Since the team arrived home Saturday night I have been in my car a lot. On Sunday I drove to Bremerton to have lunch with my family and today I drove to Seattle for a seminary class. As I've been driving around I've found myself reflecting on the scenery. The most remarkable sight has been the normal (yet always beautiful) views of the evergreen trees that give our state its nickname. In New Orleans, the most remarkable sight is quite different.
Of course you would expect that, as it is a different climate and region with its own vegetation, but the sight that stuns me when driving in New Orleans is not beautiful, but sad. Every where you go there is still destruction. Houses that used to be homes are now empty uninhabitable shacks. Sometimes there isn't even a house anymore - the demolition has already taken place, so all that is left is an empty lot with a foundation. One street my team drove down every day had five such empty lots in a row and that wasn't all.
Hurricane Katrina destroyed homes without prejudice, so from affluent neighborhoods to the lowest of slums, New Orleans is still a city that cannot escape the results of the storm. People have asked me several times why we keep going back to New Orleans. They seem to be wondering why the city isn't finished being rebuilt or if there is still work to be done. There really is. These people need us to remember them, to pray for them, and most of all, to keep coming back to them. Though we have only been home for a few days, I am already counting the days until we get to go back...
Peace, Hannah
Monday, August 10, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Reflections...
Today is our last day in "Nola." We slept in until 7 am this morning - that is one more hour of sleep than usual! Now we have had breakfast and are in the process of packing up. Soon we will spend a few hours debriefing and revealing our "secret pals!" Every year we assign secret pals before the trip. Once on the trip we give our pal a gift every day and today is the day we do the big reveal! Expectations are running high! Its a silly little part of the trip, but we all love it! Then it's off to the airport and back to Washington.
Meeting the people of New Orleans and hearing their stories of the storm has a big impact on us this week. One person's story that had a big impact on Jasmine was that of an army officer who was away on assignment and came back to a ruined home. It was also tough to see Charlie, the home owner of one of the houses we worked on all week, living in a trailer in his front yard. He has been in there for a long time now - about three years.
When we come home tonight we will all be excited to sleep in the comfort of our own beds, but we won't forget that the people of New Orleans are still waiting to come home. It has been almost four years since Hurricane Katrina destroyed this city, but the people here are still filled with hope. We hope that soon they can all be back home.
Post brought to you by Jasmine Walsh and Hannah Snelling.
Meeting the people of New Orleans and hearing their stories of the storm has a big impact on us this week. One person's story that had a big impact on Jasmine was that of an army officer who was away on assignment and came back to a ruined home. It was also tough to see Charlie, the home owner of one of the houses we worked on all week, living in a trailer in his front yard. He has been in there for a long time now - about three years.
When we come home tonight we will all be excited to sleep in the comfort of our own beds, but we won't forget that the people of New Orleans are still waiting to come home. It has been almost four years since Hurricane Katrina destroyed this city, but the people here are still filled with hope. We hope that soon they can all be back home.
Post brought to you by Jasmine Walsh and Hannah Snelling.
Friday, August 7, 2009
THE BEST POST BY KIRIN AND TAYLOR!!
GREETINGS FROM PLANET NEW ORLEANS: AKA ZEE BEST PLACE EZAIRRRR!
Today, we returned to our original site, Charlie's house. We finally finished killing all of the mold in his house, painted moisture resistant paint, and said goodbye to our successful hard work. (We gave the frame work a big hug and kiss... really.) It was cool to look back at everything we had done this week, like destroyed the ceiling and walls, de-molded everything, and helped Charlie on his way back into his house! We also went to the store and bought Charlie some food, an inspirational book, and wrote him some goodbye notes.
Although it was our last workday, we worked just as hard and sweated buckets. There is no obstacle we can't conquer! We are sad that we are leaving tomorrow because we love hanging out with the team, but we are excited to see our mommies and daddies. Fear not parents! We will be home soon enough!
We miss you and will see you soon!
