Interesting

I just got in the door and I sat down, turned on the tv, checked my e-mail and noticed that on CBS's 48 Hours, the show is called Storm of Murder. It's about the crime in New Orleans Post Katrina. I'll blog more after the show.

So, i was in tears watching this show. They focused on two murders -- two senseless murders. The one murder was that of Helen Hill. The other was that of Dinerral Shavers.

When I was there, I noticed the "Thou Shall Not Kill" signs. Now I understand a little more why they've been posted.

New Orleans is suffering friends. The police are down 500 officers, the courts are inefficient and people are getting away with murder (and they know this).

Pray for the people of this city. Christ's light needs to shine on this darkness.

Last Days

Work It Girl
Group Shot at Peres House
My Entryway
Joanna and Steph at Daycare Center opening

Sorry for not updating the last two days. Last night, I was so tired that I fell asleep between 9 and 9:30pm. I didn't go out with anyone. Liz dropped me off after work, I showered, walked to get some sushi and then came back. My friends here were going out to the French Quarter to meet friends from their house. It was fine because I was too tired to do anything anyway. Friday nights are usually like that for me.

Thursday was a short day. We left a bit early from the site because we had a bash at Ray's Boom Boom Room. I love that name. Dinner of Jumbalaya, some Pasta dish with shrimp and Chicken wings was provided. It was so good yet now I'm okay if I don't have Lousiana fare for awhile. I definitely got my fill of it! The bash was fun because we got to see folks from our house, but others too. Afterward, Cheri and Chris (the sisters) had an appointment at the tattoo parlor down the street to memorialize their time here -- they both got the fleur de lis tattooed on them. We ended up hanging out there while they did it and then on the sidewalk in front for a long time after. One girl that is building on another house is a doctor and so is her husband. He's a surgeon and he was in town for this Congress of Surgeons thing. Anyway, we got talking and I asked him what his specialty was and it's Colo-Rectal. That led into a very interesting and funny discussion. At least the guy has a sense of humor about it! You really should if you're going to be poking your finger in people's rear ends for the rest of your career!

Yesterday was long and tiring. I think we women were all spent. Some people were getting on each other's nerves. Thankfully, I wasn't involved in any of it. The day started off in the master bathroom closet AGAIN. April and Liz were going to help, but April got frustrated due to not being able to persuade us to see her point of view. Then Liz left and I was left to do the finishing up with a newbie who had never done drywall before. So, I was able to be a drywall instructor! Yee ha.

At lunch, we all went over to a daycare center's grand opening. I have photos posted on Flickr. These kids were so adorable. They had uniforms at this place and they were really nice. The homeowners made us authentic New Orleans food and it was delicious. I tried a Muffaletta and it was alright. I even tried some hogshead cheese on cracker. It wasn't as awful as it sounds.

I was about in tears when I thought I would never finish the bathroom drywall, but I did! I was so thankful that I could feel some sort of accomplishment there - to see the fruit of my labor for real! I know the next team will do the next phase and the house will be well on its way to getting done. I think maybe just a couple more weeks! I am posting a photo of Melissa Peres and her son Logan so you can see who this work is benefitting. I got to speak to them for awhile yesterday and it was interesting to hear the story of how they evacuated. The whole family left together. At one point, 34 people were in one place. Can you imagine?

Melissa Peres and Logan

Anyway, this week has been so much fun and I have felt so empowered and useful. I can't wait to get back to Charlotte and start volunteering with Habitat on the weekends. I'm also mentally thinking of when I can come down to St. Bernard Parish next. Any takers????

Next t-shirt idea: "I love drywall"

Well, that certainly would be a better t-shirt slogan than "i love to screw". Ha! Sorry, I just had to type that. I'm usually G rated so forgive me.

Today started out with a 6:30am walk with Joanne to Starbucks for a latte. I had to 1. get caffeine and 2. get some exercise. I know my arms and shoulders are getting toned, but I needed to walk and get the heart pumping. It was fun getting to know her better. She's really funny. We walked and talked and admired the gorgeous homes of the Garden District here. So beautiful. It reminds me of Charleston, SC. Old money and old mansions.

