have the ability to show anyone.
Huston only wants some help putting in the drywall. After talking with Phyllis (of UMCOR), I believe he may get that help. Huston said that any help he receives to help him get into his house sooner would be appreciated. I know that Huston will be alright. Praise God!
Christian Community
The Millen family - Twin Rivers Cooperative Parish and beyond
Today we began our day with the Ash Wednesday service. The imposition of ashes gives us the spiritual beginning of the Lenten season. As we shared our service with the volunteer groups from the other states, it reminded us we are one in Christ working together to help hurricane victims cope with personal losses.
The celebration of God's day continued with honoring our angel Geneva, who turned 90 today. A special birthday lunch filled with love, laughter and especially the warmth of God's love. We are blessed to have a piece of the Slidell community as a permanent piece of our own Christian community.
The Church Is Alive
Tom - Orion UMC
We are working in Natacha's home with periodic visits from her 8 year old son Tyrone. As I was mudding drywall, he stopped and asked, "What is that stuff?" I started to explain about joint compound when he said, "Isn't that drywall mud?" Kids here are learning what it takes to put homes and communities back together.
Problems here are as apparent as trees lying on roofs and FEMA trailers sitting in driveways, but the church is also apparent. It reminds me the church is most alive when we expose our problems and bear one another's burdens.
MUD
Aaron - Orion UMC
Three days into our rebuilding effort and I have become well acquainted with a new friend, MUD. MUD stands for Multi-Use Demoralizer. It is the glue that binds, or more accurately, conceals our flaws. MUD is actually joint compound, a clay-like substance used to hide gaps between wall board. It's what makes a wall look smooth after days of re-application. However, joint compound is a misnomer, it should be called compound joint pain. Pressing hour after hour to make this slime look smooth, often with your arms raised over head or in positions reminiscent of Cirque de Solei contortionists, tends to make your joints as puttylike as the MUD itself. In its natural moistened state it will cling to your clothes, stick to your skin, and glob over walls in configurations as unique as a snowflake. This, unfortunately, is not the desired goal of MUD mastery. Your aim is a smooth, glassy surface. It becomes ghostly white as it hardens to a crumbly cake. While this cake may allow for ease of sanding to smoothness, who knew that MUD could produce brilliant clouds of white snow? Young men walk away from a day of MUDDING with hair as white as their grandfathers. Old men walk away with a complexion that would make Casper jealous. MUD has many uses in the English language. As a noun, "Why are their globs of MUD all over the floor?" As a verb, "Go MUD that entire room while the rest of us laugh." Or even as a compound sentence substituting for every other word, "Your MUDDER told us that your MUDDING was MUDDLED for an experienced MUDDER." All being said, and after several days of being demoralized in multiple ways, I think I have come to terms with my friend MUD. He means the best, although he sometimes has a funny way of showing it, and he helps me accomplish our goals in this week long rebuilding endeavor in the Louisiana bayou. Well, kind of near the bayou, Billy.
1st UMC
Judy - Christ UMC
On our break, Kathy, Patty, Tony and I stopped at a large United Methodist Church. There was a large life center with a large gym, kitchen and rooms that were torn out. There was another building with classrooms plus the church. Everything had been under 5'3" of water. The only usable part of the church is the sanctuary. Their first service back in the church was Christmas Eve. the classroom building will be torn down.
It amazes me the number of church people who have come to work. At one time, there were Mormons, Marines and Methodists working at the hcurhc. A disaster team of 17 men from Georgia came right after the flood with a van that was equipped just for disasters - tents - outdoor shower & equipment. They shoveled mud from the church.
Even with all their problems the church is still collecting cans of food for people and looking forward to the time they can get their programs going again. Eight scout troups, a program with children coming from all over for help and other programs.
The minister is still looking to the future when they can continue with the plans for apartments for single parents and other building projects. It is amazing, nothing is said about giving up - only looking to the future!
Everyone we talk to, thanks us for coming and helping them! We are blessed by the people we meet!
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Just like royalty
We treat our pastors like royalty!
Patty and Jay have decided not to transfer their memberships to the Louisiana Conference after touring and working on this parsonage!
