Last Sunday, Amy and I took a trip up the Gulf Coast and went to see the towns of Waveland, Gulfport, and Biloxi which were all in the direct path of Katrina. The devastation that we saw is something that is hard to describe and unlike anything that we have ever seen before. In New Orleans, there are entire neighborhoods that have been abandoned that were flooded. On the Gulf Coast, there is nothing left of the homes but slabs and driveways. In Waveland, nearly one mile from the shore, there are just roads with driveways that led to houses, and the slabs that the homes sat on. Occasionally, a statue or a swingset, or the ladder from a swimming pool that survived the surge can be seen, but nothing more than that. The picture here was from St. Clare's Catholic Church in Waveland. The entire church was swept away in the surge, but they have set up a temporary shelter that they worship in. The sign speaks for itself and really represents what the majority of the people who have lost homes, family, and friends believe. It is truly a lesson in what is important in life to speak with people who have endured a disaster like Katrina. It really does help us put things into perspective...
This week, we were sent to the home of a man named Eddie who lives in the 9th Ward and is still living in a FEMA trailer 3 1/2 years after Katrina hit the area. Eddie's home was flooded with nearly 12 feet of water when the levees broke. His home is directly across from one of the enormous pump houses that were built to pump the water to the gulf in the event of a big storm, but there was so much water, that the pumps were completely inundated and did nothing to stop the flooding in his neighborhood. Everything that he had was destroyed in the flood and had to be thrown out. Eddie is 76 years old and is a Jazz musician who is well known in New Orleans and has played all around the country as well as overseas. He is a really amazing man who has endured so much during his lifetime. although on a really cool note, Amy and I couldn't believe it when he told us that he had just been married only one month ago! Eddie has had some work done to his home, but local contractors have taken advantage of him, and in some cases made more of a mess of his home than the hurricane did. FEMA has given him a deadline of May 1st to vacate his trailer and after the first, they will be coming to take it regardless of whether or not his home is ready for him to live in. So Amy and I and a gentleman from Mississippi were sent to Eddie's house to install subflooring and tile in his living room, dining room, foyer, and hallways. We made some really good progress this week and will be finishing it up during the first half of next week, along with hopefully hooking up some plumbing that was left unfinished by the plumbers so he can have a working bathtub and kitchen sink. I have to tell you that I have never been so proud of Amy as I have been this week.
She has been laying subfloor and tile as good as anyone I have ever worked with!!! She is really an amazing woman!! So we have settled into life at Camp Restore pretty well and have met some really awesome people down here. New Orleans is truly an amazing city with a spirit unlike any other that we have seen. Amy and I would ask that you all please continue to pray for the people of New Orleans, and in particular this week for Eddie. Also, please continue to keep us in your prayers for safety, strength and for opportunities to be the hands and feet of our Lord! Thank you for all of your notes, emails, texts, and most of all... prayers. We are really moved by all of the support that we have been given since we left home and are so grateful and thankful for all of you. You mean the world to us. God's blessings this week!! ~ Dave and Amy
