This is my first trip to New Orleans. I have written about hurricane Katrina and the peoples lives and losses prior to my experience here this week. There is still so much destruction here in so many parts of the city it can overcome you in a short period of time. My reason for being here is to help be a part of the rebuilding effort. My feelings are mixed because I truly want to help more than just this week. So far I feel I have done little in response to such a great need that entire city has, but I am only one person.
There are fourteen people on this trip from the MCC church all who volunteer to do a portion of the needed work according to their skills. The group has been great working together, and through some bumps in the process, but coming out better people in the end. Life is a process, no matter where we are in it. We have more learning for the process and to live to serve in many different ways as we walk the pathway to a better understanding of our selves and our true mission in life.
Sometimes it takes us on a different path when we listen to our hearts and follow through on our feelings with action. Those actions make us better people, and our families enlarge as our hearts do because of this. I salute all of our volunteers for their input, the community and religious leaders and organizations which have come together to provide the tools, housing accommodations, and meals so we can do the work.
While there is still a great need here for volunteers in organizations in New Orleans, they still need to be able to function, and contributions are still needed to complete the work. I urge those who are reading these blogs to look into your hearts and follow up with action. In peace and love,
Diane Knaus, one of fourteen.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Greatings from New Orleans! The experience here as been a little different than the last, but not much. Instead of gutting we are rebuilding. Once again I am doing drywalling and have a great team. Even though some of them have never dry walled before in their life or even know where to start after the first day they have taken on the challenge and have done a great job. As I got frustrated today over something and I needed to go outside for a moment a lady pulled up beside the house and got out of her car. It was the owner of the house Vera. As we stood and spoke for a moment I walked into her house and introduced her to the team: Norm, Danaca, Patty, Ruth, Eva and Mary. She was so greatful for what we are doing she is bringing us Southern style chicken on Friday for lunch. As I walked her back out to her car she turned before she entered in and hugged me without letting go and whispered in my ear you are a God sent. Now those of you who know me know I dont tear up easily but I had to wipe my eyes a few times before entering back in the house to continue what God sent me here to do. I miss my family and my wife but the hug I received today was amazing and will be instilled in my heart forever!
Lisa K Crumlich
Lisa K Crumlich
Adaptation: adjustment or changes to accomidate to one's needs or lifestyle. Adaptation begins with attitude, open minds, and a willingness to do so. Sometimes we choose to make the changes, and sometimes to change is not so much an option, but a requirement.
There have beena few hiccups along the way during our stay in New Orleans. Working with each other, we have learned to make adjustments and adapt to our surroundings and resources. For us this is only a few days, to the folks of New Orleans, it has been 2 and 1/2 years. We know all too well that things don't go quite as planned, but with teamwork and a vision, all things will come together. And in due time. God's mercy and grace has been with us and the folks of New Orleans with many blessing and with still more to come. WooHoo!
Anna : )
There have beena few hiccups along the way during our stay in New Orleans. Working with each other, we have learned to make adjustments and adapt to our surroundings and resources. For us this is only a few days, to the folks of New Orleans, it has been 2 and 1/2 years. We know all too well that things don't go quite as planned, but with teamwork and a vision, all things will come together. And in due time. God's mercy and grace has been with us and the folks of New Orleans with many blessing and with still more to come. WooHoo!
