Last day at the worksites, and the day started overcast with good chance of spit turning to rain. George and crew had breakfast (Italian Omelett) going well in hand by 6:30 and coffeee was done. Everyone set off and our crew actually beat our site crew by a few minutes. Most people got started working inside, and some of us started outside with the expectation that it would soon rain, and drive us indoors. Luckily we had got all the roof wood on and papered so rain would not seriously affect us. We got most everything we wanted to get done, done, and feedback from the other groups was similar, in that they all left some work for those who follow to finish. In every case we all felt that we had accomplished a lot, most of the groups got to have some contact with the family affected and some had developed a real relationship. In every case, the project managers, and the staff running the work areas really showed appreciation for all of othe work that was done. Friday is a day of goodbyes, and pictures, and we had reluctantly done one and thankfully done the other. Everyone was on their own for dinner, and all reports was that everyone returned full and satisfied. Our group went for piled high and deep, as a testament to large appetites from a hard days work.
After dinner we had a moving worship service, with communion, with the theme of hospitality. We shared stories of hospitality with each other, and demonstrated it with inviting others to be served by each other. We all also discovered that the Latin and Greek word for friendship did not relate to people or relationships at all, but rather meant "well used for the intended purpose" as in a level meets the criteria in making rafters straight, but later or even in that context could be applied to human relationships in that when we apply friendship torward each other, we meet the defenition as God had intended for us to be with each other.
Everyone got to bed early as a long day was ahead with many of us leaving by 6:00 am, meaning a very early morning.
Friday, April 30, 2010
It was a busy Thursday
Ok, so it is friday and I am blogging about thursday. Needless to say, it was a busy day and I think many people will agree when I say we were very tired. But let me back up...
Work continued at the three sites. Finally, the roof work to be done at this stage of the project was finished at one worksite. All three sites plugged along, striving to get as much done as possible since the week was drawing to a close.
At the Najolia site, our construction assistant, Kate, took us to a local place for crawfish and po-boys. They were delicious and our home owner showed us how to pull their heads off, suck the juice out of the heads and pull the meat out of the tails. It sounds gross, but it was SO GOOD! On our way back to the work site, we finished our lunch with a snowball. This is not to be mistaken for a snow cone. Snowballs have thinner shaved ice and a ice cream in the middle, then have the syrup flavor of your choice poured over it. They were the perfect end to a delicious local meal.
The highlight of thursday night was dinner at Olive Tree. Two of the three home owners of our group came to the dinner and presented a bit of their story to the entire group. The Third Pres group went and picked up their home owner from where she currently resides while waiting for her house to be finished. This was only her second time attending the thursday night Olive Tree dinner. It was moving to here about the experiences of several home owners and how appreciative they are of our ppresent, care and support.
After dinner a van-load went out to hear some jazz music suggested by Andy's cousin, who lives down here.
Stay tuned for our final day here in New Orleans! Brandi
Work continued at the three sites. Finally, the roof work to be done at this stage of the project was finished at one worksite. All three sites plugged along, striving to get as much done as possible since the week was drawing to a close.
At the Najolia site, our construction assistant, Kate, took us to a local place for crawfish and po-boys. They were delicious and our home owner showed us how to pull their heads off, suck the juice out of the heads and pull the meat out of the tails. It sounds gross, but it was SO GOOD! On our way back to the work site, we finished our lunch with a snowball. This is not to be mistaken for a snow cone. Snowballs have thinner shaved ice and a ice cream in the middle, then have the syrup flavor of your choice poured over it. They were the perfect end to a delicious local meal.
The highlight of thursday night was dinner at Olive Tree. Two of the three home owners of our group came to the dinner and presented a bit of their story to the entire group. The Third Pres group went and picked up their home owner from where she currently resides while waiting for her house to be finished. This was only her second time attending the thursday night Olive Tree dinner. It was moving to here about the experiences of several home owners and how appreciative they are of our ppresent, care and support.
After dinner a van-load went out to hear some jazz music suggested by Andy's cousin, who lives down here.
Stay tuned for our final day here in New Orleans! Brandi
Thursday, April 29, 2010
It's already Wednesday...
