Less than an hour from home and stuck in the worst traffic of the whole trip.
My work group this week included Chris, Alyssa, Macie, and Andrew. We were on assignment with Project Homecoming to work on restoring the home of an elderly couple in the upper 9th ward. Their home was completely gutted during Katrina. The insurance company paid them enough to buy supplies but not any money for the labor. Five years later the rehab on their home is finally underway thanks to this wonderful organization.
When we arrived on Tuesday, the interior was mostly bare studs. We could see from one end of the house to the other. It was really satisfying to see the tangible progress we had made by the end of the day on Friday, by which time most of the drywall had been hung and the now clearly defined rooms made it feel like a real house.
I am SOOOOO proud of my green team for the amazing contribution they made this week. They worked incredibly hard under difficult conditions. The heat was extreme and each day we left exhausted and drenched with sweat, yet I heard no complaints from these great young people. They had an awesome attitude and worked right alongside the other volunteers, always offering 110%.
On the way back to the church, we drove through the lower 9th Ward which was completely devastated by Katrina and the subsequent flooding. The photos you see here show one area where Brad Pitt’s organization is building what look like beach houses. They are completely “green energy” as you may have guessed from the solar panels. Some of them are even engineered to float if the water reaches the foundation.
Scattered among these beautiful new homes are the haunting ruins of the former homes. Some stand as empty battered shells. Some are merely broken concrete slabs.
This experience was so valuable. It was overwhelming to imagine everything you own and know being completely wiped away.
(posted by: Neeley)
We drove through part of St Bernard Parish, where water levels reached 12 feet in some areas. We rode a ferry back over near the church.
After work we took the Algiers Ferry from the west bank to Canal Street and then a streetcar to Cafe du Monde for beignets and cafe au lait!
An early Saturday morning adventure to the French Quarter. We were able to visit one of the three school worksites. Then adventured for coffee, sneakers, and Po Boys. The delicious quests were fulfilled but Tyler did not find the sneakers.
Ryan is the master carpenter in St Bernard parish
An awesome night filled with spontaneous joy!!
The Crescent City from the mighty Mississippi.
Free ferry rides across the river to the French Quarter on our way to enjoy Cafe du Monde.
So much to say … so tedious to upload photos from my phone. I will do my best and add more later.
The week so far has been amazing. The kids are really bonding and meeting new friends. They feel like they are making a real difference here. I like to think of the drops of sweat as drops of love being spread through this city.
Please keep praying for us!!
(posted by: Neeley)
Yesterday was our first full day of work. Some kids hung drywall ceilings, others painted classrooms, others checked in folks at homeless shelters. Everyone loved working hard and meeting new people. Some of us were done really early and headed downtown to look around. The balconies and buildings are so beautiful!!!
The church we are staying in is so wonderful. The members cone at 4am to start our breakfast!! The food is unbelievable!!!!
Everyone is doing great and we can’t wait to see what day 2 of work holds!!!
