when did we see you ?

staying in touch

2008-08-31T14:47:00.002-04:00

Word this morning from Johnny Wray, executive director of Week of Compassion, to the WOC Advisory Committee ('board'):

Dear Friends –

Just as we remember the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we’re preparing for a storm (Gustav) that could be every bit as dangerous. Josh Baird (WOC special hurricane rep and our site manager at our Slidell and Covington missions stations) will be arriving at our farm in MS later tonight til the storm blows thru. Carl Zerweck has been in touch with our other stations and is making the necessary precautions and preparations. We have ample des. hurricane funds to make quick responses to our churches and members that might be affected and to help facilitate the responses of CWS and our many long term recovery partners throughout the Gulf South that we’ve been working with these last 3 years. And we’ve already begun responding to partners in the Caribbean (esp. Haiti and the Dominican Republic) who are already responding to the damage Gustav has left behind there. As they say – pray for the best, prepare for the worst. Will keep you posted.

I replied, as a board member, but also in behalf of the congregation:

Obviously we’re all keeping an eye on news and weather reports. As Gustav lands, let us know what Geist can do. All of our folks that have been on work trips the last three years have been saying ‘I can’t believe they’re going through this again’ – awareness is high, and generosity will be too when needed.

If you need ME somewhere, or US, you know how to reach me.

As our congregation prepares for the unbelievably exciting and joyous occasion of becoming 'one church in two locations,' it's humbling to know that so many may look to us for help, and hope. What a powerful time to expand our ministry.

I hope you'll check back to this blog site often. I'll post news - and NEEDS - as it comes through.

In prayer, with hope ...

what to say?

2008-08-31T09:51:00.003-04:00

With eyes and ears glued to the news and weather reports, our land-locked midwestern community holds in prayer our friends in and on the Gulf Coast.

As Hurricane Gustav - moving through Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba at category 4, downshifting to a 3, and expected to leapfrog back up to a FIVE before making landfall anywhere and everywhere from the Texas to Florida borders - nears the gulf coast states, what on earth do you say?

Those in our community that have served on mission teams since August 29 2005 when Katrina struck (and Rita two weeks later) have been talking to each other all weekend: "I can't believe they're going to go through this again." "I hope people choose to evacuate this time." "I wonder if the cities will be able to help (especially those who can't help themselves) get away in time." "I'm so worried about John and his mom ..." "Andre and Otha ..." "Miss Simmons ..."

It's not just 'the people who live there.' Now it's people we know. By name. Their houses, their belongings, their stories ... we know them now.

And we still don't know what to say.

We hope it is sufficient - we hope it will make do - that our most fervent prayers, our deepest compassion, our greatest blessing ... may THIS be the wave that covers our brothers and sisters in the south. May they know our love, be spared in life and limb, and when the time comes, may they know the quick and gracious response of all who can - and will - step in to help.

"Now I see..."

2008-08-26T22:32:00.003-04:00

In addition to our church member Carol Gebhardt, our little trio of workers was rounded out by my close friend Angelique Codarmaz Rainey. The night before we left New Orleans, I asked Angelique if she'd write down some of her thoughts from and about our mission week ... It was a great gift to share the week with her ... I want to share her words with you.

"Passion begins with a burden and a split-second moment when you understand something like never before. That burden is on those who know. Those who don't know are at peace. Those of us who do know get disturbed and are forced to take action." -Wangari Maathai, Winner of Nobel Peace Prize

Courtney shared this quote with me, as we prepared our dinner back at the mission station, the last night that we all shared in New Orleans. It brought into focus all the swirling thoughts that had been collecting over the last few days for me. There was just so much to be seen, so many stories to hear, so much to sort out and so very little time.

I had never been to New Orleans. I never saw the beauty of the famed city for myself. I always meant to but never did. Then Katrina became a front page story, a daily headline and a national scandal. I felt a sense of loss having missed my chance to see this historical gem in all its glory. Time went on and the headlines faded from the press, with only an occasional mention of Brad Pitt or Harry Connick Jr. I let it slip from my mind as well. Until I needed a vacation.

I decided to go on a mission trip and I didn't really care where or when or what I would be doing, it was just time to go. Thank goodness my preacher friend Courtney had just the plan; a mission to New Orleans for hurricane relief. 'Awesome!' I thought. 'I can finally see this cool place I had always wanted to go, and do something for someone else at the same time.' And here I sit feeling completely ignorant.

It is just shy of the third anniversary of this natural disaster. Three years since countless Americans lost their lives, their property, their control, their hope, and their faith in a government they waited upon for rescue. They still wait. They are just now coming home. Some are just now finding a way to BEGIN to start over. For them it is still going on. It is still a nightmare. For them it is nowhere near over.

Our group worked on the home of a mother and son. Their 100-year-old shotgun double had survived the storm and the flood and the chaos that followed in the months it took the family to regain the means to come home. We sat during our lunch breaks and asked Andre about his experiences, and he told us. He spoke of how he survived the storm alone. How he worried when he lost contact with his family. How he was shuttled from one place to another with no knowledge of where his family was, where he was going, or when he would get back. He told us how he was encouraged to make a home away from his beloved New Orleans. And he told us how important it was for him to be back home. His mother Otha talked about having to move six times since Katrina. She spoke of how excited she is to prepare to move this one last time, into her beautiful 'new' old home. When we posed for pictures with Andre and Otha, Andre said over and over again, 'Show everyone these pictures. Show 'em so they know we here and they need to believe our stories. Show 'em, 'cause we still here."

On our tour of the lower 9th Ward, the most devastated of areas within the city, we met a man named Michael. His story was no less heartbreaking. He and his house were washed away in the storm surge. He spent 13 days at the Superdome with severe injuries before receiving care. His home destroyed, he had no reason to return, except that his mother had owned that property before him and now he owned it outright. He wasn't about to be told to find a new place to settle. So there he sits, the only house on his block surrounded by a meadow of tall grasses and wildlife where once there was house after house filled with families and pets, neighbors and friends. They are no more. He is alone and broken-hearted.

And now so am I. Now I know this burden. Now I see what is yet to be done. Now I see that for most of you it is over enough to never give it another thought. Now I see that I will never be able to put it out of my mind.

House after house is marked with a sign that says 'Don't tear us down, we're coming back' or 'We are rebuilding'. But those homes have been sitting vacant for three years now. They haven't found the resources to make good on that paper promise. Faith-based relief services like the ones that organized our trip are the ONLY ones helping these people keep their promise to come home. FEMA is long gone. The news media is long gone. It is the Church that is still here fighting for the spirit of these survivors. It is the Body of Christ that continues to show mercy and love to those of our brothers and sisters who are still in so much need.

I beg you, before you sleep tonight say a prayer for the comfort and healing of your brothers and sisters in New Orleans. If you have the time or talent, come to New Orleans and lend a hand. If you have treasure, give to Week of Compassion. There is still an urgent need for help.

the desert shall bloom

2008-08-14T23:30:00.001-04:00

Praise God for balance and perspective. Tonight I was reading a friend's online journal, about being with his 80 year old brother this week and his 4 month old grandson next. It caught me at the same time, and in the same place, as the stuff I've been dealing with while away this week.

There's the whole swirl of being here in New Orleans ... what we're doing, who we're meeting, what we've seen, the stories we hear ... and then there's the counterbalance of "the real world." (Like it gets more real than this?)

I generally try to really release 'work' when I'm on mission trips, in order to focus ON mission. But as you know, the mission focus at Geist Christian Church for the last -- well, several years, but especially the last several months -- has been living into the vision of one church in two locations. That means, travel or not, I need to stay connected, check and answer messages, catch up on little tasks in the evenings at the end of the mission work day, etc.: Something was forgotten, can we get together to talk about, and oh can you also such and such, and so and so won't be able to whatever, and there's a question about this or that.

And then I also have messages that: this will be ready no problem ... this couple would like to join a Sunday School class ... this guy has offered to be a greeter if we still need them ... this woman wants to join a four-year intensive bible study and is it okay that she's not a church member ... the meeting on Tuesday night is fine, everyone has great ideas coming together, ready to sit face to face and sort through ... thanks for your help with that volunteer list ... looking forward to talking about a new mission opportunity for our family, a way to serve together.

It's just such a blessing to have that swell of goodness to come in and drown out the bits and pieces that jump up and clamor for attention, seeming a lot like tasks and only a little like ministry.

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. (Isa 35:1-2)

Pray that the people of the gulf coast would know a new kind of ocean in the ironic desert the floods left behind.
Not the ocean that overwhelms with waves of destruction and currents of devastation and need. Not the dried up three-year-old remnants of forgetfulness, feelings of helplessness and inconsequence welling up. May there be for them - and for all in need - an ocean of kindness, mercy, integrity, and compassion, running waters of hope and justice through their desert of sorrow.

get ready, get set ...

2008-08-11T21:32:00.003-04:00

... to get ready and get set.
It felt like we never quite hit 'go' today, though it IS Day One of work.

One of the big lessons of mission trippin' is that Your schedule isn't really so much up to YOU.

> There's orientation. No matter how many trips, no matter how big (or small) the group, no matter which agency, everyone gets a review of what's going on, what's planned, how things work, reminders about the 3S's and an F: safety, sensitivity, Spirit and flexibility.

> There's acclimation. Get the directions, follow one group to their site and see it and hear about what they'll do, and then follow again to your site and see it and find out what you'll do. And once you're there, see what the group before you did, didn't, kind of did (and sometimes really shouldn't have that you now end up UNdoing).

> And there's deviation. You think since it's already a short work day, so you should cram in your lunch and jump right back up and get a move on. But there's a homeowner there who needs someone to just sit still a few minutes and let him be frustrated about the condition of the neighborhood, or the attitude of the neighbors, or the injustices of the system, or whatever. That's part of your work, too ... knowing when to refrain from working.

So at the end of the day: "I feel like I didn't really do much today." Ohhh, but you did!
- You met another group from another church in another state, here to share in the same big-picture project that you're blessed to be part of.
- You got the lay of the land, instructions on all the tasks, and figured out how to get back and forth between 'home' and 'work' - and where the available 'facilities' are in between!
- You cleared the work space and found the supplies and figured out what is missing and still needed and organized the punch list to fire off right out of the gate in the morning.
- You met a homeowner, and learned that his mother and brother owned the double-shotgun-home you're working on, that his brother passed just before the storm, and that his sister-in-law and nieces left when the storm came. He'll live there next to his mom now, in this brand new home.
- You learned patience with yourself and flexibility with circumstances outside your control, and that compassion vastly outweighs spackle as a contribution to a project.
- You met the next homeowner in line, who came to work with you today, because her house is ready for her to work on it, but she is in town (from Chicago where she's been nearly three years) and wanted to help someone who was getting ready to move home.
- And you prayed: For a meal prepared with love. For the blessings of the day. For the peace to endure frustrations tomorrow. And for the blessed opportunity to offer some measure of comfort on a rainy and blustery day.

Not bad for a 'short work day'. Well done, good and faithful servant. It is an honor to serve with you.

annnnnddd ... we're back!

2008-08-10T23:03:00.005-04:00

Truth be told, we've been back to the gulf coast - three times! - since last this blog was published:

CYF (high school youth) - July '07
TrueNorth (all men's trip) - September '07
Selah (all women's trip) - February '08

and yet your faithful associate minister (and blogger), was not so faithful in that task, for which I vastly apologize. Later this week, look for photo albums from those trips, and terrific reflections from the youth on the 7/07 trip. (Man, it's embarrassing just to type that!) (* Edited to add: Ha! And even more embarrassing, you'll have to look for them NEXT week 'cause the drive? With those files? Is sitting on my kitchen table. Oy vey.)

Now that we're back - literally - again, we'll have photos and news and notes for you throughout the week, as we try in whatever small measure to offer the gift of ourselves, and the love of Christ - and from Geist - to the amazing souls of New Orleans.

For now, a night's rest. Work starts at 8:00am.

You are in our prayers, and we know we are in yours.

re-entry

2007-03-22T16:49:00.000-04:00

The day after we returned from Covington, standing in the Great Hall ... in the middle of a beautiful space and a loving and welcoming congregation, Myrta said, It feels weird to be here. Like I shouldn't be. It's not real here. I nodded and smiled, and had to agree.

Space shuttle missions have taught us the word "re-entry," that period on the return leg of the mission where things have to line up just right in the atmosphere and the technology or everything gets knocked out of whack ... sometimes, as we've seen with unspeakably tragic consequences.

Same in returning from mission trips, we've learned. There's a bit of 'burning up on re-entry' (clearly not the same painful extent - I dare not take the analogy that far). But while your body is tired from the good work of the great week, your heart and mind are still with the people you met, and the people you saw, and the things you experienced. It's a surreal return adventure, and sometimes it takes a bit for everything to line up, in your soul, like it should.

Then again, maybe that IS how it 'should' be. I think it's that re-entry that keeps it fresh for those who go, and makes us long to return ... and take others with us. There is more ... plenty more ... to be done. I hope you'll join us.

May 12 - 19: Lake Charles
July 21 - 28: CYF (high school youth), New Orleans
September 15 - 22: McComb MS
November 10 - 17: Algiers/New Orleans

(Coming soon! The Covington/Chalmette photo album to be added to the menu at the right. The mystery Gulfport album has been floating around too, but should link from the menu as well!)

like I said

2007-03-22T15:01:00.000-04:00

Ronnie and I were talking about his neighborhood, his few streets tucked away in Chalmette, Louisiana. There are probably 25 houses on his block and the next. He says EIGHT of his neighbors have returned. "I think that everyone who's coming back, IS back."

If you see a trailer, there's a family in/working on that house. Many are close. Few are done. Most are still. just. sitting there. That's kind of hard to fathom, isn't it?

But, it sounds like they're right on track with what population surveys are suggesting.

Hard to believe...

2007-03-09T00:13:00.000-05:00

... that getting 2 (mudding and sanding) of 3 (plus painting) parts of the week's intended task accomplished is still labeled "really great work". (Our project leader IS a rather generous soul!)
We started the week excited to clip through the mudding and sanding of drywall in the 2br/2bath house. By week's end (we start home this (Friday 3/9) afternoon), the fact that we've mudded and sanded every bit of drywall (1600 sqft of house) within an inch of its life means that the walls are totally dead set and ready for the next group to roll up its rollers and paint. (And I'm here to tell you ... those walls? Are smoooooooooth.)

... that two people you met on Sunday afternoon could, by Friday afternoon, be two people you just hate not to take home with you.
Of course, Rich and Dona DO live in Indy, so technically ... Two members of Speedway Christian Church, who have each made multiple trips to assist here in the coast region, literally could not be more wonderful if they tried.
> Rich, brave soul that he is, spent the entire week with this 'women's mission trip' gang from Geist ... having decided on Thursday last that he would leave on Saturday morning at oh-dark-whatever with Dona ... so that she didn't drive on her own, and so that he could put in another week's giving to Ronnie and Janet, special and wonderful folks that they are.
> Dona, it must be said, is all the good things you hear about and want in the people you meet, wrapped up in a teeny little package. Turning 77 just this Tuesday (it was birthdays-a-plenty this week!), six-months widowed and yet determined not let any bit of her fire go out, Dona is on her third trip to be part of Louisiana's recovery. With an eye for perfection like none other, Ronnie and Janet's home has been in good hands these many weeks. And Dona will be back to check on them when Speedway sends another group in a few weeks.

... that a church of 50 members would be home to hundreds over dozens of weeks.
Since the storm, 18 months ago, Grace Disciples of Christ in Covington LA (directly north of New Orleans, on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain) has been a mission station. As the Shards Ministry (more to come) attests, amid brokenness, even the very brokenness of Christ, we find our oneness. Tending first to its members and faith community connections, then opening its doors, its showers, its kitchen, its halls and floors and sanctuary and very heart to hundreds of complete strangers, since Day One.

In jeeps and vans and cars and RVs, they descend upon Grace, these groups ... and yet, safe to say that moreover, grace descends upon them. All churches should be so open, so welcoming, so love-one-another.

Grace -- both the church and the concept -- also makes it hard to believe ...

... that everyone we know hasn't already put a date on their calendar, dug out their work gloves, and packed a bag.
What
ARE
you
waiting
for?

two days in

2007-03-06T21:18:00.000-05:00

Since you have to hear from me all the time, I thought you might enjoy hearing from someone ELSE for a change!

All five of the fanTAStic women who've joined me this week are first-time mission trippers. It is always interesting to see something through new eyes ...

We have been helping a family living in Chalmette to rebuild their home. We are to the finishing of the walls, and painting this week. It is exciting to be this close to getting a family back into their home.

It is most enjoyable to me to have time to chat with Janet and Ronnie (the homeowners) and hear all their personal stories. They have been fixing us lunch each day and it is some traditional down home southern cooking (red beans and rice, dirty rice).

The neighborhood is still in devastating condition, with few businesses open and the neighborhood is primarily empty gutted homes. An example of how things in this town are hard to understand: Today phone books were delivered to abandoned and demolished homes. Then Janet mentions there is no phone service since Katrina ... and won’t be till June!

Tomorrow we have a day of work and some extra fellowship time that includes a tour of other areas and also going to the French Quarter.

This has been an enjoyable experience. It is challenging at times, but I feel that I will be changed by this adventure!
Brianna

Wow. What an experience. I couldn’t even imagine when I got here what I would see. I have never seen such destruction in someone’s life.

Ronnie and Janet are such wonderful people and have such positive attitudes. I have spent much of the time that I am sanding drywall thinking about the situations that this community has been through ... and the dreams they have sleeping in a FEMA trailer with empty, abandoned houses all around and no noise or neighbors.

I stop sanding and think to myself I am not strong enough to deal with this kind of loss, But I have learned, I will never think of material things the same. The most important things in life aren’t things.
Aftan

Couldn't be more proud of a group of women ... or more sore, from work, and from laughter. My favorite combination.

Selah!

2007-03-04T22:35:00.000-05:00

"Selah!" The word is used in wisdom literature, particularly the Psalms, to remind the reader (aloud or silent) to pause, breathe, allow the spirit of God to move within the words and the heart, drawing the two together, doing the work that only God can.

And so this week, six women have gathered - carrying with them the prayers of Selah! Ministries for Women at Geist Christian Church, and of the entire congregation.

It is a remarkable gift of ministry that THIS is the kind of thing I get to do ... bring five women who, with one mother-daughter exception, didn't really previously know each other and witness the creation of something wonderful. Relationships. Faithfulness. Community. Power. Spirit. Justice. Service.

Another snowy Saturday morning saw the group into the SUVs and out onto the highway.

(L to R: Jacquie Berry, Aftan Cox, Sarah Walker, Brianna Oliver, Courtney Richards, Myrta McQueen) (Special thanks to Pam Trapp for: being Trip Info Woman ... bringing us Cookies For The Road ... and taking the picture!) (Diane, get well soon!)

Making good time (and they said it couldn't be done!), we overnighted in Grenada, MS and drove the rest of the way (today) into Covington, Louisiana, with plenty of time to get settled in, lay in supplies, and begin to hear the stories we will live into this week. The more-than-appropriately named Grace Disciples of Christ Church is our place for rest, renewal and lodging at the end of the day.

We will work this week in {edited 3/6/07:} Chalmette, in the area known as "the infamous St. Bernard's Parish, or Da Parish", as my friend Matt pointed out! (Thanks, M!) (Covington/Mandeville, where we're staying, is in St. Tammany. Duly noted!) We are joined by Rich and Donna, two members of Speedway Christian Church, and led by George and Dixie Smith, from Carmel Christian Church. Each of these four adds IMMEASURABLY to the spirit and power of the week. You will hear more of them as we go.

For now ... for now?

Just know that every time you write a check or hand me money and say "We can't go but we want to help" ... every time you let me know that you're praying for me and for this group while we travel ... every time you think of us while we're away and wonder how things are going ... every word of support you offer to the spouses and children who are at home with part of the family away consumed in this work ... we know.

We feel it. We sense it and breathe it deeply into our week. We use that energy and that blessing that is YOU ... it fuels our work, and inspires our laughter, and nurtures our sense of purpose and mission and direction and witness.

You are each part of this, as much as we who sand and paint and carry. And we are each SO. VERY. GRATEFUL.

a word from Johnny

2007-02-23T18:15:00.001-05:00

February 26 Week of Compassion update
WOC Director Visits Hurricane Area

Dear Friends,

How interesting, perplexing, satisfying, disheartening, energizing...to have spent this week traveling across the Gulf South, visiting communities, churches, pastors, mission stations and hurricane related recovery partners - all while so many of our congregations are in the midst of their 2007 Week of Compassion observances and celebrations. What a multitude of emotions!

It is disheartening to see still so much destruction and so little recovery progress in community after community across Mississippi and Louisiana. It is maddening to see casinos and high-rise luxury condominiums well underway, even completed and occupied, while thousands upon thousands of homeowners have yet to receive their fair insurance settlements. It is perplexing to drive down I-59 from Hattiesburg to New Orleans and see acres and acres of farmland packed fencerow to fencerow with FEMA trailers and then visit with a displaced couple living in the dining room of the still-to-be-repaired home of their grandkids.

And yet, how energizing to visit, for example, First Christian Church, Slidell, LA, and their pastor, Susan Lassalle - a church we might have lost after Katrina but that now is growing, working together, reaching out to the community, hosting work groups week after week, looking to the future with hope and excitement. How encouraging to stop and chat with work groups from all across the church (this week I ran into Disciples from OK, MO, OH, IL, TX and IN) that are repairing homes, building churches, making lasting friendships, enriching the lives of work team members, and even bringing new life to their congregations back home! How deeply satisfying to visit with a director of a local long-term recovery partner, struggling to meet payroll and to pay for the ever rising costs of materials, yet vowing she won't close shop until the last unmet need is met.