Good Start
Breakfast was delicious due to the hard work of George and Rod with some menu help from Tim. We shared breakfast and a discussion with the marketing director from Project Homecoming. Van thanked our group for being here this week as well as for all the previous trips made by our respective churches. It is the continued commitment from volunteers that allows Project Homecoming to get people back into their homes. He discussed the successes that their organization has had as well as some of the challenges they face. The commitment from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is scheduled to end at the end of this year. They have a good start towards the funds to get them through 2011 and are working at securing the remaining funds.
Cartier St.
Our group is making good progress at the Cartier St. house. The roofing crew finished putting the decking down and have tar papered half of the addition. The carport crew had another day doing custom carpentry due to the lack of anything resembling a right angle. Bill and I continued working on the ceiling joists. Our use of the laser level went more smoothly today.
Our group took sometime off in the afternoon to tour some portions of the ninth ward. Our construction assistant Lisa led our tour. We visited the area of the Brad Pitt houses that Carlolyn mentioned in yesterday's post. I had seen the stories and the news after Katrina. It was a bit surreal to be standing by the canal levee next to the lower ninth ward and looking out over all the vacant lots in the lower ninth ward.
We are looking forward to meeting our homeowner's daughter tomorrow.
Fern St.
The group continued painting, grouting, cleaning, and working off the decreasing list of tasks to be completed. The representative from Catholic Family Charities who is the actual client for this work complemented the construction assistant Phil regarding the quality of the work. This house is in the final stages and they are hoping to have the homeowner living there again within a few weeks. The crew must be working well together and enjoying themselves. At the end of the day, they return smiling and laughing.
Najolia St.
This group has the farthest drive each day. They have been taking advantage of the drive time by getting to know each other better through stories and sharing thoughts. The group was touched that the homeowner Lita led them in prayer at the start of their workday. After battling an uneven floor for the past couple of days, Brandi and Carol were able to start laying ceramic tile today. More doors were hung, trim installed, and walls painted.
Closing thoughts
Although our bodies may be moving a little more slowly after three days of work, our spirits are in full force. I have seen the various groups of individuals working on their respective tasks evolve into small teams. Bonds are forming and strengthening as we continue to share in this fellowship. I have heard various mentions of thoughts, questions, and prayers from friends and families at home. If anyone has specifically prayed for good weather, God has answered their prayers as the weather has been great. We thank you for all the thoughts and prayers of support you have given us.
Len
Breakfast was delicious due to the hard work of George and Rod with some menu help from Tim. We shared breakfast and a discussion with the marketing director from Project Homecoming. Van thanked our group for being here this week as well as for all the previous trips made by our respective churches. It is the continued commitment from volunteers that allows Project Homecoming to get people back into their homes. He discussed the successes that their organization has had as well as some of the challenges they face. The commitment from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is scheduled to end at the end of this year. They have a good start towards the funds to get them through 2011 and are working at securing the remaining funds.
Cartier St.
Our group is making good progress at the Cartier St. house. The roofing crew finished putting the decking down and have tar papered half of the addition. The carport crew had another day doing custom carpentry due to the lack of anything resembling a right angle. Bill and I continued working on the ceiling joists. Our use of the laser level went more smoothly today.
Our group took sometime off in the afternoon to tour some portions of the ninth ward. Our construction assistant Lisa led our tour. We visited the area of the Brad Pitt houses that Carlolyn mentioned in yesterday's post. I had seen the stories and the news after Katrina. It was a bit surreal to be standing by the canal levee next to the lower ninth ward and looking out over all the vacant lots in the lower ninth ward.
We are looking forward to meeting our homeowner's daughter tomorrow.
Fern St.
The group continued painting, grouting, cleaning, and working off the decreasing list of tasks to be completed. The representative from Catholic Family Charities who is the actual client for this work complemented the construction assistant Phil regarding the quality of the work. This house is in the final stages and they are hoping to have the homeowner living there again within a few weeks. The crew must be working well together and enjoying themselves. At the end of the day, they return smiling and laughing.
Najolia St.
This group has the farthest drive each day. They have been taking advantage of the drive time by getting to know each other better through stories and sharing thoughts. The group was touched that the homeowner Lita led them in prayer at the start of their workday. After battling an uneven floor for the past couple of days, Brandi and Carol were able to start laying ceramic tile today. More doors were hung, trim installed, and walls painted.
