Journal - April 20
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Yesterday, I worked with a team from a church in Ohio and we gutted a house in Pascagoula. This was sure different from the finish work I had been doing in Gautier. This house was at the beginning stage for sure. The watermark was more than three feet on the walls and there was the presence of the dreaded black mold. We had to wear masks gloves and zippered coverall suits. It was a real experience. We tore drywall off all the walls and ceilings and made a mountain of it at the curb. Then the house had to be sprayed for mold. I was amazed at how much we accomplished with a team of mostly young boys along with five adults. Every one worked hard in a very discouraging situation. What a mess. In a few days it will be ok for a crew to go in and hang drywall. In driving through these neighborhoods I saw many FEMA trailers. In fact, nearly every yard had one. This must have been a very hard hit area. In looking at the map I saw that it’s practically an island surrounded by rivers, bays and bayous. No wonder. It’s really sad to think of how many families lives have been disrupted. The family that owns the house we worked on has gone to work in Cincinnati to try to put together enough money to do the needed work on their house. NDR has gone in and started, but I don’t know how much commitment has been made.
Today, I worked on a house that really should have been bulldozed. It is old, poorly constructed and had many problems. However, Agnes, the owner has a lot of sentiment for the place since it was built by her grandfather and on the property of the family homestead for generations. I guess the two other neighboring houses are in the family also. This has apparently been a favorite project for a couple of churches. The last group that was here poured in a lot of time, effort and money as well.
The contrast of these two houses was huge. One neighborhood white and seemingly middle class, the other black and obviously poor. This speaks well for the NDR effort in respect to fair treatment of the classes. We hear so much on TV about ignoring the needs of the poor black people. I don’t believe that’s the case. However, I have seen some things that do bother me. I see quite a bit of laziness. Some people don’t do much to help themselves or the volunteers when it seems they really are able to do something. They express gratitude for the help, but there is also that underlying expectation that the volunteers will do it. Certainly my experience is limited so far, and I hope I get into many more houses and find these attitude to be the exception.
I like being here. It’s fun to see the teams come in all fired up with expectation and enthusiasm. They go out to work and come back in the late afternoon for supper. They are tired, sore and dirty, but even more excited than before. They all love to tell stories of the people they’ve met and worked for and of how hard they worked, and how much they accomplished. I especially enjoy the camaraderie that has developed on the home team. We all sit together for meals and have little inside jokes. We get along wonderfully and there is much laughter. Bonnie and Orley Dickson have been especially fun to be with. I worked with Orley today and really enjoyed his company. They will be leaving about May 1st and that will create a big emptiness. In fact, another couple is leaving then also and I’m fearful that life will take a real down turn. We are planning to stay a couple more weeks. I think God has planned this so I shouldn’t worry.
One more day to work this week then a couple of days for recreation. I hope we find some fun.
Yesterday, I worked with a team from a church in Ohio and we gutted a house in Pascagoula. This was sure different from the finish work I had been doing in Gautier. This house was at the beginning stage for sure. The watermark was more than three feet on the walls and there was the presence of the dreaded black mold. We had to wear masks gloves and zippered coverall suits. It was a real experience. We tore drywall off all the walls and ceilings and made a mountain of it at the curb. Then the house had to be sprayed for mold. I was amazed at how much we accomplished with a team of mostly young boys along with five adults. Every one worked hard in a very discouraging situation. What a mess. In a few days it will be ok for a crew to go in and hang drywall. In driving through these neighborhoods I saw many FEMA trailers. In fact, nearly every yard had one. This must have been a very hard hit area. In looking at the map I saw that it’s practically an island surrounded by rivers, bays and bayous. No wonder. It’s really sad to think of how many families lives have been disrupted. The family that owns the house we worked on has gone to work in Cincinnati to try to put together enough money to do the needed work on their house. NDR has gone in and started, but I don’t know how much commitment has been made.
Today, I worked on a house that really should have been bulldozed. It is old, poorly constructed and had many problems. However, Agnes, the owner has a lot of sentiment for the place since it was built by her grandfather and on the property of the family homestead for generations. I guess the two other neighboring houses are in the family also. This has apparently been a favorite project for a couple of churches. The last group that was here poured in a lot of time, effort and money as well.
The contrast of these two houses was huge. One neighborhood white and seemingly middle class, the other black and obviously poor. This speaks well for the NDR effort in respect to fair treatment of the classes. We hear so much on TV about ignoring the needs of the poor black people. I don’t believe that’s the case. However, I have seen some things that do bother me. I see quite a bit of laziness. Some people don’t do much to help themselves or the volunteers when it seems they really are able to do something. They express gratitude for the help, but there is also that underlying expectation that the volunteers will do it. Certainly my experience is limited so far, and I hope I get into many more houses and find these attitude to be the exception.
I like being here. It’s fun to see the teams come in all fired up with expectation and enthusiasm. They go out to work and come back in the late afternoon for supper. They are tired, sore and dirty, but even more excited than before. They all love to tell stories of the people they’ve met and worked for and of how hard they worked, and how much they accomplished. I especially enjoy the camaraderie that has developed on the home team. We all sit together for meals and have little inside jokes. We get along wonderfully and there is much laughter. Bonnie and Orley Dickson have been especially fun to be with. I worked with Orley today and really enjoyed his company. They will be leaving about May 1st and that will create a big emptiness. In fact, another couple is leaving then also and I’m fearful that life will take a real down turn. We are planning to stay a couple more weeks. I think God has planned this so I shouldn’t worry.
One more day to work this week then a couple of days for recreation. I hope we find some fun.
Comments
And, you spelled camaraderie right. No one ever does that.
Dad's to bed and I'm not sure I can answer this question other than to say that many of the insurance company's are finding loopholes and escaping from their responsibilities.
There are many law suits going on.
Also, if people had homeowner's insurance only, and not flood insurance, and their homes were destroyed by flood---
they won't pay.
Or,
if they had flooding insurance AND homeowner's insurance... and their house had wind AND flood damage, the insurance companies will only pay one or the other!
Some insurance companies went bankrupt due to the enormity of the disaster!
All very bad scenerios!
And all happening to real people!
Did you know there were more than 1 million evacuees?
Think of it!
Plus, you should see the grave yards of cars destroyed! Think of THAT cost!
Want a thankful heart?
Come on down!