Friday Summary

Pictures are available at http://picasaweb.google.com/ramblerm/20080405MDSNewOrleans?authkey=B2fw5N8_FWc

On Friday, we worked until 1:00. We finished as many of our tasks as possible.

At Cataline’s home, the wall painting was completed and the painting of railings and trim molding continued.

At the McKendall home, there was a push to get as much drywall hung as possible. Duane finished building a floor and door for the back shed where the water heater will be installed. Scott finished painting above the porch roof. Randy and Scott rebuilt the rotting gate at the side of the house.

All the supplies and equipment were loaded on the trucks at the site cleaned. Before leaving, the work crews gathered for prayer and asked that our labor honor God. It was hard to leave knowing there was much work to do before the houses are complete. We enjoyed working with Naomi and Benjamin. They did a great job of getting us organized and keeping us supplied with whatever we needed. Mike Wilson made trips to Home Depot and Lowes and kept the whole week running smoothly. I have great admiration for the long term staff who give their time and talents to serve.

Before and after photos.

Returning to the Convent, we swept and washed the trucks and vans. Oil and tire pressures checked. The Convent floors were swept and bathrooms cleaned. We gathered for a group photo and were on our way by 4:00. We drove though the night stopping for gas and to change drivers every 3 hours. Thanks to Scott and Scott for taking the graveyard shift. A quick breakfast at Shoney’s in Harrisonburg was a welcome stop. After 21 hours, we arrived at Franconia church.

Maggie said she came to help others but received much more than she gave. I think many of us feel the same way. Getting to meet and know the homeowners made the experience even more meaningful.

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Matthew 25:40
'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Thursday Tour of Ninth Ward

We’re home! We arrived at Franconia Mennonite Church around 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Friday and Saturday were full days with little time to post.


After the last post Thursday evening, we travelled in two Vans to tour the Lower ninth ward with Leonard & Lorena Penner. Leonard & Lorena are long term MDS volunteers from Goshen.







Pastor Charles and Thirawer Duplessis shared their experiences with us and another MDS volunteer group from Kern Road Mennonite from South Bend. I will not attempt to summarize the stories from Pastor Charles and his wife. The stories were heart-wrenching, compelling, but also full of hope for the future. God is faithful to them, even after 16 feet of water washed away the life they once knew. I was able to capture some of their sharing with this video.


Part 1


Part 2

As we stood near the intersection of Tennessee and Prieur in the emptiness that was once home of Pastor Charles, we could see the trenches dug by part of the Kern Road group. This is the start of the MDS project to rebuild one of the first homes in this community.



In the background we saw the levee that was breeched when a barge broke through the wall instantly sending a wall of water through the neighborhoods of the ninth ward. This is the area where Brad Pitt is sponsoring a program to rebuild.




We then travelled a couple of blocks to the site of Pastor Charles Church, Mount Nebo Bible Baptist Church. The outline of the floor plan is visible of the ground. Their church has been selected to be part of Churches Supporting Churches, a program attempting to team 360 congregations with 36 churches needing help in New Orleans. They are planning to rebuild and have the Church be a shining light of God presence in this community as it returns.

Thursday Evening Update

There are a few new photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/ramblerm/20080405MDSNewOrleans?authkey=B2fw5N8_FWc

We followed the well established pattern of waking up at 6:00, packing lunches and eating breakfast. Scott Eldredge led us in our morning devotion time. Scott shared some of the reasons he felt led to be here quoting hid grandfather and scripture. In honor of the African American nuns who started the convent 150 years ago, Scott led us in a rousing rendition of “Oh Happy Day”. Rick led us in prayer and we packed up all the supplies needed for the day.

Bill, Chris and Scott H. installed fire doors at the MDS building on Hayne Blvd. Floyd, Phil, Judy, Dale, Maggie and Benjamin continued their projects At Cataline’s home.
Floyd, Dale and Phil finished the front porch railing and are now cutting railing for the handicap porch for the next MDS group to finish. Maggie and Judy will finish the last coat of paint tomorrow morning. This will finish all the interior walls and ceilings. They will paint as much of trim moldings as possible before we leave tomorrow.


At Nolan and Rosalie’s home, Randy L. finished the plumbing; Duane built and painted a door for the back hot water heater room. Arlan took down the lath from a ceiling and was cover with all kinds of dirt. Glen, Mike and Randy M hung dry wall. Rick and Scott did the first coat of drywall mud in the front rooms. Ernie scrapped and painted the security door.

