Day Four of our journey to New Orleans started off with a wake up call to our half day. We got to the sight and were ready to go. Many of the people who were off at other sites had gotten the chance to stay with the others at ferry island today. The amount of dedication and teamwork that goes into this project really began to show today. From every one eager to help each other, we got a lot accomplished; our siding was being put up piece after piece and is almost completed on the lower level of one house. Everyone helping each other with anything and everything that needed to be done, we got a lot done in such a short amount of time. Some of us even learned a few new skills. Debbie took control of the saw today aiding in cutting pieces of siding for those putting the siding together. The day flew by very quickly and we gathered our things and headed over to the church to meet our tour guides who took us around the city.
As we split into groups and drove around the city, our eyes were really opened up. When you think of New Orleans (for those who have yet to visit), I’m sure you think of houses being torn, falling apart, and ready to crumple amongst the beaten frames that struggle to hold them together. You think of people living on the streets, looking for places to go. However, until you get a chance to come down here and see for yourself, you should know that is entirely not true. You see the dedication and the amazing people that help have taken this place from what it once was shortly after Katrina to a place you wouldn’t think of. A place you wouldn’t imagine could look so put together full of live and people; especially after to more storms, Ike and Gustav. The amount of damage that has been done since Katrina has almost turned around and been brought to live again as we saw on our tour. We saw a neighborhood built by Habitat for Humanity over the past couple of years ago called “Musicians Village” and it completely takes you away that such a community can exist after such a disaster. You see through the houses as they line up on the streets, the dedication, motivation, and commitment people can have for other people. Driving around on our tour, I had at times forgotten that I was in New Orleans. I was, like some of you, so used to thinking of New Orleans as an area filled with shingles from the tops of homes, houses falling apart, struggling to stand. Expecting to see people lining the streets, looking for places to go. However, I was taken back by the amount the has been done. Not just from the habitat group and us down at Ferry Place, but from the entire city as a whole. From each individuals love for the city and their renewal of their homes and their lives throughout the city. Sure it’s not entirely back together and there are still many areas that are underway, but because of the gift of kindness and love from others we have seen a great deal of improvement.
We got a chance to work with the chief of the site down at Ferry Place again during this trip, Seth. He has most certainly helped in making a difference and helped in making every person feel comfortable in recreating the city a few homes at a time.
This evening we went out to Drago’s ( A very delicious seafood restaurant) and had a sort of get together with some members of the Habitat and Americorp (a group similar to Habitat for Humanity) and showed our gratitude for sharing such a passion for doing what they do, and allowing us to all be apart of such a great opportunity. We really got to open up and learn about what each person has done and where they are going. Quite a few of the others are going on to help in the community service field and said they love doing this kind of thing and that it makes every day worth it. The feeling you get when you can wake up early and help make a difference in someones life makes you want to do it again and again. Today all in all, we learned the true value of what it means to come together. We got to see that because so many people like us, and the Habitat for Humanity group care so much and are willing to take time out of our lives to make such difference in someone else’s, that things can change. And with the continued support of everyone who has helped New Orleans will not be back to like it was before Katrina, but better. God bless everyone who has helped out; from keeping the people of New Orleans and those who dedicate their lives to helping, to the members our the churches who are willing to give up everything and come out here. Change is coming, and it’s coming from you.
Charles Hair
It's Friday a.m. and here are the promised pics.
FPC's Painting Pros have no equals!
School's in session. Listen up!
Seth opened up House Number 2 which is essentially finished so we could have a look.
Po' Boys from Crabby Jacks made lunch a delicious respite.
And not too many hours later Drago's provided very fine food and good fellowship.
In thanksgiving for our Habitat work site supervisor Seth's grace-filled teaching, leading and caring we presented him with a paperweight created by a New Orleans' glassblower, Mark Rosenbaum. The wonderful convergence is that Mark grew up in Stamford. Rippowan class of '76.
Two of our Americorps workers, Jeramy
and Ben also joined us.
Keep checking back. . . and praying!
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