Folks:
Katrina stuck on Aug. 29, 2005 — that’s 3 1/2 years ago. Three weeks ago –THREE WEEKS AGO! — the first emergency room reopened in Orleans Parish, the home of New Orleans. That’s not to say there weren’t some ERs in adjacent parishes (counties), but not in the central one.
This morning was devoted to tours of the area, showing both the devastation that remains, and the rebuilding that has begun.
Almost every neighborhood we toured — whether they were rich or poor — had both; no one was unaffected.
Many things have left an impression: from the commitment of St. Charles Ave. church to the men and women in their 20s and 30s who are here working.
John, 21, is an intern with RHINO. He has been here for several months helping. His internship is unpaid, and he’s not even getting any educational credit for it. He’s just here because he has skills that are needed and he feels called to help.
Adam, our Habitat site manager, is 28 and enjoys talking about Mountaineer football while hammering nails.
Adam, and a house (Photo courtesy of Sprague Hazard)
Jeremy, an Americorps volunteer from Winchester, VA., is also 28 and has a theology degree from Lee University. These are just a few of the examples of people here giving back.
While we were out touring today, we saw other work groups at Musicians’ Village, the Harry Connick/Wynton Marsalis project. Work was also going on at Brad Pitt’s “Make it Right” project.
We also saw abandonment: homes in middle-class and upper-class neighborhoods that were boarded up, homes in various states of reconstruction, and large open spaces where there used to be houses but are no longer.
Even though there’s been years of work done, it was clear that there is still years of work ahead.
Musicians' Village (Photo courtesy of Sprague Hazard)
After the morning tour, we were back at the Ferry Place worksite, with a renewed appreciation of why we’re here.
Thanks to all of you who have sent prayers and notes.
Tomorrow (Thursday) after two days of half-day construction work, we have a whole day in front of us. This will be interesting.
Grace and peace,
JB
Making it right, Brad Pitt-style
To our Rhino friends,
Yesterday in the wild and wonderful state of WV, we had ferocious storms with high, high winds. We lost our power at home for about 15 hours. In the daylight we can see the damage: some siding blew off, our flagpole snapped in two and landed in our neighbors’ yard and we have a 40 foot pine tree in our pool.
It’s inconvenient, but we have resources to fix these things. Our lives remain unchanged.
Compared to the devastation the gulf folks have suffered and what you have witnessed, we have no worries.
Thanks for your messages. They inform and inspire.
Cinda H
By: Cinda Harkless on February 12, 2009
at 11:55 am