Sunday, March 12, 2006
Sorry! I managed to miss the Wednesday post. Here it is:
D'Iberville, MS March 8, 2006
Hello to all! This is my turn to write. Joe and I arrived here on Sunday and spent some time driving around D'Iberville. I think I recognized some areas from the pictures the previous group shared with us. The devastation is incredible. I can't believe the junk that is still stuck in the trees and along the roads. Can you believe that Joe and I volunteered to help a builder to complete wall board? We have hung, mudded, taped and spackled until we are as white as the mud! Needless to say we are exhausted by the end of each day. (They don't pay dry wallers enough money!) The home we are working on belongs to a blind individual who is homeless at the moment. Homes on both sides of his were washed off their foundations - one almost hit the home we are in. Another house in the same block is completely gone. Many are still standing, but completely destroyed inside. This experience is amazing and I hope to come back. Joe and I wish you all well!
D'Iberville, MS March 8, 2006
Hello to all! This is my turn to write. Joe and I arrived here on Sunday and spent some time driving around D'Iberville. I think I recognized some areas from the pictures the previous group shared with us. The devastation is incredible. I can't believe the junk that is still stuck in the trees and along the roads. Can you believe that Joe and I volunteered to help a builder to complete wall board? We have hung, mudded, taped and spackled until we are as white as the mud! Needless to say we are exhausted by the end of each day. (They don't pay dry wallers enough money!) The home we are working on belongs to a blind individual who is homeless at the moment. Homes on both sides of his were washed off their foundations - one almost hit the home we are in. Another house in the same block is completely gone. Many are still standing, but completely destroyed inside. This experience is amazing and I hope to come back. Joe and I wish you all well!
This should be the last post from the trip from Art:
To day the weather was the story. They were expecting winds of up to 60 miles an hour. They were making plans for evacuation of the workers should the storm hit. The big circus size tents (2) were taken down in preparation. Nothing happened. Not even a drop of rain. I guess God saw that we weren't finished with our task and took pity on us. Sure glad he did though, because I was able to see the completion of the whole house rewiring job I was helping with.
Carlene took on an extra task today and joined a bleaching team to go and bleach the houses so they are ready for wallboard. This kills the mold, and must be inspected before any wallboard can be installed. She looked so cute in her Tyvex suit and grandma style paper hat.
Karen played first grade student today. She cut out large numbers and letters and laminated them for a project that the D'Iberville folks are planning. Roger drove around to the houses that our folks were working on and took lots of pictures. The Gross's were still working on wall boarding, and finished their house today too.
Jim, I am in awe of Jim. He is almost 67 years old, works from the minute he arrives at the project, climbs up and down ladders all day, figures out impossible electrical problems, and makes everyone think this is something he does every day. He is amazing. He was working with me on the electrical job and takes great pride in finishing the task, and he should.
Dick told me about his work with Bruce, a amateur cabinet maker from NC, Fred from Iowa. They were installing interior doors on an old home that was completely gutted and ready for rebuilding. He said that most of the door frames are non standard and each one has to be fitted with custom finishing. Very time consuming, but fitting of Dicks skills. Nothing seems to be standard. FEMA and the home owner get together to determine if the home is worth saving or not, and once the decision is made, the work begins.
I wasn't able to touch base with Carol and Mary Jean today, so you will have to hear more about their day when they get back. This will be the last update until we return on the 20th. We will get together as a group then and put together a collage of what we saw and did while here.
Karen was talking with a volunteer about how long he has been in the camp. He told her that he had been here previously for 2 months and went back to his home in Arizona. Irene, the camp director, called him one day and being funny asked if he knew what happened to runaway slaves. He responded yes, ma mm, they get tied to trees and whipped. Needless to say he is back and a permanent volunteer. He is the camp chef, and prides himself on the delicious meals he provides.
Some of the team is off tomorrow to continue their travels. Most will be home on Sunday. We have had a tiring and enjoyable time while here. I hope many more of you will experience it. You will get the opportunity. This group is already talking about coming back, probably sometime in late September or October. Plan now for your unforgettable experience.
