I could not believe that today was the last day to work at Mr. Hicks' house. Time passed very quickly. I was very concerned about participating in the mission trip since I had never done any construction work. In fact, I did not even know how to place a pair of knee pads on my knees. (I was placing them upside down, and wondering why my knees were so hurt!) I did not know how to use a nail gun, an electrical saw, and a jig saw before this trip. I did not know how to install laminate flooring. NOW, I know how. I could not believe that I am capable to do this kind of work. When I was asked what skills I have for this mission trip when I filled in the application form, I said, “Nothing, but I am willing to learn how to do all kinds of work.” Today I can say I know how to install laminate flooring for a next trip. :)
Another blessing was that I learned many things about my team members; Sue, Mary and Yvonne. They are all wonderful people and I enjoyed so much to be with them. They made me smile all the time. I do not eat meat as much as I used to anymore, and they prepared the suppers without putting in meat or setting some aside without meat for me so that I could eat the meal.
It was the first mission trip for me. I had a great time with my team members. I definitely want to join another mission trip. I really appreciate this opportunity and support from SJUMC.
Thank you.
This was one of the verses that we reflected on during our devotional last night. It was so fitting as all of us have been able to accomplish many things during this trip even though we had little to no experience doing them. Today Sue and I finished the touch up painting in the bathroom and the utility room so after lunch the four of us were able to work together on the task of laying the laminate flooring in the 2nd bedroom. I was so impressed by the work that Yoshiko and Yvonne did in the first bedroom and was looking forward to learning from them so that I could help lay the flooring in the 2nd room. It was so much fun working together – each of us had an important role – measuring, making sure there is a “sandwich” in between the slats, looking out for cracks in the seam, and cutting.
As I was using the circular saw and the jig saw, I recalled memories of learning how to use power tools from my father and from my friend Margaret who helped me make my taiko. All of the experiences in my life have prepared me for what I am doing today. Actually, I think that is true in many aspects for each of us.
Together, our team was able to lay most of the laminate flooring in the 2nd room today. We have just a few more narrow pieces to measure, cut and install and then we will be done! Tomorrow is our last day at Mr. Hicks' house so we wish to do as much as we can. It was wonderful that his sister, Lillian came to see the progress this afternoon. Her joy and appreciation really encouraged all of us.
As always, thank you for your support and prayers!
We began working at 8am. Yoshiko and I went straight to work measuring, cutting and laying the flooring in one of the bedrooms at Mr. Hicks' home. Mary and Sue were busy painting in the laundry room and one of the bathrooms.
An opportunity arose to meet up with Ms. Helen and see the progress on her home so we left work a little early. Sue and the SJUMC Youth Mission Team put up dry wall in Ms. Helen's house in June 2010. We met Ms. Helen at her home and she graciously gave us a tour and expressed her gratitude for all of the assistance she has received from Methodist volunteers. Ms. Helen hopes to move into her home in January 2011.
While touring the Lower Ninth Ward, we came upon the Hartzell United Methodist Church. We stopped in and met their Pastor Cushenberry. She gave us a little history of how Hurricane Katrina affected the church and its congregation.
We ended a gratifying day at Cafe DuMond eating beignets and cafe au laits.
I was very excited to be a part of this team, but at the same time, I was not sure what I could do for Mr. Hicks' house. I had never done any construction work. Yesterday I painted a bathroom ceiling for the first time. I had never painted before. I sanded several walls too. I had never sanded before either. Today, I learned how to use an electrical saw and cut laminate flooring! Of course, it was the first time for me to cut it with an electrical saw. I also learned how to install laminate flooring on a floor. I worked with Yvonne as a team and it took me a long time to figure how to put it together correctly. By mid-afternoon, I finally learned how to put them on a floor efficiently.
Tomorrow I hope we can finish the flooring for a bedroom. Working with my team is really a blessing. I really enjoy being here and working with them. I could not believe that I can handle an electrical saw! I really appreciate the endless support of the SJUMC members.