Feeding the Masses
Sue from Orion UMC
This is my first mission trip and it won't be my last. The camaradery with people you barely know or didn't know at all before this week is fantastic. The devastation here is unfathomable.
I am cooking for our group, and I love the feeling I get watching this wonderful group people dive into a meal I have prepared for them.
God's blessings to everyone in this group and everyone at home taht has provided us with monetary gifts and our spouses who have sacrificed something so we could be here.
This is my first mission trip and it won't be my last. The camaradery with people you barely know or didn't know at all before this week is fantastic. The devastation here is unfathomable.
I am cooking for our group, and I love the feeling I get watching this wonderful group people dive into a meal I have prepared for them.
God's blessings to everyone in this group and everyone at home taht has provided us with monetary gifts and our spouses who have sacrificed something so we could be here.
Farmer Dan
Farmer Dan (he's a convert and wants a diesel truck of his very own now) sez "the truck ain't comin' home"!
Sharing the Love...
Dennis, Christ UMC
After two short days working in Lousiana, I'm overwhelmed by the need of the people for help. Yet what I see from them is hope and thanksgiving. The home in the area that I am working on has over 5 feet of water in them. Today I visited with a neighbor, Huston Turner. Huston told me that he had lived in that area (within blocks of his home) all his life. Huston has homeowner's and flood insurance, yet the insurance company is still fighting. Huston has not qualified for any type of assistance so far. With the help of his brother in law he gutted his home, replaced the the roof, reinstalled some insulation and is ready to dry wall. Huston and his brother in law both work, so the progress is slow. Our team offered to help him drywall while we are here. Huston and his wife are lucky to have a FEMA trailer in their front yard and hope to be in their house in 6 months.
This has been an incredible experience for me. We have strengthened our bonds with our fellow workers and keep looking for opportunities to share the love of Jesus Christ with those that we have encountered.
God's blessings on all of you and thank you for the prayers. We can meet the needs of these people one person at a time.
After two short days working in Lousiana, I'm overwhelmed by the need of the people for help. Yet what I see from them is hope and thanksgiving. The home in the area that I am working on has over 5 feet of water in them. Today I visited with a neighbor, Huston Turner. Huston told me that he had lived in that area (within blocks of his home) all his life. Huston has homeowner's and flood insurance, yet the insurance company is still fighting. Huston has not qualified for any type of assistance so far. With the help of his brother in law he gutted his home, replaced the the roof, reinstalled some insulation and is ready to dry wall. Huston and his brother in law both work, so the progress is slow. Our team offered to help him drywall while we are here. Huston and his wife are lucky to have a FEMA trailer in their front yard and hope to be in their house in 6 months.
This has been an incredible experience for me. We have strengthened our bonds with our fellow workers and keep looking for opportunities to share the love of Jesus Christ with those that we have encountered.
God's blessings on all of you and thank you for the prayers. We can meet the needs of these people one person at a time.
Surprise!
Walt from Twin Rivers Cooperative Parish
Just want to say hi to my wife, mom, daughters, cousins, friends, and especially to my cousins in Sweden who are following this relief mission of ours. I'm especially grateful to God and the grace of Jesus Christ for this opportunity to help my fellow man. We are dry-walling and painting a home of an 89 year old African Amercian woman who will be 90 tomorrow. We are planning a surprise birthday party for her tomorrow. This place is an unbelieveable mess. We think it is bad here, but what about those poor souls of the tsunami disaster? God help us.
Just want to say hi to my wife, mom, daughters, cousins, friends, and especially to my cousins in Sweden who are following this relief mission of ours. I'm especially grateful to God and the grace of Jesus Christ for this opportunity to help my fellow man. We are dry-walling and painting a home of an 89 year old African Amercian woman who will be 90 tomorrow. We are planning a surprise birthday party for her tomorrow. This place is an unbelieveable mess. We think it is bad here, but what about those poor souls of the tsunami disaster? God help us.
Tough Decisions
Patty from Christ UMC
This has been an incredible 2 days. The emotions have run the gamot from sadness to hope and promise. The stories we hear from people who lived through the hurricane are unbelieveable.
