Shlog Section-f

Today, it’s been 2 years since Katrina.  That’s almost hard for me to believe! I got to go rebuild houses in D’Iberville, Mississippi last spring. The people there are incredible – they are so hopeful even as they tell you how they lost everything (everything!) in the storm.  D’ville is about 70 miles east of New Orleans, and just north of Biloxi.  Ten feet of rushing water flooded the town and Biloxi debris slammed into everything.  They didn’t have food, water, electricity, medicine, or other supplies for 3-6 weeks after the storm, but they are recovering fairly well now.  It’s far from being back to normal and the memories will always be there, but recovery in D’Iberville is farther along than other Gulf coast towns.  Two PhD’s from D’Iberville are in charge of recovery and have been coordinating the whole effort in their town, sacrificing hours and hours to feed residents, house them, provide medical attention, coordinate volunteers, etc.  It is amazing to hear their miracle stories of how God has always provided for them, even in the most unusual places.

As I watched the news and Oprah’s show on the recovery effort, I thought about those neighborhoods and people, many still living in FEMA trailers that were only supposed to last a few weeks.  Actually, I’m really missing being there and it’s hard for me to be here at school knowing what life is like for so many people there.  Tonight, I’m praying. 

What are your stories about this storm? 

My sons half-sister (Toni, age 19 now) rode Katrina out in the attic of her grandparents’ home in D’Iberville. They cut a hole in the roof, fearful that the attic would flood like the rest of the house had.  Fortunately, it didn’t and they were safe there until they were rescued, and today they have rebuilt the home and everyone is seemingly back to normal. They had the means to be able to put their life back together, but so many didn’t, and still do not.  And I know that normal, still, isn’t what it used to be.  I know that Katrina has affected her in a way she will never forget.

Ken went to New Orleans last November in an effort to help rebuild, and 40 of them are going the first week of December this year to do it again.  Katrina has also affected him in a way he will never forget, after seeing the devastation first hand, and meeting some of the people that were still trying to rebuild after 15 months!  (I’ll post some of his pictures later on.)

Thank you for reminding us of this anniversary Sputnik!  This morning, I am also praying.

Here is a link to some of Ken’s pictures if anyone is interested.  There were more, but I think they’re saved on a file at home.

New Orleans Trip Nov06

Thank you, Cristy, for sharing the pictures of NO.

Thomas

I don’t have any personal stories, but while watching the news yesterday I was proud when they said that faith based organizations are doing most of the reconstruction.