Our theme this year is "Who is my neighbor?" I met a lot of our neighbors this week. Some of our neighbors, still in the ditch, needing "oil and wine." Some at "the inn," longing to go home. I met some of our neighbors who have traveled long distances and work hard from dawn to dusk to bind wounds. I met others who are working every day to make the road from Jericho to Jerusalem a little safer so folk won't keep getting knocked down and beaten up. And I keep meeting folk like you all across our church who give their denaris and dollars to Week of Compassion so we Disciples can continue to be neighbors in Mississippi and Louisiana, in Mozamibue and Nicaragua, in Darfur and Indonesia - wherever there are people, God's people, whose needs lay a claim on our compassion.

turnaround

2007-02-23T17:51:00.000-05:00

Today, our intrepid team turns around and begins the homeward journey. It will be good to have them back, safe and sound in their own homes and beds, having spent the week working hard to see that OTHERS could be safe and sound in theirs

The report today was of some touring of the area, to note the progress ... or lack of it. Fascinating things to consider:

On our very first trip to New Orleans, 90 days after the storm, was all about demo. Tear out. Gutting. Mud and sludge and filth and mold and rip-and-tear labor. The last two days of our team's work was with the poignantly insightful Mrs. Simmons. We cleared out debris, tore out everything including appliances, and peeled the house back to its foundation and framing.

Would you like to see Mrs. Simmons house as Jim photographed it this morning -- eighteen months after the storm? Ta - da ! Look! You can see the foundation! and the framing! Unbelievable. Unbelievable ... and so. completely. wrong.

Not quite the 'turnaround' we'd hoped for, is it?! The need for help is so much bigger than we can imagine ... and so much more than we can meet on our own ... and yet we are there.

We contribute to the mission fund.

We pack our bag and get in the van and make the trip.

We provide a meal for family left here at home while another goes off to serve.

The need is great, but God is greater. And God is there through people like these -- people like YOU.

We are there working week by week, group by group, house by house ... praying and praying and working and praying some more. Praying and working for justice, for healing, and for hope.

moving right along

2007-02-21T14:44:00.000-05:00

You know how sometimes you travel out of town, for business or vacation or whatever? And you don't take the kids along, so you call home to check on them and you're talking to one and there's one in the background talking to you at the same time and it all turns into this scrambled jumbled mess?

Well today's lunchtime chat was a little like that, except I am here and the 'kids' are gone. Exchanged quick emails with Jim today and then caught up midday to say hello by phone.

Jim: We're on to a new house today, everyone's in really great spirits. We feel like we're making an impact. It's raining today, but we have lots of work to do inside. This house is close to move-in condition ... a little paint and trim, some electrical and plumbing, the appliances are sitting here in place ... they're really close.

I asked if they'd gone across the lake last night (into Nawlin's) ... it WAS Mardi Gras after all. (Jim had said the day they left, "We may be the only group ever to go to New Orleans the week of Mardi Gras and not go FOR Mardi Gras!" Hey, what happens in Nawlin's ... ) Come to think of it, he didn't say "no" ... But he DID say that after a day of wrestling new sheds onto foundations and frames, the crew went OUT for dinner last night ... sometimes 'do it yourself' dinner, after a heavy-duty day of labor, is just more than you can face. I hear there was cheesecake involved ...

So Jim passes the phone to whoever's nearby ... Janet's next.
Except I couldn't hear more than every other sentence because SOMEONE (and I have a bet) was yammering at her in the background. Apparently John and Janet have been sharing a 10x10 room, painting ... and there was something about if I'd been there I would have been able to keep them under control (yeah, DOUBT that) ...

I did manage to catch two things just before she said goodbye ... "That Dana's a hard worker! She's really goin' to town!"

And then ... check, check, is this thing on? ... "We're really having a great time. I don't know why more people don't volunteer." (Helloooo out there?!)

So John comes along and says that he's really taking one for the team this week, and that Janet apparently should be asked to sing a solo the weekend they return from the trip because she's been getting quite the practice in during their work days ... in their 10x10 room. "Jim says I get a medal."

Jim takes the phone one more time and reports, "So like I said, obviously everyone is in really high spirits." Checking on the other new kid not heard from yet, I asked after Dave ... and was told that he is apparently doing all the work and everyone else is sitting around looking good for it. So, Dave Sterling, working away in your corner ... here's to you!

we're here

2007-02-20T09:38:00.000-05:00

Our faithful servants arrived in Covington, LA on Sunday afternoon. As you saw on the map, Covington is straight north across Lake Ponchatarain from New Orleans. To give you some idea, this means the damage in the Covington/Slidell areas were more from the storm itself, and surges out of the surrounding water, than from the ruptured levees and standing water as in New Orleans itself.

Work began in earnest on Monday morning with the Speedway Christian Church gang headed to one project, and the Geist crew working with our Northshore partners.

Jim reports:

Well, as it turns out, we're not actually working with George and Dixie {Smith, from Carmel Christian Church, who we worked with during the April '06 Beaumont trip}, but we get to see them every night. The Speedway group gets to work with them.

We got sent to the Northshore Disater Recovery group and they assigned us a project.

Our homeowner is Levette. Her mother is in her 80s with a brain tumor. Her father died the morning Katrina made landfall. Levette tried to get him to the emergency room but didn't get there in time. She came home and rode out the storm in the house with mom. Levette's out of work, her and her mom get by on a small social security check.

The house was badly damaged: rooms, walls, etc. The only saving grace is that the water was only 2 feet of storm surge and receded in a few hours. Groups before us have fixed most of the house. Dave put in some basedboards and we've got a ceiling fan, ceiling tiles, and some inside odd jobs tomorrow.

But the big kahuna job here was clearing the remains of a 12'x24' storage shed/garage. The tree that hit the house took the shed out completely. We hauled the rotted wood and contents from it most of the day to clear the concrete slab to put in 2 new smaller mini-barn style storage sheds.

Here, John and Dana are hauling stuff away early in the day.
And here, progress! John with the pile as it starts to shrink.
Sounds like they're off to a roaring start ... and see? They don't miss me at all! :-)

More to come ...

first of 7 - in '07

2007-02-17T09:16:00.000-05:00

A little different look to the departure, THIS trip

than to the last trip.

I hope you'll keep in your prayers this week the first of our "7 in '07" Partners in Comfort mission trippers: Jim Minatel (Nov '05, Apr '06) and Janet Annest (Sept '06), trip veterans and leaders, plus three "new kids", Dana Conner, John Smitha, and Dave Sterling. They'll spend the week housed out of Grace Disciples of Christ Church in Covington, working each day with Northshore Disaster Recovery, a United Methodist mission partner, in Slidell.

It would be lying if I said I didn't miss being in the van ... and they just left 15 minutes ago! They've promised to send updates and pictures, though, so keep in touch here for all the news from the trip (well, all the news that's fit to print!).

But it would also be lying if I said that this wasn't EXACTLY what we had in mind in creating the idea and the mission of Partners in Comfort: increasing the circle of commitment and leadership into our community, and connecting our community to others.

Fifteen trips over a two year period will be a lot:
A lot of people.
A lot of money.
A lot of prayer.
And a lot of hope brought to a community STILL - more than a year later - devastated by losses of unimaginable proportions.

The commitment of this congregation, and so many like us, to spend the time ... and the money ... and the spiritual and physical energy to make a difference, is such a gift.

As we said to those who just packed up and headed out, "You are the hands and feet of Christ in the world, and it is a profound responsibility and wonderful gift … make the most of it!"

"in the mud"

2007-01-28T09:22:00.000-05:00

There is a must-read article in today's Washington Post. I hope you'll read the entire piece; it is well worth it. In the meantime, here a few things that caught my eye ... and my heart.

... charity efforts have constituted more than 80 percent of the home rebuilding completed so far, local and charity officials said.

Fewer than one in five families here {Mississippi} are back in their homes, but nearly all of them have relied to some extent on charity groups.

"Without the volunteers and the donations, we'd still be in the mud." ...

The fact that now, 17 months after Hurricane Katrina, only a small fraction of the home rebuilding has been completed and that most of it has been done by charity groups is viewed here as both wonderful and disappointing -- wonderful that so many strangers have arrived to help, but disappointing that the federal aid and insurance payouts have proved, for now, so unavailable.

The charitable groups and residents also say they sometimes worry that as the rest of the country forgets about their plight, the flow of volunteers that they have relied upon could shrink.

Several expressed outrage that there was no mention of the hurricane recovery in President Bush's State of the Union address on Tuesday.

"We still look like a bomb hit us, and then the president in his national address doesn't even mention us? That really hurt." ...

Along the woodsy roadsides, hand-painted plywood signs offer community encouragement -- "Keep Hope Alive" and "Katrina Was Big, God Was Bigger."

For what you have already done ... thank you.

For the countless ways you have served, given, worked, prayed, and cared for these neighbors-not-next-door ... thank you.

There is still SO. VERY. MUCH. to be done. Be part of God's big work in the world ... be part of the healing, the recovery, the hope of the Gulf Coast.

Partners in Comfort ... seven trips in '07, eight in '08. Six are on the calendar. It's never too early, never too late, to be one of the messengers who not only speak the love of Christ, but live it.

February 18 - 24, 2007: Covington, Louisiana

March 4 – 10, 2007: Covington, Louisiana
*Sponsored by Selah! Ministries for Women at Geist Christian Church, this is the first (annual?!) women’s mission trip.

May 13 - 19, 2007: Lake Charles, Louisiana
*Hit hard by Hurricane Rita, Lake Charles has been quite overlooked in other recovery efforts.

July 22 - 28, 2007: Slidell, Louisiana
*This trip is specifically for CYF (high school) youth and adult sponsors.

September 16 - 22, 2007: McComb, Mississippi

November 11 - 17, 2007: Algiers/New Orleans, Louisiana

in other news

2007-01-11T16:25:00.000-05:00

THIS makes my heart so happy.

To me, punitive damages are secondary (I mean, easy for me to say, it's NOT me.)

But seriously ... they paid their premiums ... you pay the claim. That's. How. It. Works.

Or should.

And now can.

Rock on, Judge Senter.

sixth of seven!

2006-12-02T23:03:00.000-05:00

So the commitment is for 7 trips in '07 ... and we now have the sixth on the calendar.

CYF (high school) youth ...
July 22 - 28, 2007
Slidell LA

Whoohoo!

Let's see ... four "y'all-come" trips ... a women's trip ... a youth trip ... um, who are we missing? Wait, wait, don't tell me.

TRUE NORTH? When's the men's trip? Huh?

I mean, no pressure ... really ... I'm just sayin' ...

thank God for small favors

2006-11-30T15:41:00.000-05:00

From this week's Week of Compassion Update:

Official Hurricane Season Ends Quietly
People up and down the Atlantic seaboard and all across the Gulf South are breathing a huge collective sigh of relief as an unexpected and unusually mild hurricane season ends today. 2004 and 2005 were two of the costliest and most damaging hurricane seasons in meteorological history, and communities across Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas are still years away from normalcy. Hurricane Katrina alone killed more than 1500 people, left tens of thousands homeless and caused billions of dollars of damage.
2006 had been predicted to be another busy year, but there were just nine named storms, only two of which were major storm systems. Only two tropical storms hit the U.S. mainland, neither causing significant damage. In 2005 there were 28 named storms, 15 reaching hurricane strength and four striking the U.S., including Katrina and Rita.

Disciples Hurricane Efforts Continue
Grateful for such a mild season, Disciples nevertheless are moving at full speed with hurricane recovery efforts. Week of Compassion, in partnership with Disciples Home Missions' Office of Disciples Volunteering, the Great River and Southwest regions, five local Disciples Mission Stations, scores of ecumenical church partners, and hundreds of Disciples congregations across the whole church, is supporting hurricane recovery work all across the Gulf South. One major program, the Disciples Hurricane Recovery Initiative, seeks to put 750 work teams into the region from September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2008. Just 3 months into the initiative more than 140 groups (20% of our goal) have either gone or have registered to go. Please visit the WOC website (www.weekofcompassion.org) for details.

This is where our Partners in Comfort gulf coast hurricane relief effort comes in. 7 trips in '07 and 8 trips in '08. Five of the 7 trips are already on the books:

February 18 - 24, 2007: Slidell, Louisiana*This trip will be in celebration of Week of Compassion, working year-round, but recognized each February. We have invited WoC Executive Director Johnny Wray to join us in Slidell.

March 4 – 10, 2007: Covington, Louisiana
*Sponsored by Selah! Ministries for Women at Geist Christian Church, this is the first (annual?!) women’s mission trip.

May 13 - 19, 2007: Lake Charles, Louisiana
*Hit hard by Hurricane Rita, Lake Charles has been quite overlooked in other recovery efforts.

September 16 - 22, 2007: McComb, Mississippi
*Working with an interfaith agency, expanding the reach of recovery.

November 11 - 17, 2007: Algiers/New Orleans, Louisiana
*This mission station is finishing a new facility for hosting work groups of up to 70!

(Two more dates still TBA.)

It's never too early (and usually not too late!) to get your name on the list to be part of these trips. You can also support the mission effort by being on the 'home team,' giving support from right here in Indy ... contribute to the mission fund and make it possible for others to be on the trip without concern for 'affording' it ... check out our wish list and contribute to the equipment stock for trips to come ...

If you want to get connected you just say the word and we'll make sure there's a place to plug in!

unbelievable!

2006-11-11T16:54:00.000-05:00

Like Bob said when he sent this article my way, it's amazing that even editors and publishers don't know -- or at least don't 'get' -- the extent of the damage, the need, the destruction, the recovery yet to come.

Editors and publishers toured the Gulf Coast, from New Orleans to Biloxi (a familiar stretch, huh, Rod?) and were astonished at what they saw. Even after they'd had staff reports from the very area, pictures and all.

It's THAT dramatic, seeing it for yourself.

Makes you want to do something, doesn't it?!

Hmm, wonder how you could do something to help ... Hmmmm.

"Say unity!"

2006-10-28T21:07:00.000-04:00

Tod sent this article and I've been slow in getting it posted. Not knowing what commercialappeal.com's schedule is for keeping articles live before they're sent to archive, I've pasted the piece in its entirety below. I don't want you to miss it.

We are part of something wondrous. God is doing amazing things in the hearts and minds of a diversity of communities. It's not just about the work WE do ... it's about paying attention to all of God's children, and how they coexist, create, serve, and grow in God's creation. We have much to learn, much to give, much to do. Who's packing for the next trip?

True labor of love for Disciples assisting New Orleans church
Members roll up their sleeves for battered sister

By Wendi C. Thomas
September 24, 2006

NEW ORLEANS -- Her clients were always asking for New Orleans-style gardens, but landscaper Nancy Evans had little idea what they meant.

She would scour the Internet and cobble something together that included crape myrtles.
"I'd do a pretty good job for someone who's never been there before," she says.

After last weekend, Evans, 48, can't say that any more.

She was among the busload of members from New Direction Christian Church and Lindenwood Christian Church who traveled to the Crescent City on a post-Katrina missions trip.

Nearly 50 signed up to sacrifice -- paying to ride the bus down, eating cold sandwiches for lunch, sleeping on a hard gym floor, listening to the chorus of snorers all around, making scary trips to the Porta Potties.

God's work this day is at Westside Christian Church, a sister church in the Disciples of Christ denomination that was battered by last year's hurricane.

At the church, Vance Moore, Westside's pastor, gives the marching orders: A team that includes three New Direction members -- surely the hardest-working, most focused women to ever wield crowbars -- will take down the old roof to make way for one made of steel. Another group cuts aluminum siding. Others will wrest nails from boards so they can be used again.

Some -- including Lindenwood member Kevin Lofton, who is blind -- will sledgehammer the bricks from the church's walls. New Direction's assistant pastor Kelvin Turner tears down drywall, dodging wasps that have made a home there.

The Dumpster next to what will be an expanded sanctuary costs $900 to unload just one load -- up from around $250 pre-Katrina -- so others stand inside it, packing in the debris as tightly as possible.

And Evans? Well, she spied a ground mover as soon as the bus rolled up to the church.
"Nancy will run the Bobcat," Pastor Moore announces. "She's an excellent Bobcatter, but that said, don't get run over."

He asks her to spread out a pile of dirt -- dressing out the yard, Evans calls it -- and she does so, her straw cowboy hat mashing down her long blond hair.

Evans notices the stump of a tree at the front of the church. "Think the pastor wants that dug up?" she wonders aloud. The tree is clearly dead, but she won't proceed without permission.
"You have to be careful with stuff like that," Evans says, her skin tan from hours spent working in the sun. "They'll say, so-and-so's mom planted that tree."

But no, Moore says to root it up, and Evans does.

The damage Westside suffered wasn't from rising water, but from falling water and wind, says Moore, who was a builder in a previous life.

The denomination sent him here not just to rebuild the building, a daunting chore by itself, but to rebuild the church, which has just 12 members now -- down from 20 before Katrina hit and a high of 200 or so in the 1980s.

This Saturday happens to be Moore's 60th birthday, and during the lunch break -- before the sandwiches are eaten with dirty fingers -- the group gathers to sing "Happy Birthday."
And then it's right back to work, with the Beatles' "All You Need Is Love," blaring through a speaker that's been dragged outdoors. It's sweaty, exhausting, dirty work, but it will make it possible for future teams to have the same back-breaking experience. The building next to the sanctuary is being turned into housing for other Disciple teams who will rebuild the homes of those who had no insurance.

Evans takes a break from the Bobcat, but her landscaper's eyes don't stop roaming. In the front of the church, in flower beds that don't yet exist, she imagines planting azaleas (red, of course, since that's the main color in the Disciples' logo).

She and Moore walk to the back of the property, and she shares her vision, which calls for truckloads of soil to level out the land.

"You can't buy dirt here," Moore tells her, it's just too expensive.

"Man," Evans says, "I'm going to pray for you some dirt."

Forty-five people have labored most of the day, and yet there's so much more to be done. Moore says 1,000 volunteers have been through the church since Katrina, and it looks like it could take 1,000 more to finish all the work.

Torrential rains that bring out the frogs cut the day short, and the group climbs back onto the bus, filthy and damp.

Twenty-five are here from Lindenwood, which is predominantly white, and 17 are here from New Direction, a predominantly black church. (Disclosure: I have attended both churches.) Of the 45 on the trip, 11 are in New Orleans for the first time.

Back at the sleeping quarters at First Christian Church of Greater New Orleans, disposable cameras come out.

"Say unity!" someone calls out as members of both churches pose. They vow not to make this a one-time thing, and it isn't. Since the trip, members of Lindenwood have gone to New Direction for Bible study and men from New Direction have visited a men's group at Lindenwood.
The next morning, Sunday, the mood is more somber -- perhaps from exhaustion, perhaps in anticipation of the next stop.

Before church, the bus takes the weekend missionaries into St. Bernard Parish, and the group is as still as if someone had said, "Let us pray."

There are blocks and blocks of abandoned houses, and on the front of each one are spray painted sad messages -- how many bodies or pets found inside, the date the house was searched and by what rescue team.

"Slow down!" several on the bus call, and the driver pulls over. The group files onto the sidewalk, and instantly, a few of the women start crying.

Next to a gas station where the gas is still $1.49 a gallon stands a pay phone. Just above the receiver is a brown line -- the level to which the water rose.

"It almost feels like an invasion, a sacrilegious thing to take pictures," Evans says.

Still, she snaps away, at a picture of Jesus and Mary taped to a window, at an American flag stuck to another window.

You must have this sort of perspective, an eye for life, to labor in New Orleans, where clouds of failure and futility float above the miles of ruins.

Just up the street is a two-story pale green house, with ornate trim and tall shutter doors painted a darker green. It was beautiful once, but what stands out most now are the words spray painted on the siding, in a garish orange.
1 -- male
1 -- female
1 -- female pup
Atlanta B/5
9/20/05

Evans puts her camera down, stunned into a rare silence.

Then, in the front yard, behind the chain-link fence, she spots the wild daisies.

Copyright 2006, commercialappeal.com - Memphis, TN. All Rights Reserved.

occupational hazard

2006-10-22T20:27:00.000-04:00

See, folks, THIS is what happens when you start doing this mission work stuff. You can't get enough of it.

Okay, Jim had already been active in Habitat projects before we started into our gulf coast relief efforts ... but it all rolls together, doesn't it? This idea of helping ... because you can.

(*Thanks to Jim Minatel for sharing the pics, probably half guessing I'd take the liberty of posting them here. Thanks, too, to all the Geist folks working on the Habitat project this fall.)

A few things to know:

> Slideshow from Gulfport should be linked to the right this week.

> Emails are going out in the morning to remind those who wanted to be on a mission team that it's never too early to actually PICK. A. DATE. ... those who offered to contribute to the mission fund to WRITE.THAT. CHECK. ... and those who agreed to pack supply kits to GET. PACKIN'.! So, including this, that's two reminders. :-)

> Five dates on the calendar for '07 ... two to come for our 7 in '07 total. Trip veterans are going to be gathering very very soon to rattle around as many ideas as we can for GETTING YOU INVOLVED. Prepare thyselves.

~ sidebar ~

2006-10-11T21:33:00.000-04:00

~ Completely (well, relatively) unrelated to the blog at hand. ~

This video is now my favorite all time ever. Period.

and THEN

2006-10-10T12:59:00.000-04:00

And then there are companies like Oreck ...

Who have what seems a wildly expensive 'ordinary' product. But consider:

The Oreck home office is in New Orleans, Louisiana, with the main manufacturing plant in Long Beach, Mississippi. When Hurricane Katrina hit, Oreck immediately provided shelter, food, medical care and other assitance for their employees. Not loaned, or covered temporarily. Provided.

And now? A year (and change) later? The Oreck XL Ultra sells for (hold on) $550. And they're tithing that ... 10% ... $50 of each pink Oreck purchase goes to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research. They promised a minimum of $250,000 and have actually contributed $600,000 so far.

And they have set NO limit.

THAT is awesome.

inferno schmerno

2006-10-09T21:56:00.000-04:00

Sometimes it would be comforting - somehow - to believe that it actually happened the way Dante said ... because I would lobby for the deepest, darkest, worst, most bitter and painful circle for people who do this kind of thing:

Katrina Cons
Home repair fraud climbing along Gulf Coast

And the thing is? The two or three cases they name in this article are FAR from rare. Three trips now to the gulf coast, and story after story after story of a community already beaten and battered by the vagaries of nature ... REvictimized by the avarice and sheer unadulterated malice of business owners right there in their own towns. Their NEIGHBORS are doing this. It's unconcscionable.