Today we received our assignment from Joe and Phyllis, our primary contacts with the Southeast Louisiana Disaster Recovery Center. We are working on a house that has been in the Hicks family for many years. During Hurricane Katrina the roof collapsed and water damage ensued. Mr. Hicks' sister lives two houses down so we met her and one of her granddaughters this morning. She provided such gracious hospitality to us as the plumbing had not yet been installed in Mr. Hicks' home. Mr. Hicks' brother also stopped by the house to greet us.
Although it rained off and on today, the cool breeze made for pleasant working conditions. During orientation we received a list of suggested tasks for us to complete this week, God willing: sanding, mudding, painting and laying laminate flooring. Today we did some sanding, touch up work with drywall, and started painting. For some of us, these were new experiences, however as a team we were able to get much done. We are all eager to learn and to be of service for God. Our mission trip experience thus far has been a reminder to us that God can do mighty things through us if we respond with a “yes I will” to His calling. Plus, we want to do as much as we can so that Mr. Hicks may return to his home. We learned that Mr. Hicks is recovering from a stroke and will be allowed to return to his home only after it is deemed habitable.
Thank you for your prayers and support! If you would, please say a prayer for Mr. Hicks and his recovery.
Our first full day in New Orleans was inspirational and adventurous. We attended service at Rayne Memorial United Methodist on St. Charles Avenue. It is a beautiful historical church that was built in 1875. After the service, we met several members of the congregation. They told us how Katrina affected their lives. They are a very resilient group of people. After the church service, we decided to visit some of New Orleans sites. When people find out we are on a mission trip, they are so grateful for our presence. We have not started our work yet, but already I feel blessed for being here and able to make a difference.
The effects of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans were long-lasting. As the center of Katrina passed east of New Orleans on August 29, 2005, winds downtown were in the Category 3 range with frequent intense gusts and tidal surge. Hurricane force winds were experienced throughout the city, although the most severe portion of Katrina missed the city, hitting nearby St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes. Hurricane Katrina made its final landfall in eastern St. Tammany Parish. The western eye wall passed directly over St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana as a Category 3 hurricane at about 9:45 AM CST, August 29, 2005.[1] The communities of Slidell, Louisiana, Avery Estates, Lakeshore Estates, Oak Harbor, Eden Isles and Northshore Beach were inundated by the storm surge that extended over six miles inland. The storm surge impacted all 57 miles of St. Tammany Parish’s coastline, including Lacombe, Mandeville and Madisonville.[2] The storm surge in the area of the Rigolets Pass is estimated 16 feet, not including wave action, declining to 7 feet at Madisonville. The surge had a second peak in eastern St. Tammany as the westerly winds from the southern eye wall pushed the surge to the east, backing up at the bottleneck of the Rigolets Pass.
In the City of New Orleans, the storm surge caused more than 50 breaches in drainage canal levees and also in navigational canal levees and precipitated the worst engineering disaster in the history of the United States.[3]
By August 31, 2005, 80% of New Orleans was flooded, with some parts under 15 feet (4.5 m) of water. The famous French Quarter dodged the massive flooding experienced in other levee areas. Most of the city's levees designed and built by the United States Army Corps of Engineers broke somewhere, including the 17th Street Canal levee, the Industrial Canal levee, and the London Avenue Canal floodwall. These breaches were responsible for most of the flooding, according to a June 2007 report by the American Society of Civil Engineers.[4] Oil refining was stopped in the area, increasing oil prices worldwide.
Ninety percent of the residents of southeast Louisiana were evacuated in the most successful evacuation of a major urban area in the nation's history. Despite this, many remained (mainly the elderly and poor). The Louisiana Superdome was used for those who remained in the city. The city flooded due to the failure of the federally built levee system.[5] Many who remained in their homes had to swim for their lives, wade through deep water, or remain trapped in their attics or on their rooftops.
The disaster had major implications for a large segment of the population, economy, and politics of the entire United States. It has prompted a Congressional review of the Corps of Engineers and the failure of portions of the federally built flood protection system which experts agree should have protected the city's inhabitants from Katrina's surge. Katrina has also stimulated significant research in the academic community into urban planning, real estate finance, and economic issues in the wake of a natural disaster.[6]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_Hurricane_Katrina_in_New_Orleans#cite_note-5