Hello Again - Its been 3 days since I have returned and Life is returning to the routine. I miss the folks who spent time helping others and trying to do our little piece of re-building New Orleans.
The St Charles and Rhino staff provided us with a tour of still devastated New Orleans - from Metieare's missing homes and slow rebuilding to the total devastation of homes from the lower ninth ward. When I stood next to the van and surveyed mile upon mile of foundation with missing home while I listened to Larry, our tour guide, speak of floating homes and missing families, I could no longer speak, and could barely hold back the tears for the suffering and loss. Even today, this piece of the tour is hard to describe - just imagining block upon block of missing homes that belonged to someone who can't afford to return....and that many floated from foundations once the levy broke, with families inside.....
What hope RHINO and St Charles bring to even a small portion of New Orleans. I cannot wait to return again and help the victims of Katrina - for what more reason other than they need a hand.... Rob L.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
More Tired, and More Challenged....
Hello again from New Orleans! Today was another day at Ferry Place.
I am, if it is more possible, even more tired, mentally and physically, than I was yesterday - but - its a good tired.
We put on siding, built corners and partitions that go with the walls to be placed inside the homes of Ferry Place. I am sorry that i don't have more pictures but in my hast - i forgot to bring the camera with me. Put we have many pictures which I hope we can publish tomorrow or Saturday.
For those of you who may not know, Jenny Warren was gracious enough to prepare nightly devotions around the theme of building - BUILT - B is for Beginning, U is for Understanding, I is for Invested, L is for Labor of Love, and T is for Transformed and Thankful. Each comes with deep questions based on a piece of scripture.
And these have been harder for me than the physical work at the work site (even though I think I should have bought stock in Ibuprofen before I came to New Orleans). The devotions are deep and thoughtful. One was on the meaning of what it means to serve God, another hard intangible. I don't know if I really know what it means to serve God - I do know what it means to serve others, to help them when help is needed, and I hope this is serving God. I tend to think that most folks are in some way an image of God - and if we help them, we help God. I hope (there's that word again - RHINO - Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans) that those I have had a chance to serve by teaching them how to work on homes will use those skills again, for New Orleans' residents certainly need the Hope.
Another devotional was on the parable of Jesus and the vineyard owner who paid all who labored an equal measure, those that showed up early and those that came in the last hour of the work day. One of Jenny's deep questions was about "Is there something better than fair?"
I hope so - No one in New Orleans would say that they been treated fairly - I tend to think of this as grace and grace as compassion - isn't it better that we have a God who is willing to provide the grace - no matter when no matter how much. I hope we are able to provide a little of that grace and compassion to these lovely folk in New Orleans.
I'm very tired physically and mentally and will be going on a tour of the areas not yet rebuilt in New Orleans tomorrow.
May a little piece God's grace find you tonight - Rob L.
I am, if it is more possible, even more tired, mentally and physically, than I was yesterday - but - its a good tired.
We put on siding, built corners and partitions that go with the walls to be placed inside the homes of Ferry Place. I am sorry that i don't have more pictures but in my hast - i forgot to bring the camera with me. Put we have many pictures which I hope we can publish tomorrow or Saturday.
For those of you who may not know, Jenny Warren was gracious enough to prepare nightly devotions around the theme of building - BUILT - B is for Beginning, U is for Understanding, I is for Invested, L is for Labor of Love, and T is for Transformed and Thankful. Each comes with deep questions based on a piece of scripture.
And these have been harder for me than the physical work at the work site (even though I think I should have bought stock in Ibuprofen before I came to New Orleans). The devotions are deep and thoughtful. One was on the meaning of what it means to serve God, another hard intangible. I don't know if I really know what it means to serve God - I do know what it means to serve others, to help them when help is needed, and I hope this is serving God. I tend to think that most folks are in some way an image of God - and if we help them, we help God. I hope (there's that word again - RHINO - Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans) that those I have had a chance to serve by teaching them how to work on homes will use those skills again, for New Orleans' residents certainly need the Hope.
