Courtney Stacey
Day 5 -- Hynes Charter
Unfortunately, our trip is coming to a close. Fortunately, this journey has been added to the things that I will never forget in my life. (In a good way).
Katie Gerrish told me about these books that kids wrote regarding their experiences with Katrina. They used the format "Unfortunately/Fortunately". I learned that this is a wonderful way to look at life. For every unfortunate event, there is a fortunate thing that counteracts with it. These people in New Orleans have spent the past two years in disarray and devastation. Kids childhoods were interrupted, people's homes and livelihoods were ruined. They realize their situations and horrible results of the storm, but they do not let it bring them down. These people still manage to look at life with bright attitudes and open arms. They think they are so lucky, and never do you a hear a complain sneak out of their mouths. This trip has taught me a lot about appreciation and gratefulness. These people say the volunteers are the heroes of the storm, but they have no idea how inspirational they are to me.
So, unfortunately, there is still an extreme amount of work to be done. But fortunately, this gives us the opportunity to come back over and over again, and touch these people's hearts.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday's thoughts... - A visit to Beecher!
Tuesday April 22, 2008 –
24 hours+ later… Well this was yet another amazing day! Today we all went to the Martin Luther King Elementary school in the lower ninth ward to listen to Miss Celey do her presentation on the underground railroad. All of the kids helped her with her presentation to the fifth grade kids by holding up the different quilts as she described their significance. After her presentation she took us on a mini tour of the ninth ward and then through the 7th ward – through areas where she had relatives and people she had grown up with. We stopped at her aunt’s house which was in Ponchatrain Park (I hope I remembered that right!) We all got out of the car and was able to go into the house. We saw a small pile of ceramic belongings that I can only assume where the only things that we salvageable from the house. Inside on of the pots was an American flag. It was kind of cool to see. We then wandered through the city about seeing more things on our way to Beecher Memorial church. We met Brenda Square at Beecher where she let us inside and we were able to see all of the sayings on the beams that volunteers had written over the course of time. It was so powerful to finally be able to go inside Beecher. All of the stories that I have heard about the people of Beecher made it a very overwhelming experience. Brenda took us into their sanctuary, which currently is just studs, a temporary alter, and some folding chairs serving as pews. BUT being in that space is a total sense of faith and what I can only seem to describe as the HOLY SPIRIT… I can’t seem to put into words what I felt just being in that space, it brought me to tears. We then continued our tour into the parish hall and ate lunch. Miss Celey then took me on a quick tour of the rest of the building. She showed me the room that was going to store her quilting supplies, the room she would use as her Sunday school room and quilting room. The room that was going to be the women’s bathroom and the one that would be the men’s room – each are to be modified from their original design to be handicap accessible. She showed us the space that would be the kitchen- they are going to enlarge the space so that it is more useful for them. I ate lunch with a women named J. She and I had a great conversation during lunch and before. She told me about how her two sons helped to rebuild her house. The only room that she has left is her den. She needs to fill in a hole (for lack of a better word) in the cement in the floor before the insurance company will insure her house – at least that I was I thought I understood. After we finished lunch I gave her one each of the Target and CVS gift cards that we had brought with us. She was so funny, she kept asking me if I was sure I wanted to give them to her. Like she thought that she wasn’t worthy of getting them or something. I told her that I was absolutely certain that I wanted her to have them. She then hugged me and asked me yet again if I really wanted her to have them and I said that I was 100% positive that I wanted her to have them. So she hugged me yet again and said Thanks and that she would used them to decorate her den one it was finished! What a great moment…
We then went back to MLK where we helped the kids make a quilt. Each of the kids had to pick out 9 squares that they would then sew together. They were each to make a 3x3 square. They each had to sew the pieces together by hand. They did them in strips of three and then would have to sew the three strips together. Michaela, Courtney, Kyle, Nathan, Bryan, Ian, and Ally along with Mary and myself with Miss Celey, Carolyn, and J helped the kids pick out the squares, thread the needles and sew the pieces together. I was able to sit with one girl and help her through sewing the pieces together. The more that she did the better she got! We (she) was able to finish the three strips before they all had to pack up and go back to their classrooms for dismissle. We cleaned up the area where we were making the quilts and then went to a third grade classroom where our kids presented the bookmarks that our (First Church’s) second and third graders made for us to take. Our kids told the third graders about the bookmarks and handed one to each child. The extras were given to the third grade teacher who promised share them with the other third grade classroom. That was lots of fun – the kids were so excited to be getting this bookmarks. THANK YOU – to our second and third graders for wanted to make these for us to give to these kids!!
This group then had some free time before we had to meet Julie, John, Emma, Kaitlyn, Chris, and Kevin over at the St. Bernard Community Center so we decided to head back into the French Quarter primarily because I wanted to get something at one of the shops. We wandered around the area for a little while – the girls shopped for some clothes while the boys and I wandered into a few shops and then went to Café Du Monde for another round of beignets! YUMMY! Two trips to Café Du Monde in one visit – makes up for not getting any when I was here in February. So, I was successfully able to get my secret item from the shop. I had to call Cathy, tho, to have her tell me – yet again – where it was! BUT – I found it and bought what I was looking for! We had gone into a t-shirt shope when we first got into Jackson Square. Ally was looking for a t-shirt that said that we were here to rebuild and to help out or something like that. WELL… She found a t-shirt that said Recover, Rebuild, Re - New Orleans. So, we bought one for every kid and then for the RAs we bought the shirt that Bob the plumber has the says “Re Cover, Re Build, Re New Orleans” When we get home we are going to tye-dye the shirts and the kids are all going to sign each others!