Closing thoughts
Although our bodies may be moving a little more slowly after three days of work, our spirits are in full force. I have seen the various groups of individuals working on their respective tasks evolve into small teams. Bonds are forming and strengthening as we continue to share in this fellowship. I have heard various mentions of thoughts, questions, and prayers from friends and families at home. If anyone has specifically prayed for good weather, God has answered their prayers as the weather has been great. We thank you for all the thoughts and prayers of support you have given us.
Len
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday in the Big Easy
"Who Dat " over there!!!
Well, good evening dear readers... today, (Tuesday, April 27, 2010) has been a very productive day for 23 hardy Western New Yorkers working in various areas of the New Orleans metro. area.
We are quite proud of the successes we have had today and do have some interesting stories. There are stories ranging from one group spending probably five minutes trying to find the church where we stay, having passed it just prior to that 5 minute circular tour ALL AROUND IT!!! to someone deciding they need to know calculus instead of math to work on the carport they are reconstructing... to another group of 2 trying to find chickens' feet to prepare for tonight's dinner (:-P)!!
The successes of the day ranged from no grinder being ruined at one sight compared to how one was "destroyed" yesterday by getting the cord twisted around in it ... getting a roof to be straight rather than bowed as it was yesterday... to a young female minister learning how to use a jig saw... to "ceiling joints being installed and being the BEST ceiling joists in New Olreans" ... to 2 rooms being painted in one home, moldings being installed, grouting being done to door frames being installed, to "umpteen" doors being painted, to soffits being repaired and replaced, to just plain having fun.
Our three groups reconvened shortly before dinner time and had one terrific meal prepared by our chefs, George and Rod. They stay behind each day to prepare a most wonderful dinner for us who are "out in the field" during the day. George and Rod have made several trips down here to cook for groups and I, for one, am certainly glad they are here this week.
As I mentioned earlier... these 2 FINE GENTLEMEN wanted to be sure to present the BEST entree for us tonight and searched ALL over N.O. (well, one or 2 stores anyway) for chickens' feet to serve us. You see, we are in the South and that is one of the "customary" foods served here.
Now, I grew up on an Iowa farm and have seen MANY chickens' feet and really do NOT care to see them on my plate... Fortunately we are allowed to serve ourselves so I chose to avoid them at ALL COST!!! Instead I selected the Chicken marseilles (hm, hm good) green beans with diced red peppers mixed in and a delicious orange. For those of you who wonder what the story is on the "other" item on the menu... George and Rod, our trusty chefs thought it would be SO much fun to act as though the chicken feet would be the main course or else throw some into the main course to see the reactions. They decided to "test" the idea on the office staff of the church and... hm... for some strange reason... mainly one lady running backwards out of the kitchen... they decided they'd better just have them as an optional side dish.
Needless to say, I wasn't thinking and sat down by one of the men who had taken one... I told him to be sure to warn me ahead of time if he decided to eat it as I would be leaving. Fortunately, he said he had no courage whatsoever to try one... THANK GOD for that decision.
But I will say, our chefs are top notch and I would travel anywhere with them if they agreed to be the chefs of the trip. They are super!!!
After our work day was finished, our group, which consists of Sherry Shaffer, Ned Kavanagh, Jan Hoyt, Brandi Wooten, Carol Fowler, Sharon Breeze, Paul Worboys, Gary Rehberg, and myself, Carolyn towers, went to see the homes that are being built by a foundation formed by Brad Pitt. They are indeed very very unusual in architecture. However, the ones we saw look to be rather expensive so some of us are wondering if they are bringing original families back to the neighborhood of the 9th Ward or if people of a different income level are moving into them. If you are in the least bit interested, put the words "Brad Pitt Homes in New Orleans" in your Google search and I would imagine something will come up about them.
Then we went to see the memorial built to honor those who lost their lives, those who survived and have continued living with a strong hope for the future and to those who have helped restore some of the most devastated areas. The most enlightening thing of the memorial, which is in the middle of a boulevard in the 9th Ward, is a display of pillars showing the different levels of water during the horrible time of Katrina and Rita in 2005. I stood between 2 pillars that had to be 3' to 5' taller than me. Just amazing to think how horrible it was. And there is still so much to either be torn down or restored...
While we were standing there and looking around a gentleman came to us from across the street and told us that it served no good for us to stop and see the monument. He said that money could have been spent to help families in the Ward rather than build the monument. He also stated that people are appreciative of groups like ours coming to help rebuild but he said the "ones who should really be here are not." He was very polite and kind in his manner but we could certainly tell that he was VERY serious in his comments. He said that over 14,000 homes were destroyed and only 3,000 have come back... Isn't that just too hard to imagine....