Another devotional was on the parable of Jesus and the vineyard owner who paid all who labored an equal measure, those that showed up early and those that came in the last hour of the work day. One of Jenny's deep questions was about "Is there something better than fair?"
I hope so - No one in New Orleans would say that they been treated fairly - I tend to think of this as grace and grace as compassion - isn't it better that we have a God who is willing to provide the grace - no matter when no matter how much. I hope we are able to provide a little of that grace and compassion to these lovely folk in New Orleans.
I'm very tired physically and mentally and will be going on a tour of the areas not yet rebuilt in New Orleans tomorrow.
May a little piece God's grace find you tonight - Rob L.
Another day at Ferry Place -- and again, we left it looking different than when we arrived. The dreaded dirtpiles are gone --- but they, admittedly, demanded not only hours of our physical energy but our emotional patience as well. It's hard and humbling to do the seemingly insignificant and definitely tedious work. When those other guys were framing up the house next door, creating something visibly new, we were shoveling away, literally leaving nothing to show for our efforts......But it takes all kinds of laborers in the vineyard.
We were transferred from the dirt department to the wood factory this afternoon. Partitions and corners had to be pre-made for the anticipated framing of 1328. Parts that have particular functions within the walls, making the house stable and sound, unseen by its future habitants. This gave me an opportunity to make the acquaintance of a new machine --- Jenny, meet Chop Saw --- Chop Saw, Jenny. Not the sort I would have sought out on my own for a new relationship. Seemed a bit risky --and definitely noisy. But I'm pleased to report that we got along famously ----I found our time spent together immensely satisfying. Chop, chop --- 2x4s reduced to nice little 12" blocks. Done in an instant with something to show for it. Got to love that.
By the way, Rob Laughman was a joy to behold today ---- a patient teacher of many of us in the ways of wood. I truly saw his gifts in action.
We're off tonight to dine at the home of a St Charles Ave Pres. Church member -- something church members do once every week -- every week -- for RHINO work groups. The hospitality is beyond amazing. It has become this church's spiritual discipline. And after a long hot day in the sun, that discipline will taste mighty good!
More sometime -----
Jenny
We were transferred from the dirt department to the wood factory this afternoon. Partitions and corners had to be pre-made for the anticipated framing of 1328. Parts that have particular functions within the walls, making the house stable and sound, unseen by its future habitants. This gave me an opportunity to make the acquaintance of a new machine --- Jenny, meet Chop Saw --- Chop Saw, Jenny. Not the sort I would have sought out on my own for a new relationship. Seemed a bit risky --and definitely noisy. But I'm pleased to report that we got along famously ----I found our time spent together immensely satisfying. Chop, chop --- 2x4s reduced to nice little 12" blocks. Done in an instant with something to show for it. Got to love that.
By the way, Rob Laughman was a joy to behold today ---- a patient teacher of many of us in the ways of wood. I truly saw his gifts in action.
We're off tonight to dine at the home of a St Charles Ave Pres. Church member -- something church members do once every week -- every week -- for RHINO work groups. The hospitality is beyond amazing. It has become this church's spiritual discipline. And after a long hot day in the sun, that discipline will taste mighty good!
More sometime -----
Jenny
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
What a change a couple of days makes --- from old and moldy to new beginnings!
The Habitat site on Ferry Place is a double blessing to New Orleans and its people --- taking a previously bleak and blighted street on which no one wanted to live, and transforming it into a place of renewed life for those now in need of new places to live.
The new houses are clean and pure -- new lumber, new siding --- all a sign of new opportunity and new hope. There will someday be 14 of them on Ferry Place. It will have been my privilege to have had a hand in #1328.
The hand I had is at this moment sore --- but the good kind of sore from feeling of use and productive. I've had a hand in mixing more cement than I'd ever planned to spend time with. My cement partners and I soon found the "zen" of cement mixing --- the perfect rhythm and balance of water and concrete --- and the perfect tool -- the holed hoe. Without the perfect balance, things get awfully glogged up and sometimes downright immoveable ---and I guess I'm not just talking concrete....
