Comments from You

Its great to receive messages from folks reading this blog. They raise our spirits and let us know your thoughts are here, where ever you might be. We're fortunate to have people from all over the country and the world checking in...from Alaska to New York to San Diego to Norway, China, Germany and more.

Concerned in Newark writes:

How wonderful to hear NYC presbytery is down there! I was in Gulfport about 10 + years ago with the Drew Seminary Choir and we stayed at a Methodist Conference Center in Gulfport. They spent years recovering from Camille. I've been wondering what happened to them. If you happen to hear anything, would you please publish in your blog? Thanks

(Editor's note to contributor: Which Methodist center was your host? We'll check...)
(Andy's additional editorial note as a semi-local: I bet it was the Methodist Seashore Assembly. I stayed there many years ago myself. It survived, but not well -- the lower floor is now closed and appears to be so permanently. However, the Methodists continue to maintain a strong presence in the Biloxi area.)

Reggie in Virginia writes:

May God bless you all, for the self-less work that you are doing and in your travels through the devestation of the Gulf area. I have been following the blog because my Aunt Randye is part of your group. I am an Architect in the Norfolk Virginia area and wish I could be there with you. I am seriously thinking of looking for groups that will be taking trips to the Gulf to help with rebuilding efforts. Every single one of you has inspired me to stop thinking and complaining about what has not been done for the people devastated by Hurricane Katrina and get up and DO SOMETHING! I hope all of you take care, stay warm, be careful and may God bless you in everything that you do!

David R. in Manhattan writes:

You guys ROCK! I'm so impressed, not only with the work you're doing but with your newsroom operation! It's been so interesting to read about -- and see -- your exploits. Very best rgds to you all,

Sandra in New York City writes:

I am so inspired by your mission and commitment to helping out in the Gulfport region. You also seem to have a spirit of fellowship that makes the project even more meaningful and one that I am sure you will remember for a long time! It seems as though there is still a lot to be done and maybe I will have the opportunity to donate some time. It was about 20 degrees here in New York when I left for work and I know it is getting colder in your area. Hang in there and stay warm! Sandra - sister of Randye and good friend of Craig representing LAPC

Tony (Jersey City)

"Big "Hello" to the work crews. Jersey City 11.45 am. January 17. 24 degrees, Cold! Hope you have warmer weather for the outside work in Handsboro! Latest photographs and videos very very enlightening, both for the body and soul. For me the following photographs #'s 35-40-63 and158 say a great deal-- ravaged land, magnicent tree still survives in front of church, damaged cemetery and many other images. Kate's drawing and Rita's poem are very poignant and lend a very personal flavor to the vastness of this catastrophe. I would like to give my very warmest thanks to everyone of you, for allowing me to share your very great efforts in helping this community to put their lives back together again.

Mieke writes:

Wow, so great to see the photos and the "youtube" and Barbara in her Pres Welcome tshirt! Hope you are laughing as much as you are working

Joyce writes:

I admire so much all of you who are giving not only of your pocketbooks but of your strength, creativity and time. My friend Eleanor from the Bronx (NY) told me of this blog and it is so thrilling to hear from you just what you are experiencing!

KnittinPreacher writes:

Our congregation will be praying for you all on Sunday and this week.

Bette & George in Pennsylvania write:

What devastation, even after so many months. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you work to rebuild, in His name. Blessings to all of you.

Brooklyn Riley writes:

You people are amazing to give of yourself as you are doing. I have been visiting the blog to keep track of my friend, and have been touched by what I have read and seen through the pictures. The fact that so much destruction is still evident is mind boggling, to say the least. Thank you for what you all are doing
and my God shower her blessings upon you.

Don in Tuckerton, New Jersey writes:

I know the tasks set out in front of you must have seemed insurmountable. But you have made a difference by just being there. From all of us who know and care our heartfelt thanks. My love to each and everyone of you.

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Day Five: Dinner in the French Quarter

Late in the day, we visited the French Quarter. We had some coffee and headed over to a restaurant as the sun was going down. The district is slowly coming back to life and many of the historic streets and buildings have been restored. This part of New Orleans wasn't hit nearly as bad as the rest of the city and its fortunate since tourism is a big source of revenue for the city.

Tourists were on Bourbon Street and around the landmarks, but you somehow get the feeling the tourists are still mainly construction workers and volunteer groups on leave. The streets, though nearly deserted, are still beautiful and charming. The city hopes to encourage more tourism by keeping the area inviting and safe.

(left: a sign in the window of a shop -click to enlarge)

Day Five: New Orleans

We arrived in New Orleans and visited Presbyterian Disaster Assistance office & UNWNOP in the Upper 9th Ward.

The destruction in New Orleans and surroundings is astounding. Unimaginable. Eighteen months after the disaster, there are many many areas, block after block after block, entire neighborhoods, empty, broken and desolate. Damage is wide and deep.