Mike Wilson bought three hanging baskets for us. Two were hung on Nolan and Rosalie’s porch and one given to Miss Kay, a very sweet neighbor who we talk to each day. She is grateful for what MDS is doing for her neighborhood and gives us God’s blessing. Rosalie McKendall made a home-cooked Creole meal for us tonight. Her son delivered two pans of rice and a big pot of rice and beans (including ham, bacon and sausage). This was in additions to the fantastic meal planned by our cooks Ruth and Edna. We had meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, roast turkey with cranberries, mixed bean salad, lettuce salad. This was topped off with ice cream and a surprise birthday cake in the shape of a violin for Mike Wilson. After dinner, we are planning to visit the 9th ward with Leonard. The 9th ward was heavily flooded and has little cleanup and renovation. This is the neighborhood where Brad Pitt has pledge money to redevelop.

Several members of our group have gone to Home Depot or Lowes for supply runs with Mike Wilson. It is a fascinating experience because it is 5 times busier than the busiest times at home. They are constantly restocking and have armed guards at the exits.

We intend to work until about 1:00 tomorrow. We will come back to the convent for a lunch of leftover rice and beans. We will clean the MDS vans and trucks, our rooms, take showers and hit the road. We will drive through the night and arrive home sometime Saturday afternoon.

Wednesday Evening- Posted by Judy

Wednesday,

Cataline’s home – Floyd and Phil continued work on the front porch railing, and Dale finally emerged from the bathrooms (he had been sanding & spackling for two solid days), and joined the porch railing crew, finishing the porch area and now working on the stairs.

Maggie and Judy continued painting, finally finishing the primer and two coats of paint in the kitchen, dining & living room, and primer in one of the bathrooms. Thursday the ladies plan to finish painting both the bathrooms, and then the window/door molding arrived late in the day … Maggie and Judy will be painting that tomorrow.

Cataline and her daughter Kathleen stop in daily, and are so happy with the progress. Cataline who is all of 4’6” has been helping us paint the lower sections of the walls. She has shared her story, telling that she, her wheelchair bound husband and daughter had to evacuate, and live on the fourth floor of the hospital where she worked for almost a month, until they could leave. They moved to a family member in Texas, where they lived for 19 months. Finally arrangements were made to move into a FEMA trailer, which was parked in the back yard of her home. When she arrived home, she found that items in her home that were not ruined by the water were stolen. Ultimately, her home had to be demolished because of the damage. She tried several other agencies, and praised God when MDS agreed to rebuild her home. It has been so sad to hear her story, but we rejoice in being the Lord’s servants, able to help her rebuild. She tells us each day she wakes up, and thanks God for the blessings of the day.

McKendall House – Remodeling:
Primer was finished on the entire outside of the house. The plumbing is finished. Drywall has been started in several more rooms. Oh, the two new kids arrived; Scott Eldredge and Rick Kratz came onto the crew. A shed was re-structured, and Ernie is the Michelangelo of caulking.

And … where in the world are Chris and Bill? When last heard of they were sent on another mission transporting vehicles to Mississippi. And amazingly, they just arrived.

After a wonderful meal supplied for us by our two MDS volunteer cooks, we held a prayer & praise service. Off to a good night’s sleep - 5:30 will arrive all too soon.

Tueday Update from Maggie

What we did today.

Duane, Randy M., Randy L., Arlan, Ernie, Glen, Mike, and Scott, along with Naomi spent the day priming the outside of their house, fixed the shed, removed and replaced the siding around one of the entry doors. Randy L. started work on the shower. Tomorrow they plan on painting a second coat of primer to the outside. It was a long but a very productive day. “We worked long and the lunch was good and once again no ice cream truck came by.”

Floyd, Phil, Judy, Dale and Maggie along with Benjamin were busy. Judy and Maggie finished painting the last bedroom, kitchen and laundry area and best of all the ceilings are done. Dale spent the day spackling and sanding the bathroom. Floyd and Phil finished the porch posts and did another section of railing. Had a good productive day and enjoyed our afternoon treat when the ice cream truck came by.

Scott Eldridge and Rick Kratz are flying in tonight to join us for the remainder of the week.

Happy Birthday Tammy! (Randy L.’s wife)
Goodnight to all…more tomorrow.

Tuesday Morning

We will be at the same locations today continuing work on the two houses. It was great to meet both of the homeowners yesterday. One homeowner worked most of the day alongside Dale, Maggie, Phil, Judy, Floyd and Benjamin.

Harlan and Rosalie were very appreciative of the groups work. One of the neighbors may have called them and they came to check out our motley crew. Rosalie didn’t want to get out of the car initially. Her granddaughter says she cries every time she visits the house.