Judy and I talked with someone around the block from where we were working. She was sitting in her yard, and invited us to chat. She said that she had left before the hurricane hit, and she lost family members in the hurricane. She had to leave behind a baby, but came back to see the baby. She has decided to abandon her home here, and move to Chicago Heights without the baby.
I asked her if she has been able to live in the house and she said no. When I asked her where she was living, she indicated that she's living out in her yard. She's leaving tomorrow. She's a person of faith, and she talked about how she's been through so much but that God has kept her together. Judy and I prayed for her, and wished her well on her trip to Illinois. She thanked us for coming to help others.
It's a privilege to serve God and our neighbors as we share the love of Jesus Christ with God's beloved children.
Fat Tuesday and Fall Festival
Julie from Orion UMC
We began our day today with another good breakfast. Thanks Sue & Jan! During our devotion time we each thought of a word to describe our feelings of what we were seeing - probably 20 different words and they all were powerfully accurate. our group at Geneva's house worked on mudding, sanding, a little more taping, electrical, covered windows with plastic - we're ready for spray-texture to be applied to ceilings and walls.
It's Fat Tuesday - and a holiday for many workers and the school kids were off. It's important for the people to have their celebration and parades - it's part of their heritage and the word I would describe today would be pride.
It would compare to Orion being wiped out by a tornado - but 6 months later we would be sure that Orion Fall Festival happened! We're proud of it and that's just who we are and what we do! YOU CAN'T KEEP US DOWN!
Geneva will be 90 tomorrow - we have gifts and a cake and we will do our best to be sure she has a great day and with her family - celebration fitting a wonderful, proud, strong lady!
So hello at home - we miss you and we'll see you soon!
I can lock my house
Steve - Twin Rivers Cooperative Parish
Last night, I listened to the New Orleans talk radio station. I do this all night, for some reason. Perhaps a way to absorb knowledge. Anyway, all this reminded me of the difference in people, especially the way they are handling this total disaster here.
Our group has finished our second day at the home of Natasha and Tyrone. Yesterday we learned she had just purchased the house and had slept in it three nights before the hurricane put six feet of water in her home. She and Tyrone now live in a FEMA trailer on her driveway. Others have worked at her home before us, as we are putting drywall up, and making it more liveable. As we left yesterday, Ken left keys to the new front door he and Ray installed. Today, she had tears of appreciation for something small to us, but something big to her. She told us that she was grateful that she could finally lock her door. She and her son offered us Mardi Gras beads and big smiles (Ken is styling his beads and a octopus from Tyrone in this picture). We believe she is working, because her house payments continue. There is a strong belief here that the best way to get reconstruction done is people helping people, as opposed to those sitting with a house full of debris and whining about it on talk radio.
P.S. I think I will just throw my clothes away. Debbie will not allow them in the house.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Geneva and Peter
Several of our posts talk about Geneva and Peter, an 89 year old woman and her son, where some of our folks are working. These are pictures of them, her home, and some of our folks working there.
Reflections - Day 1
We don't want you to just hear from me (Jay) about our trip, so we're going to post comments from other team members, along with pictures. Here we go!
Gary - Christ UMC
What struck me today was the weather, which by Quad City standards was beautiful, warm, and sunny. This was in direct contrast to what I saw. Six months after the hurricane there are still boats in trees, demolished cars piled on top of each other, houses & businesses in shambles. Debris is strewn everywhere. Yet, with all of that, at the end of our first work day a neighbor stopped by to thank us for helping. From my perspective, they will need our help for a long time to come.
Kathy - Orion UMC
Julie, the Millen family, Pastor Don, and Walt worked with our group at Geneva Silver's house today. Geneva will be 90 on Wednesday! Geneva has 15 children. We repaired some electrical problems, and worked on the drywall at her house. The drywall was already up when we arrived there this morning. We mudded and sanded. We saw so many houses that were damaged by Katrina. We were located 5 miles north of Lake Ponchartrain and most of the damage in Slidell was done by the flooding after the dikes broke. We eat our meals at Aldersgate UMC. Sue and Jan are our cooks. We miss our families, but also feel like we are really here fulfilling a need as we are helping impoverished people get their homes back. We are spoiled at home!