The group consisting of the people mentioned above are working on the home of a lady who is still in a FEMA trailer on her property. She has had so many hardships and disappointments ever since the hurricanes but she had another one today... She was backing out of a parking place in her shopping neighborhood and backed into another person's car. Of course the other person's car was not damaged at all but her back right light area, the bumper and the fender were all damaged. the fender is not a piece by itself of course... it continues on into the roof. She was not hurt but she was badly hurt emotionally... She has had so many things happen to her... I would have given up by now but she pushes on and she'll be so happy when her house is finished. They are hoping to finish it in May.
In contrast, the other group of Chili and H.F. people are working on a house that is down to the bare studs and they are thinking it is going to take a LOT longer than the Pres. Disaster Assistance organization had originally thought. Our group of people working there (Tim Engelbrecht, Ron Horton, Andy Atwater, Jean Bartholomew, Bill Hoyt, Roger Willis, Val Fowler and Len Picone) feel very good that they have helped the PDA find some very serious problems and are helping them find solutions for those problems.
The third group, consisting of Nancy Watson, Karen Pryor, Don Pryor, Sharon Kiellach, have found the home they are working on is near completion and they are quite excited to think they can help add finishing touches to the home and possibly get the home owner to her home this week to see what has been done.
All in all, we have had so much fun, so many weary bones, so many laughs, so many weary bones and so much fellowship and growth in our understanding of this tragedy, that we wouldn't trade this experience for anything.
Well, actually we might trade for another one if for some reason we ARE served chickens' feet for dinner one night!!!
We thank you for all your prayers, support, love and faith in us as we allow our faith to grow and our feeling of being an important part of God's plan for the restoration of New Orleans. God bless you and we send our love to our families and friends.
Most sincerely, Carolyn Towers, First Presbyterian Church, Honeoye Falls.
Well, good evening dear readers... today, (Tuesday, April 27, 2010) has been a very productive day for 23 hardy Western New Yorkers working in various areas of the New Orleans metro. area.
We are quite proud of the successes we have had today and do have some interesting stories. There are stories ranging from one group spending probably five minutes trying to find the church where we stay, having passed it just prior to that 5 minute circular tour ALL AROUND IT!!! to someone deciding they need to know calculus instead of math to work on the carport they are reconstructing... to another group of 2 trying to find chickens' feet to prepare for tonight's dinner (:-P)!!
The successes of the day ranged from no grinder being ruined at one sight compared to how one was "destroyed" yesterday by getting the cord twisted around in it ... getting a roof to be straight rather than bowed as it was yesterday... to a young female minister learning how to use a jig saw... to "ceiling joints being installed and being the BEST ceiling joists in New Olreans" ... to 2 rooms being painted in one home, moldings being installed, grouting being done to door frames being installed, to "umpteen" doors being painted, to soffits being repaired and replaced, to just plain having fun.
Our three groups reconvened shortly before dinner time and had one terrific meal prepared by our chefs, George and Rod. They stay behind each day to prepare a most wonderful dinner for us who are "out in the field" during the day. George and Rod have made several trips down here to cook for groups and I, for one, am certainly glad they are here this week.
As I mentioned earlier... these 2 FINE GENTLEMEN wanted to be sure to present the BEST entree for us tonight and searched ALL over N.O. (well, one or 2 stores anyway) for chickens' feet to serve us. You see, we are in the South and that is one of the "customary" foods served here.
Now, I grew up on an Iowa farm and have seen MANY chickens' feet and really do NOT care to see them on my plate... Fortunately we are allowed to serve ourselves so I chose to avoid them at ALL COST!!! Instead I selected the Chicken marseilles (hm, hm good) green beans with diced red peppers mixed in and a delicious orange. For those of you who wonder what the story is on the "other" item on the menu... George and Rod, our trusty chefs thought it would be SO much fun to act as though the chicken feet would be the main course or else throw some into the main course to see the reactions. They decided to "test" the idea on the office staff of the church and... hm... for some strange reason... mainly one lady running backwards out of the kitchen... they decided they'd better just have them as an optional side dish.