Oh… We had court tonight. Ian brought charges up against Chris for wearing flip-flops to the school when we had told the kids not to where them to the schools. They named me the judge. Ian was the prosecuter, Chris the defendant, and all the other kids were the jury. Michaela and Julie were called as witnesses for the prosecution. Ian presented evidence that Chris did indeed have flip flops on and not sandals – which would be in violation of our dress code for working in the schools. Well all of the evidence was presented and Chris was found Not Guilty by a 5 to 4 vote. The stipulation tho, was that he was not to wear them at the school on Wednesday or traveling on Thursday. All seemed to be OK with the outcome… It was pretty funny to watch it all play out tho!
We decided that we are all going to go to Hynes charter school tomorrow and that we were going to stay with Carolyn in Kenner tomorrow night – so that we didn’t have to leave Delacroix at 6AM on Thursday. Very generous of her! So, we all had to pack up our stuff tonight. Well… while we were packing I decided that it was the right time to give out my presents – since that was when I had gotten mine from Cathy on our trip back in February. I started with the girls and gave each of them a silver coin with a flure de lice on it and the word “Believe” written on the back. Actually Michaela’s had the word “Celebrate” on hers. They were all so touched by it. It was really cool to see that! I am very proud of all of these young adults. I can’t say enough good things about them. They are always willing to help out and will do anything we ask of them with a smile on. Ally thinks that we should be doing more – or wishes that we could do more. Each of them tonight are all talking about when they can come back and that is what this trip is about. It is not just about what we do – although that is important too. It is more importantly about the people we meet and the stories that we hear. It is about the fact that these kids decided to take their vacation and come down to New Orleans to do mission work when they could have easily chosen to stay home or go some other place. It is about the listening to the people of New Orleans and hearing their stories and them knowing that we in Massachusetts care about them and are thinking and praying for them. That to me is what coming down here is all about. It is connecting with Carolyn and Pastor Gary and Karen. Meeting J and hearing her story and giving her the gift cards. It is about touching and connecting with other people. I feel totally blessed that I was able to come down to New Orleans with these people and experience this week and work with an amazing group of teens and RAs! I am very proud to call the First Church in Bedford my home knowing that you are all a reason that we were able to make this trip. Without your support and thoughts and prayers this trip would not be possible.
Well it is getting really late now and we all need to be up bright and early to leave for Hynes Charter… I look forward to another day and can’t wait to see what it will bring!
24 hours+ later… Well this was yet another amazing day! Today we all went to the Martin Luther King Elementary school in the lower ninth ward to listen to Miss Celey do her presentation on the underground railroad. All of the kids helped her with her presentation to the fifth grade kids by holding up the different quilts as she described their significance. After her presentation she took us on a mini tour of the ninth ward and then through the 7th ward – through areas where she had relatives and people she had grown up with. We stopped at her aunt’s house which was in Ponchatrain Park (I hope I remembered that right!) We all got out of the car and was able to go into the house. We saw a small pile of ceramic belongings that I can only assume where the only things that we salvageable from the house. Inside on of the pots was an American flag. It was kind of cool to see. We then wandered through the city about seeing more things on our way to Beecher Memorial church. We met Brenda Square at Beecher where she let us inside and we were able to see all of the sayings on the beams that volunteers had written over the course of time. It was so powerful to finally be able to go inside Beecher. All of the stories that I have heard about the people of Beecher made it a very overwhelming experience. Brenda took us into their sanctuary, which currently is just studs, a temporary alter, and some folding chairs serving as pews. BUT being in that space is a total sense of faith and what I can only seem to describe as the HOLY SPIRIT… I can’t seem to put into words what I felt just being in that space, it brought me to tears. We then continued our tour into the parish hall and ate lunch. Miss Celey then took me on a quick tour of the rest of the building. She showed me the room that was going to store her quilting supplies, the room she would use as her Sunday school room and quilting room. The room that was going to be the women’s bathroom and the one that would be the men’s room – each are to be modified from their original design to be handicap accessible. She showed us the space that would be the kitchen- they are going to enlarge the space so that it is more useful for them. I ate lunch with a women named J. She and I had a great conversation during lunch and before. She told me about how her two sons helped to rebuild her house. The only room that she has left is her den. She needs to fill in a hole (for lack of a better word) in the cement in the floor before the insurance company will insure her house – at least that I was I thought I understood. After we finished lunch I gave her one each of the Target and CVS gift cards that we had brought with us. She was so funny, she kept asking me if I was sure I wanted to give them to her. Like she thought that she wasn’t worthy of getting them or something. I told her that I was absolutely certain that I wanted her to have them. She then hugged me and asked me yet again if I really wanted her to have them and I said that I was 100% positive that I wanted her to have them. So she hugged me yet again and said Thanks and that she would used them to decorate her den one it was finished! What a great moment…
We then went back to MLK where we helped the kids make a quilt. Each of the kids had to pick out 9 squares that they would then sew together. They were each to make a 3x3 square. They each had to sew the pieces together by hand. They did them in strips of three and then would have to sew the three strips together. Michaela, Courtney, Kyle, Nathan, Bryan, Ian, and Ally along with Mary and myself with Miss Celey, Carolyn, and J helped the kids pick out the squares, thread the needles and sew the pieces together. I was able to sit with one girl and help her through sewing the pieces together. The more that she did the better she got! We (she) was able to finish the three strips before they all had to pack up and go back to their classrooms for dismissle. We cleaned up the area where we were making the quilts and then went to a third grade classroom where our kids presented the bookmarks that our (First Church’s) second and third graders made for us to take. Our kids told the third graders about the bookmarks and handed one to each child. The extras were given to the third grade teacher who promised share them with the other third grade classroom. That was lots of fun – the kids were so excited to be getting this bookmarks. THANK YOU – to our second and third graders for wanted to make these for us to give to these kids!!
