better picture. So far Bruce and Tim turned in an entry to me, so this is what they had to say. ;)
Tim's entry:
Our mission to day was to help continue ripping out a steel fabricated plant the plant had not been touched for 19 months. Although it only had five feet of flood water, I was shocked to see the mold had grown to the second floor ceiling. With forecast of people needing help with their homes for the next eight years, homes will have to be completely ripped out from top to bottom.
Bruce's entry:
Dear Friends in Christ,
Today some of our Concordia Mission Team worked on the office front of a metal fabrication business that had been damaged by Hurricane Katrina. It was near the New Orleans Port Authority, so we caught a glimpse of a large of a large cargo ship within view of where we were working. We removed drywall as well as THOUSANDS of rusting screws on metal studs, drank gallons of water in this humid heat, and did a final sweep and raking out front. This is a high visibility structure neat the port, so we tried to improve it's appearance as best as we could for the community. It was great to feel the Lord's presence as we helped each other to, in turn, help those here who are in such desperate need. This business has lost MILLIONS of dollars in large computer operated machinery that was all submerged in the storm. Nobody was left unscathed down here by Katrina, and it's going to take years before this area of our great country recovers. Prayers are very much appreciated for these folks. They are truly 'victims' in every sense of the word.
Sincerely,
Bruce - Working for Jesus
Pretty interesting, isn't it? They will go back this afternoon and tackle the enormous project as a team. Now, I know a couple of you are probably interested in what we are eating down here, so I will still keep you posted. =-] Last night was Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and peas with banana cake! This morning was similar to Monday's breakfast. The kitchen staff is really doing a marvelous job, praise the Lord!! :o]
This morning a couple of the team members are working on the lawn; weed whacking and mowing. Everyone else is preparing and packing up for our 9:30 am mission. We are going to be moving a elderly gentleman into his new home! How exciting for him! So we are going to be carrying boxes from the trailer into his home. Him and his wife had to be separated for a period of time because she was in a rehabilitation home and now they get to be reunited and live under the same roof! Their are so many heart touching stories that we have heard about, all are so different from each other. This morning might be our only chance to meet a homeowner and hear his side of the story, so we are very enthusiastic about helping him out! :-D
Larry (the maintenance man) was saying that homes before the storm were about $150,000 and retired folks used to live in them. Now that the storm has come and gone and the homeowners are not returning or no where to be found, the city MUST move forward. This city is all about moving forward! The city has no way of getting ahold of them so what the city is basically forced to do is to slap on a fine for the house because the grass in the yard is 'too high.' So the fine is $1,000 and if they do not mow the lawn (how could they) then their home will be taken away. This was bittersweet to hear because that is awful that their home will be repossessed, but what else can be done? How many more months would they have to wait to hear from someone to see if they are coming back or abandoning the place? So they most move forth! So now those homes will most likely have young couples living in them because the home will now be sold for around $20,000 after it has been mucked out. They couple (or whoever) will need to have about 40,000 to repair electricity, plumbing, walls, roof, etc. But overall it would be a 'good deal' for them. But of course, (it goes unsaid that) the people hear know that another storm could hit at anytime.
Your mouth just hangs wide open as you drive the streets down here. On one side of the road is a brand new Winn Dixie grocery store, Walgreens, McDonalds, etc (life still must go on) and on the other side of the road you will find what you think used to be a home, filled with laughter and love and memories, but now it is just a pile of rubbish. Boats are still tipped over, a caboose is still in the water along side the road, and spray paint on houses informing the public of when it was inspected and if any did or did not survive, just very bizarre and everything is out of the 'norm' of what we are used to. And to the people here, this, this is life for them. Count your blessings my friends and pray for those who are less fortunate. Thank you again for supporting us with your prayers, you are making a difference as well, right along with us. :o}
In Humble Adoration,
Charlene
1 Thes 5:16-18
No comments:
Post a Comment