But since I'm not really so vicious and violent as to wish such unspeakable harm, even on someone who does such despicable things ... or those who do nothing ABOUT those things once they're done ... I take my comfort - and it is great comfort indeed - in knowing that OUR community, and so many like us, have committed to healing these wounds ... not only the pain of the storm, but to bring hope and help into a community that needs THAT renewed as much as their buildings rebuilt.

women of GCC! pack! your! bags!

2006-09-28T16:36:00.000-04:00

The date's set, the location's selected, and it's official:

The very first ever, not-to-be-missed, Geist Christian Church women's mission trip!

Within our outreach ministries 'Partners in Comfort' effort, Selah! (ministries for women at Geist Christian Church) is sponsoring a hurricane relief trip in the spring.

This makes Trip # 5 to add to the calendar for 2007. Which groups will step up next and make our 7 in '07 happen? (Ahem ... True North Men's Ministries? I'm just sayin'...)

The week of March 4, 2007 ... Covington LA (New Orleans area).
All women.
BE. THERE.

Seriously, how amazing is this year going to be ?!! Not just for Geist Christian Church, but for the people who know the love of God through service.

I canNOT wait.

come and see

2006-09-23T22:11:00.000-04:00

A little road-weary, but mercifully missing the bulk of the Ky/In rainstorm today, our little team o' eight made it home safe and sound.

There's so much to tell, and show, and no 'right place' to 'start.' And once I start, I'm not sure where to stop.

First of all, if you're wondering 'what it's like' -- to see the Gulf Coast, to be on a mission trip, to spend a week 'doing that' -- I'll say the only thing that makes any sense: COME AND SEE.

It's like meeting Jesus at every turn ... it's like the light comes on and you say, 'Ohhhhh, so this is what He meant.'
When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come and see." (John 1:38-39)
This is where the presence of Christ is made known.

Second of all, and more significantly, don't ask me. Ask one of the people on this week's trip. Or the April (Beaumont) trip. Or our first, the November (New Orleans) trip. They'll be happy to tell you. They'll even help you pack.

Randy's sermons this month have focused on the theme of "Seeds" - so far, the efforts to prepare, plant, cultivate. A running idea through all of that, to my mind, is the significant notion that GOD is the sower, GOD is the one who tends the vine ... we are the growth, the upshoots, the evidence of the mastery of the gardener.

If there is one thing that makes itself known in doing mission work, it is that GOD is at work ... in us, around us, among us, and hopefully in some small way, through us. None of this is our doing ... the work, the sweat, the effort, the change, the progress, the difference. None of it is ours. All of it is God's. We're just so blessed to be in the proximity when it happens.

In the next few days, I want to share stories with you -- from the trip, from the work, from the people we met there, on the road, and who knows what else! There are pictures galore, and the album should be up (along with the previous two trips) in the next few days (look to the right and click on the links there).

For now, on this night that we've arrived safely home, by way of blessing and benediction for a remarkable week, let me offer my thanks to:

> Larry - our volunteer coordinator, for his direction and encouragement in each day's task (even when we didn't want it!)
> Gayle - a volunteer just like us, for bringing every one of his 80 years of lived wisdom to inspire us in every single thing (but I'm still not swinging my leg over!)
> Shirley - for bringing her 'mission trip vet' energy and encouragement to everything we did (and for roasting by the heat vent waiting for Gayle to make a pattern)
> Toby - for his gift of optimism and his constant reminder that there's hope to be found (and never missing the opportunity to be punny)
> Bob - for his gentle questioning and intense search for information and knowledge that brings help (even if Janet whips him at travel Scrabble - those 's'es will getcha every time!)
> Rod - for terrific humor, a great laugh and an passion to see this mission grow into all it can be (and for making the traffic jam in Louisville far more entertaining than the people in the Vibe were ready for)
> Janet - for showing us a living definition of open-hearted and flexible (and for always making the coffee!)
> Marian - for always being ready to laugh and taking everything as it comes, all the while showing deep faith and gratitude (and that gardening wizardry!)
> Nolan - for asking the hard questions when they needed asking, and for keeping a loving eye on everyone of us at the same time (even if sometimes he rolled his eyes when he did it!)
And to the congregation and staff of Geist Christian Church, for allowing and empowering the overwhelming and humbling opportunities to serve as God calls ... for investing time, talent and treasure in the possibilities of mission ... for being partners in comfort in ways they may not even know.

start to finish

2006-09-22T23:18:00.000-04:00

Here we are, safely in Decatur AL. A little more than halfway in our return trip and MORE than a little ready for beds that ARE beds and showers you can turn around in. (Although, I have to say, for church showers, those babies in Gulfport were HOT and STRONG.) (Just like Janet's coffee ... ba dum ch!)

A quick view of the start and finish of the Anderson's house in Biloxi. First day of work was the full team together and we started on siding that could be reached from ground-standing and small-scaffold.By this morning (today was a half-day of work (for travel time), and thank the good Lord for that, given the trigazillion percent humidity already wet-blanketing the coast by 7:30a.m.), 3/4 of our team was back together, and finished up siding (except for that one darn part that has to wait for the electrician and inspector! grrr!). We're so happy for Barbara to have the whole weekend to stand in her yard and enjoy the sight of siding 'til her heart's content.Two of our team stayed at the church this morning, getting it prepared for our midday departure. A new cabinet went into the kitchen, everything was reset (to cover our tracks from having stayed there all week!), AND a truly stunning transformation came to pass in the small garden courtyard.

There isn't a before, but if you will, just look at the after ... and imagine the complete, exact, total OPPOSITE. :-)

(That's Marian. She's the Flower Queen.)

Much much more to show and tell ... conversation continues ... ideas fly ... I need to be writing but I can't keep up with our talking. I said it yesterday after we talked and talked and dreamed and imagined ... and I'll say it again: people, get ready ...

It's been a remarkable week ... well-summarized by Nolan tonight at dinner:

"The first question is always, 'How was the trip?' And I figured out how to answer that: It's the complete spectrum of emotions: from real anxiety to complete wonderment."

I like that.

And? I like the look of this bed ... more to come ... later.

sunburn on my shoulders

2006-09-21T23:57:00.000-04:00

... doesn't make me happy, really, but the DAY sure did.

Having survived Hump Day, we hit our last full day of work (tomorrow is work til midday, travel afternoon/eve) a little (okay, more than a little) bleary-eyed ... but WOW, it was a day of progress and spirit like you wouldn't believe.

On Lee Street, with John and mom Barbara off to work for the day, our team of five (leading our charge in the siding project all week has been 80year old Gayle Barb, joining the effort from Florida, who RVs full time, has ridden 4000+ miles on a BIKE and who put us all to shame with his energy, his knowledge, his precision, and that wry little smile) finished the front siding, even up into the gables, which required no less than acrobatics. A cheer went up from the crowd -- okay, from the five of us -- and we celebrated ... by moving around and working on the back gable. That will be finished in the morning before departure. A whole house sided in a week - by people who even look like they know what they're doing!

Over in St. Bernard's Parish (and yes, the stewardship question of a group working a four-hour commute (two hours each way) from where they're staying HAS been a conversation over the last three days), the other foursome of our GCC Eight finished their work with the Carmel crew, roofing Ronnie and Janet's place. What a task -- but would ya LOOK at the shingles on this baby. Nicely done, don'tcha think?!

Gathering for dinner tonight, we were quiet as usual when food is in front of us (a dynamic that our entire group AND OTHERS have noticed about us!), and I had to smile, thinking how familial we've become. Not just familiar, but familial ... like family. A few of us with tasks in the kitchen ... a few gathering the whole group to the table ... holding hands to pray for food and for the gathered ... a few cleaning up, telling stories ... and lots of laughter and encouragement and compassion (and comparing of war wounds from the week!).

We spent a lot of time in the context of our devotional tonight talking about encouragement, persuasion, community, empowerment, advocacy ...

Let me just say, y'all better buckle up. 'Cause this group is ON. FIRE. to make this Partners in Comfort not only a 15-trips-in-2-years reality ... but to do it RIGHT, and WELL, and to the incredible glory of the God we serve together.

When they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness. Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. (Acts 4: 31 - 35)

People, get ready ...

helloooooo hump day

2006-09-21T00:36:00.000-04:00

Whoooo, kids. It's Wednesday ... notorious in work trip history for being the day that it starts sinking in. Three days of tired, sore and hot. Two days to go. Three days of sometimes close quarters and differences of opinion and work style. Two days to go. Nerves get a little raw, sensitivies get a little more so. And yes, two days to go.

So today on Hump Day at Lee Street, we learned this is not Courtney's favorite sight. In fact, it is perhaps her least favorite. (Middle ladder's me.)

This, however:
makes me quite happy. Climbing the ladder, clenching my hams and glutes every step of the way, all the while wielding a nail gun ... all worth it to know that Barbara comes outside every night after work, four or five times, to look at her new siding. "She can't get enough of it," John tells us today. Worth it, man. Totally and completely worth it.

Wednesday is a day of frustrations, many due to the increasing realization that we are working ... hard, a lot, I assure you, both groups, both sites, both houses ... and then we are leaving. The people we serve, though? They stay here. With the partly-done this and the slightly-worked-on that, and the endless streets and lots of debris and loss and pain and abandonment (by locals, by businesses, by agencies, by 'help', by seemingly everyone). We visit this, and do what minimal we can to help ... for them it's every. day. reality.

So, after three days, with two to go, we also always seem to get an extra dose of the Holy Spirit to see us through. Somehow, the Spirit just knows where to move, and where to rest, and how to do what needs to be done ... so that we can do what needs to be done.

As we talked tonight, closing out the day with a lot of laughter (I had a sore side to go with my achin' legs) and some really powerful storytelling and reflection, we all repeated what we had been told by those who live here ... If it wasn't for church groups and volunteers, nothing would be happening, still. Cleanup and restoration is slow and tedious and painful and heartbreaking. But it will be at a standstill if even the church groups leave.

So we have promised that we won't. We have a two-year plan to be part of the hope ... part of what gets this gulf coast community - not just our little work team - over the hump. And if we need to develop another two-year plan after it, then we will. We will have to. We know these people ... they aren't strangers ... they're John and Barbara and Ronnie and Janet ... How can we not help them?

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (1 John 4: 7 - 12)

you are light

2006-09-19T23:46:00.000-04:00

Well guess who learned all about roofing today?!Alright, so far all she's learned is tear out ... but Janet does know what it means when someone short-nails her ... and (contrary to the expression as she starts up the ladder), if you do it, she's not going to be happy about it!

The group split up today ... half of us (the 'don't EVEN think about putting me on a roof' half) went back to Barbara's for more Fun with Siding. The other four (the 'sure no problem, I can do a roof' half) went for a quick jaunt (yeah, look at a map - we're in Gulfport) to NEW ORLEANS to work on a roof in St. Bernard Parish.

SB is the place you saw on the news constantly in the early days post-Katrina ... water to the roof line. Nothing but house-tops as far as you could see. Even now, Toby shared, all you see are brick structures, totally gutted, with water lines at the ceiling beams. For block after block. Amazing.

Also amazing? The weather this evening. The sky. The air. Hard to imagine that waters so beautifully painted, so serene and reflective ... and tonight, filled with life, boys and dads playing on the shore ... could have wreaked the havoc so plainly on display still, more than one year later.
About 20 minutes down Hwy 90 from the church/mission station, is God's Katrina Kitchen, in Pass Christian. As we understand it, this two-tent, ten-trailer compound houses relief workers from all over, and serves three meals a day, six days a week (the staff takes Sunday as sabbath and rests) to workers who live on the property, and any who come in for meals, all funded exclusively from donations (there is no charge to eat, but donations are welcomed).

Many from the Pass Christian community -- residents who would return to work on homes, or who hadn't left but are low on or completely without resources -- often eat with the workers. No one is turned away. Worship is held each evening, and again all are welcomed. "Not one church, just one God" a sign proclaims. A cross dominates the dining hall, and a spirit of grace and generosity dominate the people. All signs of help and hope in a community still so shaken by the events of September 2005. In fact, there are more of those signs than you might imagine ...

"Leave your burdens here," it says. And even more intimately, reaches further to ask, "How can we pray for you?"

Tonight I prayed with and for our mission team as we closed our devotional time. As I did, I felt the prayers of our community at Geist, our families and friends ... and of the people we don't even know are praying for us ... of the people we don't even know at all ...

Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ... For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of the light -- for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. (Eph 5:1-2, 8-10)

It is powerful for me to know that we are held in -- and held up by -- your prayers. Then we become bearers of that grace, and carry those prayers here, where they join the prayers of so many here on the Gulf Coast. In conversations with near-strangers, in the laughter of new friends, in the teasing and camraderie and generosity of fellowship, in the sweat and sunburn of a hard day's work, the smallness of the world, and the greatness of God became very real for me today.

I am in awe of the people with whom I am spending this week.
For once you were darkness, but now . . . in the Lord . . .
YOU.
ARE.
LIGHT.

treasures

2006-09-18T23:05:00.000-04:00

"So, do you have any construction experience?"
"Let's see, counting today?"

"These folks are here from Indiana. They're good people."

And seriously, where are THESE guys when you need 'em?!!

tonight's devotional:
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Lk 12:32-34)

A terrific first day of work. Siding (nearly) all 'round Barbara's house, and a quick chance to meet her as she left for work this morning, and son John as he left for a day hard at his lawn care business.

treasure: Knowing that your ability to take off of work for a few days to help someone else allows them the ability to GO to work and support themselves and their family.

treasure: Walking up to a house covered in protective sheeting in the morning, leaving the house in the afternoon nearly covered in hearty-board siding.

treasure: Sharing stories of celebrations, occasions, near misses and family funnies ... all while building your own little family of sorts at the same time.
* p.s. - Happy (I don't know which number) Anniversary to Rod & Carol Howard ... and Happy 4th Birthday to Nolan & Marian Cooper's grandson, Robbie Manuzzi! Thanks for letting us borrow Rod, Nolan & Marian and put 'em to work, when they could be home celebrating with you!

treasure: Starting the day with someone saying, "God bless you all." ... and believing that she really means it, and knowing that even if nothing else happened in that day, that God really has blessed you, just by having that very moment in the presence of another person.

we have arrived !

2006-09-17T23:33:00.000-04:00

Another wonderfully uneventful day of travel ... okay, there was that time we nearly ran Nolan out of gas. Other than that ...

Arrived this afternoon in Gulfport, Mississippi, with enough time for orientation, a drive through the area, stocking up on supplies (how many grocery carts full does it take to feed 10 people 3 meals a day for a week?), dinner and now we crash. (Someone's snoring next door. I'm not saying who. But he is.)

First Christian Church, Gulfport, was itself hard hit by Hurricane Katrina. Some exterior brick damage (two of the vans from the adjacent First Baptist Church ended up against the outside wall, and the other two landed perfectly parallel parked at the front walk!), and a flooded sanctuary, office, and classroom in the fellowship hall area. The sanctuary work has been hired out and looks ready for carpeting (in fact, there are sample boards in the gathering area - I wonder if they'll let us vote, too?). The doors have obviously been stained and are propped on the (I'm assuming) chancel area. The stained glass (stunning, pictures tomorrow in the daylight) is - remarkably - unscathed.

For now, everything is happening in the education building.
The upstairs classrooms are our sleeping quarters for the week, and the downstairs fellowship hall is sanctuary on Sunday morning for the 20 or so remaining (of 35) members, and our dining area/gathering space during the week.

A short driving tour along Hwy 90 going west (see Friday's map) took us along the water ... "Wow, they're really right ON the water." "Well, it IS called Gulfport." ... and through the now-known-by-name towns of Long Beach and Pass Christian. Neighborhoods -- not only immediately on and facing the water, but also those a good distance inland -- are still littered with limbs, debris, the occasional carpet scrap in a tree, a boat in a driveway now sideways against a carport, a foundation (only) of what was clearly once an immense and stately home, and even one lone commode just perched in its (I presume) original location on an otherwise bare slab.

As much as the dramatic devastation -- of which there is plenty -- I'm struck by house after house that's just ... sort of ... left. Great damage, of course. But what you SEE is just a charming house, damaged in the storm, likely totally flooded inside, its contents (and perhaps inhabitants) completely destroyed, and now left ... on a lovely lot, surrounded by trees, set back from the road. And now ... just ... LEFT.

Tomorrow we head east on Hwy 90 into Biloxi ... concrete-based siding (it sounds heavy, yes? perhaps very wise!) is the order of the day. I hear there is a pneumatic nailer involved. Whoohoo! More power tools!

For now, some rest ... with thanksgiving for safe travel, wonderful companions, and a congregation of loving pray-ers 'back home (again) in Indiana.'

we're off!

2006-09-16T21:50:00.000-04:00

... in more ways than one! :-)

It's day one - travel. And there's already been whole tons of laughter, no one's been lost or left at a pit stop, and we've even stopped a little farther down the road than we'd planned ... that means less driving for tomorrow.

We're just south of Birmingham, overnighting in Bessemer, Alabama. We'll be into Gulfport mid-to-late afternoon tomorrow, orientation with our mission team leader, settling in, grocery run, and a good night's rest before Monday morning's 7:30 work call.

It's so much fun sharing a trip with folks who are new to the experience. Lots of questions and excitement, and lots of openness to whatever God places in our path for the week. I love it. I love it.

It will be a long week, but it will go quickly, if that makes any sense. I look forward to updating you here as much as possible (given whatever connectivity I can scare up) and having great pictures to post and stories to tell when we return.

We also look forward to MANY MANY MORE opportunities for our congregation to share in this mission. Find some comfy work gloves and break in a pair of boots ... or heck, just pack 'em now and we'll help you break 'em in later! God is doing great things in the world, one heart, one soul at a time, and it is an honor to be but a very small part of something so much bigger than we can even hope or imagine.

all my bags are packed

2006-09-15T21:32:00.000-04:00

Actually, they aren't. But they're about to be.

Tomorrow morning, another intrepid group of mission-trippers heads out of the Geist Christian Church parking lot. This is the third group trip, and our fourth hurricane relief venture (counting my solo tour at First Christian, Tyler TX). Destination: Gulfport, Mississippi.

The really exciting part is that 6 of our 8 travellers are 'newbies'! I just love expanding the circle ... the more people who hear the story, see the reality, live the mission ... the more people come home as advocates, as leaders, as partners in comfort.

Keep in your prayers this week the seven folks adventuring with me:
Nolan & Marion Cooper
Janet Annest
Toby Westcott
Bob Jonason
Rod Howard
Shirley Wells

God be with you as we are apart, and God bring us together again soon.

look 'n' feel

2006-09-06T19:02:00.000-04:00

Making a few changes here and there, getting this mission blog ready for the gangbuster two years we have coming: 7 trips in '07, 8 trips in '08.

Hoping we'll have lots o' traffic here, so we're making a few changes, updating links and posts, and yes, working on the long-promised RSS feed.

In the meantime, check your calendar ... when ya comin' with us?!

Partners in Comfort

2006-09-01T15:58:00.000-04:00

Katrina Anniversary Marks Start of Disciples Recovery Initiative
While much of America has noted the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina this week, thousands upon thousands of residents across the Gulf South continue to struggle to put their families back together, rebuild their homes and communities, and return some sense of normalcy to their lives. While government agencies at all levels have not yet been able to organize a thorough and effective response, hurricane survivors continue to laud the efforts of the churches and church-related agencies. Disciples ... have provided more than $2 million dollars through Week of Compassion to hurricane relief and recovery and sent more than 250 work groups and nearly 3,000 volunteers to the region.

Now WOC is launching a new 2-year, $2+ million long- term hurricane recovery initiative to ensure that Disciples' response to the most disastrous hurricane year on record continues. The initiative calls for Disciples to send 750 work groups to the region between September 1, 2006, and August 31, 2008 ...

Week of Compassion is deeply appreciative of the remarkable outpouring of gifts in response to our hurricane relief and recovery efforts. These gifts have enabled us to respond to immediate needs, to ongoing needs throughout the year following, and now, to the critical long-term needs of recovery and rehabilitation.
- Week of Compassion update 8/31/06

Last weekend in worship, Randy challenged us to become 'Partners in Comfort'.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Tod was back, having left our staff six weeks ago to serve full time in our denominational office, leading this disaster response effort ... he said he'd be back, and he was! Jim and Tom and Pam shared glimpses of the meaning and power, even almost a year later, from the mission trips they joined ... the difference that it makes to make a difference to someone else.

And so the goal is set. 750 trips for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Of that? Geist Christian Church will do 15 ... 7 in '07, and 8 in '08.

This is an adventure in mission like none we've taken. Then again, this is a need -- here at home -- like none we've seen.

The gathered community on August 26-27 heeded the challenge from Randy, the inspiration from Tod, Jim, Tom and Pam and 'stickied' their intentions to be partners in comfort.

80 individuals or families said they'll be part of a misson trip or a support team: hammer, paint, carry, cut, clean, sweep / shop, cook, care for kids, take pictures

49 individuals or families committed to contribute to the mission fund: write a check, direct debit an account, charge a card (contact Elena)

78 individuals or families will prepare relief kits: pick up shopping/packing instructions at church, or click here and look for 'school kit' and 'health kit' lists

We will have several "y'all come" trips ... trips for the entire congregation, in any configuration. (Given the physical and emotional toll of this work, and for liability and safety reasons, we do ask that participants be of high school age and older.)

There will also be opportunities for special groups to pool their efforts and build relationships through serving together. True North men's ministries? Selah! ministries for women? CYF high school youth? Couples? Who else??