Needless to say, I wasn't thinking and sat down by one of the men who had taken one... I told him to be sure to warn me ahead of time if he decided to eat it as I would be leaving. Fortunately, he said he had no courage whatsoever to try one... THANK GOD for that decision.
But I will say, our chefs are top notch and I would travel anywhere with them if they agreed to be the chefs of the trip. They are super!!!
After our work day was finished, our group, which consists of Sherry Shaffer, Ned Kavanagh, Jan Hoyt, Brandi Wooten, Carol Fowler, Sharon Breeze, Paul Worboys, Gary Rehberg, and myself, Carolyn towers, went to see the homes that are being built by a foundation formed by Brad Pitt. They are indeed very very unusual in architecture. However, the ones we saw look to be rather expensive so some of us are wondering if they are bringing original families back to the neighborhood of the 9th Ward or if people of a different income level are moving into them. If you are in the least bit interested, put the words "Brad Pitt Homes in New Orleans" in your Google search and I would imagine something will come up about them.
Then we went to see the memorial built to honor those who lost their lives, those who survived and have continued living with a strong hope for the future and to those who have helped restore some of the most devastated areas. The most enlightening thing of the memorial, which is in the middle of a boulevard in the 9th Ward, is a display of pillars showing the different levels of water during the horrible time of Katrina and Rita in 2005. I stood between 2 pillars that had to be 3' to 5' taller than me. Just amazing to think how horrible it was. And there is still so much to either be torn down or restored...
While we were standing there and looking around a gentleman came to us from across the street and told us that it served no good for us to stop and see the monument. He said that money could have been spent to help families in the Ward rather than build the monument. He also stated that people are appreciative of groups like ours coming to help rebuild but he said the "ones who should really be here are not." He was very polite and kind in his manner but we could certainly tell that he was VERY serious in his comments. He said that over 14,000 homes were destroyed and only 3,000 have come back... Isn't that just too hard to imagine....
The group consisting of the people mentioned above are working on the home of a lady who is still in a FEMA trailer on her property. She has had so many hardships and disappointments ever since the hurricanes but she had another one today... She was backing out of a parking place in her shopping neighborhood and backed into another person's car. Of course the other person's car was not damaged at all but her back right light area, the bumper and the fender were all damaged. the fender is not a piece by itself of course... it continues on into the roof. She was not hurt but she was badly hurt emotionally... She has had so many things happen to her... I would have given up by now but she pushes on and she'll be so happy when her house is finished. They are hoping to finish it in May.
In contrast, the other group of Chili and H.F. people are working on a house that is down to the bare studs and they are thinking it is going to take a LOT longer than the Pres. Disaster Assistance organization had originally thought. Our group of people working there (Tim Engelbrecht, Ron Horton, Andy Atwater, Jean Bartholomew, Bill Hoyt, Roger Willis, Val Fowler and Len Picone) feel very good that they have helped the PDA find some very serious problems and are helping them find solutions for those problems.
The third group, consisting of Nancy Watson, Karen Pryor, Don Pryor, Sharon Kiellach, have found the home they are working on is near completion and they are quite excited to think they can help add finishing touches to the home and possibly get the home owner to her home this week to see what has been done.
All in all, we have had so much fun, so many weary bones, so many laughs, so many weary bones and so much fellowship and growth in our understanding of this tragedy, that we wouldn't trade this experience for anything.
Well, actually we might trade for another one if for some reason we ARE served chickens' feet for dinner one night!!!
We thank you for all your prayers, support, love and faith in us as we allow our faith to grow and our feeling of being an important part of God's plan for the restoration of New Orleans. God bless you and we send our love to our families and friends.
Most sincerely, Carolyn Towers, First Presbyterian Church, Honeoye Falls.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Monday's Survival - the First Day
Today we all got off to a great start. We met the folks at Olive Tree during our orientation and they are a great group of young folks who've commited several months and in some cases years to help with rebuilding. The group is comprised of folks from all over the states and they work with PDA as project managers and site leaders. They work with local resources selecting sites for folks like us to work on.
We have three sites, all having different stages of completion. Our Fern St group is the most complete and this week may be the last group to work there. There's plenty to work on with painting, caulking and tile work being the first things on the list. The team also hopes to get the place cleaned up so the owner can make her first visit.