So, today at the Peres house we got the entry way drywall completed. Tomorrow, Ginger and I will be finishing off the other closet in the master bath. Towards the end of the day, we started another ceiling. I hate doing ceilings. Physically, they are the most challenging due to the fact that your arms are extended above your head most of the time either measuring, holding up the drywall,or screwing (haha).

Today I worked with Carolyn and April. April had originally been scheduled to work with Habitat's Musician's Village, but they had so many volunteers and very little organization/supervision. So she left and came back to Peres house. The three of us worked pretty well together. I think April and I bonded over the fact that we like to do this stuff right -- not just so so, but really well.

Melissa Peres' sister brought us croissants with turkey and ham today for lunch. What a sweet gesture. She was really appreciative of what we are doing for her sister. This woman lives in the other FEMA trailer in front of her mom's house. She's in there with a husband and 2 little boys.

So, we had a good time working today (or at least I did). I find myself to be the silly one of the group. I like to make jokes or make people laugh. Big surprise to those of you who know me.

(OH, let me tell you that Ginger brings Coke Zero in a cooler and now she knows I love it and she's always offering it to me. I love her for this.)

Ginger again took me home and I got a hot shower at the Guest House finally. At first, I thought it wasn't going to happen because I got in when it was cool and then the water pressure just went kapoot. Nothing. Then all of a sudden it came back....and hot and with a vengeance. I stayed in for awhile just because I needed to savor it in case it wouldn't happen again soon.

Tonight, we're heading to the French Quarter for dinner, beignets and a little shopping. I am excited. I can't come here without seeing it.

Sorry for not calling some of you. I am usually so tired at the end of my days here...

Getting into the groove

So, today was a better day than yesterday. Today I worked with two other women all day -- Ginger and Carol. We really worked well together and got this one closet completely drywalled. The moment we walked in, we had a big task ahead. Two girls were at our house yesterday and seemed to really know what they were doing. Well, they didn't come back today and we had to fix some of their drywall mistakes. I know we're volunteers and our work is not professional grade by any means, but I try to remind myself that I want to do as good of a job as I would want to do on my own house. That means, I want to do it right. I don't want to cut corners. Even one of the women I was working with kept saying things like "the mud will cover it" or "that's what the tape is for."

I felt more confident today. I don't know if I mentioned this in yesterday's post, but I got separated from my group the first day. There are 4 other women who are staying at the same B&B and we kind of hang out when we're not working. Well, the first day I decided to get a ride to the office with Randolph. He's 60 and a former criminal prosecutor in Philly. He retired a couple of years ago and decided that he wanted to do more than just hit the gym every day of the week and travel to see family. So, he's here. Anyway, he's really nice and he always remembers my name. Okay, back to my sob story. I got there before my friends on Monday. So, I registered and got my assignment. Well, about 30 minutes later, my friends show up and they get assigned to another house. Problem: I don't have a ride. While I was waiting for orientation to begin, I walked over to Liz and we realized we were assigned to the same house. So, we rode together. I felt a little sad not being with the others. They came back last night talking about how much fun they had, how cute their site supervisor was and blah blah blah. Well, I was okay with my group, but I didn't have THAT much fun.

Today was different. I really enjoyed being at my house. I feel independent and okay with myself and my surroundings. The work was good today and I'm getting more comfortable with the drill :) and the keyhole saw and the shaver and sheetrock in general.

Ginger has brought me home two nights in a row. She's given me tours of parts of town both days. Yesterday we drove through the project and today she took me through the Garden District. She's a great tour guide and I feel like I've learned a lot on our drives home. She is very kind and has offered to do my laundry and let me take a hot shower. I've had one hot shower since I've arrived and the warm water took about ten minutes to arrive. Uggh. But I keep telling myself that I have a lot to be thankful for and that putting up with a cold shower...or three is not the worst thing in the world. God has blessed me with many many things and I can put up with a little discomfort.