7 in '07. We have four of those seven dates READY for your calendar:

February 18 - 24, 2007: Slidell, Louisiana
*This trip will be in celebration of Week of Compassion, working year-round, but recognized each February. We have invited WoC Executive Director Johnny Wray to join us in Slidell.
May 13 - 19, 2007: Lake Charles, Louisiana
*Hit hard by Hurricane Rita, Lake Charles has been quite overlooked in other recovery efforts.
September 16 - 22, 2007: McComb, Mississippi
*Working with an interfaith agency, expanding the reach of recovery.
November 11 - 17, 2007: Algiers/New Orleans, Louisiana
*This mission station is finishing a new facility for hosting work groups of up to 70!

Enough excuses.
Enough delays.
Enough hesitation.
Enough.

Pack a kit.

Write a check.

Get in a van.

Become a Partner in Comfort.

'katrina cottages'

2006-08-14T00:20:00.000-04:00

Read about this 'unveiling' (of a new version of an old idea) in the Sarasota paper while vacationing, and am really intrigued by the prospect ...

First of all, that they're quick and relatively permanent.

Second, that they're not only hurricane-resistant (ooh! good thinking! something more than a tin can with a door!) AND 'green' units. Nice.

And, they can be used as EITHER replacement housing during the - as we're learning - longer-than-anyone-expects 'interim' periods OR they can be seed housing for whatever is built from there. I like that idea.

Obviously Florida is recovering - STILL - from multiple storm tragedies over the last several years (and yes, Disciples groups are still active there as well). It's good to know, though, that at least SOMEONE is thinking ahead for the storm season at hand.

awesome!

2006-08-04T11:22:00.000-04:00

So after the July trip ended up not happening due to lack of response (or, more accurately, conflict of schedules) ...

The September trip (September 17 - 23) to Gulfport is looking like an even DOZEN so far! All first timers (besides me). I'm SO excited.

There's still a little room, folks ... we could take a few more. August 16 is our travel arrangement deadline so let me know ASAP!!

I love it when people just open up and say "Y'know, we have no idea what we can do or if you need us, but we'd really like to go. Can we help?"

Uh. Yeah. Ya can.

annnddd ... not so much

2006-08-04T11:13:00.000-04:00

You've GOT to be kidding me.

First, there's 10,000 trailers sitting in Arkansas unused because they can't be placed in flood plains.

Then, we learn that the trailers that ARE there are little chemical factories, with formaldehyde gas (ooh! a carcinogen on every health agency list!) being emitted -- and breathed in! -- in triple-concentration doses.

Now, FEMA is saying it's okay to live in the trailers. The last sentence is. a. classic.

God help us all.

good news / bad news

2006-07-16T19:13:00.000-04:00

So - it's a little bit of both in mission trip land today.

Bad news is ... we've made the excruciating decision to forgo our July mission trip to Covington. With only two of us committed (one of 'us' being 'me'), and with painfully tight mission funds, it seemed the better part of stewardship to focus our resources on the already-growing group committing for the September journey to Gulfport.

This stresses me out for a lot of reasons:

1) "Oh! We want to do one of those trips! We want to be part of that with you! We don't know exactly how we can help, but we want to do something! If there's one in the summer, that would be perfect! We could even do it as a family!" Months, emails, newsletters, bulletins, slides, announcements, conversations later ... one. reply. in the affirmative.

2) That one reply? Was so absolutely committed to this, she had taken off work, talked to her husband, and emailed me saying "I'll go!" within 30 minutes of my message announcing the date. To have to then get in touch with her and say 'It just isn't fiscally responsible of us to put our mission fund to work getting "only" two of us down there' JUST. KILLED. ME.

3) Our church (denominational office) was counting on us being there. To have to call and say 'Uh, can't do it.' is ... painful.

4) I just hate it when stuff doesn't work out the way I want it to. Hey, if we're being honest, let's throw that one in, okay?

So what to do?

I realize that people, well, they have lives. I know that. I get that. Just because I would spend every moment doing this kind of work (if I could have figured out how to have the church keep paying my bills even if I never showed up, I'd have just STAYED after our first trip back in November!!) ... doesn't mean that it's reasonable or do-able for everyone (or anyone) else.

Mission work is excruciating. It's back-breaking and heart-breaking ... and bank-breaking, sometimes.

But it has to be done. Not because someone has us on the work calendar. Because 'someone' has us ON EARTH. We're here together. It's not unreasonable to think that at some point we will need something - it's not unreasonable to think that at some point we will have something to give. Both of those things are true. Part of 'we' is in need ... and the other part of 'we' needs to respond.

And we will ... of that I'm confident. (There's the good news.) People have schedule conflicts and work demands and family times that need to be honored ... without a doubt, without exception.

But people also have gifts to give and needs to meet and things to do that have NOTHING to do with them and EVERYTHING to do with being faithful.

hold on tight

2006-07-11T00:11:00.000-04:00

I am fascinated to see how this scenario plays out ... there are countless people who could tell this same tale, sing this same song (insert your 'been there, done that' metaphor of choice).

It will be interesting to see (1) what happens for this particular first case, and (2) what happens to all the other cases that are already pending or (depending on the outcome here) will be filed from this point forward.

And? Welcome ... again ... to hurricane season!

This could be interesting ...

Last call!

2006-07-05T23:04:00.000-04:00

Last week, a friend asked about our April mission trip. I was telling him about the work we did, the woman we met, the experience. (Telling it, of course, pales in comparison. Hardly does the reality any justice.)

He said, "So you just go and do whatever?"

"Well, we don't just show up. We have an office we work with that coordinates for us. It's not like we pick a town and pack our stuff and say 'Okay! Here we are! Let us help you!'"

Just this morning I was talking with a bible study about 'faith and works' -- in the good sense, not the 'earning your way in' sense! -- and how living out your faith in mission work involves setting aside what you think is the 'right thing' to do or the 'right way' to do something. Going in and saying 'Here, let us fix this' does nothing to truly nurture, support or empower those who will still live where you've served long after you've packed up and gone home.

WHICH led me (anyone need a life jacket for this ride on the stream of consciousness?) to recall the great Newsweek feature I read yesterday. Remarkable people. People doing things because they need to be done -- seeing a need, finding a way to fill it. It's really much simpler than we make it, you know?

In that feature, Brad Pitt (stop rolling your eyes, keep reading) makes some great comments about the benefits of celebrity and the responsibilities thereof. Say what you will, but I'm willing to bet a large percentage of the American populace had no idea where Namibia was before Brad and Angelina decided to encamp there for BabyWatch. And now, that country's schools and hospitals have a huge contribution coming their way (thanks to People magazine's willingness to shell out ungodly amounts of money to satisfy the prurient interests of the American public).

Something to be said for 'If you're going to follow us all over the world, we'll at least take you to places that people need to see, and while we're at it, we'll make you leave your money here.' I kind of respect that boldness. ANYWAY, the upshot is something that he says in the video clip accompaniment to the article (referring to his first, and coming, trips to African nations, emphasis mine):

It’s a multifaceted problem – this is just the beginning for me. One, the beginning of my education, and also I guess the beginning of how I’ll participate. I can’t predict all that. But what I do know is that I have seen it, I have been there and to walk away from it, to turn my back on it, makes me culpable ... and I cannot do that.

It doesn't have to be a trip to Africa, or millions of dollars in assistance. Just find something to do ... something you can do ... something YOU. can. do ... and get out there and do it.

Oh, hey, by the way ... last call for the July 23 - 29 trip to Covington LA ...

Well, whaddya know ...

2006-06-04T03:01:00.000-04:00

Pictures!

From Beaumont! In April!

Yeah, yeah, whatever ... insert your harrassment and my excuse here ... lather, rinse, repeat.

Better late than never, eh?

But it's a good chance for me to remind the fine folks at Geist Christian Church (or elsewhere, if you're interested) that we have trips #3 AND #4 on the ol' calendar ... just waiting for YOUR name on the list ...

Covington, Louisiana - July 23 - 29
Ooh, look! They gave us the cool week!

Gulfport, Mississippi - September 17 - 23

In an interesting bit of community and coincidence, our Indianapolis friends from Northwood Christian Church (lead minister Kris Wratten, former associate at GCC) spent a week IN Covington, working AT Gulfport, on the church where we'll likely stay in September. She assures me the pews are securely attached to the floor and that that one little electrical mishap should be cleared up in plenty of time ...

It's hard to believe that we're already a few days into the 2006 hurricane season and so much has yet to EVEN. BE. TOUCHED. from the '05 go-'round. Then again, there are folks in Florida, and other parts of the Gulf, still reeling in their trailers, tarps and bottled water from two, three, four hurricane seasons ago.

All the more reason we should pack the bags, roll up the sleeves (heck, cut 'em off, it's gonna be hot!) and GET TO WORK.

Look forward to journeying with you ...

closing in on it

2006-04-18T23:46:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow at our monthly "BRAINfood" luncheon, I will be the 'guest speaker,' sharing a little about our hurricane relief mission trips.

Three trips, counting the original to Tyler ... in a series of pictures and comments ... coming in at around 25 minutes, with a few minutes for question and answer afterward.

Oh, sure. No problem. I can, uh, summarize.

EEK!

But what this means for everyone else (aside from the devoted folks joining me tomorrow), is that the photo album will be ready in a day or so! Stay tuned ...

wait for it ...

2006-04-11T01:24:00.000-04:00

Wrap-up, pictures, RSS, future dates ...

It's all coming, I promise.

Did I mention it's Holy Week?

Thanks for your patience.

"like a band of gypsies...

2006-04-07T23:58:00.000-04:00

… we go down the highway."

Room 215 at the Days Inn Little Rock has some loose floor tiles in the bathroom. Think they’d like me to chisel and regrout those for ‘em?

After a fast half-day’s work – finishing up the shower surround, bathroom fixtures, painting the bathroom a fabulous cheerful yellow, and grouting that hearth – Candy broke out the big guns for our parting lunch (the whole gang was there) and then a 10 minute pit stop to shower, pack bags, load the car and hit the road.

I led us on a little tour of the access road/interstate system in our one-mile stretch of Beaumont … THEN we were on the road at 2:00, on a rerouted tour to avoid some rumored storms and tornados headed through Mississippi (the way we’d come).

Our tour through the piney woods of East Texas, and right at 7.5 hours have put us in Little Rock, Arkansas for the night. Our friends from Warsaw headed back the MS way and said the weather didn’t materialize, but the traffic snarl to beat all DID, right around Baton Rouge. (edit: News reports Saturday morning indicated severe storms, damage and fatalities. I've not talked with the Warsaw group yet to check in on the balance of their trip.)

Which would have meant driving three hours out of Beaumont and then … sitting. For a long time. On bridges. At least on our two-lane state highways we could keep moving – well, except for the lumber trucks … and the school bus stop … and the guy on his tractor stopping to get his mail from the box. (I love Texas!) So … ‘six of one, half dozen of the other,’ as my father used to (incessantly!) say.

Jim: Next stop, I need to be sure to take that sign off the car.
Ken: What sign?
Jim: The one that says ‘PULL OUT IN FRONT OF ME!’

We’ll be out super early in the morning and head on for Indy, losing an hour en route. Of course, the first time change in 30 years in Indiana takes effect the week we’re traveling! For the LOVE!

Moments from the week continue to insert themselves into our conversations and private thoughts … faces, comments, events, recollections, revelations, questions. It was quite a remarkable week, with layer after layer of blessing and hope.

More to share, more to see, more to consider. Plan to have an update on Sunday with some closing thoughts, sometime early next week a link to a photo album, and hopefully soon an RSS feed/link (for those who've asked), to keep you apprised of any future updates ... including ~hint,hint~ future trip dates. Awesome things still to come ...

But for now, a little shut-eye.

trash theology

2006-04-06T22:31:00.000-04:00

Okay, this is going to get a little weird, a little deep ... but go with me, okay?

Today's work at Carl & Lolly's was finish-up/clean-up tasks. Finish the roof (yay! two roofs done! and this one was a tricky little devil ... ask Ken!) and then ... haul the trash. Bags and bags and heaps and heaps of trash ... messy, smelly, been sittin' there a while, tore-out-like-crazy-people-and-now-we're-rebuilding TRASH. So all the Kentucky Kids haul it ... to the truck ... which Kim had to arrange to use ... which she drives to the dump ... and comes back ... for another load. Their house totally and completely comes apart in a hurricane of record proportions and their city doesn't even pick up their trash.

Meanwhile, over at Candy's, catfish is frying for lunch (did I mention this saint-of-a-woman feeds us - and whatever neighbors wander through - EVERY DAY? - and not pb&j, people, serious full-on MEALS). And we are sanding, mudding, painting, screening, installing deadbolts (3rd day's try is the charm, thanks Jim!), sanding a hearth and laying tile (guess what I learned to do, Mom!), hanging burglar bars and getting every odd and end we can accomplished.

And the trash collectors come by. Yay! The trash truck comes! But wait.

It takes the two trash cans (the wheeled kind you sit at your curb) and dumps them into the truck -- in the process dumping half the contents of one can back onto the ground. Puts the cans down, drives away.

LEAVING the bags and bags and heaps and heaps of trash ... messy, smelly, been sittin' there a while, tore-out-like-crazy-people-and-now-we're-rebuilding TRASH. LEFT IT THERE. This is a trash heap that covers ... hmm ... imagine standing in your front yard, facing the street. From the sidewalk to the pavement, from the left end of your property to the right end of your property, about waist high. That kind of trash heap. They left. it. there.

Who's supposed to tend to that? Who picks that up? Not the city, evidently. And not anyone else, evidently. So now what will she do? Frankly, I don't know.

But it drives me to disraction that the 'nice' neighborhoods, like the one where our friends at First Christian hosted us to dinner last night, don't have a speck of trash in sight, let alone a HEAP. Their homes were damaged. A few still have trees down. There are some "FEMA Blue" tarps here and there. But no trash. No smell. No health hazard for people walking by, or children enjoying a sunny afternoon.

Which led me to admit that we do what's easy ... we pay attention, and give attention, and give time and effort, when someone's watching, or when we perceive it's 'worthwhile,' or it's not inconvenient for us ... won't interrupt our home, our vacation, our work, our comfort.

Otherwise? We come by when we can, we take care of whatever happens to land in the truck on the first toss, and then we drive away.

I love mission trips because I get to see people face to face, hear their stories, be part of their lives, share their meals and their hopes and dreams and frustrations ... the hardest part is to drive away, like we will tomorrow, carrying their faces and stories and dreams with me ... wondering if someone else will drive up next week, or the week after, or the next storm, or next year.

Will someone come? Will you?

iiiittttt's hump day !

2006-04-05T21:31:00.000-04:00

One roof is done! And another is so close they can smell it. Okay, maybe that's sweat they smell, but whatever ... you get the idea.

Wednesdays of week-long mission trips are always tricky days: it's the middle of the adventure. You've spent two days working, you know you have two days after this one to work. The twin demons of Tired and Sore have taken residence in every fiber and sinew. The twin angels of Community and Encouragement have to ramp into overdrive to make the day liveable, let alone WORTH living through. And let's not even talk about what happens when Impatience shows up to play ...

It was a day with a few rough spots, but really, by day's end ... with showers and a dinner generously provided by First Christian Church (who feeds the groups staying, as we are, at Northwood Christian once during each week they work) ... the day had some bright points:

Did I mention a roof is done?!
A truck comes tomorrow to haul the debris from Carl & Lolly's.
Screens have been replaced all around a house.
Youth and adults alike have learned new skills - both carpentry and interpersonal.

God is doing a great thing here ... not only in Beaumont, not only for these two families, but in he hearts and minds of each person working. At our most haggard and uncertain moments, the spirit we feel most strongly IS the Spirit ... blowing over us and cooling any sunburn, tending any heated brow, and reminding us again that we do this work NOT for ourselves, but for the One who calls us to serve.

And after all, isn't this what it's all about?

While sitting at the bookstore updating his own blog tonight, Jim had a 30-second conversation with 'Reggie,' who learned that we're in town with a church group working on damaged homes ... and said "Thank you, man. Rita tore the place up pretty bad. There's a lot to do and we're glad for the help."

Spirit moment. Gets you over the hump every. single. time.

hammer, mud, screen ... repeat

2006-04-04T22:03:00.000-04:00

While the crew at Carl & Lolly's kept their roof moving along (starting a little earlier today in an effort to beat some shingle-melting heat), the gang at Candy's house had a second great day of progress on their roof as well.

P.S. - If you decide it's hot and want to take off the long sleeved shirt you're wearing, putting sunscreen on the now-exposed parts of your Hoosier forearms is a very. good. idea. (-cough-Ken!-cough-)

And no, Jim's not quite as close to those power lines as it looks. (Not quite.)

Our Shirley, I'll have you know, is a Jane of All Trades. Yesterday, she was ground crew and transport for the roofing work. Today she was mud-and-tape team in the bathroom, and this afternoon she was half of the screened-in-porch re-screeners. The woman does it all. All hail the mail carrier! Your tax dollars at work!

As for me? Mudding and taping within an inch of my life ... calling for 'mandatory' water/rest breaks, which no one listened to (-cough-Jim!-cough-) ... and spending a good part of the afternoon with George, NOT getting the back door to deadbolt. Argh. Grr. Grrrrrrrr.

For all the frustrations and aches of the day, though, the evening brought us time to have a terrific dinner (thanks to Marsha and Rhonda, our Warsaw pals, for what Marsha claims 'wasn't cooking, more like preparing' -- whatever it was, it was GONE), and a time for reflection and prayer.

We considered some of Jesus' lessons on humility, and reminded ourselves that everything we've thought and done in these two early days has already surpassed everything we thought we were capable of doing. Don't you LOVE it when God does that?!

So, thanks be to God for safe travel and safe work ... for new friends and good laughter ... for wonderful meals and strengthened spirits.

And now, to a night's rest, because tomorrow ... we sand!

a house of love

2006-04-03T21:52:00.000-04:00

A house of love. This is a house of love.

That's how Candy describes the place, and is she ever right.

We pull up to the house, for our first day of work: a van, an suv, a truck, a jeep, a car. Three youth, five adults, plus our 3 managers/volunteer coordinators who introduce us to Candy. Who greets us ALL with enormous hugs, smiles, shouts of laughter and welcome.

People driving down the street stop to holler hello. People come to her porch and greet her (and us). People walking by wave and call out. Her kids come over with their kid, and neighbors and neighbor children stop by all day long. And everyone gets the same fabulous greeting: "How you doin', baby?!" And it never seems like she's faking it.

And one thing you can't fake is that cooking! Our outside team is stripping old shingles, pulling up nails, laying out tarpaper, starting new shingles; inside team is slicing, reslicing, shaving, hanging, rehanging sheetrock. And all through the house ... lunch smells. And I mean SMELLS GOOD. And she wouldn't have it any other way ... Nobody walks in this door and walks out without eating! We're here to be of service, and here she is feeding us like we're royal guests!

Her house has been disassembled for more than four weeks now (once the work got started, obviously the storm did its own disassembly months before!), and she is absolutely the most cheerful, most gracious ... such a lesson in love and spirit. Never know when you'll meet an angel ... that's the first thing Jayna taught me when we learned about doing mission trips.

A very very VERY packed first day ... hit the ground running, as the saying goes. George and Dixie Smith (hi Carmel Christian Church!) are fabulous, Kim Woolley blows me away with her dedication and energy, and Archie (whose last name totally escapes me) was on the second house's roof every second the 14 year olds were and givin' directions all the way.

The group that we're staying and working with is from Warsaw, Kentucky, and couldn't be nicer. Six youth and five adults, all just a delight. So far the guys seem to want to play basketball first thing in the morning ... I'm wondering if tomorrow will be a different story!

B & W signs

2006-04-02T21:50:00.000-04:00

Best thing about traveling for mission trip: Every time you stop en route … it’s warmer.

Worst thing about stopping along the way: “service” at Wendy’s, Blytheville, Arkansas

Best thing about stopping overnight along the way: one more night in an actual bed & shower before it’s church floors, aero beds, and locker rooms

Worst thing about stopping overnight along the way: changing time zones AND having the time change all in the same night.

What time are we getting up? What time are we meeting? What time do we want to be on the road? Okay, is that Indiana time or Memphis time? Before we change our clocks or after?

So – I think we’re leaving in an hour or so. But it could be two. Or I could already be late. I’m not sure.

*
Ha! We all made it to the lobby at the (same!) appointed time.

Driving west on I-10, through Louisiana toward Beaumont, as soon as we hit Lake Charles, there was no mistaking the signs … literally and figuratively.

> I wonder how many contractors, builders, carpenters and other similar professionals suddenly became … either by necessity, or out of opportunity … “reconstruction specialists”? Saw that sign more than once.

> Apparently, ‘roofing and gutters’ is the business to be in right now in these parts, if the multitude of signs advertising those services are indicators. One company had FOUR bright yellow “roofing,” “roofing supplies.” “roof estimates,” “need roofing?” banners hanging … ON A SINGLE STRETCH OF FENCE! That’s a sign of something …

> A church (no sign as to ‘kind’) just off the I-10 access road in Orange (TX border) had no visible door (main entrance boarded over), two of three primary windows boarded over, and an entire corner having fallen off (heap of bricks) and temporarily (I assume) patch-repaired with scrap siding. But the sign? “Services 10 a.m.” THAT’s the sign I needed to see … God is here, God prevails.

The biggest sign though, was the one that was most persistent, and is the view that haunts me still from our earlier trip this way: the trees. All along both sides of the highway, lovely trees of wonderful variety.

And for every one or two standing tall and slender, reaching for the sunny blue sky … there are five or six snapped in half, smashed into each other, hanging sideways with random pieces of roofing, siding, plywood, metal sticking out amongst the branches.

And yet when you just look at them together – there as they grow, all together – the thing you see is the green, the lushness, the depth, the reach. You notice how rich the signs of creation are, everywhere, always.

Wait. Wasn’t I talking about trees?

today's the day !

2006-04-01T09:50:00.000-05:00

A few last-minute errands for some essentials, then we load the van (thanks Jim!) at 1:00 and we're out the door ...

Overnight in Memphis, then on to Beaumont tomorrow. We're meeting up with a group from First Christian Church, Warsaw KY ... always a huge part of these mission trips, not just the folks you're serving, but the ones you're serving WITH.