Our Cartier St site has the most work to do. The structure and area has been gutted and cleaned up and now we're building back the things that need replacing. A new roof is being added to one that is structurily sound. Inside walls have been studded and now we're putting in new ceiling joists to level the ceiling. We may even get to put on shingles, siding and insulation this week. This is the plan anyway....
Our Najolia St site has the outside complete and the inside work this week will cover caulking, hanging doors and tile work on floors and bath. This site is unique in that the owner is living on site in a FEMA trailer and gets to see the daily progress.
Our cooks, George and Rod are doing a great job feeding us all. They made a significant Sam's run that boosted to local economy greatly and I'm certain our waist lines by weeks end.
Everyone had a great day today and all have great energy. With all the work we did today, we will all be sleeping well tonight. The weather has been perfect.... not too hot or humid and a nice breeze most of the day.
Think of us often this week as the time flies by. God's work is touching us all.
Bill....
We have three sites, all having different stages of completion. Our Fern St group is the most complete and this week may be the last group to work there. There's plenty to work on with painting, caulking and tile work being the first things on the list. The team also hopes to get the place cleaned up so the owner can make her first visit.
Our Cartier St site has the most work to do. The structure and area has been gutted and cleaned up and now we're building back the things that need replacing. A new roof is being added to one that is structurily sound. Inside walls have been studded and now we're putting in new ceiling joists to level the ceiling. We may even get to put on shingles, siding and insulation this week. This is the plan anyway....
Our Najolia St site has the outside complete and the inside work this week will cover caulking, hanging doors and tile work on floors and bath. This site is unique in that the owner is living on site in a FEMA trailer and gets to see the daily progress.
Our cooks, George and Rod are doing a great job feeding us all. They made a significant Sam's run that boosted to local economy greatly and I'm certain our waist lines by weeks end.
Everyone had a great day today and all have great energy. With all the work we did today, we will all be sleeping well tonight. The weather has been perfect.... not too hot or humid and a nice breeze most of the day.
Think of us often this week as the time flies by. God's work is touching us all.
Bill....
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Getting into New Orleans
Our morning started bright and early around 4 o'clock when we woke up from our respective beds and drove to the airport. Bleary-eyed, we managed to find our way onto the plane. After several hours of traveling, we made it into New Orleans, commandered our vehicles and arrived at the church we are staying in- Parkway Presbyterian church. They extended their southern hospitality to us, taking us on a tour and explaining the guidlines for staying here. After Katrina, Parkway decided that the unique way in which they could respond to the devastation was to open their church up to be a place for volunteers to stay. They take great pride in this ministry and many people thanked us for coming as soon as we pulled up.
After an afternoon of setting up our air mattresses and buying groceries, many of us headed down to the French Quarter. We explored the sights of the Mississppi River and the orginal and flavorful tastes of New Orleans. Bourbon street was filled with silver people and street jazz groups. Afterward, we headed back to the church for some much needed rest for we have an early day ahead of us tommorrow. Stayed tuned to hear more of our journey to New Orleans
After an afternoon of setting up our air mattresses and buying groceries, many of us headed down to the French Quarter. We explored the sights of the Mississppi River and the orginal and flavorful tastes of New Orleans. Bourbon street was filled with silver people and street jazz groups. Afterward, we headed back to the church for some much needed rest for we have an early day ahead of us tommorrow. Stayed tuned to hear more of our journey to New Orleans
Friday, April 23, 2010
Are We Ready Yet?
It’s almost here, the day we depart for New Orleans! Who can believe it? Seven months ago, RH2NO (Rochester Help to New Orleans) applied for a church partnership grant from the Presbytery and when it was approved, the $1250 seed planted an incredible gift to the churches of First Presbyterian of Honeoye Falls and First Presbyterian of Chili. When first conceived, we were hopeful to attract 10 mission workers. Now, we depart 16 strong, 23 if you count the members from Third Presbyterian Church engaging in its own mission to New Orleans. We are excited, we are a little anxious, we are wondering what God has in store for us the coming week.
We’ll be working with Project Homecoming, the work relief agency of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance located in New Orleans. We’ll be hosted by Parkway Presbyterian Church in Metairie, LA. George and Rod, members at Third, will be providing our meals for the week, and we anticipate getting to see all the sights and sounds this culturally rich city has to offer. We are most excited, however, about the work we are about to do.