This group then had some free time before we had to meet Julie, John, Emma, Kaitlyn, Chris, and Kevin over at the St. Bernard Community Center so we decided to head back into the French Quarter primarily because I wanted to get something at one of the shops. We wandered around the area for a little while – the girls shopped for some clothes while the boys and I wandered into a few shops and then went to Café Du Monde for another round of beignets! YUMMY! Two trips to Café Du Monde in one visit – makes up for not getting any when I was here in February. So, I was successfully able to get my secret item from the shop. I had to call Cathy, tho, to have her tell me – yet again – where it was! BUT – I found it and bought what I was looking for! We had gone into a t-shirt shope when we first got into Jackson Square. Ally was looking for a t-shirt that said that we were here to rebuild and to help out or something like that. WELL… She found a t-shirt that said Recover, Rebuild, Re
Oh… We had court tonight. Ian brought charges up against Chris for wearing flip-flops to the school when we had told the kids not to where them to the schools. They named me the judge. Ian was the prosecuter, Chris the defendant, and all the other kids were the jury. Michaela and Julie were called as witnesses for the prosecution. Ian presented evidence that Chris did indeed have flip flops on and not sandals – which would be in violation of our dress code for working in the schools. Well all of the evidence was presented and Chris was found Not Guilty by a 5 to 4 vote. The stipulation tho, was that he was not to wear them at the school on Wednesday or traveling on Thursday. All seemed to be OK with the outcome… It was pretty funny to watch it all play out tho!
We decided that we are all going to go to Hynes charter school tomorrow and that we were going to stay with Carolyn in Kenner tomorrow night – so that we didn’t have to leave Delacroix at 6AM on Thursday. Very generous of her! So, we all had to pack up our stuff tonight. Well… while we were packing I decided that it was the right time to give out my presents – since that was when I had gotten mine from Cathy on our trip back in February. I started with the girls and gave each of them a silver coin with a flure de lice on it and the word “Believe” written on the back. Actually Michaela’s had the word “Celebrate” on hers. They were all so touched by it. It was really cool to see that! I am very proud of all of these young adults. I can’t say enough good things about them. They are always willing to help out and will do anything we ask of them with a smile on. Ally thinks that we should be doing more – or wishes that we could do more. Each of them tonight are all talking about when they can come back and that is what this trip is about. It is not just about what we do – although that is important too. It is more importantly about the people we meet and the stories that we hear. It is about the fact that these kids decided to take their vacation and come down to New Orleans to do mission work when they could have easily chosen to stay home or go some other place. It is about the listening to the people of New Orleans and hearing their stories and them knowing that we in Massachusetts care about them and are thinking and praying for them. That to me is what coming down here is all about. It is connecting with Carolyn and Pastor Gary and Karen. Meeting J and hearing her story and giving her the gift cards. It is about touching and connecting with other people. I feel totally blessed that I was able to come down to New Orleans with these people and experience this week and work with an amazing group of teens and RAs! I am very proud to call the First Church in Bedford my home knowing that you are all a reason that we were able to make this trip. Without your support and thoughts and prayers this trip would not be possible.
Well it is getting really late now and we all need to be up bright and early to leave for Hynes Charter… I look forward to another day and can’t wait to see what it will bring!
Some thoughts by Ally...
Ally Tomeh
April 21, 2008
Day Three.
Today we went to a Vietnamese village, and we cleared brush from this huge field. There was tons of broken trees and fallen limbs that we picked up. It was me, Michaela, Kevin, Kyle, Ian, Chris, Papa Crockett and Mrs. Criscone. It was really fun! We worked for about four hours, and I got a huge sunburn on my shoulders.. its kind of funny actually. I’m proud of it haha. Then we went to a community center and met this man who was amazing – so amazing I fell asleep. I was so tired haha. But he told a lot of stories and people told me about them.. apparently he was blind and then could see again, and then he also said how he had a limp and walked through a group of people who were praying for him and then he could walk fine afterwards. It really made me wish that I was more religious, because he seemed to radiate with love for god.
Yesterday I started to write in my journal but I didn’t get a chance to finish, and I’d much rather type than write haha. But anyway. Yesterday we listed to pastor gary and he talked about two different ponds, one was big, beautiful, and clean and the other was small, ugly, and very dirty. I didn’t really understand the next part but basically each of the ponds represent different things.. the big one is the what you make of life and the other one is reality. Then he also talked about how the Holy Spirit was everywhere: a smile you give to someone, a kind gesture, the fact that we came down to help. I don’t know if I believe in God and everything that Christians are supposed to believe in, but I do believe that there is some heavenly being that makes hope, love, and things like that.