Rich - Orion UMC
Dan, John, Tom, Ken, Ray, Steve, Aaron, and I worked at a house that had flood damage up to six feet in the house. We met the mother and young son when we arrived. She had moved into this house 3 days before the hurricane, and she left before the flood, but ended up in a hotel near New Orleans. She is presently living in a FEMA trailer in her driveway, as are most of the families in this area. We worked with drywall for most of the day, and hopefully after tomorrow, we will have much progress visible for the family. Even in this short time, I have had a wonderful experience in meeting good people with a common goal; helping people that need help, and sharing while strengthening our faith in God. I love doing this, but miss my family.
Linda, Christ UMC
Day one, and blessings are abundant. Our group has been making a difference for Geneva. She and her son Peter have an amazing story to tell (we'll be interviewing her tomorrow on video). Geneva will turn 90 on Wednesday, March 1. She and her son have made our work very rewarding. Geneva claims she is so blessed to have each and every one of us to cross her path. I say we are the ones that are blessed to have the opportunity to volunteer our time to make her life easier and less complicated.
Don, Twin Rivers Cooperative Parish
What an exciting experience it has been to see our United Methodist connection at work here in Slidell. The United Methodists are definitely getting something done. We got here Sunday afternoon and the Slidell AldersgateUMC was open and ready to provide us with lodging. This morning, all 28 of us met at the UMCOR office, where Phyllis gave us our assignment with dispatch and great professionalism. She shared a time of prayer with us and by 8:30, we were on our ways to our worksites. The team I am on is repairing the home of Geneva, an 89 year old widow. Her house is one of very few that is being worked on in her neighborhood. UMCOR has made it possible. Today we cleaned, sanded, and mudded drywall and did some wiring. The devastation still here after 6 months is unbelievable, but thanks to you all, the presence of God is real and tangible.
Kathy, Twin Rivers Cooperative Parish
It is a whole lot easier traveling with adults than with youth! We had an uneventful trip here, and all arrived in Slidell in time for supper on Sunday. Our group is terrific; lots of hard working, good spirited people. I have been working with Jay, Patty, Judy, Dennis, Gary and Tony on a parsonage. The water in this home was 65 inches deep: that is as high as the top of my head. The pastor that lived here is in Baton Rouge now. They lost everything in the flood. We heard stories today of how a wall of water came rushing into the neighborhood. The devastation is unbelievable. The good news is that the UMC is here. We are one of the very few organizations that is able to provide both materials and labor. Most groups that want to help are only able to provide labor and many folks simply do not have the resources to buy the needed materials.
Tony and I had a contest to see who could wear the most drywall mud. I think I won! I did get in the shower first. Two members of our team are devoting their time to feeding us. We are so grateful to them.
Please keep us in your prayers.
Gary - Christ UMC
What struck me today was the weather, which by Quad City standards was beautiful, warm, and sunny. This was in direct contrast to what I saw. Six months after the hurricane there are still boats in trees, demolished cars piled on top of each other, houses & businesses in shambles. Debris is strewn everywhere. Yet, with all of that, at the end of our first work day a neighbor stopped by to thank us for helping. From my perspective, they will need our help for a long time to come.
Kathy - Orion UMC
Julie, the Millen family, Pastor Don, and Walt worked with our group at Geneva Silver's house today. Geneva will be 90 on Wednesday! Geneva has 15 children. We repaired some electrical problems, and worked on the drywall at her house. The drywall was already up when we arrived there this morning. We mudded and sanded. We saw so many houses that were damaged by Katrina. We were located 5 miles north of Lake Ponchartrain and most of the damage in Slidell was done by the flooding after the dikes broke. We eat our meals at Aldersgate UMC. Sue and Jan are our cooks. We miss our families, but also feel like we are really here fulfilling a need as we are helping impoverished people get their homes back. We are spoiled at home!
Rich - Orion UMC
Dan, John, Tom, Ken, Ray, Steve, Aaron, and I worked at a house that had flood damage up to six feet in the house. We met the mother and young son when we arrived. She had moved into this house 3 days before the hurricane, and she left before the flood, but ended up in a hotel near New Orleans. She is presently living in a FEMA trailer in her driveway, as are most of the families in this area. We worked with drywall for most of the day, and hopefully after tomorrow, we will have much progress visible for the family. Even in this short time, I have had a wonderful experience in meeting good people with a common goal; helping people that need help, and sharing while strengthening our faith in God. I love doing this, but miss my family.