We learned a little about our homeowners. Between the three churches, we’ll be working on three houses. As you read, please pray for each homeowner, for all they have been through, for their continued strength and courage, and for our ability to help them get one step closer to moving back home.
Catherine is an elderly woman who is funding her own project with Road Home funds. She received about $70,000, not anywhere near enough to hire a contractor, and kept it in a savings account, praying all the while for a volunteer group. Enter Project Homecoming! This project is in the early stages.
Virginia was referred to Project Homecoming by Catholic Charities. She is disabled and uses a wheelchair. She is not currently living on her property. Virginia's home is being restored as well as being made handicap accessible. Virginia was evacuated by bus to Houston and went three days with no food or water, losing her wheelchair and witnessing the death of a passenger. Virginia's house is in the final stages and she is so looking forward to coming home.
Lita's home is in St Bernard's Parish and was heavily damaged by MRGO. She is still living in a FEMA trailer on the property. Lita experienced many personal losses from the storm in addition to losing her home. She was divorced right before the hurricane hit and it has affected her deeply. She was a victim of contractor fraud before coming to Project Homecoming. Lita's house is in the middle stages of construction.
It is hard to imagine people not being back home nearly 5 years after the storm. But that is truly the case and it is a testament to the Presbytery that we have not forgotten. Yes, we will pound a few nails and lay a few tiles. But most importantly, by our presence, we will proclaim to Catherine, Virginia and Lita that we care.
Your Mission Team Workers:
From Honeoye Falls: Carol Fowler (Victor), Rev. Val Fowler, Ned Kavanagh (Lakeside), Gary Rehberg, Sherry Shaffer, Carolyn Towers, Paul Worboys
From Chili: Andy Atwater, Jean Bartholomew, Sharon Breeze, Tim Engelbrecht, Ron Horton, Bill Hoyt, Jan Hoyt, Roger Willis, Rev. Brandi Wooten
From Third: George Cheatle, Sharon Kiellach, Len Picone, Don Pryor, Karen Pryor, Rod Taylor, Nancy Watson
We’ll be working with Project Homecoming, the work relief agency of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance located in New Orleans. We’ll be hosted by Parkway Presbyterian Church in Metairie, LA. George and Rod, members at Third, will be providing our meals for the week, and we anticipate getting to see all the sights and sounds this culturally rich city has to offer. We are most excited, however, about the work we are about to do.
We learned a little about our homeowners. Between the three churches, we’ll be working on three houses. As you read, please pray for each homeowner, for all they have been through, for their continued strength and courage, and for our ability to help them get one step closer to moving back home.
Catherine is an elderly woman who is funding her own project with Road Home funds. She received about $70,000, not anywhere near enough to hire a contractor, and kept it in a savings account, praying all the while for a volunteer group. Enter Project Homecoming! This project is in the early stages.
Virginia was referred to Project Homecoming by Catholic Charities. She is disabled and uses a wheelchair. She is not currently living on her property. Virginia's home is being restored as well as being made handicap accessible. Virginia was evacuated by bus to Houston and went three days with no food or water, losing her wheelchair and witnessing the death of a passenger. Virginia's house is in the final stages and she is so looking forward to coming home.
Lita's home is in St Bernard's Parish and was heavily damaged by MRGO. She is still living in a FEMA trailer on the property. Lita experienced many personal losses from the storm in addition to losing her home. She was divorced right before the hurricane hit and it has affected her deeply. She was a victim of contractor fraud before coming to Project Homecoming. Lita's house is in the middle stages of construction.
It is hard to imagine people not being back home nearly 5 years after the storm. But that is truly the case and it is a testament to the Presbytery that we have not forgotten. Yes, we will pound a few nails and lay a few tiles. But most importantly, by our presence, we will proclaim to Catherine, Virginia and Lita that we care.
Your Mission Team Workers:
From Honeoye Falls: Carol Fowler (Victor), Rev. Val Fowler, Ned Kavanagh (Lakeside), Gary Rehberg, Sherry Shaffer, Carolyn Towers, Paul Worboys
From Chili: Andy Atwater, Jean Bartholomew, Sharon Breeze, Tim Engelbrecht, Ron Horton, Bill Hoyt, Jan Hoyt, Roger Willis, Rev. Brandi Wooten
From Third: George Cheatle, Sharon Kiellach, Len Picone, Don Pryor, Karen Pryor, Rod Taylor, Nancy Watson
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