Anna : )
Tammy and Sierra in New Orleans
So. I woke this morning still feeling sore from my fiasco yesterday. Apparently, drywall will fall if you let go of it and my head and shoulders were just the break the drywall fall needed. I ended up with a nice bump on by head and a bruise on my shoulder. Welcome to the Big Easy. Today, Sierra did not feel well so I stayed at St. Matthews with her. It turned out to be an interesting day. We had a chance to spend time alone together and when we did venture out on the street we met very intersting people. People like the owners of Pazzo's Gelato who relocated after Katrina and are committed to making New Orleans their own. They relocated from Pennsylvania and even though they could have abandoned the city after the storm, they decided to dig in and rebuild. They make a kickin' italian beef sandwich and their gelato is fantastic. We also found the worlds greatest flavored ice at "Snowballs". I had the "wedding cake" and Sierra had the "blue kangaroo". Try them the next time you are here. What i find that fills me is the spirit of the people. They fully expect thet even though the recovery efforts are frustratingly slow at times, they will come back. It feels strage to here someone saying Thank You to me. I don't feel like I am doing something special. I originally opted to come to share this part of the world with Sierra and hopefully to have her gain a better understanding of the diversity of how people live and survivie. I am learning that resiliance comes in many forms and I feel like I will use that as I continue to travel in my life journey. Hopefully Sierra will see the Cresent City in its rebirth and take the gifts that it shares with us in her journey; strenghth, hope and determination. I look at this group here with me and feel pride that I have had the honor to know people whose spirit allows them to reach out. I ma glad to be a part of their journey and will remember this time always. Now, we are going try the seafood and more gelato. I'll update you on the flavors. Better yet, come on the next trip and taste it for yourself...Tammy and Sierra
Monday, June 16, 2008
Okay so I'm getting this over with so Eva stops bugging me!:)
Our day began with an orientation to the UCC recovery effort here in New Orleans, what to expect and how to be safe. We then split up into two groups to begin our work. One group did some structural work on a house damaged by termites. Ruth and I got to do some drywalling. I learned a little about drywalling in the process, namely the drywall seams have to meet up on a joist when drywalling ceilings! (Also, I need to see my chiropractor now since my neck has a permanent crick in it:) And now from Ruth...
Well.....I learned how to cut drywall, put it up, and use a drywall lift to do the ceilings. There are multiple steps for everything and these steps must be done correctly for the final product to come out right. For those of us that came on the trip the last time, it is much more rewarding to be rebuilding houses than gutting them.
And so the day ends. I am tired and have a headache, but all in all, it was a good day. I am thankful to have the opportunity to be back here again. We have had to remind ourselves that we are missionaries, here to serve and, as such, we must be flexible. No, things are not always as we wish they were...we have giant cockroaches here at the church, we are still having plumbing issues, and we have to unlock about a million doors just to go to the bathroom, but it's all good! We are God's hands and feet and light in this world. I pray that, as we serve, people will be touched by Jesus' light in us. Ruth has something else to say...
I was sobered and reminded of how lucky I am when I went into the trailer at the worksite to use the bathroom. I was surprised that a whole family could live in such a small space...not to mention that I couldn't figure out how to flush the toilet but that's another story...:) As I found last trip, serving in New Orleans really puts life into perspective. The destruction is still evident....three years later. Despite setbacks and frustrations, I will continue to serve to the best of my ability.
Well, it's late and we have a long, tiring day ahead of us. We are thankful for the love and support we have received from our friends and family in making this trip possible in so many ways. Blessings on you all...
With love,
Patty and Ruth:)
Our day began with an orientation to the UCC recovery effort here in New Orleans, what to expect and how to be safe. We then split up into two groups to begin our work. One group did some structural work on a house damaged by termites. Ruth and I got to do some drywalling. I learned a little about drywalling in the process, namely the drywall seams have to meet up on a joist when drywalling ceilings! (Also, I need to see my chiropractor now since my neck has a permanent crick in it:) And now from Ruth...
Well.....I learned how to cut drywall, put it up, and use a drywall lift to do the ceilings. There are multiple steps for everything and these steps must be done correctly for the final product to come out right. For those of us that came on the trip the last time, it is much more rewarding to be rebuilding houses than gutting them.
And so the day ends. I am tired and have a headache, but all in all, it was a good day. I am thankful to have the opportunity to be back here again. We have had to remind ourselves that we are missionaries, here to serve and, as such, we must be flexible. No, things are not always as we wish they were...we have giant cockroaches here at the church, we are still having plumbing issues, and we have to unlock about a million doors just to go to the bathroom, but it's all good! We are God's hands and feet and light in this world. I pray that, as we serve, people will be touched by Jesus' light in us. Ruth has something else to say...