This is going to sound horrible, but I can’t get myself to be very sad about everything that’s happened in the hurricane. I mean, I feel so sympathetic and obviously its horrible, but I feel like I should be a lot more sad than I am right now. All of these things that they lost are material items – things that can be brought back and remade. However, I do understand how they miss their memories in the places that were ruined. How specific items have memories that can’t be reproduced. But other than that, I just really don’t see whats SO horrible. I just can’t empathize, I guess.
There are a lot of things I’ve gotten out of this trip, and I want to remember them. The first is that I shouldn’t get so caught up in being better than other people and so uptight about grades and such. I mean, compared to other troubles in the world, mine are so petty. Also, there will ALWAYS be people that are better than me, ALWAYS a LOT more people than are better than me, why should I try and measure my success in comparisons? Plus, I also want to remember to relax and be happy. That’s something that will bring me far in life.. even if I loose everything else, as long as I can keep myself fine emotionally the rest will all be alright.
Honestly, just be happy, be carefree, have no regrets and no restrictions.
I want to type and type just like Hannah did with no periods or punctuation of any sort right now im watching little miss sunshine and I don’t get it people say its really good but I don’t see how I mean its kind of stupid actually and Katie just came by and I am going to give her her computer now but this is actually kind of fun so I don’t want to but I guess I will because I have nothing to say.
April 21, 2008
Day Three.
Today we went to a Vietnamese village, and we cleared brush from this huge field. There was tons of broken trees and fallen limbs that we picked up. It was me, Michaela, Kevin, Kyle, Ian, Chris, Papa Crockett and Mrs. Criscone. It was really fun! We worked for about four hours, and I got a huge sunburn on my shoulders.. its kind of funny actually. I’m proud of it haha. Then we went to a community center and met this man who was amazing – so amazing I fell asleep. I was so tired haha. But he told a lot of stories and people told me about them.. apparently he was blind and then could see again, and then he also said how he had a limp and walked through a group of people who were praying for him and then he could walk fine afterwards. It really made me wish that I was more religious, because he seemed to radiate with love for god.
Yesterday I started to write in my journal but I didn’t get a chance to finish, and I’d much rather type than write haha. But anyway. Yesterday we listed to pastor gary and he talked about two different ponds, one was big, beautiful, and clean and the other was small, ugly, and very dirty. I didn’t really understand the next part but basically each of the ponds represent different things.. the big one is the what you make of life and the other one is reality. Then he also talked about how the Holy Spirit was everywhere: a smile you give to someone, a kind gesture, the fact that we came down to help. I don’t know if I believe in God and everything that Christians are supposed to believe in, but I do believe that there is some heavenly being that makes hope, love, and things like that.
This is going to sound horrible, but I can’t get myself to be very sad about everything that’s happened in the hurricane. I mean, I feel so sympathetic and obviously its horrible, but I feel like I should be a lot more sad than I am right now. All of these things that they lost are material items – things that can be brought back and remade. However, I do understand how they miss their memories in the places that were ruined. How specific items have memories that can’t be reproduced. But other than that, I just really don’t see whats SO horrible. I just can’t empathize, I guess.
There are a lot of things I’ve gotten out of this trip, and I want to remember them. The first is that I shouldn’t get so caught up in being better than other people and so uptight about grades and such. I mean, compared to other troubles in the world, mine are so petty. Also, there will ALWAYS be people that are better than me, ALWAYS a LOT more people than are better than me, why should I try and measure my success in comparisons? Plus, I also want to remember to relax and be happy. That’s something that will bring me far in life.. even if I loose everything else, as long as I can keep myself fine emotionally the rest will all be alright.
Honestly, just be happy, be carefree, have no regrets and no restrictions.
I want to type and type just like Hannah did with no periods or punctuation of any sort right now im watching little miss sunshine and I don’t get it people say its really good but I don’t see how I mean its kind of stupid actually and Katie just came by and I am going to give her her computer now but this is actually kind of fun so I don’t want to but I guess I will because I have nothing to say.
24 hours after the first post...
Ok.. Katie’s back… Well it’s been almost 24 hours since I wrote last… It was another amazing day down here in New Orleans. Last night after our tour of New Orleans with Carolyn we came down to the bayou and the kids saw for the first time where we would be staying. Even though I was here back in February, the site of the water and the surrounding totally took my breath away! We met Freddie (Carolyn’s brother) – who owns Destination Delecroix (our home while here). He showed us our living quarters and then invited us to his friend’s place across the street and above a boat dock to watch the sunset. The view from his deck was absolutely incredible! Everything was so peaceful and serene. We all stood on the deck and watched the sunset, it was amazing!
Kevin and Chris each brought their fishing rods and starting to do some fishing. They started out using hot dogs and then were given some shrimp to use as bate! Well that’s what the fish down here really wanted!! Once we started using shrimp Kevin (Goofy as Chris calls him) caught a catfish. Chris unhooked it and threw it back. We then decided that we would try to catch a couple to gut and eat! Well Kevin was able to catch two more which Chris gutted and we will probably eat tonight! Oh, Chris let me fish and on my first cast I caught an albino catfish!! It was so cool! I haven’t really been fishin’ since I was about 12. I have to echo Julie’s remarks about this group of kids. WOW! The more I talk with them and get to know them the more I am blown away! These kids – well young adults really – are amazing! The insites that they have and the compassion make me really proud! These kids are always asking what they can do to help and they do it with a smile and a complete sense of grace. I am very honored and blessed that I am able to share this week with them!
