So those people with the crazy-colored prayer beads are back. . .

We did it. We made a difference. . . and it feels really good. Thirty-three of us traveled to Louisiana to help those still in need after Hurricane Katrina hit in August of 2005. Three and a half years later, we arrived at different times and on different days, with the intent of coming together to help others less fortunate than us. Some drove their cars, others arrived in an RV, a  few came via airplane and a bunch "Kerry-vanned" in two 15 passenger cans rented by Kerry Dietrich (trip co-leader). It was the first Hurricane Katrina Relief trip for 13 of us: the rest were ecstatic to be back.

We drove around the Lower 9th Ward area of New Orleans and saw progress. We looked for dilapidated houses that we saw last year, and hoped that because we didn't see them this year, that they had been torn down. There were some people and some cars in this area. . . life IS coming back to the Lower 9th. We talked about the unique architecture of the houses that the Make-It-Right Project is building. . .some really liked it and others were not as pleased. We also talked about how there is still so much to be done.

Our hosting church, Peace Lutheran in Slidell, LA, was as gracious as always. We had clean, dry beds to sleep in, good food to eat and great shower facilities for cleaning up. And we needed to clean up a lot, because it rained several days and we got pretty muddy.

This year we worked with Habitat for Humanity, St. Tammany West. This organization is located in Mandeville, LA. It is on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, about 20 miles west of Slidell. They have a lot of people who moved north after the storm that need affordable housing. We were split up into two groups. One group worked at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project Site. There were 12 homes in progress on that site. The other half worked at the Orleans Avenue Site on two homes.
 

Habitat builds new homes and required the families to volunteer time in building their homes. Habitat sells the homes to the owners at no profit with a 20 to 30 year no-interest mortgage. This means that Habitat offers low income families a hand up, not a hand out. We were a little disappointed that we were not able to spend more times with our home owners. .  . they usually work on the house on Saturdays because they have jobs (good news) and we left to come home on Saturday. Some did stop by during the week to help and check the progress on their homes.

We did a lot of outside work this year including: installation of soffits, hurricane clips, siding windows, roof preparation, shingling, and building sheds and porch decks. We were up and down ladders all day long. At the Orleans Avenue site, we really wanted to get the two roofs on, but the weather just did not cooperate. We also worked in the local Habitat ReStore, a building materials recycling and retail center. We sawed and hammered and stapled and lifted stuff, and taped house wrap, and sang and danced. We each brought and gave of our own special gifts, which means we weren't all especially good at hammering nails. Once again this year, we didn't see a completed house when our time was up, but there was progress. . . this will be somebody's home.

Each night after cleaning the mud off and enjoying dinner, we took time to gather and reflect on what we were experiencing. Pastor Raben got our weary bones and aching muscles moving with his guitar and lively tunes. I recall seeing some marching in the church sanctuary. We shared articles written by newspaper writer Chris Rose in his book,  1 Dead in Attic. This gave us a better appreciation of the people of New Orleans, and why we need to rebuild this city and area. One night, we had a very special treat, Jim and Joyce Day, a couple from New Orleans, shared with us their struggles with rebuilding after the storm, and the emotional breakdown they experienced when it all got to be too much to deal with.
 

We were happy to have been there and made a difference. We attended a few Mardi Gras parades while we were there so we could bring back more of those crazy colored beads. . .   we have a lot of praying to do. . .prayers of gratitude for what we have and what we can give, and prayers that all will be healed in New Orleans.

But don't just take my word. Here are some comments from others who were there with me. . .

"It was again another awesome experience, enhanced by the reflection time together."

"I cannot get the Slidell Mission out of my mind. The week was rewarding, and I could have stayed for another week. . .It was unfortunate that we all could not work at the same site; but the evening activities drew us together as a group. . .I cannot describe how rewarding the trip was. . ."

"It was a fantastic, inspirational week for me. I am so glad I was privileged to meet so many wonderful people. This was one of the most personally rewarding events of my life (other than teaching). Thank you all for your friendship and for your commitment to reach out to others. I too felt like I could have stayed another week! I am ready to continue when you all are!!! Ready or not, you have me hooked!"

We will be ready to go next year and will surely bring back more of those crazy-colored prayer beads.

Meta Franklin (trip co-leader)

St. Mary's participants: Erik and Kerry Dietrich, Dennis and Lynda Eirich, Meta Franklin, Bobbie and Harold Frush, Cheryl Hayes, Shelley and Ed Meyer, Dave Mielke, Pastor Raben, Carol Somers, and Anne and Ken Winkle.