To know Christ, grow in Christ, and share Christ's love.
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Third New Orleans Mission Trip - March 26-31, 2007
Eleven people representing three churches went to New Orleans to serve through the Diocese of New Orleans. There were other volunteers from various denominations in California, Iowa, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. We worked in three different neighborhoods.
Nineteen months after Katrina, there is much left to be done. Energy is returning to the city and the food is still great! There is more traffic, which means more people have returned. We saw many abandoned small businesses and many people have not returned. A few FEMA trailers are parked in front of houses where families are repairing their own homes, surrounded by a neighborhood that has less than a dozen houses occupied. No cars are upended nor trees felled, but empty lots collect trash where apartment buildings once stood. Welcoming people say thanks for coming to our city -- jobless men savage for metal to sell to a recycling plant. "It's not about the property. It's about the people." The needs are staggering, yet we left behind a possibility for one, two, three families. A homeowner leads a prayer as departing volunteers circle up in her yard, arms around sweaty backs, gloved hands clasped, masks around necks, hard hats tossed aside: "Bless these your children who came from far away to bring blessings on me and my family; provide for their needs as you have provided for me...you are all we ever need and you are always comforting and encouraging us...God, our rock and our salvation--we praise your name!" After three trips focused on demolition, we hope to return in the fall and help with rebuilding.
Dec 26-30, 2006: Mission Trip Photos -- 24 photos or our ladies at work!
Mission Trip to New Orleans
By Janice Watkins
Early on the morning of December 26th, twelve St. Matthew’s women, led by the Reverend Susan Barnes, left Austin on a mission trip to New Orleans where they would work under the auspices of the Diocese of Louisiana to help with the continuing cleanup of that city made necessary by Hurricane Katrina.
After a night’s rest and a brief orientation at the Church of the Annunciation, Susan Barnes and her inexperienced but willing demolition crew were issued tools and hazardous materials gear and assigned to gut a modest duplex so its owner could rebuild. We located our house, donned our haz-mat gear (“marshmallow” suits, masks, goggles, and gloves) and set to work.
While my sisters wielded sledge hammers, crowbars, axes, and shovels to dislodge and remove water-soaked and molding household goods, carpet, and drywall, I took pictures and made notes to document our trip. Intent on my assignment, I didn’t at first notice the car parked across the street or its occupants, but after a while, one of them introduced herself as the sister of the duplex’s owners.
Virginia related that she and her sisters had grown up in the duplex, which had been owned by her now deceased parents. Eventually, two of her sisters each purchased and made her home in one side, so family connection with the childhood home continued. Seeing these white-clad strangers emptying the duplex of books, linens, pictures, and all sorts of items she had known for years was clearly gut-wrenching, but she understood the need and thanked us for doing work that she and her family could not.
It was obvious that Virginia needed to talk, so I sat with her and listened to memories of her childhood and other family stories. Crying softly, she hugged the prayer shawl we gave her around her shoulders. I think it helped to ease the pain of seeing wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow of contaminated household goods rolled out and dumped by the curb. As she spoke, instead of a flooded, unlivable house, I began to see a family home where children were born and grew up, and eventually, where beloved parents died. How fortunate that they hadn’t lived to see this!
All of us were hoping to meet Virginia’s sister, Dolores, who owned one side of the duplex, but although we spoke with her on the phone, it was beginning to look as though the trip would be too emotional for her. Then, on the last day, she surprised us. She, too, thanked us for the prayer shawl we gave her and expressed her appreciation for the work we did on her house.
All in all, it was a trip none of us will forget. In fact, we’ve planned another one for March 27-31, which will be open to both men and women who are 18 or older. The deadline for applications is March 7. For more information or to apply, please contact Susan Robertson, 453-4115, or
srobertson44@austin.rr.com.
Throughout the week of June 25, 2006, members from St.
Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Austin, and friends of St. Matthew’s reached out to
the citizens of New Orleans by participating in rebuilding efforts sponsored by
the Diocese of Louisiana’s Office of Disaster Response. Seven women, lead by Assistant Rector Susan
J. Barnes, ventured out into the Lower Ninth Ward, one of the most heavily
devastated areas affected by Hurricane Katrina as part of the diocesan Mobile Respite
Ministry Unit. Volunteers worked
alongside the leader of the group, Deacon Quin Bates, handing out cleaning
supplies, water and snacks from the big RV that has been stationed in recent
months at the corner of Caffin and St. Claude avenues. This ministry, which is
located in one of the poorest areas of New Orleans, provides not only needed
items, but also offers opportunity for healing as the hurricane victims share
their stories.
In addition to participating in the listening ministry,
volunteers witnessed the devastation left behind by Hurricane Katrina, touring
neighborhoods torn apart by wind and floodwaters, many of which today still do
not have electricity or running water. Many streets do not have functioning
street lights, and restaurants and businesses remain closed. Most of the people spoken to claimed that
they wished to return to their homes and start anew, but added that they remain
in limbo living in FEMA trailers with no money to rebuild. Words of hope and faith were constantly
heard from the hurricane victims as they attempt to rebuild their lives. They spoke of how God would see them through
this time of crisis and said that they continuously draw their strength from
God.
The group of volunteers from St. Matthew’s Church, realizing
that there is much healing and rebuilding left to be done, is committed to
continuing to support those in Louisiana who are in need. As they return to
Austin and talk to their fellow parishioners about the devastation in New
Orleans, there are plans for another mission trip to New Orleans in the fall.
The Outreach Commission meets in August and at the top of their list are the
people of New Orleans.