I've had a hand in digging ---- hours and hours of shovelling dirt into wheel barrows, moving it out from within the foundation blocks. Seemingly pointless in the big picture -- I thought we were building a house...... And yet, absolutely necessary in the moment because it was the very next thing. And maybe that's true of more than just dirt piles....
And foundations ---- while I never doubted their importance, I'd never really spent much time with one up close and personal. I mean, they're usually so deep, so buried, so overshadowed by the house upon it. But the concrete block upon which these houses are being built isn't just a solid object. There's other stuff in there! There's re-bar, there's poured concrete, there are the straps. Many parts meant to strengthen each other, and to make an inseparable connection between the foundation and the home. I'm not sure I'll ever hear Matthew 7 (the wise and foollish builders) the same again. It's even better now.
I've been humbled, awed by meeting people who accommodate and commit in ways that still seem out of reach for me, and yet, at least in theory, so enviable. The Habitat staff, who came from Arizona, Dallas and New Jersey (by way of a cushy job in DC) to help well-meaning (but not always well-skilled) people build houses --- for people who really need them. The RHINO staff ---- a project coordinator from North Carolina, who came to meeting with the St Charles Ave Pres. Church pastor to plan her wedding and left with a job. Or Jim, who's been cooking dinners for RHINO volunteers for 2 years ---- true comfort food --- red beans and rice, etouffee, meatloaf... comforting us at the end of our day. Or the church member who is a nursing professor at LSU, who told us that after students began coming back to NO, she taught them in a movie theater in Baton Rouge, hours away, from 7 am until 11 when the movie started showing. So many people, so many stories, so much strength and dedication beyond the self.
It's hard not to ask the question....."So what about you? " And maybe that's the point.
So, it's been a great 2 days --- many new things tried, many old muscles rediscovered. Faith I could get my hands on.
Oh yeah --- and we celebrated Rob Laughman's birthday with a surprise buthday ambush at the lunch break. Cake, the laying on of birthday beads (which he dutifully wore on site the rest of the day -- such a good sport!) -- and, of course, a song written in his honor. If you don't hear from me again, you'll know why........
Off to bed --- those airmattresses somehow get more comfortable each night....
Jenny
The Habitat site on Ferry Place is a double blessing to New Orleans and its people --- taking a previously bleak and blighted street on which no one wanted to live, and transforming it into a place of renewed life for those now in need of new places to live.
The new houses are clean and pure -- new lumber, new siding --- all a sign of new opportunity and new hope. There will someday be 14 of them on Ferry Place. It will have been my privilege to have had a hand in #1328.
The hand I had is at this moment sore --- but the good kind of sore from feeling of use and productive. I've had a hand in mixing more cement than I'd ever planned to spend time with. My cement partners and I soon found the "zen" of cement mixing --- the perfect rhythm and balance of water and concrete --- and the perfect tool -- the holed hoe. Without the perfect balance, things get awfully glogged up and sometimes downright immoveable ---and I guess I'm not just talking concrete....
I've had a hand in digging ---- hours and hours of shovelling dirt into wheel barrows, moving it out from within the foundation blocks. Seemingly pointless in the big picture -- I thought we were building a house...... And yet, absolutely necessary in the moment because it was the very next thing. And maybe that's true of more than just dirt piles....
And foundations ---- while I never doubted their importance, I'd never really spent much time with one up close and personal. I mean, they're usually so deep, so buried, so overshadowed by the house upon it. But the concrete block upon which these houses are being built isn't just a solid object. There's other stuff in there! There's re-bar, there's poured concrete, there are the straps. Many parts meant to strengthen each other, and to make an inseparable connection between the foundation and the home. I'm not sure I'll ever hear Matthew 7 (the wise and foollish builders) the same again. It's even better now.