We work Monday through Friday, then Friday/Saturday we'll reverse the drive and head back for Indy, overnighting again in Memphis.

Looking forward to the whole adventure ... Jim is with me again on this one (I'm starting to think he's a mission junkie like me!), plus two 'new kids' this time around, Ken and Shirley.

Can't wait ... more to come ... as ever ...

what to DO ?!

2006-03-30T21:24:00.000-05:00

They're trying to figure out what to DO with 10,000 FEMA trailers?!

I'd imagine the residents of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas would have a suggestion ... or 10,000. 10,777 to be exact. Fully-furnished ready-manufactured housing, which FEMA says it can't move because there's a rule against putting manufactured housing ... wait for it ... on a flood plain.

You've GOT to be kidding me.

For whatever reason, including "the simple fact of not wanting hurricane evacuees in your backyard." Well, sure, 'cause having 10,777 TRAILERS is so much more appealing.

Honestly. People. This isn't rocket science. I'll readily admit that a lot of city planning, and crisis management, and civic policy, etc., is far beyond my understanding -- or my desire to understand.

But. COME. ON. PEOPLE.

Thousands of homes destroyed in four states. Tens of thousands of people without homes, or resources. And ten thousand ready-to-live-in-this-minute trailers ...

are.
sitting.
there.

speaking of far

2006-03-22T13:52:00.000-05:00

I knew people had been evacuated, displaced, frankly just FLED throughout the country following Hurricanes Katrina & Rita ... I had NO idea that children alone were displaced to FORTY of the fifty states. Good grief.

What a remarkable milestone, though, to have finally reunited the last child (on record) and her family. Six months later. Can't imagine.

how far we've come

2006-03-21T10:10:00.000-05:00

Twelve short days (and a pretty long drive!) and we'll be in Beaumont.

Outside of Houston, on the Texas gulf coast, Beaumont and Port Arthur were slammed by Hurricane Rita, less than a month after Hurricane Katrina had devastated the gulf coasters a little to the east.

So 'little to the east,' in fact, that this area was a prime location for Katrina evacuees to land ... and then either evacuate or get hit again a short month later. Hard to imagine.

We're not sure yet exactly what our work will be ... some groups are still assisting with demo and tear-out ... but some are moving projects to the rebuild and renewal phase. Either way, there is plenty of work ... I doubt we'll run out of options!

Six months out, most residents have returned (an estimated 10% have not yet) and many businesses have reopened.

I look forward to being back in Texas, and doing what we can to extend help and hope to a resilient community that shouldn't be forgotten.

Back from NOLA ...

2006-03-15T09:11:00.000-05:00

(Matt is a friend who lives/lived in New Orleans, has evacuated with his family to a couple of places, and is currently in the D.C. area, perhaps for 'good'. This is his chronicle of a very recent trip 'back'.)

... on what would seem to be a more permanent basis. More about that later.

Did the obligatory disaster tour with a townie friend just to see how things are going. I'll be honest - while I saw things had improved, and was flat out amazed to see many people in the Lower 9th/Holy Cross area and eastern St. Bernard in FEMA trailers fixing their homes up. These areas will be built back through the sheer will of the people. Brother Martin and Holy Cross schools were open, albeit mostly in trailers, but it was such a symbol of loyalty of its alums and the Church that even a cynic like me understood the meaning. It was all inspiring to see. I also saw my first disaster tour bus. Kinda creepy.

But to be honest, heartbreaking as well. You see the hard work that these people are putting in, spending all they have, not waiting for FEMA or the Congress, and there is the real possibility they may be told they will not be allowed to continue their efforts and their houses will be razed. Or that they will rebuild and will be let down again by promises of protection that won't be kept.

There's still no clear plan on how to rebuild NOLA, and for all the talk about the Army Corps of Engineers working 24/7 to fix the canal flood walls and levee breaches, I saw no one working on either the 17th Street or Industrial canal breaches. Less than 100 days to go. They have put a fence around the 17th Street canal breach so you can no longer climb around it, but my friend and I did find a pile of those huge sandbags you saw on tv being dropped by helicopter into the breach. As you flip through the pictures linked below, that's what I'm standing on.

Gentilly, Bywater, Lower Ninth, Arabi, East Chalmette and what I saw of Lakeview all benefitted from green - the grass and the trees have brought some color. Still I didn't see any birds or insects, where they were in abundance on the Northshore. And there are people around. Noticed many people "from away" (mostly church groups and spring breakers) cleaning up areas in the Lower Ninth and Holy Cross areas.

But, it just seemed like so little has happened since I left last December. The Northshore is back to its normal. Or its new normal. Around Old Mandeville, people have started to raise and others raze their homes. To me, it looked better with the really demolished homes removed and the lots smoothed out, but I think many old timers from that part of town are wary of what will be built in its place. On the north side of Mandeville, a new subdivision seems to have been built almost to completion in the 3.5 months I've been away. Smaller, attached homes. Necessary, and no doubt only the beginning of this kind of development, but lacking even the charm that my house on Logan Lane has. It looks like a large, long term FEMA trailer park may be going in on 1088. The flavor of Mandeville has changed more since I've left. People seemed to have adjusted to the traffic (or maybe NoVA has blinded me) but I was shocked actually get a little rude treatment from people. Fast food and gas stations still close at 7pm due to a shortage of workers.

My subdivision looked pretty good. Only one house for sale and only 2 houses that needed roof repair. I would say about 80% of the tree debris that is visible from the road has been cleaned up - and it makes a huge difference. Managed to get in a spinning class at the PAC. It was great to see the peeps. Few old faces gone and a few new faces. I had the impression that many were still in a holding pattern - it seems everyone in Mandeville works for an oil company or sold medical supplies and since there are no doctors in NOLA (it's really bad) and other than Shell the oil companies are still kind of mushmouthed about their return plans, so there are many people still kinda stuck in a holding pattern on the Northshore as well.

The new Acme in Covington was - like every other open foodie place - totally packed. It did not stop me from eating huge amounts of raw, chargrilled and fried oysters on both Saturday and Sunday nights. Tip - sit at the shucking bar at the new location, you'll get bigger and better oysters. As to be expected, I drank many beers. Also, as I had expected, but I guess had not thought about the degree, I was just amazed by how good to me my friends and the people I knew from Louisiana are to me. We'll all like to talk about having those relationships where you claim you would do anything for that person, or you know people that would do anything for you, but I'm not sure how legitimate that is. I believe it to be deep and genuine with those folks in Southern LA.

My friends seem to be doing well. I'll admit however, and this may just be because I've been away and can now notice it, that there is a noticeable level of distress amongst some of them. While I'm not surprised as I had been in the middle of it for some time, a high paying job and a fat savings account can be no match for some things. I understood this, but seeing people I know, who share with me some of their concerns, reminds me of this. Take heed.

I wonder if I've rambled in the email so much because I am worried that my overarching opinion -- that NOLA and the surrounding area is still in very bad way (I was frankly shocked in some ways) -- will overshadow my belief that the area deserves to and should be rebuilt (we can debate on the form that it takes) and that the slowness of response, failure to accept responsibility and current and ongoing bickering about money is something we should all be ashamed of. We all live in places that could be destroyed, we all could lose everything and among the first to help would be people from Louisiana. Remember that.

Anyway, my pics from the trip: here and here.

When you compare them to this and this ...

Not too much has changed.

setting the standard

2006-03-13T15:54:00.000-05:00

Have you noticed that 'Katrina' is the standard shorthand language now for 'really bad storm' or 'major disaster'? It's the measuring stick for damage, destruction, and to an extent, recovery.

The completely bizarre weather that's dancing around the midwest the last few days has done some serious damage, leading at least one mayor to compare his town's decimation to the swath cut six months ago by Hurricane Katrina.

Fair or unfair isn't really the point here ... adequate or inadequate comparison could be debated ... I just find it interesting how certain terminology becomes commonly used, commonly defined.

Foxhole mentality? Experience disaster = empathy? Interesting to consider, particularly when such empathy, compassion, etc., has moved many to respond ... and yet others (as in the Samaritan story our children studied this last month) have chosen simply to "pass by on the other side."

we're coming along

2006-03-09T22:52:00.000-05:00

The loss and damage that extends throughout the gulf states of this country is beyond imagination. The overwhelming fear, anxiety, frustration, anguish, anger ... every emotion you can name ... floods through the people as surely as the wind, water, and debris flew through the towns.

So to see and hear of someone who lost his home to the storm, and his wife while evacuating -- putting this kind of time, effort, and heart into recovery ... and not just of his own life, but the lives of those around him ... is staggering.

It also reminds me that the things that inconvenience me, that take my time and money, even that cause some damage to my home or my relationships ... still pale so severely in comparison to the realities of life for hundreds of thousands of people in my own nation. (The struggles and stories of people throughout the world do the same thing ... but that is a greater issue for another blog.)

We have long heard it said that "Knowledge is power." I hope that's true ... it feels more and more true all the time. As I make the effort to stay attuned to news, updates, stories, pictures, images, reports, bulletins, requests ... and as we prepare to take a second work group into storm-affected areas ... I sense a growing power.

There seems to be an understanding that the 'system' cannot completely handle the problem ... couldn't in the moment, and certainly can't now. The way communities will survive THIS is the way communities have always survived ... by BEING community. By working together for the greater good ... by serving another's need before my own ... by doing whatever is needed whenever I can in order to stay aware, remain educated, remember to be grateful, and above all to care for another in their need.

a pile of stuff

2006-03-08T14:25:00.000-05:00

The President is in New Orleans today ... his 10th trip to the region since Hurricane Katrina.

Congress is poised to allocate $4.2 billion in flexible community development funds for areas affected by the hurricane, but lawmakers have decided to dedicate that money to all states affected by Katrina. Bush said Congress must allocate the $4.2 billion just for Louisiana, to help residents whose homes have been damaged or destroyed.

And the other states? The other hurricane(s)? Where is the help for them?

“You’ve got a pile of stuff here,” the president remarked at one point, watching from a mold-infested pink duplex as a small bulldozer shoved a mattress, toys, a cooking pot, several pairs of blue jeans, a single brown shoe and a pair of women’s underwear down the street.

A pile of stuff.

Yeah, you could say that. Here. There. And everywhere.

The whole thing ... the. whole. thing. ... makes my head spin.

learning as they go

2006-03-07T23:48:00.000-05:00

The Army Corps of Engineers. "They may never have done {this} before."

"This" being a demolition ... someone is being paid to come in and "help" in the "clean-up" by FLATTENING YOUR HOUSE ... the one you've lived in for more than 40 years ... and they may never have done it before?!

I know, I know ... it needs to be done, necessary evil, greater good, yadda yadda yadda.

But holy smokes ... I just ... it makes me hurt. Having walked through and worked in neighborhoods that defy description, I know that many of these homes ... most of them in some areas ... are going to be razed. But to have to watch it ... to be there when it happens ... and to know that yours is first! The test house!

I remember standing with Ms. Simmons in closet after closet of her home ... which you can see was once lovely ... and her tired but strong voice saying I'll never be able to save that ... ah, I never even wore that ... eh, I was ready to get rid of that anyway ... oh, that was my daughter's ... that's from one of the kids I took care of ... To stand there with someone's very memories in my hands, and carry them to the curb, and have her thank me for helping her ...

None of it's easy ... not standing there watching it happen ... not coming in and trying to help ... not driving the truck and learning as you go ... none of it is easy. Not at all.

just how closely

2006-03-06T18:24:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you get a note that just really covers it all.

specifics: Patti is a church member; Laura is her daughter, a seminary student doing a chaplaincy fellowship at Hanover College. Carmel is a 'burb north of Indy; Southport is - you guessed it - south side of town.

Hi,

I wanted to share with you two a neat connection that took place in New Orleans this past week. My mom called today to let me know that Southport's interim minister just returned from a week of volunteering in New Orleans. It turns out that they stayed at the same DOC church in Covington, LA as Laura and her group and worked along with them. He mentioned Laura in his sermon today (so of course my parents were in tears!) and mentioned he had photos of her in her mask. Evidently the kids left the area yesterday morning, but I haven't heard from her yet. He talked about what an awesome group they were and their high level of commitment to the tasks at hand. (Courtney, can you just imagine my dad and mom sitting there listening to this?) It was a very good connection for them, and I'm glad they made it to church today. They don't make it there so much anymore.

Fred's wife mentioned that the church down there is in need of cookies for all the volunteers. They can't seem to have enough. So SCC is sending some boxes down, and perhaps we might do the same. It might be a neat youth event to collect cookies for DOC churches down there that are supporting/hosting volunteers.

Mom also said that a couple from Carmel is actually heading up this work with that church, and they've been living there, doing this work for some time now. It's become their mission. So it's wonderful to see our denomination take such an active role in this effort. It's becoming more and more obvious that the churches have really made the biggest difference down there.

Anyway, just thought you'd both be interested in this connection. We learn more and more just how closely our faith connects us in ways we never imagined.

Peace~
Patti

And? We're working on the cookie thing. Just to let you know. ;)

i'll always wonder

2006-03-04T20:25:00.000-05:00

It's unfathomable to me -- safe, sound and secure in my bungalow home, cracked ceiling, funky basement and all -- that STILL, after six. months. people have no place to call home, and no idea of when 'home' will finally come to pass ... or where.

But that's the case for many residents of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas. Oh, yeah! Four states' worth of damage -- not just damage, that's too mild. Devastation. It's important to keep in mind that New Orleans -- given the extend of the flooding and standing water from the levee breaks -- is receiving the bulk of the press (in the moment and still) but that the Hurricane Twins, Katrina and Rita, made their presence known along a HUGE stretch of the Gulf Coast, not just in one city.

The impact, of course ... the people and towns and communities affected ... is even more far-reaching than that coastline.

Throughout the country, in the early fall of last year, every conceivable space -- church, community center, abandoned warehouse, unleased retail storefront -- became either shelter, supply house, or hub of operations for those who hustled to do anything and everything possible to help.

And sometimes, as Newsweek web exclusive contributor Dan Cole points out poignantly, 'hustle' often means 'cut corners,' and that can have dire results.

It's an impossible task, crisis intervention. You want to help. Everyone wants to help. But who decides who gets help, and when, and how, and how much? And who decides who helps, and who tells them what to do TO help? And if you decide one thing now, will it come back to bite you in the hind end in a week, or a month, or six months? But if you don't decide, you're sitting there with resources in hand ... but what good do they do in YOUR hands? Impossible, yes?

The ache in Mr. Cole's "voice," even though this piece is dated October '05, still rings in my ears. Having served in a similar capacity in late September, working as go-between for First Christian Church (Tyler TX) and the Tyler Red Cross, trying to do whatever needed to be done to make the relationship work to the benefit of both parties and most significantly to the benefit of the anguished 'displaced' who were now (in whatever way, for however long) 'residents' ... when Mr. Cole says "I'll always wonder whether I could have done more." ... well ...

I will too.

unless you do something

2006-03-02T15:51:00.000-05:00

When we were in New Orleans in November, nearly every conversation included -- if it wasn't just started with -- the telling of the 'getaway' tale:

How long did you wait to leave?
Who went with you?
Where did you end up?
How did you find everyone later?
Where are you staying?
When will you come back?

As have most major networks, MSNBC has created extensive online coverage of the aftermath and recovery from the hurricanes. One feature is the ongoing relationship with six different people ... hearing from them every few months.

Today I clicked in on Maxine Harris, from Westwego LA. The update mentions that she was the one who orchestrated her family's evacuation ... another common story: one person, usually the 'matriarch,' who gave everyone instructions and made sure everyone was tended to and accounted for.

Obviously the best news is that their family is safe ... more good news is that the check (however delayed) is finally in the mail ... and the wisdom Mrs. Harris offers comes from her situation, and speaks to each of us, wherever we struggle --

career focus ...
renewed relationships ...
healthy habits ...
rebuilding home and livelihood ...

"I guess our lives would stay on hold unless you do something about it."

far from normal

2006-03-01T00:10:00.000-05:00

Back again, blog in hand, so to speak.

Ash Wednesday. Lent begins today, a 40-day season of reflection and consideration ... a period devoted (ideally) to spiritual introspection and expressions toward faithful expansion.

In a month ... a month from tomorrow, in fact ... a group from Geist will be headed southward, this time to Port Arthur/Beaumont, to assist as we can with the rebuilding and recovery post-Hurricane Rita.

Over the course of the next month (plus change) ... for my own personal discipline, and by way of reminder, refresher and preparation for this coming mission ... I'm reviving the when did we see you weblog. In an effort to recall that -- while we have continued to whirl in our own circles of self-interest -- many remain uncertain of the safety and health of family ... the security and condition of damaged homes ... or the likelihood of even being able to use that word, 'home,' in the same way again.

So ... perhaps daily, perhaps every few ... I'll be sharing a story, article, commentary, link, audio file, etc., that catches my attention ... offers insight and wisdom ... prepares us to travel and serve ... whatever.

Michele Norris of NPR caught my ear today. She talked about the clean-up after last night's final Mardi Gras festivities in the streets of New Orleans. She said that clean up didn't happen the way it normally did ... "But you know," she said, "there's so much here that's so far from normal."

Please feel free to leave comments (click the word 'comments' at the end of any entry). Offer your own remarks, post a link to something that's captured YOU, whatever you'd like ... just connect with us!

Thank you for being part of this journey ... in September, in November, this spring, and in the future. Should nothing else hold true, one reliable remnant of this vast national experience -- the complete reach of which is far beyond anything we can imagine -- is the understanding that we absolutely, positively, must do all we can to nurture, challenge, and value community. We have to.

The alternative is even more devastating than any storm could ever be.

a Christmas op-ed

2005-12-25T14:50:00.000-05:00

Sitting in the DFW Airport, waiting for my connecting flight to mom's for Christmas, I've had time -- LOTS of time! -- to check email, read the news online, and catch up on things I've saved to read until ... I had more time!

Today's New York Times featured this column from guest op-ed writer (and obviously familiar novelist) John Grisham.

Great timing, given that our (Geist Christian Church) next trip has been slated for February 26 - March 4, to Port Arthur Texas. This one will actually get into the rebuilding phase (less severe damage - Rita vs. Katrina - means that recovery has moved faster) ... and today I got my first "I can go! Keep me posted!" email.

December 25, 2005
Op-Ed Contributor
Silent Nights on the Gulf Coast
By JOHN GRISHAM
Charlottesville, Va.

In the harrowing days after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, the shellshocked and homeless survivors strung up tents and tarps wherever they could find standing shelter, anything to hide from the sun. Now, four months later, many of the tents remain: in the front lawns of once fine houses now gutted and unlivable, in small clearings between mountains of rubble, beside camping trailers too cramped for entire families, on concrete slabs wiped clean by the storm surge, even in the living rooms of houses with few walls but intact roofs. The sun is no longer the problem: instead, the most desperate of the hurricane's victims have stuffed tents of every imaginable make and model with Salvation Army blankets and mattresses to try to stay dry and warm.

There is the dismal feeling that some of these tents may not be so temporary. One tent city built by the Army, dubbed "the Village," sits in the center of the small town of Pass Christian, some 30 miles west of Biloxi and at ground zero for Hurricane Katrina and its assault on the Gulf Coast.

The Village is a gloomy grid of 70 tents, 10 numbered rows of seven each, housing about 150 people - old, young, black, white, poor, middle-class, some so ill that their tents are marked "Oxygen in Use." After four months, some of the shock of loss has worn off and the people go quietly about the daily challenges of securing a warm, private shower, washing whatever clothing they have left, and hoping that their children do not fall ill.

They are grateful for the dry bed and the free food. Everyone knows someone who is worse off, or dead. With tens of thousands of Mississippians displaced and living with families or friends around the country, the residents of the Village at least have their children with them and they are close to home.

A handful of tents are decorated for the holidays, but it seems almost cruel to ask a young mother what she's planning for Christmas.

"We're leaving," she says without hesitation. "Getting out of here for a day or two."

All who are able plan to leave and find a relative. Last year, they were stringing lights and wrapping gifts and waiting for Santa. This year, the great Christmas wish in the Village is to finally get a trailer from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Indeed, one reason the place exists is the backlog of homeless people who need trailers. When FEMA closed the shelters and stopped paying for motel rooms, something had to be done. Thus, the tent cities.

Don't ask why it's taking so long to get a trailer because there is no answer. More than 24,000 temporary housing units have been delivered, but 10,000 more are needed. The delays are maddening. A woman in the nearby town of Necaise went to the FEMA office on Aug. 30, the day after the storm, and requested a trailer. She did the paperwork, answered all the questions. She is epileptic; her daughter is diabetic; her husband needs back surgery; their situation is urgent, and she has explained all this to FEMA many times. Four months later she's still waiting. Her story is not unusual.

A FEMA trailer is 8 feet wide, 30 feet long and 7 feet high. It has a bedroom, a kitchen/living area and a bathroom. It is equipped with a refrigerator, stove, heater, toilet and shower. A set of bunk beds can also be used as a storage area or pantry. The residents are required to furnish their own television, and the best place to put it is on the kitchen table.

There is no washer, dryer, bathtub or microwave. The trailer sleeps eight, supposedly, but the eight need to be very small and very fond of one another. That's why it's not unusual to see a pup tent or two pitched beside the trailer, probably occupied by the mom or the dad or both, regardless of how chilly the night might be.

The first one I examined was in Waveland, a small town hit so hard that there's virtually nothing left. A woman was inspecting her new trailer, thrilled that it has finally arrived. She and her family had been waiting for weeks, living with friends, counting the days. I confessed that I had never been inside a FEMA trailer, and she eagerly showed me around. It didn't take long. The two of us created a crowd.

We talked about the holidays. She said she certainly planned to put up a tree. "Not sure where," she said as she looked around the claustrophobic living room.

A FEMA trailer is too small for a Christmas tree, so those who can muster enough spirit set them outside, either under an awning or tied to the trailer hitch. Driving around in the evening, I found it heartening to see a few tiny trees and some colorful lights. They illuminated the trailers and threw dim shadows on the ubiquitous rubble. Otherwise, the nights are very dark and quiet along the Coast.