Love,
Taylor Daniel and Kirin Foster
Today, we returned to our original site, Charlie's house. We finally finished killing all of the mold in his house, painted moisture resistant paint, and said goodbye to our successful hard work. (We gave the frame work a big hug and kiss... really.) It was cool to look back at everything we had done this week, like destroyed the ceiling and walls, de-molded everything, and helped Charlie on his way back into his house! We also went to the store and bought Charlie some food, an inspirational book, and wrote him some goodbye notes.
Although it was our last workday, we worked just as hard and sweated buckets. There is no obstacle we can't conquer! We are sad that we are leaving tomorrow because we love hanging out with the team, but we are excited to see our mommies and daddies. Fear not parents! We will be home soon enough!
We miss you and will see you soon!
Love,
Taylor Daniel and Kirin Foster
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Half Day
Yep, that's right! Carl PC and Katie B here reporting on this Thursday evening!!! But first off, I, Carl Peralta-Clark do solemnly swear to return ALL of your children... I promise. Back to this posting...
Today was our half work day! We spent our morning at the Kingsley House, an adult daycare facility. Our time there started with just spending time and chatting with the folks. We then helped out with the cake walk game: ten paper numbers were placed on the ground and there were kids walking for disabled elderly. When the music stopped, you found the closest number to stand on. If your number was drawn a kid chose a dessert to give to their "new adopted friend." Hearing the oldies music and singing along as well as our own chaperon (Denise) groove to the music getting down to boogie was fun. Carl and Mollie led the group in some worship songs, even some songs with motions to include the adults. At random times, two of the women started singing old hymns pacing back and forth down the aisle. There were also random of scripture readings and lots of praying by basically anyone who could talk. One of the adults wanted Chelsea and I (Katie), to take him out bowling and to lunch and cried when we had to tell him no. It was quite an interesting sight to see adults being fed, some even ate mush (depending on their diet), and one woman who was 103 years old eating her meal unassisted.
After our time at Kingsley, we headed downtown for our "secret" afternoon activity; a trip down the the Mississippi River on a steamboat! We spent 2 hours looking at the sites. After we disembarked, we walked to dinner at the Cajun Cabin for a meal of authentic Louisiana cuisine. Well, some opted for the all-American hamburger! The rest of our evening was spent walking around the shops and such buying everything in sight (except for Katie, who only spent under 25 dollars, which surprised even her!). Almost everyone tried the delicious beignets at Cafe du Monde - Yum!
Now we are off to bed, ready to attack our final day of work! The trip has gone so fast we can hardly believe it!
Love, Carl and Katie
Today was our half work day! We spent our morning at the Kingsley House, an adult daycare facility. Our time there started with just spending time and chatting with the folks. We then helped out with the cake walk game: ten paper numbers were placed on the ground and there were kids walking for disabled elderly. When the music stopped, you found the closest number to stand on. If your number was drawn a kid chose a dessert to give to their "new adopted friend." Hearing the oldies music and singing along as well as our own chaperon (Denise) groove to the music getting down to boogie was fun. Carl and Mollie led the group in some worship songs, even some songs with motions to include the adults. At random times, two of the women started singing old hymns pacing back and forth down the aisle. There were also random of scripture readings and lots of praying by basically anyone who could talk. One of the adults wanted Chelsea and I (Katie), to take him out bowling and to lunch and cried when we had to tell him no. It was quite an interesting sight to see adults being fed, some even ate mush (depending on their diet), and one woman who was 103 years old eating her meal unassisted.
After our time at Kingsley, we headed downtown for our "secret" afternoon activity; a trip down the the Mississippi River on a steamboat! We spent 2 hours looking at the sites. After we disembarked, we walked to dinner at the Cajun Cabin for a meal of authentic Louisiana cuisine. Well, some opted for the all-American hamburger! The rest of our evening was spent walking around the shops and such buying everything in sight (except for Katie, who only spent under 25 dollars, which surprised even her!). Almost everyone tried the delicious beignets at Cafe du Monde - Yum!