Tonight, we talked to Dennis Hilton, the owner of this fine establishment, for awhile. What a nice man! He's got a housekeeper here who lost everything in the storm. She works and lives here. He is actively trying to help her find housing, but the rents have more than doubled and she doesn't make enough money to even get a Habitat House. An interesting thing that happened today was that I had to sit through a 2nd orientation because I had to wait for a ride. So, all the people who came just today had to get the same talk as I did yesterday, BUT some new information was given today. Zack was telling us that their next big project is to build some Senior apartments and rent them out for about the same rent as before the storm. So, when Dennis was telling us about Ruby tonight I was like "I know who you can talk to!!!" I don't think it was a coincidence at all that I heard that information. Sweet Ruby. She deserves to have a home. She is a kind lady who sits in the breakfast room just listening to all of us chatter on about our experiences of the previous day.

I am tired so I better wrap this up. Thanks to all of you who are reading this, praying for me and sending me e-mails, text messages, etc. I feel very loved and cared for. I miss you and can't wait to see and talk to you all soon.

Day 2 = drywall

Well, the day started off with me getting separated from my peeps. They were late arriving at the office so I had to register without them and I got assigned to a house where I didn't know anyone. I hitched a ride with Liz who I felt some affinity to because she had just lived in Scotland until a month ago. So, we took off in her car and proceeded to get lost. The thing is, many roads around here still do not have street signs so you really really have to pay attention to landmarks and such. We finally made it around 10am.

We worked on the Peres house. Maria Peres is a single mom with a 10 year old son, Logan. They currently live in a FEMA trailer just down the road in her mom's yard. I have been inside her trailer. My apartment in Charlotte now seems huge. They make it work. I just can't imagine living like that for almost 2 years. Anyway...

We got thrown into drywalling almost immediately after a crash course by our site supervisor Lindsay. Well, it wasn't much of a course. We saw where the drywall was, we knew to hang it perpendicular to studs and we knew to put about 5 screws in each piece. That's about it. Liz and I were both a bit timid about this. We didn't want to screw up and we were both very unsure of ourselves. I cannot even explain the joy I felt after getting this one ceiling done today. It was ridiculous. The bathroom was small, but it meant a lot to me. I was able to use a keyhole saw for the first time ever. Oh, and I drilled. I had never really done a whole lot of drilling.

This is a worthy cause. No one around here is being paid to help. Volunteers are the ones making a difference. Anyone who is able to come, should come. People with spoiled kids should bring them here! It's an eye opener. This is real life and it's been taken off Americans' radars. We don't think about it anymore. It's a tragedy and you can't even begin to understand it until you see it (for example, the rows and rows of deserted homes) and start talking to people about it.

One guy named Joe, a retired firefighter, was rescued from his second floor living space. He had a shop below (this shop now serves as the St. Bernard Project office). Well, he was rescued from his house in a boat. He had to leave his dog and his bird. The water had gone from his ankles to above his waist in an hour. It jumped to 10 feet over the next couple of hours. Joe was taken to another roof with 200 other people. They thought someone was coming for them. They thought the military was coming. Day three is when they lost hope. A lot of psychological damage was done over these few days. Joe was rescued on day 5. His dog and bird were saved 17 days later.

It is just unfathomable what some of these people have seen and gone through.

SoI am really sore after holding up drywall overhead most of the day. My shoulders hurt and even my forearms ache. We came back to our hotel, showered (which was needed so badly) and headed out to dinner at The Praline Connection. This is authentic New Orleans food. Our poor waiter was new and from Honduras so there was a slight language barrier and a slight service debaucle ensued. Bless him. Anyway, when people ordered sides, he thought they were ordering a whole extra dinner. So, we ended up with a lot of food on our table!

But anyway, I am so excited about getting a lot of sleep tonight. I think I'll be switching houses tomorrow so that I can ride with my friends. Today I was bumming rides and it just worked out that I could hitch each way.

Tomorrow will sure to be another adventure. I'll be sure to try to keep up my postings.

I'm so glad I'm here.

Arrival

Here are some photos from today. Enjoy.





First of all, getting up at 3:30 is awful. Just awful. Air Tran was so disorganized and most of us thought we'd miss the 6am flight. Not a great way to start the day.

