Our time in New Orleans this year is coming to an end…we have worked hard, met new friends, worshiped, consumed great food, laughed, shed a few tears and experienced great pride in a job well done! This evening at dinner we shared our top highlights of the week which were heartfelt and abundant. We will all remember those who have touched our hearts this week (especially Joyce, Doris and Bobbie). We are grateful and blessed to have worked with Jay and Marta (AMAZING!) our awesome leaders for the week…and to have connected with our old friends from UCC Disaster Ministries, Little Farms, Fodessa and Miss Sophie.
We have a few final bits of wisdom:
* ughhh! I need headphones it’s too early for this!
* not like you’re gonna remember in 10 minutes anyway
* She’s sorta like a Jen Jen
patent pending
* Doodie calls
* SNOW BALLS!
* I remember Poland
making left turns haven’t been our forte today, making rights haven’t either and the first time we tried to go straight didn’t work out so well.
* 3 to 6 more turns away from it
* the Fire Marshall has a hot car
* I have thick skin until someone says something bad to me
* the problem is I am attracted to water* Can’t win with you people
* I am so proud!!!!
We look forward to sharing more stories upon our return. and thank you all for your prayers love and support……Sharry
There is much to celebrate this year in New Orleans. On every block we would see homes that were repainted and being repaired. People were moving back to their homes. There is still much work to be done. Many homes remain boarded up, which means that they may at some time be repaired and occupied. Streets are in sad shape, but road construction caused us to detour on our way to the job site and as we toured the city. Road construction is a good thing! We leave feeling good about what we have done and the lives that have been changed by UCC Disaster Response . We leave knowing that the work continues and that this wonderful community will survive and overcome a disaster that none of us could ever truly comprehend. –Linda
It’s hard to believe that it is Friday and our work in New Orleans is completed. We all have special memories of this week, but I think most people would say that hearing the stories of our homeowners were among the most special. Yesterday we finished Joyce’s home and she treated us to a wonderful lunch of red beans & rice and CATFISH!!! She was so happy and we were grateful for her willingness to share her story. She will remain in our hearts as we remember her warmth and hospitality
.
Four of us also worked on another home and completed the finishing touches on Doris’ home. We were impressed with Doris’ home that is a lively yellow, trimmed in barn red and white.
Today we completed our work at Bobbie’s house. We did power washing and scraped and scraped. Next week’s group will tackle the rest of her home.
Each of these homeowner’s were so gracious to us and their resiliance in the face of their struggles was a inspiration to everyone. And, as with most volunteer projects, we received so much more than gave. Thanks for viewing our blog this week and your support through prayers! Kathi
Our group worked as one big team today to complete the painting of Joyce’s June Berry House. At times there were 15 of us painting, caulking, cleaning downspouts, painting flower boxes, address numbers and garden decor. The house is beautiful and we must drive by tomorrow to see the new hurricane shutters that will be installed in the morning.
Joyce was so appreciative of our work that she invited us all for lunch today. We feasted on deepfried catfish and red beans & rice plus salad and a yummy cake. We found out how to make red beans and rice. It is not a recipe, it is just how everyone makes it in New Orleans. You start with onions, celery and green pepper. Cook it with your kidney beans, water, and meat of your choice. Joyce used a ham hock, turkey necks, and pieces of smoked sausage. For seasoning use garlic powder, onion powder, Zaterine’s creole seasoning. Start it early in the day and cook it slowly until you get a nice thickened gravy. Serve it over white rice. Yummm! –Linda
Four of us worked this week on a second painting project at Doris’s home. Her house had been in 4 feet of water. Her home had been completely resided and painted by UCC Disaster Ministries. Crew Boss, Joe, along with Randy, Barb and I were dispatched on Monday afternoon to paint her carport and storage shed to match her pretty yellow house. Our crew made short work of it and had it painted and ready for a garden party by midday on Wednesday. We were thrilled to meet two of Doris’s sisters and other family members who came for a visit on their way to Baton Rouge. They inspected our work and approved the results!
While working in the neighborhood we were greeted by all who passed by. “How y’all doin’?” We we’re doin’ fine! -Linda
- Here’s the crew on the street side of the shed and carport. Randy’s fence is open behind us.