Prayers and blessings, Art
To day the weather was the story. They were expecting winds of up to 60 miles an hour. They were making plans for evacuation of the workers should the storm hit. The big circus size tents (2) were taken down in preparation. Nothing happened. Not even a drop of rain. I guess God saw that we weren't finished with our task and took pity on us. Sure glad he did though, because I was able to see the completion of the whole house rewiring job I was helping with.
Carlene took on an extra task today and joined a bleaching team to go and bleach the houses so they are ready for wallboard. This kills the mold, and must be inspected before any wallboard can be installed. She looked so cute in her Tyvex suit and grandma style paper hat.
Karen played first grade student today. She cut out large numbers and letters and laminated them for a project that the D'Iberville folks are planning. Roger drove around to the houses that our folks were working on and took lots of pictures. The Gross's were still working on wall boarding, and finished their house today too.
Jim, I am in awe of Jim. He is almost 67 years old, works from the minute he arrives at the project, climbs up and down ladders all day, figures out impossible electrical problems, and makes everyone think this is something he does every day. He is amazing. He was working with me on the electrical job and takes great pride in finishing the task, and he should.
Dick told me about his work with Bruce, a amateur cabinet maker from NC, Fred from Iowa. They were installing interior doors on an old home that was completely gutted and ready for rebuilding. He said that most of the door frames are non standard and each one has to be fitted with custom finishing. Very time consuming, but fitting of Dicks skills. Nothing seems to be standard. FEMA and the home owner get together to determine if the home is worth saving or not, and once the decision is made, the work begins.
I wasn't able to touch base with Carol and Mary Jean today, so you will have to hear more about their day when they get back. This will be the last update until we return on the 20th. We will get together as a group then and put together a collage of what we saw and did while here.
Karen was talking with a volunteer about how long he has been in the camp. He told her that he had been here previously for 2 months and went back to his home in Arizona. Irene, the camp director, called him one day and being funny asked if he knew what happened to runaway slaves. He responded yes, ma mm, they get tied to trees and whipped. Needless to say he is back and a permanent volunteer. He is the camp chef, and prides himself on the delicious meals he provides.
Some of the team is off tomorrow to continue their travels. Most will be home on Sunday. We have had a tiring and enjoyable time while here. I hope many more of you will experience it. You will get the opportunity. This group is already talking about coming back, probably sometime in late September or October. Plan now for your unforgettable experience.
Prayers and blessings, Art
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Another post from Art down in D'iberville.
D'Iberville, day two.
Monday night was extremely cold at the camp, and the folks staying in the tents were very uncomfortable. Many of the heaters weren't working and some of the sleeping bags didn't zip. The stories about how they tried to stay warm were, should we say chilling.
Nonetheless, everyone survived the night and was up and ready to go by 7 a.m. We had our morning devotions, which included readings from the Bible and old time hymns from hymnals that seemed to be about as old as the old time hymns. It was kind of fun.
Oh yes, we did have some semblance of breakfast. Oatmeal, Ugh!. Well, some of us had that, and then there were some (me) who went for an egg MacMuffin. Now, that's better.
The day started with volunteers going off to finish what they started yesterday. Most of us will be on the same job for the week, hoping to finish one aspect of repair so a group next week can go in and do another and then another, and before you know it, a house is ready to move back into. The main thing that keeps us from moving families back in quicker is that they are the ones that have to come up with the money for materials. We are then able to start the repairs. So, if you have any extra cash lying around, ask Rev Jon or Sister Katerine how to get it to the folks down here.
The story here though, is the people. Tomorrow I will have some of the stories for you. Until then, we are off for another adventure.
Everyone sends their love.
With prayers and warm regards
The D'Iberville 10.
D'Iberville, day two.
Monday night was extremely cold at the camp, and the folks staying in the tents were very uncomfortable. Many of the heaters weren't working and some of the sleeping bags didn't zip. The stories about how they tried to stay warm were, should we say chilling.
Nonetheless, everyone survived the night and was up and ready to go by 7 a.m. We had our morning devotions, which included readings from the Bible and old time hymns from hymnals that seemed to be about as old as the old time hymns. It was kind of fun.
Oh yes, we did have some semblance of breakfast. Oatmeal, Ugh!. Well, some of us had that, and then there were some (me) who went for an egg MacMuffin. Now, that's better.