Irony: flying 40 minutes to sit in an airport for 4 hours only to get on a plane at 11am for a 30 minute flight.

After I arrived in N.O, I was greeted in the baggage claim by a jazz ensemble complete with tuba! So fun! Then I got to stand in a line for the shuttle bus for what seemed to be an hour. I really think it was a whole hour! Fun. I almost made it on the one shuttle until the driver realized where I was staying (must have been off the beaten track for him) and he said he was "in a bad position" because he didn't have enough gas! So, I waited about 20 more minutes. Nice. Thanks dude.

So, on my flight into N.O. I sat next to a couple that is from the city (born and raised here). They live a couple parishes up from St. Bernard Parish. Talk about interesting conversation. According to this couple -- a white couple in their 60's -- none of the "blacks" really want to work and make things better. According to this couple the blacks want the government to do everything for them. So, that's one perspective. I really am looking forward to seeing this and hearing the other side of the story.

So as I drove by the Superdome today and then the Convention Center, the visions of what happened in those places were not far from my mind. Where was our government? I don't mean to get all political, but why can we fund a war on foreign soil when we can't even take care of our own? I will stop with that.


I met some great ladies today who are staying here at the St. Charles Guest House with me and who will be working on the project this week too. Joanne from Mass, Cheri from DC, Chris from Tampa and Mary Lou from Naples. We've already laughed a lot. Joanne and Mary Lou came because they saw Oprah where she featured this organization, the St. Bernard Project. I had no idea they had received this much press. So, it will interesting to see what the week will be like. I hope no camera crews are around because it's hot, humid and I'll be sweating it out. Kidding. Who cares? It's one week of my life to be a little uncomfortable. These folks have been uncomfortable for 2 years!

This is it...

It's almost 9:30pm Saturday. I wanted to be in bed by 9pm so I guess I'm doing okay...
My alarm is set fo 4:15am. Isn't that disgusting? Uggh. I am really not looking forward to that. Then I have something else to look forward to -- 4 hours in the Atlanta airport! Yeee ha. :)

The next time I post, I'll either a) be in the airport wasting time or b) in my room in N.O.

I am getting a little anxious along with excited. I really want this to be a great trip and I just hope it all goes smoothly.

I have my work gloves, measuring tape, air masks, sturdy shoes, rain poncho, ballcap, and plenty of old tees to wear! I'm up to the task and I'm ready to get in there and get dirrrty. :)

Keep me in your thoughts (and if you pray) and prayers. Pray for safety, fun, friendships, good conversations and for opportunities to relate and listen to the people in St. Bernard Parish. I am so happy I get to be a part of these folks getting back into their homes.

Until tomorrow....

2 More Days!

Well, the time has almost come! I leave early Sunday morning out of Charlotte and get to New Orleans about 11:30am. I hope to spend the day getting acclamated to the area and picking up food items for the week. We've been told to pack our own lunches all week. We start bright and early Monday morning with a meeting at the St. Bernard Project headquarters. Then, we're off to the job sites! I have no idea if we will be at the same site each day. I hope so because I'd like to form a relationship with the homeowners. I am looking forward to hearing their stories. I know that I won't come back the same. I know that I'll come back with a greater appreciation of what I have been blessed with. Especially in Charlotte, we are constantly faced with wealth and prestige. Often times people here are measured by the size of their house, the brand of their clothes and the make of their car. Certainly that will not be the case in New Orleans. It will probably be a breath of fresh air!

So, tomorrow (Saturday) will be a day of errands and packing. I'm going to start the day off with a good breakfast with some good friends (Randy and Em). Then, it's a race to get it all done before I fly out at 6am Sunday.

Sadly, I did not raise all the money I wanted to raise, but I'm going with something and that something is money they didn't have before. It's not too late though! If you still want to donate, please contact me at stephmckendrick76@gmail.com. Thank you for all the support and encouragement along the way. I will welcome all prayers and well wishes this next week. Prayers for safety and health are encouraged. Also, it would be nice if I could at least make one friend to pal around with. I am taking books and my laptop so I will be occupied otherwise. I may be so tired at the end of the day that I don't feel like going out, but if I do, it would be nice to have someone to go out with!