Now we are off to bed, ready to attack our final day of work! The trip has gone so fast we can hardly believe it!
Love, Carl and Katie
Wednesday Blog from Dave!!!
Wednesday was a very special day for me. On our site we painted walls blue for hours on end. There was a mini mart a block from the house that we would go to and make the owner mad every time we used the bathroom and never bought anything. Our homeowner made us Poboys today. In case you don't know they are amazing 3 foot sandwiches. Later that night, the group that didn't go to the kids thing went to the epic youth group with about 300 kids. It was very inspirational and a new experience. Overall, it was a great night!
Love Dave.
Love Dave.
Wednesday Blog from Kate and Mari!!!
Hey everyone!
Sorry this blog was not up last night, we were having so much fun! So yesterday we woke up at the usual early 6:00 am and did our morning routine of getting dressed, eating breakfast, making lunches, and having devotion time. Then we went to our work sites (the groups had been mixed up a bit for later activities). Anyway, the two of us (Kate and Mari) went to the home of a man named Charlie. We tore down ceilings, painted on a special primer that kills and keeps out the mold, and pulled out hundreds of screws and nails from the rafters (that was us). THose of us at Charlie's home left the site at 3 pm. We came back, showered, and ate an early dinner so that we could go to a program called Xtreme Wednesdays. Xtreme Wednesdays is an event at one of Celebration Church's buildings where kids that are entering first grade through sixth grade come for about an hour and a half. It;s like a youth group for younger kids. Our job was to be the leaders and help make the program go smoothly. Last night was "Splish Splash- Shark Attack" and featured some fun water games. Our first job was to fill up water balloons. Once the program started we played a game, sang "Baby Shark" (which we had the pleasure of going up front to lead), listened to a message about the "baby sharks" that follow us around in our own lives, and went outside to play water games such as water ball toss and duck, duck, shark (when youu say shark you must break a water balloon over the sharks head! Heehee!). It turned into a big water fight. We all were SOAKED! All of us felt that we really connected with the kids and had a blast! As we ended a lightning storm rolled in and we were able to watch amazing light show. Thankfully it was not raining. That is what we (Kate and Mari) enjoyed on this wonderful Wednesday! And now you can hear another version of Wednesday from Dave! Yay Dave!
Love,
Kate Dilworth and Mari Arstein
Sorry this blog was not up last night, we were having so much fun! So yesterday we woke up at the usual early 6:00 am and did our morning routine of getting dressed, eating breakfast, making lunches, and having devotion time. Then we went to our work sites (the groups had been mixed up a bit for later activities). Anyway, the two of us (Kate and Mari) went to the home of a man named Charlie. We tore down ceilings, painted on a special primer that kills and keeps out the mold, and pulled out hundreds of screws and nails from the rafters (that was us). THose of us at Charlie's home left the site at 3 pm. We came back, showered, and ate an early dinner so that we could go to a program called Xtreme Wednesdays. Xtreme Wednesdays is an event at one of Celebration Church's buildings where kids that are entering first grade through sixth grade come for about an hour and a half. It;s like a youth group for younger kids. Our job was to be the leaders and help make the program go smoothly. Last night was "Splish Splash- Shark Attack" and featured some fun water games. Our first job was to fill up water balloons. Once the program started we played a game, sang "Baby Shark" (which we had the pleasure of going up front to lead), listened to a message about the "baby sharks" that follow us around in our own lives, and went outside to play water games such as water ball toss and duck, duck, shark (when youu say shark you must break a water balloon over the sharks head! Heehee!). It turned into a big water fight. We all were SOAKED! All of us felt that we really connected with the kids and had a blast! As we ended a lightning storm rolled in and we were able to watch amazing light show. Thankfully it was not raining. That is what we (Kate and Mari) enjoyed on this wonderful Wednesday! And now you can hear another version of Wednesday from Dave! Yay Dave!