The day started with volunteers going off to finish what they started yesterday. Most of us will be on the same job for the week, hoping to finish one aspect of repair so a group next week can go in and do another and then another, and before you know it, a house is ready to move back into. The main thing that keeps us from moving families back in quicker is that they are the ones that have to come up with the money for materials. We are then able to start the repairs. So, if you have any extra cash lying around, ask Rev Jon or Sister Katerine how to get it to the folks down here.
The story here though, is the people. Tomorrow I will have some of the stories for you. Until then, we are off for another adventure.
Everyone sends their love.
With prayers and warm regards
The D'Iberville 10.
Monday, March 06, 2006
This post is from Art who is journalling our second trip to D'iberville.
Ten Croftonites, 6 from Prince of Peace and 4 from Seton Parish left crofton over the weekend, some flying, some driving, but all arriving in D'Iberville, Ms. by 5 pm on Sunday evening the 5th of March.
The is the second wave from Crofton. Pastor Fregger led a group of 12 others to MS in December over the Christmas holidays. His was an ecumenical group too.
Upon arriving we barely had time to check in when we were called to dinner. What a terrible way to begin our adventure. And an adventure it is. After dinner we were introduced to our hosts, Irene M. and Ed C. They spoke for almost an hour and a half, telling us of the horrors of Katrina, the faith of the people of D'Iberville, and the volunteers who have appeared out of nowhere. They spoke of miracles that you had to see to believe,and they did. They related stories of courage and hope. They encouraged in us patience and flexibility. We were then dismissed to our various quarters for the night.
Monday morning we arrived at the Camp at 8 a.m. for breakfast, I'm liking this place already.
After breakfast and a wonderful devotional given by a group from John Knox Presbytery. It was a great start to an even better day.
After breakfast we were all divided into work groups. Carlene was assigned as a transportation coordinator, ensuring everyone got to and from their work sites. Art was placed on a electrical team. Don't worry, there was a professional with him. Karen and Roger were assigned to the office. What a bunch of softies. Barbara and Joe were part of a mudding and sanding team working on wallboard and yucky stuff like that. Seton Parish members Carol M. and Mary Jean B. were assigned to do assessments of properties that were already looked at once, to determine progress and to see what else was needed. Jim J. was part of the electrical team (remember the professional I was talking about) and finally, Dick G. was part of the dry walling team.
Suffice it to say that we all worked extremely hard this first day and are plum tuckered out. This will end the first days journal. I will be back in touch soon
Ten Croftonites, 6 from Prince of Peace and 4 from Seton Parish left crofton over the weekend, some flying, some driving, but all arriving in D'Iberville, Ms. by 5 pm on Sunday evening the 5th of March.
The is the second wave from Crofton. Pastor Fregger led a group of 12 others to MS in December over the Christmas holidays. His was an ecumenical group too.
Upon arriving we barely had time to check in when we were called to dinner. What a terrible way to begin our adventure. And an adventure it is. After dinner we were introduced to our hosts, Irene M. and Ed C. They spoke for almost an hour and a half, telling us of the horrors of Katrina, the faith of the people of D'Iberville, and the volunteers who have appeared out of nowhere. They spoke of miracles that you had to see to believe,and they did. They related stories of courage and hope. They encouraged in us patience and flexibility. We were then dismissed to our various quarters for the night.
Monday morning we arrived at the Camp at 8 a.m. for breakfast, I'm liking this place already.
After breakfast and a wonderful devotional given by a group from John Knox Presbytery. It was a great start to an even better day.
After breakfast we were all divided into work groups. Carlene was assigned as a transportation coordinator, ensuring everyone got to and from their work sites. Art was placed on a electrical team. Don't worry, there was a professional with him. Karen and Roger were assigned to the office. What a bunch of softies. Barbara and Joe were part of a mudding and sanding team working on wallboard and yucky stuff like that. Seton Parish members Carol M. and Mary Jean B. were assigned to do assessments of properties that were already looked at once, to determine progress and to see what else was needed. Jim J. was part of the electrical team (remember the professional I was talking about) and finally, Dick G. was part of the dry walling team.
Suffice it to say that we all worked extremely hard this first day and are plum tuckered out. This will end the first days journal. I will be back in touch soon