Lastly, just pray that I can encourage those around me on this this trip! I go into this not knowing what to expect, but I know that I am just one volunteer who is wanting to make a difference in the lives of those around me.

Hope you all have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend!

Please watch

Please watch this youtube video that was posted by a former volunteer! I was moved all over again after watching it. I am so very blessed to be able to participate in this project. St. Bernard Project's volunteers are impacting people's lives. Please be a part of this.

Friends

Thanks to Erin (and Lincoln), Holly, Emily, Randy and Steve! I appreciate you eating a delicous breakfast with me to hear about what I'll be doing in St. Bernard's Parish in a couple of weeks. I am excited, nervous, and looking forward to seeing how this experience will challenge and change me.

If you are seeing this blog for the first time and want to know more, please contact me! just1volunteer@gmail.com
I have raised some funds, but would love to be able to go down to New Orleans with more for this worthwhile project.
See more here:

www.stbernardproject.org

Be a partner in helping folks re-claim their homes!

19 days and counting....

Well, I have gotten my plane ticket and my housing set for the week I'll be in New Orleans! It feels good to have that out of the way. Now, I need to go over the packing list and see what things I need to get. One thing that stands out: work boots! I'm a little nervous about doing this alone, but I know this will be a good learning and growing experience for me!

Oprah features St. Bernard's Project

See the video hereThis kind of coverage never can hurt!

Big News

Hi Everyone! This is my first post and I want to let you in on what I will be doing in less than a month. As you know, a couple weeks ago marked the 2nd anniversary of when Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast areas in Mississippi and Lousiana. I'm one of these people who always wants to DO something, but rarely gets out of my comfort zone to actually do it. This time was different for some reason. One morning as I was checking a news website, I clicked on a linke to a website that listed out some organizations that give people like me the ability to get involved in a hands-on way. I want to go there. I want to see the aftermath first hand. I am tired of seeing it on the news and on the web. I want to hear people's stories instead of reading them. I want to help.

I found this organization called The St. Bernard Project. Here's the site: www.stbernardproject.org

I will be heading to New Orleans on October 7th and will be there through October 13th. It's going to be Women's Build Week and lots of women are going to converge to help families get out of there FEMA trailers and back in their homes! We will be at one house for the whole week so we will have lots of opportunities to talk to the family that we are helping out. How exciting!

But I want to do more than just hands-on work. I don't want to go there empty handed. I would like to go to St. Bernard's Parish with some financial help too. My costs will be low. The money I want to raise will go directly to the project. I would like to set a goal of raising $1000 for the organization in the next 3 weeks! This money will all got to St. Bernards project. Yes, i t's ambitious, but I believe I can do this with your help. If would like to donate to the organization, make a check out to St. Bernard Project/IH Center and the you can mail the check to me. Please e-mail me if you want my mailing address (just1volunteer@gmail.com). If you would like to help out with any of my expenses you can contact me.
Also, if you want to donate tools or any other types of supplies (that i might be able to take with me), please let me know!

My most awesome friend, Holly Thomas, has agreed to host a brunch at her home on September 22nd so that I can give you more information in person. I'd love for you to come. (Many of you will be getting an e-mail with more details soon.)

If nothing else, I would be grateful for your prayers. I am going to this city alone and, from what i hear and read, New Orleans is not a very safe place. In fact, crime rates have skyrocketed since Katrina. So, prayers for safety would be welcome. Also, since I decided to do this not long ago, I don't have a ton of time to do fundraising. Please know, I am NOT required to raise money for this trip. It costs about $10,000 per house to get it rehabbed to the point the family can live in it again. I am raising money because I believe in this organization and what they are doing. Also, it would be awesome if you would start praying for the family that I will be placed with and whose house I will be working on. They need true hope. Christ is my hope and I believe he IS the true hope for this world. Also, pray for me as I interact with the folks I will be building along side. Pray that I will build (no pun intended) good relationships with them too!

Okay, that's enough for now. I'll update the blog as I have new information to share!

Thanks so much for reading this and thanks in advance for whatever you way you choose to support me!