I was sobered and reminded of how lucky I am when I went into the trailer at the worksite to use the bathroom. I was surprised that a whole family could live in such a small space...not to mention that I couldn't figure out how to flush the toilet but that's another story...:) As I found last trip, serving in New Orleans really puts life into perspective. The destruction is still evident....three years later. Despite setbacks and frustrations, I will continue to serve to the best of my ability.
Well, it's late and we have a long, tiring day ahead of us. We are thankful for the love and support we have received from our friends and family in making this trip possible in so many ways. Blessings on you all...
With love,
Patty and Ruth:)
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Sunday, June 15
Who stepped in the doggie doo?
We arrived! We arrived at St. Matthew's United Church of Christ at 9:10 am Central Daylight Savings time in the midst of a torrential downpour. There was lightning, a moat around the castle in the back church play yard and a rising drain in the women's restroom that Mary Kelly watched rise beneath her feet as she used the facilities. Our hosts were kind enough to get the plumbers out on a Sunday to fix the problem.
Most of us joined Big Easy MCC and St. Matthew's United Church of Christ for a joint worship. Others just needed some quiet time. By the time church ended, the rain had stopped and we moved in our gear. When people cleared out from church, we had a tour of the facilities and learned about the ins and outs of the church (seriously in and out...we need a key to take a shower and then to get back in the church).
This afternoon, we showered, and we slept and got settled in. Denise had to make her very own cave to sleep after being up for 29 hours straight.
The trip was safe but we had our challenges with 6 rainstorms, 3 severe, fog, lightning, and even a rainbow...Pictures will be posted later tonight...
Most of us joined Big Easy MCC and St. Matthew's United Church of Christ for a joint worship. Others just needed some quiet time. By the time church ended, the rain had stopped and we moved in our gear. When people cleared out from church, we had a tour of the facilities and learned about the ins and outs of the church (seriously in and out...we need a key to take a shower and then to get back in the church).
This afternoon, we showered, and we slept and got settled in. Denise had to make her very own cave to sleep after being up for 29 hours straight.
The trip was safe but we had our challenges with 6 rainstorms, 3 severe, fog, lightning, and even a rainbow...Pictures will be posted later tonight...
We leave tomorrow morning at 7:15 am for orientation and work begins after that. Tonight we eat and snooze and clean...
Watch for more...later
Watch for more...later
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Jesus Priority 5: Build Up Treasures in Heaven
Take a look at this video. It’s about all the STUFF we let get between us and Jesus, and how Jesus keeps calling us to him … and how Jesus saves us, again and again. It's about 6 minutes long.
I showed this video this past Sunday night because it just seemed like the perfect illustration of this week’s Jesus Priority: Build Up Treasures in Heaven. The scripture for this week was Luke 12: 15-28, the parable of the rich fool.
In this scripture reading, Jesus cautions us about letting the priorities of the world take precedence over the priorities of God. In his book, “The Jesus Priorities,” Christopher Marical suggests the following three steps we can take to ensure we stay focused on Jesus, rather than spiritually meaningless stuff, like money: 1) Detach from Earthly Possessions, 2) Maintain an Abundance Mentality, 3) Act Justly.
Detach: Keep in mind that your income, your home and all the other resources you are blessed with come from God. While researching this scripture passage, I was shocked that one commentator referred to our attachment to luxuries as practical atheism. But it makes sense. Because if we say we earned everything we’ve got by our own merits, then we’re saying we don’t believe God had anything to do with it, or us. But as Christians, we know our lives and everything we have ARE from God. Our resources are entrusted to us, but they are not ours. If we can maintain a sense of detachment from them then they won’t take us over, like the things of the world almost overtook the girl in the video skit.
Maintain an Abundance Mentality: This point’s very simple. We are challenged to believe that there are enough resources world-wide for everyone to get what they need to be OK. Plus, if we believe our resources are entrusted to us from God, then at any time we should be ready to give cheerfully from our abundance. This is the natural outcome of successfully detaching from our possessions.