They told a bit of their Katrina story. Everyone is used to evacuating New Orleans. They all do it and view it as a 3 day vacation. Except this time it was bad. They lost every thing. It’s they pictures they lament losing. Their granddaughter grabbed an envelope that she thought were her IRS papers. Instead it contained photographs. It is the only photos she has of her daughter as a child. She said the next time she evacuates NO, the first thing she will do is to take the pictures of frames and pack them. Harlan showed how high the water was on the first floor, “a little more than half way up the wall”. Their granddaughter said they deal with depression. So many deal with post-traumatic stress disorder.

It is sad to think it will be a while before the house will be finished. We will do what we can.

Monday - Posted by Maggie

We started our day at 6:00 a.m. packing lunches, eating breakfast, and devotions then off to our assignments. Each team packed up their supplies for the day and off they went.

The crew led by Naomi included, Duane, Randy M., Randy L., Arlan, Ernie, Glen, Mike, Scott, went on their adventure. They caulked, framed windows, fixed siding, and moved a shed. They were paid visit by the owners.

Crew led by Benjamin included, Floyd, Dale, Maggie, Judy, and Phil sanded, spackled, and painted. We were honored with the owner of the home helping us and sharing her story with the promise of a genuine Philippine lunch on Thursday. And luck was with us as there is an ice cream truck that comes down the street each day. Dale and Floyd were happy men. Ok so Maggie lucked out too.

At the end of the day we packed everything back on the trucks and returned home. Showers were a welcome thing. Dinner was enjoyed by all and now a few hours of relaxation, except the three that have dish duty.

Good night to all more to report tomorrow.

Additional photos by Judy and Floyd are have been added to the photo gallery.

http://picasaweb.google.com/ramblerm/20080405MDSNewOrleans?authkey=B2fw5N8_FWc

Sunday Arrival

After another long travel day, we have arrived at the MDS location in the Gentilly section of New Orleans. We were greeted warmly by Naomi from the MDS staff. MDS is temporarily using an old convent while the permanent location is having changes made to pass local inspection. The convent is full of Catholic imagery. You can get a feel for the building by looking at pictures at this link.

http://picasaweb.google.com/ramblerm/20080405MDSNewOrleans?authkey=B2fw5N8_FWc

The building is in a significant state of disrepair.

Chris Wilson, the director, led us though the orientation. Two of our group, Chris and Bill, will be travelling to Cameron to add another couple of feet to pillars. The original pillars were not high enough to pass inspection. They are also driving a couple of MDS vehicles to another location. We hope the can be back before Thursday.

Phil, Judy, Dale and Maggie will be paint at an almost completed new construction project. Floyd and Duane will be installing new fire doors at the other MDS building. The rest of us will start by caulking and priming a renovation project. There is much work to be done and we are the last group of “skilled” worked before a youth program starts.

Sunday evening, we drove to the French Quarters and walked along the Mississippi. We ate oysters, catfish, shrimp, salads, po-boys at a restaurant off Bourbon street.

We have seen some of the devastation as we drove into the city. I expect to see more today.

Saturday Travel Day

If your checking in expecting to find an exciting update, this will be a disappointing post.

We left Franconia Mennonite Church this morning around 6:20. Our trip was uneventful (which is a good thing!). We had a lot of time to drive, talk, sleep, eat and drive some more. Ask Dale about the enthusiastic response from a southern belle waving and throwing kisses as she drove by.

Our group is smaller than anticipated. we are travelling in two vans and one car. Here is our group.

Phil and Judy Alderfer, Randy Landis, Floyd Kratz, Arlan Kratz, Ernie White, Dale and Maggie Wood, Glenn Bergy, Mike Tomasso, Duane Miller, Scott Heebner, Chris Bensik, Bill Gotwalls and Randy Martin. Scott Eldredge and Rick Kratz will join us Tuesday evening. We are saving all the dirty jobs for them.

April MDS Trip

Welcome. This blog will follow a team from Franconia Mennonite Church and Ambler Mennonite Church as they spend a week working with Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) in New Orleans.

The group from Ambler includes Scott Eldredge, Dale & Maggie Wood, Duane Miller, Pam Wiegner, Rick Kratz and Randy Martin.

See the MDS web site for additional information
http://mds.mennonite.net/projects/new_orleans_la/

Pictures from the week can be viewed at http://picasaweb.google.com/ramblerm/FranconiaAmblerMDSTripToNO?authkey=XB3q7My5xxQ

New Orleans was damaged not so much by the wind and rain of Hurricane Katrina, but by the failure of the levees surrounding the city to keep out the waters of adjacent Lake Pontchartrain . Much of the city was flooded and many homes still stand empty almost two years later. MDS is repairing and rebuilding homes in the Gentilly section of New Orleans and possibly surrounding areas. MDS partners with several organizations, including Catholic Charities, Crescent Alliance Recovery Effort (CARE) and Greater New Orleans Disaster Recovery Partnership (GNODRP).