Well Carolyn just pulled up, so I’m gonna see what she is up to! More to come later!
Kevin and Chris each brought their fishing rods and starting to do some fishing. They started out using hot dogs and then were given some shrimp to use as bate! Well that’s what the fish down here really wanted!! Once we started using shrimp Kevin (Goofy as Chris calls him) caught a catfish. Chris unhooked it and threw it back. We then decided that we would try to catch a couple to gut and eat! Well Kevin was able to catch two more which Chris gutted and we will probably eat tonight! Oh, Chris let me fish and on my first cast I caught an albino catfish!! It was so cool! I haven’t really been fishin’ since I was about 12. I have to echo Julie’s remarks about this group of kids. WOW! The more I talk with them and get to know them the more I am blown away! These kids – well young adults really – are amazing! The insites that they have and the compassion make me really proud! These kids are always asking what they can do to help and they do it with a smile and a complete sense of grace. I am very honored and blessed that I am able to share this week with them!
Well Carolyn just pulled up, so I’m gonna see what she is up to! More to come later!
Youth Mission Trip...
Hi guys - My appologies for not posting anything this week. We have been spending our evenings at Fred's place in Delacroix and it does not have internet access. SO... I have been writing in a word document that I will now post as several posts - just do ya'll don't have one super long post to read through...
Well I'll start at the beginning... Here's the post from Sunday night!
Enjoy!
Sunday April 20, 2008
Wow, what an amazing day! So many things have happened in the last 24 hours that I can only hope that I can remember it all! Well we all met behind the church at 7:30AM. Jamie was there to see us off. We took a quick group photo and was off to the airport. We had a slight delay flying through Chicago and landed in New Orleans just before 5PM. After collecting our luggage we got our 3 minivans and we headed over to Carolyn’s house to drop off our luggage before heading into the French Quarter! Upon arriving in the French Quarter we parked in a parking lot behind Jackson Square. We headed over the railroad tracks and looked at the Mississippi. What an amazing view. We wandered in and out of shops along Decator St and ended up at Café Du Monde where we had some beignets! I was so happy cause I didn’t get any when I was down here in back in February! We then headed back to Carolyn’s stopping at Wendy’s for dinner. Unfortunately the dining room was closed. Fortunately the drive thru was open so we all went through the drive thru and at in the cars in the parking lot!
When we got back to Carolyn’s the boys went next door to stay with one of her neighbors. The girls stayed at Carolyn’s. After the kids were settled, I was able to sit and chat with Carolyn out of her back patio. It was nice to be able to have a somewhat quiet conversation with her without a million people around.
This morning we all woke up and got to church (Good Shepherd) around 8:30AM. At church we met Shantia and her group. We all shared breakfast together while we waited for Pastor Gary to finish with the first service and come and talk with us. Before service Gary has us all go over to the sanctuary where he talked to us about what happened to Good Shepherd during and after the storm.
When I was down here in February I worked with a group that did a writing project with 5 different elementary schools. We worked with primarily 5th grade students on writing a story that started unfortunately and finished fortunately. The kids used a story map to help them write their story and some of them were able to start a first draft. We also took the kids on a field trip to Laura Plantation – a sugar cane plantation about an hour west of Good Shepherd. When we got home a book was created for each school that we worked with. Cathy Gray and I worked on the book for the Lincoln Elementary school. When we had the books printed we had one printed for Good Shepherd, which I brought with me. A week before I left for this trip I went to a pot luck dinner at the Federated Church of Norfolk – my friend Carol’s church who also traveled to New Orleans with me. While I was there I was asked to bring a check from their church. The check was a result of a Lenten fundraising effort. They raised $263 which they decided to go to the Lincoln Elementary School – the same school that Cathy and I did our book on! So, just before church today I mentioned to Gary that I had these items. He asked if I would present them during worship to the congregation. So I presented the book and the check to the congregation. After Gary talked to us, I went back to Parish Hall and ran in to Karen. It was so wonderful to see her again! I showed her our book and she was so excited to see it! She can’t wait to see the book from the Airline Park day (a package will be sent to each school with their books).
On one of the bulliten boards outside of the sanctuary was the front page article from the Bedford Minuteman and the pictures that I had sent Karen from our Fais Do Do back in March! I asked her about the pictures and she said that when she got them in the mail she asked Gary if she could put them up at the church. She said that she wanted the people down here to see what we were doing up here for them! It was so wonderful to see that.
Hi this is Julie B. your guest BLOGGER. What a wonderous daY! I think the things that meant the most to me today would include the contanance of Rev. Gary when he spoke of the HOLY SPIRIT in the world around us. That when the worse of circumstances surround us, that is when God is at his best working throught the Holy Spirit in people’s hearts.
His sermon was about frogs and this is a funny thing since tonight, I don’t hear sirens or cars, or the t.v.—I hear the sound of frogs croaking in the Bayou. It was a curious sound and peaceful too. I think back to the sermon…do I want to be a frog in a small muddy pond or on the bayou, moving along with the current. I’ll take the latter!