Late one evening in Biloxi, on a desolate street two blocks from the beach, I saw a trailer with a small Christmas tree beside it. I stopped and said hello to the man inside. He gave me a very brief tour of his new quarters - home to him, his wife and their dog. Outside, he showed me the ruins of the house they owned for 32 years. It was built on land 20 feet above sea level. Pointing to his friend's badly damaged house across the street, he described how the flood's water mark could be seen on the second floor, 22 feet higher.

"What will you do for Christmas?" I asked.

"We won't stay here," he said. They planned to visit a relative a few miles away and try their best to celebrate.

I asked him how long he expected to live in the trailer. His answer was vaguely tied to an insurance dispute, and maybe litigation. I asked about the quality of the trailers. "Not bad," he said.

There are mixed reviews about the reliability of the trailers, with some complaints about leaky roofs and cheap door hinges. Frankly, though, the people are so happy to have them that they're willing to overlook the flaws.

You see the trailers everywhere. They sit in the driveways of destroyed suburban homes, jacked up on blocks with sewer pipes running out and water hoses running in, power cords dangling from makeshift poles. They dot the countryside, sitting sadly where real houses once were. They're packed together by the hundreds in overnight settlements, newly flattened areas carved from pastures that were quickly leased by farmers to the government. In these FEMA towns, with so many highly stressed people living on top of each other, officials worry about tension and crime.

As with the tents in the Village, you look at the FEMA trailers and wonder how temporary they really are. No houses are being built. Many of those damaged will remain untouched while the great debate with insurance companies over wind damage versus water damage is played out in court. Many months will pass before there is significant new construction.

Unlike New Orleans, where the floods were heaviest in the poorer neighborhoods, the Gulf Coast experienced damage that cut across social and economic lines. Hurricane Katrina did not discriminate here. Wealthy people now dwell in FEMA trailers that are exactly the same size as the ones handed out to those who were living in subsidized apartments.

When it's warm enough, the trailer people spend as much as time as possible outside. Porch sitting, a way of life, is still carried on, though radically modified. Tarps and awnings are affixed to the trailers and provide cover. The families and neighbors gather in folding lawn chairs and chat deep into the night about their lives before the storm and about the struggle to get through another day and find some measure of normality. There is guarded talk of the future.

The defiance that came so naturally in the aftershocks of Hurricane Katrina has gradually yielded to weary determination. Four months have passed with little improvement, and the challenges ahead are forbidding.

Mississippi's governor, Haley Barbour, has said his state needs $34 billion to rebuild. The state's annual budget is about a 10th of that, with virtually nothing set aside for such emergencies. The bold promises made in the heat of the moment after the storm have so far been pathetically empty. Congress has so far authorized nearly $100 billion for emergency relief and cleanup, but only a third of that has hit the ground.

Not lost on the people here was the recent rush to pass more tax cuts for the rich. And a question often heard is, "Why are we spending billions to rebuild Iraq and not a dime down here?"

There is a fear of being forgotten by the government. Washington is preoccupied with a war and its glut of messy side issues, and attention will soon turn to the midterm elections. There is also the very real fear of being forgotten by the press. The satellite trucks and cameras have long since gone. If the news media forget, then so will the people with the money in Washington. Pollsters are already noting the rapid decline in the disaster's importance on the national radar screen.

The fear of being forgotten is soothed somewhat by the seemingly inexhaustible waves of church folks, students, retirees and private relief workers who've dug in and done the dirty work. Tons of food, clothing and supplies continue to pour into the region. Countless hours have been spent hauling debris, cutting trees and patching roofs. The volunteer spirit of the American and Canadian people lifted the Gulf Coast from its knees and continues to sustain it.

But volunteers cannot build bridges, ports and highways. New infrastructure will require lots of federal aid, and Congress has been slow to respond.

Americans have short memories. Life moves so fast and one catastrophe shoves away the last one. The horrible images from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast are fading. A year ago we watched in disbelief when a tsunami hit Southeast Asia and killed more than 150,000. We sent checks and food and two months later we'd practically forgotten about it.

The tragedy of Katrina will worsen if the Gulf Coast is forgotten. People can't survive in tents. And FEMA trailers aren't meant to be longtime homes.

If there is a common Christmas wish from this torn land, it is simply this: Please don't forget us.

the great thanksgiving - small 't'

2005-12-15T23:05:00.000-05:00

It seems just yesterday, we were getting ready for a final day’s work … we left earlier than on previous days in an effort to get every bit of work done that we could, before closing up the toolboxes and packing to head home to Indy.

(* Apologies for the delay in posting this 'wrap-up'. Wanted to have as many pics as possible, with captions for identification.)

In the weeks since, as I’ve tried to tell the stories, and answer the questions, and offer the opinions, and provide the insights … I find that I am at a loss. Not a loss for words … anyone who’s known me five minutes can attest to that! … but at a loss for sufficient words, for adequate turns of phrase, for any language equal to the task of recounting and reflecting. A week in New Orleans provided far more to see, and hear, and do, and feel, than my words have been able to capture thus far.

And yet …

When we were in seminary, and someone would try to end a debate or dismiss an argument by saying, ‘It’s just semantics,’ my friend Amy often reminded us, “That’s saying ‘it’s just words and how we use them,’ which is true, but it’s also all we have.”

So we kept a weblog while we traveled, and offered words and images as best we could along the way. Pam and Tom were kind enough to jump in during the trip, and we posted a few pictures here and there as well.

To wrap up this trip’s posts (and we will have this online diary up and running for each trip we take as part of the gulf coast hurricane relief and recovery efforts) – and because the physical reality of just sitting down and having this conversation with everyone who wants to “hear all about the trip” is just beyond possibility – a few ‘closing thoughts,’ as well as a link to a photo album.

http://photos.yahoo.com/whendidweseeyou

You should be able to click on that link (or copy it into your browser), then the album, and either ‘view slideshow’ or select the pictures on your own. (Let me know if you have trouble.)

Just after Thanksgiving – when we travel to be with family and friends, to gather around tables creaking with lovingly-prepared meals, in homes made warm by laughter and love, outwardly appreciative yet soulfully unaware of the vast bounty with which our lives are blessed – a few thanksgivings … small ‘t’ …

With great thanksgiving for men and women, of every age and background, who uproot life and limb, family and schedule, social lives and business engagements, to offer whatever time, talent, resource and care they can … to help even one of the many who were uprooted from their lives and didn’t get to choose …

With great thanksgiving for everything along the way that nourished and fed … sandwiches eaten from Ziplocs with dirt-creased, knuckle-swollen hands … barbecue and potato salad served by church members to freshly-showered and already-yawning work teams … that extra piece of fruit, or bag of chips, or bottle of water, that shows up just when someone unexpected shows up and has need of it …

With great thanksgiving for those who are home … not just AT home, but who ARE home … making phone calls, writing checks, saying prayers, packing road-trip goodies, welcoming returning travelers, and filling in every gap with love and grace …

With great thanksgiving for joking and laughter, backed by deep affection and camaraderie, that mystically made the ‘heavy lifting’ that much lighter … evenings on the ‘patio,’ upturned buckets, lawn chairs, and van bumpers at the ready …

With great thanksgiving for those who have lost everything, yet hold onto their hope, and graciously welcome total strangers to not only sort through their few salvageable belongings but then demolish the rest …

I’ve never been a big believer in angels – not the be-winged, harp-playing, surrounded in light kind. And as much as I’m interested in their stories and histories, I’ve never been one to invoke the names and blessings of saints. But I defy you to spend a week doing mission work and come home saying that angels and saints don’t exist. My angels arrive in church vans, wear Moldex respirators and battered gloves and are covered in mud and dust … my saints have names like Willie and Kathleen and their domain is Lakeview, or the Lower Ninth Ward …

So if this is what it means to ‘entertain angels’ and see saints ‘go marchin’ in’ … then sign me up, count me in … every time. With great thanksgiving …

"We will make it."

2005-11-18T17:26:00.000-05:00

Three hours ago, we showered after the day’s work, loaded into the van and started for home. We’ve now made it … 40. miles. north on I-10.

THIS, my friends, is mission travel at its finest! Remember how I mentioned that the key to making a trip like this is to travel with people you like? THANK GOD for Pam and Tom and Jim … it’s not been pleasant, ‘cause, well, when you’re ready to be home, you’re ready … but it hasn’t been miserable. Is that fair?!

~ Jim: On the bright side, we haven’t used much gas.
Tom: Yeah, but we’re not getting very good mileage.

~ Pam (reading): Frequently asked questions, from the FEMA website.
Jim and Courtney (together): WHERE IS MY CHECK?!

~ Tom (when we stopped for gas and dinner): Gosh, Jim, we'd hoped to get a little more out of your three-hour shift than that.
Jim: You mean more than 40 miles?

The other thing it brought up for us, though, is what may have already occurred to someone else: this must be what it was like (well, at least physically, not emotionally) to evacuate. Just 10 weeks ago, thousands of people in thousands of cars tried to get somewhere, anywhere, inches at a time, on this very same highway. But in the imagination, add to it the fear of a storm (or the midst of one) unlike any that’s been before … the uncertainty of the safety of friends, family, neighbors … the sheer chaos of those who stood on roofs, bridges, and flooded cars simply waiting … for help, or for high water.

It’s been odd to spend the week working in and seeing the very streets that we watched fill with water. Watched from the safety and comfort – albeit shocking and horrifying – of our own homes and lives.

To then spend a week uniting your life … the very forces and evidence of life: sweat, tears, blood, laughter, labor, spirit … with the lives of those whose world has completely washed from its moorings … It’s unlike anything you can experience anywhere else, and certainly more than simple words can describe.

Today we finished our work – at least, as much as we could work – on Ms. Simmons’ house. She worked with us all day, which was such a gift and blessing. A woman of quiet grace and indomitable spirit, spending hours with her sorting through what could be salvaged and carrying out what would have to go, and sharing stories: a daughter, deceased 10 years ago, at 36; nearly 60 children, mostly infants and toddlers, fostered over many years; a 28-year career in public education; a love of shopping, but never buying 'things' just to 'have' them.

Of course the conversation turned to the evacuation, and the decisions to be made, and gratitude for the safety and well-being of friends and neighbors, even amid the agonizing loss of home and property. She would point out for us which neighbors would be back: the blue house across the street, the green one on the corner, the one with the broken fence two over. All homeowners, all determined to come back and rebuild, however slow, however painful; the upper ninth ward has been devastated, "But," she smiled, with quiet confidence, "we will make it, with the Master's help."

We will be home early in the morning, the air turning colder with every rest stop. Weary, to be sure, but certainly BETTER for the wear.

I talked to Bob From Iowa on the way out of New Orleans (well, when we first THOUGHT we were leaving New Orleans!) and said, "Do you miss us yet?" He answered correctly: "Yes! I was just thinking about you guys!" There's something that bonds you, this serving together.

It's more than words and images can cover, but I'll try to add a few more of both tomorrow (after I sleep!), and see what lessons have wandered by ...

the widow's mite

2005-11-17T23:45:00.000-05:00

Today our group (total) started our fifth and sixth houses for the week. Hard to imagine that if, in three days, an all-volunteer crew of 14 can entirely gut 4 houses, things aren’t moving along any faster than they are. Then again, we found ourselves several times simply standing in a room – already cleared of ruined furniture, drapes, belongings – just looking around, shell-shocked, wondering where in the world to start. It feels so huge – and it is – so you just pick up a hammer and a pry bar and start ripping away at it.

Yesterday and today, a dilemma crept into our thoughts and conversations … one of the common struggles of mission work: the desire to be of service vs. the instinct to be selective. This is not a condemnation, nor should it be read as one. It’s an absolutely natural part of being on mission trips: the point where you say, “Why the heck are we spending all this time doing this when it is (or they are) just going to _____?”

~ still have to wait on insurance, FEMA, good fortune

~ have so much left to do

~ need more help than we can give this week

~ probably bulldoze this thing anyway

And that discourages us … to think that the work we’ve done – done gladly and faithfully and with more energy and stamina than we knew we possessed – might turn out to be ‘for nothing’.

Thing is, though, it’s never ‘for nothing’.

~ We met eight people from Albia and two from Winnemac, for whom our lives (and stories!) are much richer.

~ Six houses have been gutted. While it may be debatable that bared uprights and stripped floors ‘look better’ than did the walls once sodden and blackened with mold … the houses are now prepared for the next step: inspection, decision, rebuilding, recovery. Six isn’t much in the face of the total, but it’s six more than before we got there.

~ The call went out to come and do what could be done. The call was answered: by us, and many more like us, who simply did what was asked, wherever we were able, and we have to put the dilemma to rest perhaps the only way we can for the moment: Just as the widow whom Jesus praises, we have done what we could, and more, what we know we can.

Tonight included what every trip to New Orleans usually does at least once: a night in the French Quarter. Renowned for its wildlife (the two-legged kind!), the vistas and plumage on this particular tour were only a watered-down version of their previous existence.

Some shops and restaurants have reopened. Many more have signs tacked to quickly-boarded windows, promising to‘re-open in ____’ December, January, spring. The terrific apartments and hotels with second- and third-floor balconies are darkened, appliances sitting on already-narrow sidewalks. The iron scrollwork that gives each building its European character and individual signature is marred, rusted, broken, bent.

But New Orleans being New Orleans, every ‘krewe’ is making its plans for the Mardi Gras parades … Angeli’s on Decatur still serves up good hot food and great live jazz …

Pat O’Brien’s still serves the kind of hurricane people WANT in the Quarter … every street has at least one place to get your your voodoo fix AND a new tattoo (no, Mom, don’t worry) … and Molly’s at the Market still has enough seats to accommodate all your friends for hours of ridiculous chatter and great, deep, heartfelt laughter.

Tomorrow’s our last day of work, then begins the long trek home. More to come, more stories and reflections, a picture here and there, and hopefully a link to a photo album soon.

Thanks for keeping up with us … we feel you with us … thinking about packing your work clothes and tool belt yet?

this is why we work in teams

2005-11-16T23:53:00.000-05:00

This is the day that my mission trip experience holds is hardest for me to get my head together -- the middle of the trip, and the third day of work. Looking at journals from previous mission trips, I know that the first day I'm meeting everyone and getting a feel for the set up of the week ... the second day I'm getting heavy into the work and learning tricks to make things more efficient, more effective ... but the third day?

It starts registering. How massive the work really is. And here? Exponentially more so. I start to tell my mother a story ... and I cry. We sit up after the day's work and talk about what we've seen and done ... and I am enraged. We compare bumps and bruises and laugh (a lot) ... and prepare ourselves for another day of exactly the same thing. It occurs to us that we'll work tomorrow and at least part of Friday and then we'll head home ... and I want to stay. To cry, to rage, to work some more.

But since all this is rolling in my head, little of it is landing together in any coherent form. This is why we work in teams; it is too much to do, to see, to know, to take, all alone. Fortunately, Pam Trapp has had better luck getting HER words together. I'm adding a few pictures along the way:

Frustration, devastation and destruction. When we pulled into the city on Sunday evening and drove across Highway 10 to Metarie, I thought to myself. “What is all of the fuss about?" The Sheraton and the Westin were illuminated. You could tell that there had been a storm. Some windows on the high rises were blown out. Several of the signs that you see every day – McDonalds, Lowe’s, etc, were either darkened or blown over completely. There were semi trailers parked everywhere. (Now I know that these were FEMA relief trailers.) However, we did not see any of the images that assaulted us from the news media in the days following the storm. I had imagined a completely dark city immersed in water, and deserted. I recall sitting in front of my television on the Thursday following the storm in tears thinking “I should be there helping”. So, here I was, pulling into the city, and my first impression was that the city was recovering nicely, rather quickly. I didn’t really think they needed help after all.

Boy was I ever wrong. We’ve been here for three days now. I got my rude awakening rather quickly Monday morning when we pulled into the neighborhoods that had the unfortunate location next to the levees. Each house is marked in spray paint with an orange circle divided into four sections. The top section indicates the team that inspected the home in the days after the storm with the date. The left section indicates pets in the home. The bottom indicates the dead found. I found myself silently praying for zeros.
These houses are similar in size, and as close to one another as the homes in say, Broad Ripple. Every single house, in neighborhood after neighborhood, is empty and devastated. Many, including the ones we have been gutting, look fine. However, they are uninhabitable because of mold. The drywall has to be torn from each of these homes up to the level where the mold stops. Most of the time this is about 4 feet high, sometimes it is higher.

Now what surprises me is the slow pace of clean up and reconstruction. The neighborhoods are not buzzing with activity. Today, Mayor Nagin shut down the entire west side of the city for 3 ½ hours to take a tour bus full of politicians past the levee breaks to take photos. I am astounded by the lack of presence by people of power. Perhaps I am missing something but I am ashamed of our government. There seems to be a lack of a cohesive plan to help these people.

Many of the houses are still filled with wet, molding, mud covered possessions. The people that have lost everything are paralyzed. Paralyzed by shock, confusion, frustration, grief. On Friday, we will go home to our warm beds and clean houses. I can’t imagine losing everything and not knowing when or where I would find home.

Let me share a few frustrating facts that we have learned during our stay:
- The maximum FEMA relief payout is $26,000. Most of the residents here do not have flood insurance. I don’t need to spell this out.
- As Eva, the FEMA adjustor who is staying with us at the church tells us, despite this being the maximum pay out; this does not mean that homeowners will receive anything, even if their home is totaled! She says she enters all of the data into the computer and it’s “the luck of the draw” as to whether someone receives benefits or not.
- The anticipated amount of garbage generated by the storm is what New Orleans would normally produce in 34 years. This does not include debris from home demolitions or destroyed vehicles. It only includes home contents. You see landfills in city parks throughout the city. Some of these landfills consist of only downed trees and others are debris. Sofas, mattresses, children’s toys, family possessions.
- 70% of the city has no electricity.

- The population of New Orleans in normal times is 450,000. It is now down to 100,000, including relief agency workers and volunteers.

I could continue for many more pages. Instead I implore you to help. These people need your help. If you are able, make the next trip with Courtney to New Orleans in the spring. If you are not able, then give money to Week of Compassion to help here. If you cannot do this, then write your Congressman and ask them to help. Please believe me when I tell you that our government is not doing enough. I will be writing a letter to my Congressman and copying everyone on my e mail list and asking them to do the same. If you would like a copy of this letter please write me at

pamelaatrapp@yahoo.com.

Despite all of this, I see that God is good. There are Angels among us and I am seeing them each day.

There is still a wonderful spirit in this town. New Orleans is blessed with a vibrant and healthy desire to beat this and I know that with His help -- we are part of that -- they will.

Can’t wait to see all of you on Sunday!

Pam

tom talks...

2005-11-15T22:48:00.000-05:00

and NO, this ISN'T the first time we've let him, so hush up in the Peanut Gallery!!

The Iowanians are a little nervous about me having a blog. But I promised them I'd be nice ... after all, What happens in New Orleans ...

Today's tasks were no less arduous, but not quite as mucky and awful as yesterday's. I didn't see the other site, but our Geist group plus Brynn made a solid showing at the home of a retired postal worker; 29 years in February, with the plaque to prove it.

A quick picture (from today's site) to show Ruth that he IS actually working (and don't you LOVE the new headgear?!) ...

and I've asked Tom to share some of his thoughts and reflections from our first few days ...

As we traveled south, I had the normal thoughts about what I was getting myself into. Could I stand up to the work? What kind of conditions would I be working in? How safe was the area? As we passed through Meridian, Mississippi I thought about the three civil rights workers who were murdered there a generation ago. Surely, they too were apprehensive about the future. Goodman, Schwerner and Chaney were in a much more hostile environment. Whatever uncertainties I faced were nothing compared to theirs.

My own uneasiness faded quickly soon after arriving at First Christian Church in Metairie. After meeting with volunteers from Iowa and northern Indiana, I knew that the week would go well. Monday, our first workday, began with John, (our host/work coordinator) giving us a brief tour of the major levee break near the house we would be cleaning up. It was not worse than I imagined, but certainly no better. As we entered the house the stench, even through the required mask, was overwhelming. Polluted water had permeated everything five feet above the floor, staying for weeks before receding. The floor was now covered with a reeking muck about six inches thick. As the day progressed I began to wonder about the family who had once called this mess home.

>Stuffed animals covered with slime. Where was the owner?

>Military medals and a Navy Chief’s hat. Were these the present owner’s? Or were these items keepsakes from a father or grandfather?

>The house was in such bad shape that none of us thought it could ever be livable again. Did the owner have flood insurance? Would the family just have to walk away from disaster, but still be tied to a mortgage?

>This was just one small house in one neighborhood in New Orleans. How many thousands of families are experiencing the same heartache and misery?

By the end of the day we all looked like we had rolled around the floor for several hours. A shower and change of clothes along with a hearty meal prepared by Courtney and Pam, restored our spirits and we spent the rest of the evening reflecting on our day’s experiences and learning about each other’s lives. How truly wonderful it is to be a part of a group that gathers to share God’s Love.

Tom

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As I read through what we've written, I know we're not giving a sufficient picture to represent the reality. But really, nothing can. Even standing here looking at it doesn't really help it sink in. Hearing individual stories ... the water rose 4 feet in 47 minutes ... we thought we were fine and then our neighbor was running and yelling 'look at the water!' ...

Story after story ... house after house ... everything with water marks and orange x's, indicating that houses have been searched, and code for what was found (or wasn't) ...

It's unbelievable. And we're only here for a few days. We're not even trying to LIVE here. We're just praying that eventually the people who WANT to, will be ABLE to.

and so it begins

2005-11-14T22:50:00.000-05:00

The day nearly defies description. We're one day in, and I'm really not sure how to even start telling you what we've already seen.

