New Orleans Missionary Trip - January 6 - 13, 2007
On January 6th, 2007 twenty-three of us left to New Orleans on Northwest Airlines out of Providence, RI and arrived in New Orleans around 9 p.m. Two of the members of this trip were from our church (The Baptist Church of All Nations-Rev. J. Wilson) and others were friends & family of The Rehoboth Congregational Church-Rev. S. Spencer). We had a light supper, fellowshiped and retired early that evening.
We got up early the next morning and attended church service. We were served communion, changed clothes, had prayer and then we went off to work. I drove one of the vans and our crew went to a house that needed plumbing work. After checking out what was needed we went to Home Depot to get the materials. Some things were not readily available, so we picked up what we could and had everything ready for when the final parts came in. Some of the jobs we worked on included the roofing, stripping wallboards out of homes that had at one time as much as three to four feet of water and we had to wear protective clothing to guard against mildew. We also worked at a church where we were staying (United Congregational – Church of the Good Shepard) helping them prepare for the dedication of their newly refurbished sanctuary, installed a new kitchen with cabinets, sink, refrigerator, etc. all being completed before our departure.
We were asked not only to do as much work as we could but to also listen to the people who had so many stories to tell about the horrific things they had suffered during and after Hurricane Katrina, which brought many tears to our eyes.
One story was told about a man who was fortunate enough to have a boat and when he could no longer stay in his home, he loaded his wife and his mother of 90+ years into the boat and was trying to help others get to laces that were not covered by water. When he had found out that his mother had died as a result of Katrina, having no place to leave her, he still continued to try to help others for two days until he could find a decent place to lay his mother’s body.
Many stories were relayed to us and by the Grace of God we got to see some of the more positive sides and stories. Some of the more fortunate people, such as Winton Marcelus’ father, a musician himself, whom we heard at a club in an area not adversely affected by water damage, were doing what they could do to help by bringing in modular homes and creating what is known as “Musicians Village”. It is not only for musicians, but others as well and painted bright outstanding colors which gave life to the Spirit to see.
In the Ninth District, we visited Beecher Church, which has begun the recovery process. Many of the people who left this area will not return because they have taken up residence in other parts of the United States.