The site of the decomposing houses (for lack of a better word) was such a sad site. BUT, It was encouraging to see people not giving up. We passed one man who was sweeping up a bunch of trash in front of a huge pile of broken down house. He is doing what he can and making a difference a bit at a time. And that is all any of us can do.
Now I am thinking of every cupcake bought at a bake sale. Every penny dropped in a offering plate. On it’s own, not much, but all together—wow! Great things can happen! Can’t wait to go to bed tonight so I can get up early tomrrow and see what’s gonna happen next!
One last thing to mention. What an amazing group of people I am with . These young people are truly up to the task. They jump right in and help out. Tonight they cooked a delishous dinner and then cleaned up the dishes. They even planned a very healthy meal which they planned out and shopped for earlier in the day.
P.s. Believe it or don’t…this is my first time blogging….ribbit!
Well I'll start at the beginning... Here's the post from Sunday night!
Enjoy!
Sunday April 20, 2008
Wow, what an amazing day! So many things have happened in the last 24 hours that I can only hope that I can remember it all! Well we all met behind the church at 7:30AM. Jamie was there to see us off. We took a quick group photo and was off to the airport. We had a slight delay flying through Chicago and landed in New Orleans just before 5PM. After collecting our luggage we got our 3 minivans and we headed over to Carolyn’s house to drop off our luggage before heading into the French Quarter! Upon arriving in the French Quarter we parked in a parking lot behind Jackson Square. We headed over the railroad tracks and looked at the Mississippi. What an amazing view. We wandered in and out of shops along Decator St and ended up at Café Du Monde where we had some beignets! I was so happy cause I didn’t get any when I was down here in back in February! We then headed back to Carolyn’s stopping at Wendy’s for dinner. Unfortunately the dining room was closed. Fortunately the drive thru was open so we all went through the drive thru and at in the cars in the parking lot!
When we got back to Carolyn’s the boys went next door to stay with one of her neighbors. The girls stayed at Carolyn’s. After the kids were settled, I was able to sit and chat with Carolyn out of her back patio. It was nice to be able to have a somewhat quiet conversation with her without a million people around.
This morning we all woke up and got to church (Good Shepherd) around 8:30AM. At church we met Shantia and her group. We all shared breakfast together while we waited for Pastor Gary to finish with the first service and come and talk with us. Before service Gary has us all go over to the sanctuary where he talked to us about what happened to Good Shepherd during and after the storm.
When I was down here in February I worked with a group that did a writing project with 5 different elementary schools. We worked with primarily 5th grade students on writing a story that started unfortunately and finished fortunately. The kids used a story map to help them write their story and some of them were able to start a first draft. We also took the kids on a field trip to Laura Plantation – a sugar cane plantation about an hour west of Good Shepherd. When we got home a book was created for each school that we worked with. Cathy Gray and I worked on the book for the Lincoln Elementary school. When we had the books printed we had one printed for Good Shepherd, which I brought with me. A week before I left for this trip I went to a pot luck dinner at the Federated Church of Norfolk – my friend Carol’s church who also traveled to New Orleans with me. While I was there I was asked to bring a check from their church. The check was a result of a Lenten fundraising effort. They raised $263 which they decided to go to the Lincoln Elementary School – the same school that Cathy and I did our book on! So, just before church today I mentioned to Gary that I had these items. He asked if I would present them during worship to the congregation. So I presented the book and the check to the congregation. After Gary talked to us, I went back to Parish Hall and ran in to Karen. It was so wonderful to see her again! I showed her our book and she was so excited to see it! She can’t wait to see the book from the Airline Park day (a package will be sent to each school with their books).
On one of the bulliten boards outside of the sanctuary was the front page article from the Bedford Minuteman and the pictures that I had sent Karen from our Fais Do Do back in March! I asked her about the pictures and she said that when she got them in the mail she asked Gary if she could put them up at the church. She said that she wanted the people down here to see what we were doing up here for them! It was so wonderful to see that.
Hi this is Julie B. your guest BLOGGER. What a wonderous daY! I think the things that meant the most to me today would include the contanance of Rev. Gary when he spoke of the HOLY SPIRIT in the world around us. That when the worse of circumstances surround us, that is when God is at his best working throught the Holy Spirit in people’s hearts.
His sermon was about frogs and this is a funny thing since tonight, I don’t hear sirens or cars, or the t.v.—I hear the sound of frogs croaking in the Bayou. It was a curious sound and peaceful too. I think back to the sermon…do I want to be a frog in a small muddy pond or on the bayou, moving along with the current. I’ll take the latter!
The site of the decomposing houses (for lack of a better word) was such a sad site. BUT, It was encouraging to see people not giving up. We passed one man who was sweeping up a bunch of trash in front of a huge pile of broken down house. He is doing what he can and making a difference a bit at a time. And that is all any of us can do.
Now I am thinking of every cupcake bought at a bake sale. Every penny dropped in a offering plate. On it’s own, not much, but all together—wow! Great things can happen! Can’t wait to go to bed tonight so I can get up early tomrrow and see what’s gonna happen next!
One last thing to mention. What an amazing group of people I am with . These young people are truly up to the task. They jump right in and help out. Tonight they cooked a delishous dinner and then cleaned up the dishes. They even planned a very healthy meal which they planned out and shopped for earlier in the day.
P.s. Believe it or don’t…this is my first time blogging….ribbit!
Friday, April 18, 2008
The Eve of the Youth Mission Trip...