I've been humbled, awed by meeting people who accommodate and commit in ways that still seem out of reach for me, and yet, at least in theory, so enviable. The Habitat staff, who came from Arizona, Dallas and New Jersey (by way of a cushy job in DC) to help well-meaning (but not always well-skilled) people build houses --- for people who really need them. The RHINO staff ---- a project coordinator from North Carolina, who came to meeting with the St Charles Ave Pres. Church pastor to plan her wedding and left with a job. Or Jim, who's been cooking dinners for RHINO volunteers for 2 years ---- true comfort food --- red beans and rice, etouffee, meatloaf... comforting us at the end of our day. Or the church member who is a nursing professor at LSU, who told us that after students began coming back to NO, she taught them in a movie theater in Baton Rouge, hours away, from 7 am until 11 when the movie started showing. So many people, so many stories, so much strength and dedication beyond the self.
It's hard not to ask the question....."So what about you? " And maybe that's the point.
So, it's been a great 2 days --- many new things tried, many old muscles rediscovered. Faith I could get my hands on.
Oh yeah --- and we celebrated Rob Laughman's birthday with a surprise buthday ambush at the lunch break. Cake, the laying on of birthday beads (which he dutifully wore on site the rest of the day -- such a good sport!) -- and, of course, a song written in his honor. If you don't hear from me again, you'll know why........
Off to bed --- those airmattresses somehow get more comfortable each night....
Jenny
Tired and Challenged in NOLA
Hello Again - today was our second day with Habitat for Humanity (Yeah Habitat).
We had meetings, we worked as teams, doing siding, moving dirt, and finally - raising walls - what a wonderful set of fellow spiritual-journey-people.
The neighborhood is on a block of homes, two that were burned out, that Habitat in Partnership with RHINO (Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans) is building, two of which are slated for homeowners.
I walked around this neighborhood today, with boarded-up apartments and stores, burned out homes (imagine during the Katrina Flood getting to burning homes), and wondered - Is it enough, can we do enough to help. These wonderful residents - Jim who cooks for us at St. Charles who spent the days on a roof in Baton Rouge and now feeds those willing to help, have had to cope and have the courage to persevere through it all.
I have a hard time with words and intangibles - but from my fellow journey-persons - with whom I mostly sit and listen during nightly devotions - I have learned from them - this is faith!
I now wonder whether what I do is enough, and am I enough of a person of faith to help here. I do not despair, but I do question and the devastation is real and palpable. Am I enough of a Christian? I don't know - but I do know I will go and help again tomorrow.
My fellow journey persons are a wonderfully eclectic mix of devoted people - powerful persons-of-faith - many nights after devotion, I am in awe of these people.
The Carols (there are 3!) - all of whom have repeated this journey, some twice some more than three times. There are couples - Irv and Kathy who spending their 42nd Wedding Anniversary - helping others?! Bill and Sylvia who have repeated this journey again, together. John and Jane who have organized this trip, yet again for at least a third time.
Robin and Katie - Pastor and Elder - who bring energy and life to the work site.
Again - I wonder - am I enough and is this enough? Wonderful friends are being made as we toil to rebuild a little piece of New Orleans.
Tired and Challenged. Rob L.
We had meetings, we worked as teams, doing siding, moving dirt, and finally - raising walls - what a wonderful set of fellow spiritual-journey-people.
The neighborhood is on a block of homes, two that were burned out, that Habitat in Partnership with RHINO (Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans) is building, two of which are slated for homeowners.
I walked around this neighborhood today, with boarded-up apartments and stores, burned out homes (imagine during the Katrina Flood getting to burning homes), and wondered - Is it enough, can we do enough to help. These wonderful residents - Jim who cooks for us at St. Charles who spent the days on a roof in Baton Rouge and now feeds those willing to help, have had to cope and have the courage to persevere through it all.