Love,
Kate Dilworth and Mari Arstein
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Motivation
Today was our second day at the work sites and it was HOT! Everyone felt like they had never experienced such heat in their lives, and they probably hadn't. It is so fun for me to watch the students on sites. The first day they are really excited and willing to work hard - it's always great! But the second day, the real stuff starts happening. The special newness of the work has worn off and the heat zaps motivation. So it is not surprising that we had some students working harder than others, some students truly suffering from the heat, and some students rising to the top of everyone's notice for their amazing work ethic and dedication to getting the job done with a smile on their face.We have been broken into four work sites and everyone is dedicated to "their house." At my house I am working on there are 6 of us and we have been painting up a storm. When we arrived the house was full of drywall that was ready for paint. Now, it is almost all done. Tomorrow we will (hopefully) finish the painting and begin installing flooring. Our home owner is Deola, a 76 year old Katrina survivor who is as sweet and grateful as can be. She came by today and we were so excited to meet her. She told us that, though she may not be able to remember our names, she will always remember us for what we have done for her. She has been the victim of contractor fraud since the hurricane - three times. That means that 3 different contractors, one after another, promised to fix her home, and just stole her money. So now we are there and she may be home by the end of the month. Meeting her makes every drop of sweat, every aching muscle, worth it. We can only hope that we are shining the light of Christ brightly into her life.
For now, I am super excited to go back tomorrow with my incredible team: Mari A, Doug A, Jasmine B, Courtney D, and David M. (The picture above was taken with our team and Deola.)
And parents, please know that your kids are well and enjoying serving God this week!
Peace, Hannah
Monday, August 3, 2009
X
When I imagined New Orleans and rotting homes amidst fresh, new-built ones, I never could have pictured what we actually found. Real people working in Burger Kings with Jonas Brothers posters on the walls. Kids riding bikes and weird drivers making random U-turns made it seem so Washingtonian that at times I'd look out the van window and expect to see my NE appear. Yet these same people come home and walk through their front doors after work - doors with X's and numbers on them. It's shocking how this insignificant-seeming work of graffiti can tell so much about these people. We were told that number at the bottom of the X stood for the amount of bodies found in the house. We see these everyday people bustling around the grocery store and the pizza parlor, and Iwonder what kind of front doors these people come home to, and whether the numbers on them mean something personal. It's painful to imagine how much these people have lost - their families, their homes - but it's also wonderful to see that though they carry this pain, God has given them the strength to endure, be happy even. By sending people like our mission team to help, we pray that God is giving them the opportunity to move on, and I'm thankful for that.Blog post by Sarah Jeong
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Travel!
4 am is not a happy time of the morning for any teenager. However, we all made it (somewhat) on time! The first plane ride was filled with a cacophony of snores and yawns as we all slept and rested off our early start. When we arrived in Houston we were all ready for lunch and to be done with flying. After landing in New Orleans and being told that we were "the most well-behaved group of teenagers they had ever seen" by the flight attendant, we sat and waited for the rental vans. In the meantime, we played quack-diddly-o-so and duck duck goose, and other maritime activities. We then proceeded to walk into a wall of moisture known as "New Orleans air". Upon arrival to Celebration Church we were greeted by Toni, the Outreach Ministries Director of the church. She spent a good amount of time explaining the rules and regulations...whoo. For dinner, we hit Cici's pizza, pasta, and salad buffet. After devouring a combined total of around 1 Billion Kajillion calories worth of pizza, pasta, and salad (most of which were consumed by our good friend, Chris Amdahl), we arrived back at the church to find not 1, not 2, but THREE fire trucks in the parking lot. Then two left. Fear not, do not fret. It was an accidental trip of the fire alarm. Tonight's worship was led by the ever-so-talented Mollie Coker and Carl Peralta-Clark. The lesson, given by Gary Hundrup, was about finding your goal and God's purpose for you in life. There is no doubt in my mind that everyone got something out of his talk and that we are all now SUPER PUMPED to start our ministry work tomorrow. Day over. This blog moment has been brought to you by Katie B. and Doug A.
P.S. While we were writing this post, this happened...
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