Well we all leave for New Orleans tomorrow AM. We are meeting up at church and then heading into Logan airport. For those of you reading this, I want to say sorry for not posting during my last trip down to New Orleans. It was a wonderful week, but the work we were doing kept us really busy and I didn't make any time to post anything. Soooo... That being said, I am going to try really hard NOT to flounder on this trip. We have a busy schedule, but we have also built in some time to journal. I am not sure what the internet access will be like where we are staying, but I will do my best!
For those of you that are interested our schedule (as I know it today) will be:
Saturday - Travel to New Orleans (landing at 4:33PM). Drop stuff at Carolyn's house and then head to the French Quarter to have some beignets at Cafe Du Monde and some shopping around Jackson Square.
Sunday - We will meet with Gary before church. Attend the church service and then have lunch at Good Shepherd. After lunch Gary and Carolyn will talk to us and then we will have our tour of New Orleans with Carolyn on our way down to Destination Delacroix (where we will be staying for the remainder of our visit) in St. Bernard.
Monday - Work with St. Bernard Community Center on Food distribution and possibly at Martin Luther King (MLK) Elementary school.
Tuesday - We will all go to Martin Luther King school in the morning to listen/participate in the presentation that Miss Celey will do on the underground railroad. Then we will travel to Beacher Church for lunch with Miss Celey. After lunch some of us will go back to MLK to work with Miss Celey on a quilt project with a 5th grade classroom. The rest of us will go to St. Bernard Community center to help prepare the community dinner that will be served that night. After school those of us at MLK will go to the community center to help with dinner. We will have dinner at the community center that night.
Wednesday - Some of us will go to the Hynes Charter school to participate in a book party for pre-k, kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade students. We will hand out books to those kids. I'm not sure what the other part of the group will be doing. Carolyn had mentioned an urban garden project? We shall see when we get there. Wednesday night Carolyn will come and enjoy dinner with us in Delacroix and chat with us some more.
Thursday - Up and out bright and early to catch our planes!
It will be a packed few days, but I am very excited to go back down and to be able to share this experience with this kids and my fellow RAs!! :) I am looking forward to seeing everyone from New Orleans again!
I would like to thank everyone that has supported us on this trip! Everyone who came to the Chili Cookoff and Trivia Bee. Those who attended the Fais Do Do! Those who gave funds to the Youth Mission Trip fund. Those of you who donated items for us to take with us. The parents of the kids! The entire congregation for their continuing love and support as we take this journey. Our second and third graders for making the WONDERFUL bookmarks for us to give to the many kids we will work with on our trip! All of my friends for their well wishes and support of me during the planning phases of this trip. Also a BIG thanks to Julie, Mary, and John for coming on this trip and for everything that they are doing to make this a wonderfully successful and amazing experience for us all to share in. I feel extremely blessed and fortunate to have so many people in my life that love and support me in everything that I do! I love you all! :)
For those of you that are interested our schedule (as I know it today) will be:
Saturday - Travel to New Orleans (landing at 4:33PM). Drop stuff at Carolyn's house and then head to the French Quarter to have some beignets at Cafe Du Monde and some shopping around Jackson Square.
Sunday - We will meet with Gary before church. Attend the church service and then have lunch at Good Shepherd. After lunch Gary and Carolyn will talk to us and then we will have our tour of New Orleans with Carolyn on our way down to Destination Delacroix (where we will be staying for the remainder of our visit) in St. Bernard.
Monday - Work with St. Bernard Community Center on Food distribution and possibly at Martin Luther King (MLK) Elementary school.
Tuesday - We will all go to Martin Luther King school in the morning to listen/participate in the presentation that Miss Celey will do on the underground railroad. Then we will travel to Beacher Church for lunch with Miss Celey. After lunch some of us will go back to MLK to work with Miss Celey on a quilt project with a 5th grade classroom. The rest of us will go to St. Bernard Community center to help prepare the community dinner that will be served that night. After school those of us at MLK will go to the community center to help with dinner. We will have dinner at the community center that night.
Wednesday - Some of us will go to the Hynes Charter school to participate in a book party for pre-k, kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade students. We will hand out books to those kids. I'm not sure what the other part of the group will be doing. Carolyn had mentioned an urban garden project? We shall see when we get there. Wednesday night Carolyn will come and enjoy dinner with us in Delacroix and chat with us some more.
Thursday - Up and out bright and early to catch our planes!
It will be a packed few days, but I am very excited to go back down and to be able to share this experience with this kids and my fellow RAs!! :) I am looking forward to seeing everyone from New Orleans again!
I would like to thank everyone that has supported us on this trip! Everyone who came to the Chili Cookoff and Trivia Bee. Those who attended the Fais Do Do! Those who gave funds to the Youth Mission Trip fund. Those of you who donated items for us to take with us. The parents of the kids! The entire congregation for their continuing love and support as we take this journey. Our second and third graders for making the WONDERFUL bookmarks for us to give to the many kids we will work with on our trip! All of my friends for their well wishes and support of me during the planning phases of this trip. Also a BIG thanks to Julie, Mary, and John for coming on this trip and for everything that they are doing to make this a wonderfully successful and amazing experience for us all to share in. I feel extremely blessed and fortunate to have so many people in my life that love and support me in everything that I do! I love you all! :)
Saturday, February 23, 2008
A couple more things...