Let's start with the people, just to get you set (as my father used to say, 'Can't keep track of the players without a scorecard!'):
> from Iowa: Bob, his sons Ben and Dave, Rob, Allen, his daughter Molly, LeeAnn, and Joe
> from no. Indiana: Bob and Brynn
> the Geist crew: me, Tom, Jim, Pam
> Kerry and John, New Orleans locals, members of First Christian Metairie, and our directors/guides/coordinators for the week
There's also a young woman named Eva, who evidently works for FEMA, is from Fort Wayne, and is a Disciple so is kind of staying/officing here at the church. Something like that (we don't see her much).

So today we work in two groups:
> Bob, Rob, Bob & Brynn, Pam and I go to Lisa's house; Kerry and John were with us part of the day. They call her "Our Lady of I-10". Lisa is an attorney, and a good friend of Kerry's. They're in a local crew together (the name of which is thoroughly cajun and I won't try to spell or explain) that is a huge presence in the Mardi Gras festivities. Lisa's house for the las five years has been Float Central, and so can be seen from I-10. Hence the name.

Her house now, however, looks like this:

I took this picture standing in her utility room, looking through the bathroom, through the living room and out the front door. You shouldn't, you know, be able to see all the way through the house like that. You can see the horizontal cross bars (lath) at the top left, which had sheetrock laid over it. All of which had molded, due to a 5-foot water level inside her house. It's dry now, but rotted. We pulled out all the lath (to a height of about 5 feet) throughout the entire first floor, and anything that covered it: sheetrock, plaster, tile, the works. Bathroom, living room, dining room, kitchen, utility room, sunroom, staircase. Lisa's house is one of, if not the, oldest house in Lakeview district. The architectural detail is stunning, and when refinished is going to be absolutely splendid.

Meanwhile, a block from the levees (yes, those levees, the ones that collapsed), the rest of the gang is working here:

Inside this now-tree-house is this:

While we hammered and pried and wrenched and carried and got covered in dust and sweat and mildew ... they slipped and slid and shoveled and cleared a pathway like you wouldn't believe. Pam and I decided the least we could do is be the ones to go shopping and make dinner.

What we've seen, even in the first day, defies absolutely all description:

> A highway full of FEMA trucks. Not a FEMA team in sight in town.

> Water marks -- not the kind the city keeps on a stick at the place where it flooded years ago -- water lines, green, molded, mossy water lines on every. single. house.

> Houses completely off their foundations and essentially in the side yard of other houses.

> Boats in a marina stacked up like children's toys crammed into an already full toybox.

And THEN you see ... people that will drive, from Iowa, from Indiana, from Pennsylvania next week, from who knows where the weeks before -- to spend a week at a time doing things they couldn't imagine doing, for people they'll never see again.

After several conversations during the day about "where is everyone?" and "where's all the help that our government's money is supposed to be buying?", Pam said it best tonight (completely unprovoked, I might add): This is what Randy was talking about, when he said that giving matters. We're not just giving money to the church; we're working. This is how we're serving. We're not just handing money over. We're putting it to work, doing this.

I love my job.

under cover of the night

2005-11-13T22:08:00.000-05:00

Arrived safe and sound tonight, about 9:15 local time (10:15 Indy). That puts us at 15 hours exactly, door to door, including gasoline, meal (2), and 'personal' (hee) stops. Not bad for an 840 mile go of it.

If you have to travel that far with three folks, finding the ones who are smart and funny and whose bodies are on the same clock as yours is really a pleasant way to do it! Jim did the lion's share of the driving, Tom took a shift, and Pam and I provided the comedic relief (or something like that). We took turns reading, recommending reading, napping (not the driver!), and counting FEMA trucks.

There are 14 (we think) other people here this week, two vanloads from a church in Iowa (hi Tod!) and a couple from northern Indiana. We met some of them as we rolled in and will meet the rest as we get moving in the morning.

Of course as we drove further south, our eyes and conversation turned to whatever storm damage we might be seeing. Many patches through Mississippi where trees were snapped -- tornadoes on the edge of the hurricane system? -- and then crossing into Louisiana, the patches were closer and closer together.

Since it was dark by the time we got this far, it somehow added to the mystique, and heightened our curiosity. What will we see? Where will we work? Who will we meet?

At the moment, we don't know. For right now, we're going to sleep. Monday morning, 8:00a.m., the adventure REALLY begins.

same blog! new name!

2005-11-12T22:16:00.000-05:00

Packed up my work boots, my work clothes, my work gloves, and a couple-a buckets full of tools. I'm thinking there might be some work to do this week!

Pulling out of the church at 7:30 tomorrow morning (who the heck decided on THAT time?!!) ... we go south and south and south then scoot a little west and we'll be in New Orleans.

Tom, Jim, Pam and me (I'm trying to think of a three-letter name to use for the week, just to fit in) (the Peanut Gallery may keep Its comments to Its Self!) ... the work team our church is trusting to represent them as the first-out servants with a Disciples Mission Station. Ahhhh, the pressure!

We're assigned to stay at First Christian Church in Metarie (if you've ever flown into New Orleans, the airport is in Metarie), and the instruction we've received so far is "you'll be tearing stuff out." My dear friend Jayna Powell (Disciples Volunteers in Mission coordinator) calls it "getting dirty for Jesus." Will. We. EVER!

I've no idea what our time or internet access/service will be while we're away. I will keep a daily journal, and will post that as possible. If you don't hear/see something, don't panic (Mom!) ... just means you'll have more to read all at one time when we DO get to an access point!

Thank you to all who've offered the overly generous "You're so great to be doing this second trip ..." That gives me far more credit than I deserve. As I said in September when the call came to serve for a period in Tyler ... everyone wants to, and I've been asked to. Doing something is not an option. It is an honor.

"how was your trip?!!"

2005-09-29T15:28:00.000-05:00

Wonderful. And awful.
Exciting. And exhausting.
Inspiring. And frustrating.
Glad to be home. But I wish I was doing more.

"Welcome home! How was your trip?" Such a simple question to answer when you've been on vacation ... I read three books, we snorkeled, went shopping, I tried (insert exotic dish here) ...

But when you've been on a mission trip, invited into people's lives in their very most vulnerable moments? To say "It was great!" just sounds wrong. But to say "It was awful." isn't right, either.

In this blog -- a term I use loosely! it's more like excessively stream-of-consciousness ramblings on the day's work and thoughts -- I've tried to hit the highlights. I knew many of you would want to know what was going on in Tyler (and in me) on a regular basis; and I knew that the rest of you would read it (or at least skim it!) simply out of loyalty to me and interest in the mission. And y'know, ministers learn to take whatever audience we can get! :-)

Now that I've had two days on 'this side' of the mission, I'll try to put a few 'reflections' in some order for you -- and for me, too!

We are more alike than we are unalike. - - Maya Angelou, author and speaker - -
When people are hurting, they're hurting. Where you came from, what you had, what you lost, what you managed to carry with you ... it doesn't matter. Fear and anger, pain and uncertainty are oblivious to distinctions of class and race and education. Fortunately, most of the time, when offered genuinely and effectively, hope and help and compassion are oblivious to those distinctions, too.

Sometimes you worship the God you have, not the God you want. - - Stephen Colbert, comedian and writer - -
He said it on The Daily Show, sarcastically answering the 'where is God in all this?' question (and mocking D. Rumsfeld's 'you go to war with the army you have...'), but it's stuck with me for the last couple of days. Sometimes we WANT a God who will make things happen, and yet keep other things from happening, all in line with our own personal preferences and schedules, of course. But we HAVE a God who creates us and loves us and wants to be in relationship with us ... and who sets us in the world, freeing us to be in relationship with each other. I think I'm okay worshipping a God like that.

The place where optimism most flourishes is the lunatic asylum. - - Havelock Ellis, 19th c. British psychologist - -
Every day I'd walk in the door and there would be a half-dozen messages, questions, and minor crises flying my way. And a few hours later, those would be solved and there would be a half-dozen more. And yet every day I'd walk in the door and there'd be news of someone else finding a place to live, or a job, or a relative. Dr. Ellis may have been an ocean away, and a century and a half early ... but he did pretty well capturing the reality of relief work in the southern states.

Would you trade it for anything? -- Mark Briley, GCC colleague and friend --
No. Not a thing. Every awful story made every wonderful story more so. The exhaustion each evening came from the excitement of each day. Any frustration with 'the system' made it that much more inspiring when compassion found its way into, through, and frankly sometimes around ' the system'. And yes, my heart is telling me to find what's next in this far-reaching, long-lasting saga, and get moving on it ... but the best place to DO that is back in the arms of the ones who sent me to serve in the first place.

In a letter to the early church in Corinth, Paul tries to help them understand who they are, what they're about, and what their faith -- and their world -- demands of them ... and what that faith not only requires, but empowers, them to do and be:

The point is this: the one who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God. (2Corinthians 9:6-12 )

With many thanksgivings to God, for each of you, for our ministry together, and for the hope and promise of what is to come ...

this is why

2005-09-27T21:09:00.000-05:00

~ we work together. ~
Hopefully, we also work with accurate information, decision-making ability, and some sense of organization. Took the mail (a crate-full!) from our shelter and delivered it to the new primary shelter (First Baptist – and honey, we’re talking east TX Baptist church – HUGE) and saw Debra, who had been shelter manager with me 4 days a week, 10 – 12 hours a shift. She said, “This job is getting real old, real fast.” She’s an outstanding manager, who’s been overtaxed by an unorganized system. The kind of person we can’t afford to burn out, but will. Grrr.

~ all those ‘teamwork’ exercises really DO matter. ~
Driving from Tyler back into Dallas (the main evacuation – and therefore return – route), cars right and left, abandoned. Road signs (the kind that are always missing at least 1/3 of the bulbs) saying ‘expect delays on route to Houston’ and ‘fuel shortage on route to Houston’. What is it that makes us panic and horde, instead of panic and band together?

~ when we say ‘community effort’, we mean it. ~
Connie owns an industrial cleaning service and I’d called to schedule a run-through of the building as we finished moving residents into other housing; time to get ‘our house’ in recognizable order again. When I called to confirm yesterday, she said ‘I’d been thinking about you over the weekend. I was wondering how we were going to get your place back together if you were going to have more people headed that way.’ I caught her up saying that we didn’t open for the second wave, we were closing so that others could open for the Rita folks. But that she’d even given it a thought, after a single 3-minute conversation tells me a lot.

~ we have to actually let go if we’re going to give. ~
In delivering furniture on Thursday, we discovered that Faith’s story had reached many corners, and many people had responded. To the point, in fact, that the question came ‘Should we leave the stuff we’re taking? The apartment seems quite full.’ And the answer was yes. Help was requested, help was offered, help will be given.

Much as it raises flags and questions and hackles and whatever else … we are called to give from our abundance to meet another’s need. Period. Whatever our own sense of right, wrong and otherwise may prefer, giving does not come with the right/duty/privilege/responsibility of seeing that ‘they’ use the gift the way ‘we see fit’. If it does, then it isn’t a gift, it’s a condition.

~ We "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:2) ~

Thank you for the use of your church, your time and hard work. - Medical Rangers

During the recent Hurricane Katrina relief operations, several soldiers of the Texas State Guard were honored to be guests at First Christian Church of Tyler. We were humbled by the extraordinary generosity of the people of Tyler in general and the membership of this church specifically. My troops were able to get to know several members as they joined the wonderful volunteer staff of the shelter. The facility your church provided was absolutely first class. We would like to thank this opportunity to thank the Christian leadership of Pastor Wilson and First Christian Church Tyler for providing us with an excellent facility that allowed us to accomplish our mission in comfort. The effort of this church and the volunteers are the very essence of being Christians. Thanks, FCC. - the officer and soldiers of the Texas State Guard, 19th Brigade (Military Police)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Back to Indy, safe and sound. A few more thoughts are rolling around, I want to try to put some closing reflections to this experience ... well, to this phase of the experience. I've a feeling there are many more weeks, and many more opportunities to come.

letters home

2005-09-24T19:40:00.000-05:00

It's like having a congregation full of my mother! NOT that that's a bad thing ... in fact, it's the thing that makes HER so happy that I serve where I do. She knows that even though SHE isn't right there to look after me, Y'ALL are doing the looking after just fine. (See, I said y'all -- but really, I always said y'all. I'm warning you. Everyone who's said, You don't sound like you're from Texas, is about to be wrong.)

So - when The Boss calls, you know you'd better update the blog. (No, not Springsteen. Spleth. That Boss.) Evidently no one's looked at a map to see how far inland Tyler is! :-) But let me assure you, all is well here. I'm fine, I promise.

Since Wednesday noon (when FCC's Shelter officially closed), five more shelters have opened in Tyler (12 in a 3-city area, incluing Longview and Jacksonville) for evacuees fleeing in advance of Rita. Story after story of day-long traffic snarls, 36 hours to make a 5 hour trip, etc. ... had to only be compounded by the frustration of seeing the storm take a turn to the east and leave Houston with "only" inches of rain instead of feet.

Shelters here were full within hours of opening, and we continued to have people stop at FCC all day Thursday and Friday, only to have us redirect them to the next open shelter. In the midst of that seeming runaround, though, everyone was quite gracious and appreciative of whatever help we could give ... look, this truck is taking supplies over to Colonial Hills, just follow them ... medical is all going through First Baptist now, go out this main street into downtown, turn left at the Court House and you're there ... I still have mail through this week, after that it goes to the Post Office, two blocks down the road.

And fortunately, thanks be to God, damage -- while significant, particularly and painfully in already hard-hit areas, was less extensive than anticipated. Better to have everyone out and little reason for it, than to have people stay and end up doing 'recovery' and not 'rescue' work.

As for Tyler, the weather last night and today has been wind and rain … just like any good east Texas rainstorm. There was massive hurricane/flood/tornado panic -- lines around the block for gas, not a bottle of water to be found in the store, and police issuing 'stay off the road' warnings all night and this morning. But so far none of that’s played out here in Tyler (or, as far as I know, anywhere else that isn’t immediately coastal). It’s definitely rained for about 16 hours here, and there are some limbs and trees down around town, and one of the churches lost shingles. So, yes, obviously, big storm = damage, BUT nothing much more severe than any other heavy storm would do.

The last of the ‘shifting to a new shelter’ work was done yesterday -- closing down a shelter is nearly as chaotic as getting one opened! Today has been a day of rest; I've slept, let's see, do the math, 14 out of the last, um 21 hours. Tomorrow was already scheduled to be a youth work day ... and BOY oh BOY are they gonna be workin'. Tomorrow and Monday will be getting the CLC put back into recognizable shape, plus Monday is finishing out miscellaneous wrap up with Red Cross and the Church. Tuesday I fly back to Indy and Wednesday I’ll be back in the office.

With the Office of Disciples Volunteering establishing Mission Stations in the gulf coast states, there will be resources and opportunities for mission trips for the next couple of YEARS. I think there's a group ready to take one fairly soon, and TRUST ME WHEN I SAY that if you want to serve, there will be a chance. I assure you.

By the way, the comments here on the blog and the emails I receive every day have been SUCH a delight. It's been great to have you 'with' me on this trip. I'm sure I'll post a couple more days' of notes and reflections ... so until then ...

batten down, barrel through

2005-09-22T23:41:00.000-05:00

Yesterday's shelter traffic was folks looking for our residents. "They were just here last night!" I know, I'm sorry for the confusion. Red Cross closed services here this morning. Try having that conversation 25 times without feeling like a louse. Granted, we were ABLE to close - since we also needed to close - because our residents all found alternative housing, but still.

A lot of today's traffic at the shelter was people coming up from the southern coast, knowing (from the news, or another city's Red Cross office, or a local friend or relative) that we were a shelter location and looking for space. And I had to say that this big (now emptying) building was not going to be a shelter anymore. (Tyler opened one yesterday at noon, which is already full. Two more opened today, one was almost full tonight, one halfway. Two more are on call in case they're needed.)

It's been so interesting to see the differences between the way Katrina was addressed (chaos to care in the aftermath) as opposed to the way Rita's chaos seems to be coming on the front end, trying to be prepared. I really believe that Katrina's legacy, even more than the damage the natural disaster imposed, will be the awareness and understanding that the human disaster made essential.

- With the storm still 4 - 5 days away, Red Cross, even in small town Tyler TX, was preparing to open additional shelter locations, and to close the non-essential services (or make other accomodations for them) of the original (Katrina) shelters, freeing Red Cross staff and managers to establish new locations.

- Mayors, disaster management teams, and governors are making more than standard-press-release declarations. People are being TOLD to LEAVE ... AND the cities are providing the means, and are trying to act well in advance.

We're supposed to get lots of rain (like 1 - 2 feet!) and big time wind (50mph, which, y'know, is just a good Texas windstorm, but "they" are saying gusts up to 70!). My flight is out of Dallas on Tuesday, so I guess the main concern is really getting TO Dallas. Shouldn't be as difficult by then, but ... I'm prepared to have a long travel day, just in case.

In the meantime, making SERIOUS progress on getting the building back together. Donations that weren't used are going to new shelter locations. Donations that aren't going to new locations are going to other facilities (who will then supply the shelters as needed). People from the church are donating furniture for two families and that gets picked up - and delivered! - tomorrow. The youth group already had a work project scheduled on Sunday evening, so I get a group of them as my minions - I mean assistants! - to do some repair work just getting the place respectable.

The other legacy -- and I know I keep harping on this, but frankly, I don't know that we can remind ourselves of this too much -- is compassion. The overwhelming ... which is such an underwhelming word for it ... sense of community, of looking-beyond-myself, the sheer giving. The ways people have found to give of themselves. The creativity, the meaning, the passion, the selfless generosity of time, talent and resources.

There's more to it than that ... it's really a God thing, and I'm at a loss for words on it. (Yeah, which is so evident in this blog-slash-novel! Ha!) God is doing amazing things here ... in the lives of people, in the hearts of communities. Even in the midst of horror and tragedy beyond explanation, the goodness of God is living and moving. Just because we can't put words to it doesn't mean it isn't there ...

second verse, same as the first

2005-09-21T23:50:00.000-05:00

Nothing like trading one disaster for another ... a hurricane ... a levee collapse ... the failure of resources ... a lack of consistency ... and now another hurricane.

As ironic and hyperkinetic as the 'Rita's coming!' broadcasts have been ... I think (I hope, I pray) that the coverage of Katrina and the pre-Rita buzz have served to convince people who need to leave to actaully leave, AND have social service agencies lining up shelters, services, and systems in advance. Being proactive, how very exciting!

The plan this week -- despite rumors to the contrary! -- has been to have our shelter site (and the Baptists') closed by 10am Friday. Well, it's a little odd, and exciting, to report: we're out early! Yep, let the senior minister splits town and I've got the place shut down and packed up by the time he's back for dinner. :-)

Much as I'd like to take credit, truth is, we were close to being ready already; Rita's looming, and the need for additional shelters looming, prompted Red Cross to punch up the schedule a bit to have Katrina folks 'closed' cases. Arrived at church parking lot this morning ... same time as one fire engine and one police car. Criminy people! Heart attacks run in my family! It's too early in the day for me to keel over in the parking lot! (The fire dep't was picking up the cots to move elsewhere, the police were on duty to relieve the national guard moving on. Whew.)

Volunteers and two shelter managers were already on duty, packing supplies to move to new shelters. All families relocated, transportation arranged, just packed and waiting to go. Spent the ENTIRE afternoon and evening sorting through an office full of paperwork and shelves upon shelves of supplies -- and the next couple of days to get the place reset and a 'recovery plan' in place for the Christian Life Center.

(Four new shelters are being prepared to open as needed in Tyler ... in fact one opened this afternoon, my shelter manager left midday to head that up ... but none of the four sites that have served as Katrina shelters will be expected to double as Rita shelters. Nice thing is, lots of what we have still 'out' can be simply picked up and moved over to the new site.)

As promised, this afternoon our Gulfport woman with 5 kids returns (from yesterday). Her name 'happens to be' Faith. (Of course it does, right, Julie?). We found out (yay for the shelter manager putting this together) that not only is the apt office bilking her by demanding payment up front (deposits are to be waived), they ALSO are charging her full rent (it's supposed to be 2/3 rate for 6 months). Yeah, Teresa leapt on that in a flash.

And? Faith asked for information about the church ... both grandfathers were pastors, and "our family churches are gone, we need a new place to be" ... and she said it feels like she should worship at FCC, since it's the place that's taken care of her.

Today was a big day for gratitude ... for all the temper flares that there have been (I don't care if you're her mother, you can't have her mail ... especially not the checks ... no ... go away) ... everyone who stopped at the desk today -- to collect mail, ask about meals, get directions, leave forwarding info -- offered thanks.

It's so good of you to have done this.
You've really made a difference.
I don't know what we would have done without you.
God bless you for what you've done.

Oh ... I'm fairly sure God already has.

and speaking of circles!

2005-09-20T23:59:00.000-05:00

- Come back to New Orleans. No don't.
- We're closing the existing shelters. You're in line to be a Rita shelter. No you're not.
- Go to the shelter and check in. Go to family services and get a hotel voucher.
- You're allowed to stay at the hotel as long as you need to. The manager wants to open up the rooms and wants everyone else out.
- We'll give you a debit card. We'll hand you a voucher. We'll mail you a check.

Honestly. Is it any wonder people are exhausted and frustrated?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It seems we are learning some lessons, though. Thank you Jesus.

- People are evacuating Rita-likely cities, well in advance.
- FEMA and Red Cross are lining up shelter sites and relief supply plans.

Asking the 'how did this happen' and 'what can we do' questions are not -- rather, should not be -- political questions. They are literally matters of life and death. Obviously, weather patterns and effects are beyond our control. But, as with every situation in life, how we choose to respond (which sometimes means thinking ahead and being prepared TO respond), is exactly ours to control. It's time we started taking it seriously.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I will throw in here, it's kinda cracking me up, the 'Rita Watch' hysteria. Not that it's not an important thing to keep an eye on ... I'm just saying there must be SOME kind of middle ground between being four days late in responding to a storm and being 10 days early in warning about it. Anyway ...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I met an interesting woman today ... whose name I don't even know, and whose story I'm only piecing together.