All week I have been asking my questions of all the “experienced” trippers. My biggest and often repeated question has been, “But, where did the water come from?” I knew the water came from Lake Ponchartrain, and that it was on the north of town, but in all our drives we never really saw it. Today I got my questions answered and had many “aha” moments.
The lake is huge, and stretches as far as the eye can see, but you have to drive nearly to the lake shore to see it because it is up . . . at a higher elevation from anywhere that we have been. You are never on a hillside looking down on this city. You are in the city looking up at the levees, and you understand that on the other side of that hiss is the river, or a canal, or Lake Ponchartrain. It is so different from home, but seeing it all on our tour finally put me in the picture. 
I now know where the water came from and I have seen the new pumps that will, hopefully keep the lake from over flowing into canals and neighborhoods of homes ever again.
Linda
Today one group (Joe, Barb, Randy and Linda) worked hard to finish painting Doris’ shed and carport in a tri-colored combo. The place looks complete and the crew seems satisfied with their work.
Joyce’s house is coming along nicely as well. The June Berry color gives renewed hope and life to the older home. The shed has been completed and the house now has two coats of paint on it. Tomorrow brings trim work and touch up. It is very rewarding to get to know Joyce better and hear her stories. She is providing lunch for the work crew on Thursday and promises red beans and rice with a surprise!
Wednesday afternoon took the group around the levy breaks and into the lower 9th ward on a tour. It was amazing to see how many homes had been built in the lower 9th ward in the past year thanks to Brad Pitt and the ‘Make it Right 9′ Foundation which works to get people back into their communities. Tonight we returned to dinner in the French Quarter at the Palm Court. It was a good meal, great music, and a good time was had by all!!!
Marty
We know many of these quotes will not make sense to all of you, but we can tell you we are having a lot of fun deciding which of our wealth of wisdom shared with each other makes the quote of the day list…and we are getting better as now each group ( June Berry and Scientific) has a scribe to catch the PROFOUND (deep!!!) moments:
* Your hair would be standing on end if you heard us
* Hey there’s the popsicle guy…on the plane?
* It was the closest I’ve come to peeing my pants in church
* You’re 20 ft. below sea level…You in danger right now as you are sitting here
* I wish I could levitate myself!
* We’ve come past it… now we’re purified
* We all know where we are…we’re still on the map!
* I was a Ballard Beaver..and they are the GOOD beavers!
* My new hat got paint on it …now I’m a marked woman
* I think there was a feather somewhere
* Cool people…take showers after dinner
* This could be a little rocky at first…just go with the flow
* What did Joe loose today?
* When the bad dreams come back
* You’re not from around here are ya…what was your first clue
* That was deep!
stay tuned more wisdom to come….
Ready for work....
Joyce's house masked and taped. Recently raised up about 5 feet (not by us!) in case of another flood.
Priming the back porch. The sun is starting to beat down....
Sun? What Sun?
The primer coat is on!
LUNCH!
Joyce, the homeowner, moving back from Texas now that her house is near finished.
This berry color is a happy one!
The front is starting to take on it's own berry goodness.
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Monday evening is the tradional potluck put on by the members of Little Farms. They bring all their best, traditional southern cooking. We feasted on Cat Fish, Shrimp, Corn pudding, red beans and rice, chicken, vegie dishes, salad and some very tasty desserts. I had a bit of everything and for dessert blueberry pie and a brownie. We thoroughly enjoyed the food and fellowship given us by these gracious hosts.
This morning we headed to our job sites. juneberry group accomplished great things. When we arrived to pick them up, we could see the house from clear down the street.
The other group, (we’ve decided to conduct scientific studies and have deep, thoughty discussions) worked hard and are close to finishing our project. We came home with touches of cream, bright yellow, and burgundy paint on our persons. Our scientific survey for the day was to ask (and observe) “Do you paint with your mouth open?” The answer is an overwhelming yes. We’ll conduct another survey tomorrow.
We went to visit Fodessa, and to see her home a year later. She was happy to see us and we were delighted to touch base with her again and to see her home. A special ‘Hi’ to Jerry from Fo.
Now we plan a nice evening visiting, playing games, eating and working on the computer.
That’s all from me, Barb