Ok.. well as I am sitting here in parish hall waiting for Carol and Cathy, I thought of a couple of other things to add. Just checked out the floor in the ladies room and it is wonderful! :) Also, I heard from George that the floor in the men's room is equally wonderful. :P
Parish hall now has a floor and the walls are finished down the the floor. The floor is very nice, it is a tile with basketball court on it. The kitchen also has a nice new tile floor. The bunk room that we are all sleeping in has new wooden bunks with air mattresses on them. I only wish they were about 6" taller so that our suitcases would fit under them. But that would mean that some peoples heads would be too close to the ceiling... I guess we can't have it all!
I made it...
Well I made it to New Orleans without any trouble. My dad picked me up at 7AM this morning and took me to Logan. While I was going through security Cathy called to see what the airport was like. I said it seemed fine, I did curbside check-in and it only took me 15 mins or so to get through security. Unfortunately her's and Carol's and Justine's and Scott's flight got cancelled yesterday and they go booked on a different flight leaving at 3something to Atlanta and then a 8 something flight to New Orleans. Well... I landed in New Orleans without incident and called Sue and they were at the grocery and she would send George as soon as they got back. While waiting for George I found Chip and Caleb and we went outside to wait for George. He came and we shortly found Sarah so we added her to the van and came back to the church. When I got back I found out that Cathy and Carol and company's flight was all hosed up and they weren't due in now until 11:15pm! What a major bummer! Well Sarah got a call from Marilyn so we (George, Sarah, and I) went back to the airport to get her and while we were there we picked up Rev. Betsy. Then we went to Budget to get the rental car. We left one there for Carol and all to get when they got in so no one would have to go to the airport and get them when they land. During the ride to the church from the airport (which is only about 10-15 mins) I noticed that there were a lot more stores open and things looked like they had fresh storefronts. Chip noticed that there were less FEMA trailers around. He also said that could have been because FEMA quickly removed them because of a potential for formaldehyde contamination... George pointed out that he saw less blue tarps on roofs.
We got back to the church and Sue and Jenn had a WONDERFUL dinner waiting for us. Yippee!! Sue is planning to cook to for us all week. I am SO excited! :) We are going to eat like kings and queens! I think that this is one of my favorite parts of this trip, being able to share meals with people. It's probably because I live alone and eat many meals by myself that I like being able to share meals with other people. During dinner Rev. Betsy asked if anyone would be willing to stay up for Carol, Cathy, and all... So, me being more of a night owl than most and having had more than 3 hours of sleep, said - Sure... without really thinking that we are an hour behind and they weren't going to be here until probably midnight (New Orleans time..) Oh well.. it give me an opportunity to sit (while others sleep) and write the experiences of the day, an opportunity I am not sure I'll be able to have later on in the week.
During dinner Carolyn stopped by with her 2 grandkids. She chatted a little bit about what this week is going to be like and how all of the kids and teachers are really excited about the project that we have planned. She said that tomorrow after church we will be able to go on the tour of the city. I think we will visit some of the same places that we went to last year. It will be interesting to see what things have changed and sadly what things are still the same. I will go on this tour and try to find signs of life and happy things! I have no idea what this education project will bring, but I'm sure it will be eventful. I am not quite sure what my role will be, I think I - along with Sue - will be taking photographs. Betsy mentioned something about trying to teach the kids while they are on the bus. Also something about having to leave at 7AM.... Not sure if I'll make that one - but we're here to step back from ourselves and our everyday lives, so if that is what I am called/need to do for this week, then that's what I'll do. It will be a great adventure with lots of stories and laughter and tears! I am predicting quite an emotional roller coaster of a week...
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
3 days...
Well I can't believe that it's almost time to go again! The group this year is made up of 15 (I think...) people from First Church in Marlborough and Bedford and the Federated Church of Norfolk, MA. Together we will be working on construction with an organization called lowernine.org. We will also be working with 5th graders from New Orleans schools on a writing project. The goal of the writing project is to help kids learn to be resilient. We will be using the phrases: "I Can..." "I Am..." and "I Have...". We will also be using a book called "Fortunately, Unfortunately" by Remy Charlip. Using this book as an example the kids will write their own "Fortunately, Unfortunately" story. We will then work on creating a book of all these stories for each classroom and have 1 published for them. I am very excited about being able to share this week with some old friends and meeting new ones! I am sure that it will be another amazing experience that I am blessed to be a part of! Now all I have to do is pack! I guess that is what Friday night is for! :)
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
It's Mardi Gras!
Well I just got back from the Mardi Gras Pancake dinner at the First Church in Marlborough. It was their fundraiser for our trip coming up on Feb. 23. Cathy came with me and I have to say that we had a ball! I am SO excited that she is coming with us this year. I think that it is going to be such a wonderful experience yet again this year. I can't believe that it has only/already been a year since I went down last. Many of the people I met on last year's trip I feel like I have known forever instead of just one short year.
On Sunday Jamie will dedicate Cathy and I on our adventure. It is such a blessing to know that our entire church family will wish us well on our adventure! What a different feeling I have going on my trip this year. Last year I was very anxious to travel to a different city to do who knew what for work with people I had never met before! And this year I am very excited about this trip because I will be going with people I have come to know fairly well! There will be new people in the group this year and not everyone who came last year is able to travel with us. I am very excited to see Gary and Karen again as well as Carolyn!
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