I have a hard time with words and intangibles - but from my fellow journey-persons - with whom I mostly sit and listen during nightly devotions - I have learned from them - this is faith!
I now wonder whether what I do is enough, and am I enough of a person of faith to help here. I do not despair, but I do question and the devastation is real and palpable. Am I enough of a Christian? I don't know - but I do know I will go and help again tomorrow.
My fellow journey persons are a wonderfully eclectic mix of devoted people - powerful persons-of-faith - many nights after devotion, I am in awe of these people.
The Carols (there are 3!) - all of whom have repeated this journey, some twice some more than three times. There are couples - Irv and Kathy who spending their 42nd Wedding Anniversary - helping others?! Bill and Sylvia who have repeated this journey again, together. John and Jane who have organized this trip, yet again for at least a third time.
Robin and Katie - Pastor and Elder - who bring energy and life to the work site.
Again - I wonder - am I enough and is this enough? Wonderful friends are being made as we toil to rebuild a little piece of New Orleans.
Tired and Challenged. Rob L.
Monday, November 5, 2007
When this mission trip was first planned, we understood that we'd be working on new construction through the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate. New construction giving people a new chance in a new home -- what could be better?
Well.....maybe today. Maybe stepping into the front door of 1510 Mandolin Street in the Gentilly neighborhood. Maybe stepping into the reality of Maude Renfro and countless others --- still waiting, still wondering, if they'll ever get back in their old homes again.
How hard it must be to see your home gutted, reduced to nothing but mold -covered studs. The flood waters are long gone, but have left a legacy that render a dry home unfit for rebuilding. The staying power of mold adds insult to injury. It must be treated everywhere, no stud unturned, or it might as well not be treated anywhere. The house's skeleton has to be scrubbed and treated before it can ever put on flesh and blood again. Hours in protective masks and rubber gloves, up to elbows in buckets of bleach solution scrubbing down every side of every piece of wood, floor to ceiling. And then to seal the deal, and to kill off any unwanted housemates (translate termites), a follow up with a pressurized sprayer filled with a boric acid solution.
Others cleared out the debris and overgrowth from Mrs. Renfro's backyard. Between drywall and debris, the dumpster was filled before lunchtime.
Throughout the day, we had opportunities to visit with Mrs. Renfro, to hear her story, to sense her struggle, to be inspired by her faith. Over and over again, she'd say words that, until today, I admit have grown too well-worn and familiar ---- "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." You shall not want, Maude? Not even a house? Not even some assurance your needs will be met? "The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want." Her statement of faith was a profound inspiration --- the knot to which she held when she was truly at the end of her rope. And truly, as she did, she knew that One held her. In the midst of mold and more loss than anyone should have to endure. "I shall not want."
Tomorrow -- new construction. There won't be any mold to be scrubbed away. But the mold is memory that even boric acid can't eradicate. And I'll always be grateful.
Jenny
Well.....maybe today. Maybe stepping into the front door of 1510 Mandolin Street in the Gentilly neighborhood. Maybe stepping into the reality of Maude Renfro and countless others --- still waiting, still wondering, if they'll ever get back in their old homes again.
How hard it must be to see your home gutted, reduced to nothing but mold -covered studs. The flood waters are long gone, but have left a legacy that render a dry home unfit for rebuilding. The staying power of mold adds insult to injury. It must be treated everywhere, no stud unturned, or it might as well not be treated anywhere. The house's skeleton has to be scrubbed and treated before it can ever put on flesh and blood again. Hours in protective masks and rubber gloves, up to elbows in buckets of bleach solution scrubbing down every side of every piece of wood, floor to ceiling. And then to seal the deal, and to kill off any unwanted housemates (translate termites), a follow up with a pressurized sprayer filled with a boric acid solution.
Others cleared out the debris and overgrowth from Mrs. Renfro's backyard. Between drywall and debris, the dumpster was filled before lunchtime.
