After a pretty snowy start to the trip, we made it to about Kankakee and then there was just slush on the road and finally we had drizzle and dampish roads but really nothing to worry about.
We made it to Hernando around 4:30 or so. They fed us wonderful casseroles and home made dessert for dinner. We LOVED it. After dinner Pastor B held a short church service for us. It was nice to have a taste of home and to hear a familiar voice. We were up early this morning and had a quick breakfast on the run. To my GREAT dismay there were no grits - cheesy or other kind. The staff was told to make us breakfast like the Hebrews ate - on the run. DARN!
We got to Camp Restore around 12:30ish and got our lower bunks! That is a real joy. No climbing to that top bunk and face the fear of falling down as you are climbing up.
Camp Restore has really changed. It is staffed by all volunteers and it is a pig sty. I can't tell you how disappointing it is. There also were very strict rules last year that I see have changed this year - they seem to have been relaxed. It is nice that we have the whole place to our selves this year and have a smaller team. Last year we were over 100 and this year we are around 60. What a difference. The halls are much less crowded and less noisy.
A group of us went to lunch and had cajun food this afternoon - Muflattas (YUM) catfish po'boys and all of that kind of stuff - complete experiencing of the New Orleans lifestyle right off the bat.
We drove past some of the areas that were in a terrible state last year and there has been some progress. I am sure that we will see much more tomorrow and can tell you more about the progress that has been made. We still are seeing FEMA trailers all over the place. Not as many as before but still too many.
I have pictures and will download them either later tonight or tomorrow of some of the sights on the way down but I will tell you that we have SUN and green grass .
We will have dinner in about an hour and then a bible study and a church service. Right now I need a shower - real bad.
So, if you all will excuse me, I am going to take my shower so my tablemates will be able to stand me.
All take care. Pray for us as we go out on our assignments tomorrow and pray for those of us who will stay behind to clean this place. It needs us as much as the residents of New Orleans do - maybe more.
Peace and love to all -
Ginny
Welcome 'home' to the Chef Menteur Hilton, Camp Restore. Get a private room after the group returns home, like Phyllis and I did last year. Missing the tents, the mud, and no air during earlier trips, the mission remains the same.
ReplyDeleteReaders: see PBS FrontLine Jan 6, 2009 Special "The Old Man and the Storm" replayed at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/katrina/ Play the entire episode about a family in the Lower Nineth Ward to understand the need: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/video/flv/generic.html?s=frol02p63e&continuous=1
I spent all day Saturday at LCC undergoing Phase II 'Lutheran Early Response Team and Congregational Preparedness Disaster Training' which was a 'train the trainer' forum, the next step by Synod to help congregations prepare for disaster response.
The Immanuel Cantata today was tremendous-- Joe, Judy and the others did a super job. Phylllis and I sat in your usual pew Ginny, so we could better see Larry, Karen and others.
God's blessings on your work in New Orleans...we're praying He use you in mighty ways.
Chuck and Phyllis Schild
St Peter - Schaumburg