July 14, 2007 by NOLA.

The last day of our journey will bring us back to Topsfield with many new thoughts and first hand experiences about New Orleans and especially the Ninth Ward.  For some the work has been hard and sweaty.  For others, the fellowship has been a highlight.  For all it has been a time of both learning and serving that will last a lifetime. 

Flight information for our return trip is:

USAir leaving N.O. on Flight 1014 to Charlotte N.C.  Connect to US Air 1596 arriving in Boston at 6:22 PM.  We have hired a bus for the trip to Topsfield and will get there about 8PM–if all is on time.  Check the Church hotline 978-887-2101 xtn 37 for further info.  You can also check USAir directly on their website.  See you soon.   

See you back home!

  Water break Holy wall!

   One project done.   Gutting and removing molding plaster

 Muscle macho   

    Last work day–Crew Incredible!

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July 13, 2007 by NOLA.

Incredibly, we begin the last of our five work days with two projects remaining. 

Yesterday we cleaned out and gutted houses, garages and other buildings that had sustained damage in the storm.  For some, the sifting through the possessions of an ederly couple who had to leave just before the storm hit was a moving and unforgettable experience. Others, the hard work under difficult conditions was equally draining. 

Most had the opportunity to talk to residents of the neighborhood and get a much better sense of what these people have gone through. 

We will continue to work on these projects today. 

Last evening we went to dinner at Mulatte’s, a Cajun restaurant that played Zydeco music.  We all got caught up in the music.  Here are some pictures from yesterday:

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July 12, 2007 by NOLA.

It is hard to believe that we are over half way through our trip.  Yesterday we did a multitude of tasks.  Some worked in an office setting, others help with local groups and organizational issues and others worked to restore housing.  We again saw the amazing resilience of the residence to rebuild and we were glad that we were here to participate. 

In the evening, the dinner was provided by the hosting church, First Church of NO.  The food was jumbaylaya and as you would expect, left overs were not an option.  Tyler Rench, a Tulane graduate and a relative of one of our students, spoke to us on his experience as a college student and now a teacher in the New Orleans area.  It was excellent and another perspective from a complicated process of rebuilding. 

We are all healthy—save some P. I. on some–tired and ready to continue.  Elizabeth Jackson has already volunteered her father for next year’s trip.  She said, “He’d love this!”

Some pictures from yestday are below:

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July 11, 2007 by NOLA.

Yesterday we worked for New Orleans Recreation Department and made two baseball fields.  The fields were on the west side of the city and FEMA trailers had been parked there during the disaster recovery.  Now, the children involved in summer recreations programs can use the fields for games of dodgeball, softball or baseball and the entire L&S team felt that it was well worth our effort to do.

We took a ferry to the north side of the river and toured some areas that our host, Craig, had worked with Disciples Disaster Response organization.  We also met Michael Maggio who shared his story of Katrina with us and showed pictures of his house before and after.

In the evening, we had dinner with our co-ordinators of the UU organization.  More work is ahead today–working on cleaning up more house lots and helping in others ways.  Here are some pictures from yesterday:  

   Working on the ball fields

 Michael Maggio shares his story.

  Time for a snowcone break.

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July 10, 2007 by NOLA.

We are beginning day three of our trip.  Yesterday we worked with an organization “Common Ground” in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans.  We cleaned housing lots and interacted with some who lived in this area, which took the most direct hit of Katrina.  Much still need to be done and we were both hopeful and discouraged by what we saw.

In the evening we had great fun and fellowship as we hosted a group from a church in Ipswich, Massachusetts who is down here doing similar work.  Today, we will be working with the New Orleans Recreation Department (NORD).  Here is a picture of our entire group on the levy where the actual break occurred—at the work site.

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July 9, 2007 by NOLA.

We had orientation on Sunday from our host groups.  We also had a chance to explore the city of New Orleans a bit. We are now ready to work with Common Grounds

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July 8, 2007 by NOLA.

It is day one, Sunday in New Orleans and we have all arrived safely and made the necessary connections.  All is well, thank God.

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