She's from Gulfport, a single mother of five (including a set of twins), probably 12 and younger. She was in Houston, and was closed out of a shelter there. Their suburban, including anything they evacuated with, and her identification, was stolen in Houston. Transportation replaced, she ran out of gas in some small East Tx town, called a church for help, the church happened (ha!) to be across the street from the Red Cross office. They got her registered with FEMA and gave her gas money to get here.

The FEMA check? Was mailed to Gulfport. To. Gulfport. Where the storm hit. Where the houses. are. gone. As is the post office. Hello. And the missing check? Will take two weeks to replace.

She makes it to Tyler and finds the Salvation Army, who send her to us. Red Cross isn't registering any more families in shelters, so she goes to Family Services. They have nothing. No clothes, but what they're wearing. No towels, soap, diapers, nothing.

Our meal service was closing for the afternoon, but a volunteer caught the supplies before they left and got them fed, and a few things to take with them. I was standing at the desk trying to make some plans for gathering furniture church members here are donating to help get some of our resettled families started in their new homes.

So - she'll be back tomorrow, hopefully FEMA here having advance-paid (in place of the missing check) the apartment she found. She has a job, shift manager at a Sears down the street. Tomorrow morning she'll get the older kids enrolled in Tyler schools, and the younger ones in child care (available for evacuees while they're getting settled). And! We have furniture for her, even though it's just a little, plus towels and blankets and toiletries to get them started.

This was the big part for me, when I asked what she needed ...
We need everything. Anything. That's what they don't get. They mailed the check to something that doesn't exist. We weren't poor. I did well for us; I was a private photographer for 13 years. We had a beautiful house, right on the beach. And there's nothing. And it's hard on me. But my kids. They've found the toys in the other room, and they're just happy and fine. I just want something better for them.

And none of this was said, or intended, as 'Feel sorry for me and shell out the goodies.' The sound of her voice, and the look on her face, was clearly a woman brought low by life's circumstance ... but not so low that she couldn't ask for help. Sometimes being strong, and independent, and taking care of yourself (and your family) means knowing when you can't do it alone.

(Whew, long post tonight, thanks for hanging in there.)

oh ... for the LOVE!

2005-09-19T12:08:00.000-05:00

Well, just when I think it's settling down and we're closing out ... HA. Teach me to speak so soon ... pride goeth... and all that jazz.

Friday night, two guys are picked up at a bar d&d (drunk and disorderly, not dungeons and dragons ). They're both brought back to the shelter, pack their stuff, and away they go.

Sunday morning ... SUNDAY. MORNING. ... fistfight (over cigarettes!) resulting in one broken jaw, one night in jail, and one expulsion from the shelter.

Today. ROTD (rumor of the day) is that Green Acres (the mega-Baptist church ... well, megachurch that's Baptist; I dunno what a mega-Baptist is) is closing down their shelter (the only other one in town besides us) and sending their remaining 58 people over here. On top of our 80 remaining. How. Ever: The Red Cross shelter manager hasn't heard that ... but the National Guard guys are saying they'll be here midweek.

So. It's just consistently inconsistent. Which HAS consistently been the case. :)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Oh! And! The Goodwill that we've been working with - serving the whole city, and especially our shelter residents - had a fire on Friday night, and lost their entire warehouse. They're closed down for a few days trying to see what they can recover, and will have to gut the place and start over, according to the manager I talked to on Saturday. (Good news here is that none of their staff was injured, they got everyone out, and none of their special needs adults was working that night shift.)

We'd intended to take our remaining donations back to GW at the end of our shelter run anyway -- people of the church, and the entire town, have been so overwhelmingly generous that we have far more in the way of supplies than we can even use for our residents. The plan was that we'd re-donate, and then evacuees who remain in town could go to GW for x period of time (a few months, I think) and pick up whatever else they still need as they resettle, free of charge.

Looks like GW will really NEED our re-donations now, to rebuild THEIR stock.

What a bizarre thing. The manager said her concern in the whole thing was that they weren't going to be able to provide for the Katrina families like they had been ... the whole community is so focused on supporting the new members of the community. It's really quite remarkable ... and as I've said, continues to offset the brawlin' stories that filter through.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Update:

We're getting ONE family (3) who were displaced from the house they'd found (it was a live-here-til-we-sell-it, and it sold), and ONE family (6) who've been living in their van in a town farther east in Tx (Athens). And THAT'S. IT.

I talked to the Red Cross office. And the regional director. BOTH of whom assured me TWICE EACH that we are NOT getting any more residents. Not. No matter what the national guard officer at our door is saying.
- No more residents from the other Tyler shelter.
- No more residents from any other shelters or locations.
- No more residents from any of the cities set to evacuate should Tropical Storm Rita take full shape in these already affected areas. Yes, he's telling people - volunteers and residents - that his 'buddy who's a storm chaser for the Dallas tv station' is saying that Rita's going to end up sending more evacuees here. That may be, but why don't we WAIT to see where it actually FALLS first? Good grief.

Of course, now that local and federal officials are agreeing (how did THAT happen?!) that New Orleans is still not habitable, our folks won't be returning as soon as they'd hoped. But they know our routine and regulations, and we are already caring for them fully here. There is even a job fair tomorrow, and more housing has been secured for families who are applying to stay here in town.

But that guard needs to hush it; it's not like folks need MORE anxiety. I believe the altercations of the last few days suggest that we could use a little more guarding and a little less rumor-mongering. Sheesh. He's 6'6" and packing heat; anyone care to tell him I said so? :-)

as promised: Buckle up.

2005-09-18T23:25:00.000-05:00

It's been an interesting few days for us. I was in worship at First Christian this morning (twice! just like at home!) and was able to update them on what's going on right in their backyard (literally):

- Our resident list is about 85 names. That's down from triple digits just a week ago. Overnight last night we had somewhere in the high 50s. Several families travelled to LA and MS, to try to get back into their neighborhoods, to see what is left. We expect most of them back tonight.

- Unfortunately, so far, many of the stories are as bad as you hear on the news. 'You can return to the city, but only this section.' 'You can move to the city, but there's still no electricity, and the water and air are contaminated.' There's nothing left. Nothing to salvage. Nothing even to see. If they could even GET to their neighborhood or business TO see it.

- That said, there is progress. Everyday someone finds a job, lands an apartment, reconnects with family, gets word of something they've been waiting on.

It's a tremendous rollercoaster ...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

An official statement yesterday indicated that 100,000 people have received federal money to assist with food, clothes, and finding homes and jobs.

That would be news to some of the folks staying with us at First Christian Church.

Actually, it may be true to say that 100,000 people have registered or even been sent said assistance. To say that they've received the assistance, however? Not so much.

And why, you may ask have they not received them? Because the post office is insisting on a signature for each check, with picture ID, from the person to whom the check is being mailed.

Folks have spent HOURS with FEMA and Red Cross (and other) caseworkers filling out REAMS of applications for personal, family, and business insurance and recovery funding.

And now they're spending days out around town, looking for work, for a place to live, for a way and a means to restart their life.

And when they come back to the shelter for the evening, it would be so great to be able to hand them the check with their name on it, so that they can then PAY FOR the place to live, the way to work, etc.

Only I can't give them their check because they weren't there during the day to sign for it.

Hello? Red Tape? Line 1. And 2. And 3.

Obviously I understand the security and identity issues, in theory. But as a friend (well, a friend who was quoting Homer Simpson) once wisely (and all too ironically) said, "In theory, communism works." Okay, maybe that's melodramatic. But so is living in a church gym for three weeks where everything you own -- EVERY. THING. YOU. OWN. -- is in a couple of trash bags shoved under your cot.

There HAS to be a better answer. Revicitimizing the victims by tying their hands, and the hands of those who are trying to help them, does nothing to provide security, nothing to offer hope, nothing to keep the promises their country keeps making to them. Nothing.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jeff said this morning, "You can get motion sick going in circles looking for who to blame." That is so true. And I think some of our folks are getting that same feeling trying to chase down some plans for themselves and their families. But they're persisting, much to their credit.

Yes, the stories you hear on the news -- or hear that someone else heard on the news, which are my personal favorites -- are sometimes (sometimes!) true. There are people who take advantage of "the system" (which is a term suggesting coordination and organization, and so should be used only loosely in this scenario!). There are people who try to get money they don't need (having not sustained damage). There are people who will try to pick up someone else's mail or check or form. There are people who don't look for work during the day, and spend what money they have received at the local bar and get carted out by authorities for being drunk and disorderly, and who are no longer guests at the shelter.

HOWEVER. How. Ever. There are FAR MORE STORIES of people doing everything they can to find a new life, to build the life they wanted but now have to find elsewhere. There are far more people doing the right thing ... please let those be the stories you attend to, the ones you share, the ones you hold in your heart and memory as the character of this southern Gulf Coastal community that's now becoming part of our communities. We are all one.

random acts

2005-09-16T23:36:00.000-05:00

Wow. The last two days have been constant motion. (I've been thrown off my workout schedule, but I'm getting really good at the 100-yard dash from my office in the church to the shelter in the gym!) For those who are wondering, no I haven't gotten much sleep. HOWEVER, I have managed to get a pretty good handle on the situation and I think I've managed to do some good things.

It's been a fairly scattered couple of days, so let me just throw some random observations out here ... maybe you can draw your own profound conclusions while I go take a nap!

> Tonight we have about 90 residents at the Center. That number continues to come down from where it was even a week ago -- which is the goal, right?! This weekend it will vary a little as folks are going to see family who are other places, or get some of their family to other family, or maybe even looking for work somewhere else.

> The day work at the Center has really changed. The first few weeks it was very focused on crowd control, meal service, and case work. Now, the days are actually pretty quiet.
- The kids get on their school buses anywhere from 7:15 - 8:20 and come back around 3:30.
- Most adults are out during the day finding work (or already working) and looking for places to live.
- Family Services (financial assistance, case work) has moved to a centralized location to serve the two remaining shelters (us and Green Acres Baptist Church, which is named for the area of town, not the tv show or the funeral home).

> The people here continue to blow me away.
- The Red Cross shelter managers are really great. They're really getting little in the way of direction or support (that I can see) from Red Cross, but they keep plugging along, and really make it a goal to get services to our clients and try to have them not be our clients any longer than they have to.
- The volunteers continue to show up and say 'tell me what to do.' They don't care if it's holding a baby or taking out the trash, if they're sanitizing cots and mats or driving someone to see their new apartment. They just walk in and say, 'I'm here, put me to work.' Thank God.

> Our residents and guests (people who are coming for meals or services, but have other living arrangements) seem to know that we want to help them, and only a very very few (to answer the question many of us who only know this story from the news, will ask) seem to think that we have to help them.

> Completely and totally random:
- I have a golf-ball sized knot and bruise on my right shoulder. I'm strong, and I can lift things, but when I lift something and simultaneously run into something else, it will leave a mark. :)
- True to form, I've been in east Texas three days, and my twang has returned.
- The church staff has been wonderful and welcoming. And evidently the entire congregation knew I was coming; I've only had to introduce myself by name and people say, "Oh you're the one who came to help from Indianapolis!" (I'm assuming they were told by way of encouragement, not by way of warning!)
- I have never used so much hand sanitizer in my life.
- I'd forgotten just how long I've been away from youth ministry ... and you know what reminded me? Driving a 15 psgr van. HA!

Oooh! And speaking of youth ministers ... Mark and Carrie, I can't wait to meet Morgan Marie. Don't let her get too big in the next 10 days, okay?!

I think I'll wrap up for now. Tomorrow I'm going to clear the cobwebs with a hike through the fitness park, do my rounds with the weekend shelter staff, and make some Goodwill and Salvation Army runs. By then I'll have the brain cells to fire up my rant about bureaucratic frustrations and incompetence. And wow. Their name is Legion. Buckle up!

The most profound moment of the day was about midafternoon. Kids were coming in from school. The tv was on one of the news stations (CNN I think). Six or eight residents (men mostly) were standing and sitting around it. And no one was talking. The story? A report with city and state officials in N.O. and LA, talking abouth which wards in N.O. will be reopened, which parishes will not be. It was quite surreal to observe - I kept walking, didn't want to stop and eavesdrop or intrude - knowing that the people standing in front of me are the people whose lives - and livelihoods - are being discussed as so much anonymous news. It reminds me to be respectful of what I hear, what I do, what I say, and to remember that this is not work, it is service. Big difference. Huge.

(Yes, Mom, I promise to get some sleep this weekend!)

one ground, hit running

2005-09-14T12:06:00.000-05:00

That whole "hit the ground running" thing is more than a figure of speech. Okay, I didn't actually run -- I have rules about that! -- but I did manage to cover quite a bit of territory.
Arrived at the church late this morning ... arrived at my room about 8 tonight. I don't anticipate every day being that long ... but I can't anticipate any of them being easy, either.

The condensed version. Okay, more or less condensed (hey, occupational hazard):

the church staff, including:
... Nicky, the most delightful 'first face you see' volunteer. ever.
... Joyce, assistant to the senior minister, who was as helpful and forthcoming as you can imagine, even given what she called (twice) 'the worst day we've had'
... Barbara, associate. hilarious. energetic. total Texas girl. (and sister of country singer Neal McCoy, for those familiar)
... Jeff, senior minister, holding down the church and the shelter, all around incredibly talented -- and charming -- fella.

orientation, by wandering:
... a basketball court full of cots
... a raquetball court filled with clothes
... a dining hall with individually wrapped and served portions, doubling as a homework center
… a computer bank for homework, games, news, communication, business, FEMA applications, finding family
… Texas State National Guard serving as sentries … more or less
… a mass of volunteers all dying to help, only marginally coordinated in doing so

humanity, by observation:
... children being picked and dropped off from school, right in the parking lot of this temporary ‘home’
… Julianna, 30 (if that), here from day one, mother to a couple of her own, spokeswoman for her extended family, and queen bee of the shelter
… Jackie, retired, who not only knows every stitch of clothing in the donation closet, but helps with homework and knows where everything’s stored
... a couple, married on Saturday (and what a honeymoon!), brand-new-wife found a brand new job today
… men talking shelter gossip in the shade; women rocking babies often not their own; children playing basketball, ignoring cots, duffel bags, and often the frowns of the people trying to sleep!

There is incredible work going on here … and it’s just a microcosm of what’s happening around the country. It makes me laugh, and it’s already made me cry, and cringe, and rail at ‘the system’. But there’s this beam of hope that shines through … knowing that no, this isn’t ideal, but it also isn’t permanent. There is housing, there are jobs, there will be a better day ahead.

And in the meantime, there’s the Christian Life Center at First Christian Church in Tyler. Thanks be to God.

shower the people

2005-09-13T00:56:00.000-05:00

Always, always loved James Taylor, especially that song … shower the people you love with love … doesn’t that high harmony chorus just make you feel an overwhelming need to wrap your arms around someone you love? Love love love the song … it just never occurred to me I’d be living in the middle of it.

It has been absolutely amazing, the overwhelming support and affection the last 36 hours have brought to bear.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

My tasks have continued to change, and I haven’t even arrived yet! Talked with Jeff this morning, who was debating last night whether to call me and report that overnight lodgers had been processed down to several dozen; he was wondering whether I should still come, where I would be most needed.

And then this morning, before he could call me, he received a call. The other (smaller) shelters in Tyler are being closed by the EOC, and their residents processed over to FCC … tomorrow. morning. Probably more on the way. And another 200 sheltered at the Disciples camp in Athens (an hour-ish from Tyler). Safe to say: He’s not wondering anymore!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

One risk in doing this kind of work – not just ministry (although that, too), but specifically this specialized mission and service kind of work – is that ‘servants’ run the risk of getting the attention, when it’s really the issue, the task, and most significantly, the people that should be most closely considered.

Many years ago, in a prayer before a sermon I can’t recall (sorry, preacher friends, but we all know it’s true!), Zan Holmes offered words I have long remembered and often repeated, “Hide me in the shadow of your cross. And whether through me, or in spite of me, may your Word be known.”

There is this amazing current of faith, and a deep stream of love and commitment, just pouring from the heart of God’s people at Geist Christian, and friends and family across the country. Obviously the memory of this event will never be erased, but I pray so desperately that the waves of pain can eventually give way to the tides of compassion.

My hope is that this is but the beginning of a greater awareness of the need – the daily, urgent, real NEED – here, ‘there,’ and everywhere. There is always someone somewhere, standing on their own kind of car or rooftop, desperately waving a sign or rigging a flag and crying out “Help us! We’re dying!” We can’t let the flood take them all. We. simply. can’t.

call it what you will

2005-09-11T20:22:00.000-05:00

Grace. Luck. Fortune. Blessing. Providence. Call. Spirit.

Since September of 1996, I have served in the most remarkable congregation ... ever. It would take days and days and fill blogs and blogs and then some ... but let me give you the examples that, in the last 24 hours, have reminded me again and again of how {call it what you will} has shown itself to me.

> It took one phone call each to cover 2-3 weeks' teaching responsibilities for four different bible studies. T put it best, "It seems like this is how I can do my part; teaching, so you can go do yours."

> Emails and phone calls (and countless of both) of prayer, thanks, help, excitement, pride, hope.

> Offers to cut grass, collect mail, check the house, take the car, ride to and from the airport, send supplies, come with me.

> In 10 days of collecting contributions for Week of Compassion, $17,000 received. That was BEFORE this weekend. AND ... people literally handing me money, "take this with you in case you need it."

> With no more than five minutes of my sharing 'here's what I'll be doing for two weeks,' and those five minutes being a guess AT BEST, at least a half-dozen people told me "I can be there in day," or "I can be there for a 4-day weekend."

> Database list to date: 45 people or groups who've offered shelter for displaced persons, assistance with counseling and pastoral care, and/or participation in clean-up and rebuilding mission trips when the time comes. Again ... BEFORE this weekend.

> Staff colleagues whose first reaction is, "Oh how wonderful ..." (And I don't think they mean "... that you're leaving for two weeks.") (I don't think they do!)

This morning's sermon, 'God Chatter: in public,' (sermons are posted to the church site usually by midweek, DO check it out) and how Hurricane Katrina is NOT ... hear me, NOT ... an 'act of God.' True, true, amen and amen.

I will continue to say, though -- and if you were in 10:30 service this morning, you already heard me say it, but at least pretend to be surprised and newly impressed here: The undeniable acts of God I have seen have been through each and every person in our congregation: acts of generosity, and love, and compassion, and faithfulness, and hope ... beyond measure.

Beyond. Measure.

the thing to do

2005-09-10T02:41:00.000-05:00

I've started this entry a half-dozen times today. And had actually thought I'd be starting it a few days before now ... but as has been the case with so much in the last 10 days, things change with a moment's notice.

Tuesday afternoon I'll be on my way to Tyler, Texas for two weeks. Two hours east of Dallas, six hours (and change) northwest of New Orleans. One of our sister congregations there has a Family Life Center ... that is giving new meaning to each of those words, each day.

We're serving 300 to 500 people three meals a day, Jeff said. 150 - 200 are staying the night. We've had to give armbands to our residents, and to our people, our volunteers, for security. It's just chaos. There are people doing meals, and we have clothing to distribute, and people getting medical attention. I have a feeling that Red Cross will be gone in a week, at the end of their '21 day' policy. Plus we have our own congregation to care for, and we're already down two staff as it is.

Jeff was a member here at Geist ten or more years ago (before I got here), and was on denominational staff when Ann was the national executive in our domestic ministries office. He was somewhere else between here and there, but has been at Tyler several years. So not only is this a ministry that's in need of some dedicated labor, it's a great connection for us ... a sister congregation in which we have some deep family ties.

At midnight Tuesday I had an email asking me to come to Austin, to be Red Cross trained and certified as a caseworker, and spend a few weeks with a clergy group there processing evacuees in Austin shelters, helping them connect to social services, and then helping to replicate the program in San Antonio, Houston, Dallas. By Wednesday morning, I had the go-ahead from my sr min, and then (due to federal agencies coming in to the four major TX towns and making it priority to hand out vouchers and clear the shelters, regardless of available options from there -- or lack of) by Thursday morning had been off-again, on-again, off-again.

Being in daily contact with Johnny and the Week of Compassion office in the last week, I said I had the go-ahead and was ready to do what I could, so if I was needed somewhere else say so. Nothing nothing nothing then ... last night two quick contacts.

This morning a phone call from Jeff: If you can come, we can use you.

By 6:00 tonight, I had two conversations with my sr min, a plane ticket, a personnel committee chair saying he thinks it's great, colleagues who've said tell me what I can do while you're gone, a lay leader who's taking on the start up of a study group saying sure that will work fine and (most significantly) we'll be praying for you, and my mother saying (and meaning, even amid worrying, which is her job!) I'm so glad you're getting to do this, I'm so proud of you, let me know if there's anything I can do from here.

It's weird -- I have NO. IDEA. what I'll be doing when I get there. The intent at present is for me to be the liaison between the 'daytime' pieces ... meals, clothes, meds, jobs, housing. There are volunteers doing each of those things ... or city agencies coming in and connecting to the people there (since that makes more sense, what with folks being AT the shelter and all). But if you're there doing meals all day, you don't necessarily know (or need to, or find/make the time to) what's going on in the other pieces of relief and support. But SOMEONE needs to know what all the pieces are doing. Maybe that someone is going to be me.

And if Red Cross is pulling out a week from today, that would give me a week to shadow that person -- which, apparently, is no longer the primary RC guy who's been there.. (Jeff said, 'the good one was pulled back to hq to work the bureaucracy, of course, since he's the one who knows what he was DOING.') And then another week to "be" that person. By which point, either enough folks will be processed OUT of the shelter that it will be more manageable given the volunteers and staff the church has, OR the church will be at the point of having someone else moving into the liaison role. So I'll be the interim, I guess.

ALL OF WHICH, of course, could change the moment I hit the ground. Which both scares the living bejeebers outta me ... and really really excites me. As long as it's more of the latter and less of the former, I guess I'm in good shape!

This is one of those things where everyone ... everyone ... I know has said, 'I hate sitting here and watching. I want to do something, anything.' And where I've actually been asked TO do something that I CAN do.

At least I hope I can.