Linda, Christ UMC
Day one, and blessings are abundant. Our group has been making a difference for Geneva. She and her son Peter have an amazing story to tell (we'll be interviewing her tomorrow on video). Geneva will turn 90 on Wednesday, March 1. She and her son have made our work very rewarding. Geneva claims she is so blessed to have each and every one of us to cross her path. I say we are the ones that are blessed to have the opportunity to volunteer our time to make her life easier and less complicated.
Don, Twin Rivers Cooperative Parish
What an exciting experience it has been to see our United Methodist connection at work here in Slidell. The United Methodists are definitely getting something done. We got here Sunday afternoon and the Slidell AldersgateUMC was open and ready to provide us with lodging. This morning, all 28 of us met at the UMCOR office, where Phyllis gave us our assignment with dispatch and great professionalism. She shared a time of prayer with us and by 8:30, we were on our ways to our worksites. The team I am on is repairing the home of Geneva, an 89 year old widow. Her house is one of very few that is being worked on in her neighborhood. UMCOR has made it possible. Today we cleaned, sanded, and mudded drywall and did some wiring. The devastation still here after 6 months is unbelievable, but thanks to you all, the presence of God is real and tangible.
Kathy, Twin Rivers Cooperative Parish
It is a whole lot easier traveling with adults than with youth! We had an uneventful trip here, and all arrived in Slidell in time for supper on Sunday. Our group is terrific; lots of hard working, good spirited people. I have been working with Jay, Patty, Judy, Dennis, Gary and Tony on a parsonage. The water in this home was 65 inches deep: that is as high as the top of my head. The pastor that lived here is in Baton Rouge now. They lost everything in the flood. We heard stories today of how a wall of water came rushing into the neighborhood. The devastation is unbelievable. The good news is that the UMC is here. We are one of the very few organizations that is able to provide both materials and labor. Most groups that want to help are only able to provide labor and many folks simply do not have the resources to buy the needed materials.
Tony and I had a contest to see who could wear the most drywall mud. I think I won! I did get in the shower first. Two members of our team are devoting their time to feeding us. We are so grateful to them.
Please keep us in your prayers.
Day 1: Monday
We got our initial assignments today! There are two other groups here with us - one from the Northeast, and another from Ohio. There's also a gentleman from Colorado. The other groups have different assignments. Our assignment is construction-related.
We've been divided into three groups, working on three different homes. Our tasks include drywalling, taping, mudding, simple plumbing fixture installation, and other tasks. One of the homes is a parsonage for a United Methodist church. The clergy family is living in Baton Rouge right now, but the reconstruction on the church is almost complete.
Look for pictures later today!
We've been divided into three groups, working on three different homes. Our tasks include drywalling, taping, mudding, simple plumbing fixture installation, and other tasks. One of the homes is a parsonage for a United Methodist church. The clergy family is living in Baton Rouge right now, but the reconstruction on the church is almost complete.
Look for pictures later today!
Sunday, February 26, 2006
We're Here!
It's Sunday night, and the team has finally arrived in Louisiana! Members of the team left at different times on Saturday and Sunday and arrived by car, truck, van, or plane. We're here and anxious to begin our work tomorrow in Slidell. Tomorrow, we'll let you know what we're doing!
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Journey With Us!
Welcome to the Louisiana work trip blog! From February 25th through March 4th, people from East Moline Christ, Moline Riverside, Orion, and the Twin Rivers Cooperative Parish of the United Methodist Church will be travelling to Slidell, Louisiana, to help with hurricane relief.
Would you like to know what we're doing? Please feel free to check this blogsite every day during the trip for a synopsis of our work, worship, and fellowship...and we'll also try to post some pictures. Please share this blogsite with friends and family members who might be interested!
Would you like to know what we're doing? Please feel free to check this blogsite every day during the trip for a synopsis of our work, worship, and fellowship...and we'll also try to post some pictures. Please share this blogsite with friends and family members who might be interested!
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