Throughout the day, we had opportunities to visit with Mrs. Renfro, to hear her story, to sense her struggle, to be inspired by her faith. Over and over again, she'd say words that, until today, I admit have grown too well-worn and familiar ---- "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." You shall not want, Maude? Not even a house? Not even some assurance your needs will be met? "The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want." Her statement of faith was a profound inspiration --- the knot to which she held when she was truly at the end of her rope. And truly, as she did, she knew that One held her. In the midst of mold and more loss than anyone should have to endure. "I shall not want."
Tomorrow -- new construction. There won't be any mold to be scrubbed away. But the mold is memory that even boric acid can't eradicate. And I'll always be grateful.
Jenny
Can You Imagine???
Hello Ya'all from NOLA.
Today we spent the day gutting a home in New Orleans for Mrs. Maude Renfro.
Can you imagine - being her daughter, her sister and brother who spent 3 days on the top of neighbor's roof?
Can you imagine - owning this home and losing all of your worldly possessions? Pictures, Keepsakes?
Can you imagine - living in a trailer in your own front yard?
Can you imagine - losing your husband in January of this year
Can you imagine - having your daughter undergo heart by-pass surgery,
Can you imagine - doing all of this at 85?
And can you imagine the strength and courage and spirit to rebuild?
Today - I could imagine that we could help - every stud cleaned, every piece of debris removed, moved Maude Renfro one step closer to being in her own home.
Rob Laughman
Today we spent the day gutting a home in New Orleans for Mrs. Maude Renfro.
Can you imagine - being her daughter, her sister and brother who spent 3 days on the top of neighbor's roof?
Can you imagine - owning this home and losing all of your worldly possessions? Pictures, Keepsakes?
Can you imagine - living in a trailer in your own front yard?
Can you imagine - losing your husband in January of this year
Can you imagine - having your daughter undergo heart by-pass surgery,
Can you imagine - doing all of this at 85?
And can you imagine the strength and courage and spirit to rebuild?
Today - I could imagine that we could help - every stud cleaned, every piece of debris removed, moved Maude Renfro one step closer to being in her own home.
Rob Laughman
Thursday, October 25, 2007
I'm grateful for this opportunity to go to New Orleans. Two years later, the reality is no longer making headlines. Part of my reason for going is to make a statement that they are not forgotten. I am humbled whenever I read the information on the St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church website - www.scapc.org - the R.H.I.N.O. link (Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans). That congregation has been transformed. Since November 2005, RHINO has hosted more than 1800 volunteers from 30 states, gutted over 200 homes, and is now constructing new homes! There are now photos of the new Habitat homes being built at Ferry Place. Check it out!
Dick, Rob and I will be joining 15 others from New Castle Presbytery, and some others from upstate NY and WV. Some have gone before, and others are first-timers like us. I'm looking forward to learning from others' experience and to being part of this mission that is larger than any of us.
Jenny
Dick, Rob and I will be joining 15 others from New Castle Presbytery, and some others from upstate NY and WV. Some have gone before, and others are first-timers like us. I'm looking forward to learning from others' experience and to being part of this mission that is larger than any of us.
Jenny
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Fellow F&C Workcamp-ers
Hello fellow Work-campers,
As Jenny Warren, Dick Stell and Rob Laughman scoot off to New Orleans Louisiana (NOLA) - please keep us and our fellow travelers in your thoughts and prayers. We will try to post pictures and blog (thoughts and comments) daily to keep you with us as we build homes two years later for those living in NOLA.
We will keep F&C central to our thoughts to sustain us for we envision you as our fellow workcampers in spirit - Peace Rob L.
As Jenny Warren, Dick Stell and Rob Laughman scoot off to New Orleans Louisiana (NOLA) - please keep us and our fellow travelers in your thoughts and prayers. We will try to post pictures and blog (thoughts and comments) daily to keep you with us as we build homes two years later for those living in NOLA.
We will keep F&C central to our thoughts to sustain us for we envision you as our fellow workcampers in spirit - Peace Rob L.
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