Who were the people who lived in these houses? What are their stories? Where are they now? What will be done with their homes? With these streets? With these communities?

As we drove through the upper and lower 9th Ward, there was a sense of numbness and an overwhelming desire to do something...anything...to help.

More later...

New Orleans Missions

NYC Presbyterians Visit
New Orleans Disaster Sights
Robert Adamski, Elder
Bay Ridge United Church
Presbytery of NYC (PNYC)

As part of the trip to Gulfport, Mississippi the members of the PNYC traveled to New Orleans to hear and see what is being done to recover from Katrina. After driving an hour and a half to the John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Metairie, Louisiana, they were briefed by a representative of the Presbytery of Southern Louisiana whose church became the site for the first volunteer village in Louisiana. She explained how this occurred after students from Austin College wanted to come to New Orleans to help.

A video was shown about the need and volunteers and told of a boy throwing one beached starfish of hundreds back into the water and his father saying he’d never make a difference. The boy’s response was he made a difference for that one proving that everyone can do something to help.

She described how the Presbytery has just called a new Associate Presbyter for recovery and new church development. They have signed an agreement with Gentile Presbyterian Church to set up an office in New Orleans and are undertaking a new initiative “Home for Christmas” to try to get 300 families back in their homes by 2007. Their web site states:

Out of chaos, hope...Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, until the destroying storms pass by. -Psalms 57:1

They have estimated that $10,500 is needed for each family and so $3 million is needed for this effort. They have applied to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) for a grant but have been told that materials are not eligible. They have partnered with Catholic Charities and are participating in GNODRP (Greater New Orleans Disaster Recovery Partnership) which has 50 members and is trying to coordinate volunteer efforts.

Estimates are that of the 400,000 New Orleans residents who left only about 200,000 are now in the city. The City Council passed an ordinance that said they will not pick up any more debris after August 2006 so it is presumed that all of the “gutting” of homes is completed. The Louisiana Road Home Program has been slow to assist victims. Affordable housing is being explored with the “Katrina Cottage” (see below) designed by New York designer Marianne Cusato. It is a 308 square foot prefab that can be built for around $30,000 and installed in five days by volunteers. Unfortunately FEMA will not fund these permanent units, only trailers. It is estimated that 200,000 houses are needed and it took Habitat for Humanity 30 years to build this many.

Volunteers are still needed but the current activities aren’t news as demonstrated when the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association (PHEWA) met in New Orleans last week and one of the attendees was told by their cab driver that everything is back to normal.

The group then traveled to the Ninth Ward to meet with other PDA Young Professional Volunteers (YPVs) at the Desire Street Ministries There they heard about the efforts begun in 1990 to improve conditions in this neighborhood and CURE (Churches United for Revitalization and Evangelism.)

One of their projects was a school that was toured. In partnership with CURE, Desire Street Ministries has formed a Christian Community Development Corporation called CDC 58:12. Based on Isaiah 58:12 which states:

Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

The CDC will focus on developing affordable housing for low to moderate income families and providing economic development opportunities beginning in the Ninth Ward for residents who want to return to New Orleans. Of the 5000 people from the area only about 100 have returned. Pastors are trying to stay in touch with the residents by holding services where they have evacuated to like Houston and then returning to restore their homes. The school is now a boarding school that initially was in Florida but is now in Baton Rouge. The group then drove through the Ninth Ward, all through the upper, some through the lower. Everyone was struck by the empty houses which symbolized broken lives and displaced families. There were a few signs of rebirth- one grocery store, one diner, a habitat for Humanity sign, but not a lot. It left everyone wondering where is the hope supposed to come from.

Day Five: Leaving for New Orleans

A quick update...we're leaving for New Orleans in five minutes...just time for a cup of coffee and a sandwich.....More later.

Day Five: Site Work

Debris removal, sheet rock and plastering "mudding". Administrative help, following up on case work, assisting with Meals on Wheels.

Casework continues from yesterday. Arabella, Agnes and Lisa visited homes in need and followed up on requests for help. Agnes says yesterday's visits were "Close Encounters of the First Kind".

They visited a man living in his kitchen (the only room livable) and met with families in trailers. One of the things you see everywhere are trailers and mobile homes parked in front yards. If homes are uninhabitable, the trailers serve as "temporary" (eighteen months so far) housing until structures can be rebuilt. Some streets have nothing visible but trailer after trailer after trailer.

A highlight of the day: Jill was instrumental in obtaining funds for a set of false teeth for a lady in the neighborhood who had been without them for months.

Day Five: Waking Up in the Sanctuary

Having breakfast now before starting out to work this morning.. Some slept in the sanctuary last night..It was way too cold outside!

(Wednesday night update: all but Oddrun have abandoned sleeping in the pod outside and are now in the sanctuary. Even some who were sleeping upstairs on the second floor have decided to move Looks like the cold spell will be continuing for a while)

A Sketch from Kate's Journal

A broken cemetery along the coast highway.