Act Justly: When we are detached from our possessions, and when we believe there are enough riches to go around, then we naturally pool our resources in ways that benefit those who don’t have as much as we do.
Our church does OK in this area. On the one hand, we are great at rallying around families in need, and many other Christian activities to boot. And many of our members tithe, which means they give a certain percentage of their income each week. And as long as this continues, our church will be fine.
We have a growing edge, though. In preparation for this sermon I looked up our giving statistics, and I was shocked to realize many of our members’ monthly giving to the church is less than what it costs to buy a tank of gas. But what is blocking so many of us from sharing our abundance with our church?
I bet you’re wondering how giving regularly to our church is a justice issue. That’s easy. Our church exists because we pool our resources. And because we have a church we are able to worship Christ and be a witness for Christ’s love of everyone, including us GLBT folks.
I ended my sermon with this prayer that I’d like to share with you:
O Holy God, You have blessed us in so many ways, so that we truly are richer than Solomon could ever have imagined. You have blessed us with cars and televisions, laptops and Bluetooth-enabled voice-activated navigational systems that bounce our requests off satellites in space so we won’t lose our way. Help us not lose our way in the forest of luxury, help us stay true to who you are calling us to be. Help us to cheerfully answer YES each time you ask us to share a little of what you’ve given to us with others in our world.
In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
—Josie Byzek
I showed this video this past Sunday night because it just seemed like the perfect illustration of this week’s Jesus Priority: Build Up Treasures in Heaven. The scripture for this week was Luke 12: 15-28, the parable of the rich fool.
In this scripture reading, Jesus cautions us about letting the priorities of the world take precedence over the priorities of God. In his book, “The Jesus Priorities,” Christopher Marical suggests the following three steps we can take to ensure we stay focused on Jesus, rather than spiritually meaningless stuff, like money: 1) Detach from Earthly Possessions, 2) Maintain an Abundance Mentality, 3) Act Justly.
Detach: Keep in mind that your income, your home and all the other resources you are blessed with come from God. While researching this scripture passage, I was shocked that one commentator referred to our attachment to luxuries as practical atheism. But it makes sense. Because if we say we earned everything we’ve got by our own merits, then we’re saying we don’t believe God had anything to do with it, or us. But as Christians, we know our lives and everything we have ARE from God. Our resources are entrusted to us, but they are not ours. If we can maintain a sense of detachment from them then they won’t take us over, like the things of the world almost overtook the girl in the video skit.
Maintain an Abundance Mentality: This point’s very simple. We are challenged to believe that there are enough resources world-wide for everyone to get what they need to be OK. Plus, if we believe our resources are entrusted to us from God, then at any time we should be ready to give cheerfully from our abundance. This is the natural outcome of successfully detaching from our possessions.
Act Justly: When we are detached from our possessions, and when we believe there are enough riches to go around, then we naturally pool our resources in ways that benefit those who don’t have as much as we do.
Our church does OK in this area. On the one hand, we are great at rallying around families in need, and many other Christian activities to boot. And many of our members tithe, which means they give a certain percentage of their income each week. And as long as this continues, our church will be fine.
We have a growing edge, though. In preparation for this sermon I looked up our giving statistics, and I was shocked to realize many of our members’ monthly giving to the church is less than what it costs to buy a tank of gas. But what is blocking so many of us from sharing our abundance with our church?
I bet you’re wondering how giving regularly to our church is a justice issue. That’s easy. Our church exists because we pool our resources. And because we have a church we are able to worship Christ and be a witness for Christ’s love of everyone, including us GLBT folks.
I ended my sermon with this prayer that I’d like to share with you:
O Holy God, You have blessed us in so many ways, so that we truly are richer than Solomon could ever have imagined. You have blessed us with cars and televisions, laptops and Bluetooth-enabled voice-activated navigational systems that bounce our requests off satellites in space so we won’t lose our way. Help us not lose our way in the forest of luxury, help us stay true to who you are calling us to be. Help us to cheerfully answer YES each time you ask us to share a little of what you’ve given to us with others in our world.
In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
—Josie Byzek
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