 | | |
| | |
|
Spaces home  SEPA Disaster UpdatesPhotosProfileFriends |  Tools   |
|
August 28 UpdatesUpdates are now being posted at our Synod's new news blog, http://sepasynod.wordpress.com. Check it out! July 02 Flooding Update / July 2Across the region Sunday church groups and neighbors joined flood vicitms and emergency workers as they worked to muck out soaked living areas and put their lives back together again. "I was very impressed and grateful for the way our churches are coordinating and working together," Bishop Claire Burkat said after a day-long look at the damage and recovery efforts along the Delaware River on Saturday, her first day in office. Lutherans are providing physical assistance and spiritual care and presence to residents who are "discouraged, but not despairing" after three major floods along the Delaware in less than two years. Congregations are particularly focusing on those most at-risk, including the elderly, children, and single-parent families. Pastoral needs in these areas will increase in coming days, she noted. "As we offer finances, water, bleach and assistance, we can also dig deep and offer the fruits of the Spirit -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control," the bishop said. "Let us offer these fruits for each other, for our families and congregations, and for our communities as together we get through this time of crisis." Members of St. John's Lutheran Church in Pottstown worshipped in a nearby fire hall this Sunday, then headed over to the church to continue pumping out and cleaning up the first floor of the church and parish hall, which were inundated in this week's flooding. Bishop Burkat is scheduled to visit St. John's and the surrounding neighborhood tomorrow. Water filled most of the first floor of the parish hall and church at St. John's, Pottstown, and the congregation lost its office equipment and supplies, according to Pr. Burl Latshaw of Emmanuel, Pottstown, Lutheran Disaster Relief point person for the beleagured city along the Schuylkill. Volunteers from Emmanuel and other local churches have also been working with local residents, some elderly, in cleaning up their homes. Fortunately, this flooding was far less serious than the devastating effects of Hurricane Agnes in 1972, Latshaw said. In Kennett Square, there were 10 inches of water in the warehouse where United in Faith, a joint Lutheran-Episcopal mission, stored donations for the poor. Volunteers from Teenagers Networking Together and the 4H Program of Chesco came to help for several hours, but 16 contractor-size garbage bags filled with donations for the poor had to be tossed. From his seat on the back porch of his Wayside Way home in Riegelsville, PA, Bob Lehr can gaze across his yard at the nearby dwelling where he was born nearly 80 years ago. His family has called Riegelsville home for at least four generations. Small wonder that Lehr, his wife, Blanche, and other family members are determined to restore the luster to the simple brick home that was invaded June 29 by flood waters for the third time in the last two years. Indeed, much of the work had been accomplished by Saturday afternoon July 1 when Southeastern Pennsylvania Bishop Claire Burkat and the Lehrs’ Pastor Deb Dawson came calling to offer encouragement. The Lehrs belong to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Riegelsville. Bishop Burkat spent her first day in office viewing damage along the Delaware from Yardley to Raubsville, and is scheduled to visit Pottstown tomorrow. The Morning Call newspaper of Allentown featured the Lutheran presence in an article in Sunday's editions. Your help is needed to help residents resume their lives and reclaim their homes. In many areas, work crews are already forming to assist with mucking out and making homes inhabitable once again. Lutheran Disaster Response Partners locally have established point persons for the affected areas: Lower Bucks, Upper Bucks, Phoenixville and Pottstown. If you can assist, contact Linda Frey at 610.847.5775 or email volunteer AT sepa DOT org. Bleach, cleaning supplies, gloves, brooms and water are also needed for cleanup efforts. Materials can be deposited at Christ Lutheran Church, Kulpsville (clearly marked for local disaster relief, in the breezeway between the church office and garage) or through arrangement with the local coordinators: Lower Bucks: Sandy Mullican, 215-736-2624, mullicansl@comcast.net Pottstown: Pastor Burl Latshaw, 610-323-4312, namesakELCA@aol.com Phoenixville: Lois Kadel, 215-256-4336, lokadel@verizon.net Upper Bucks: Pastor Bill Rex, 215-804-0863, william.rex@verizon.net Financial gifts to support local relief efforts can also be made through ELCA Domestic Disaster Relief. For more information visit their web site. Flooding Update / July 1When she was elected nearly two months ago, Bishop Claire Burkat had no idea that her first day in office would involve lunch in a fire hall, prayer in a half-gutted kitchen and lots of mud. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod's new bishop spent July 1 with Lutheran Disaster Response leaders viewing the damage left by the latest rampage of the Delaware River and meeting victims and volunteers attempting to clean up after the flood waters receded. "The amount of work to do is overwhelming," Burkat said. "I am pleased that we have coordination in place and so many volunteers are stepping in to help." In Yardley, where several hundred homes were under water at the height of the flood and the water still lapped at the edge of River Road, Burkat joined volunteers from Resurrection, Yardley, and St. John, Lower Makefield, as they helped Candy Carver and other residents of Morgan Road. The bishop also visited emergency workers staged at Point Pleasant Fire Co. and visited sites in Upper Black Eddy, Riegelsville and Raubsville. Flooding Update / June 30Flooding Update / June 30, 2006 Flood waters are still too high to get into some hard-hit areas to even do damage assessment. People continue to be out of their homes in many areas along the Schuylkill River, including Pottstown, North Coventry, and areas near Phoenixville. Along the Delaware people are displaced from Yardley to Riegelsville in Bucks County, and of course people are affected in New Jersey and points north in Pennsylvania. Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit several sites along the Delaware. In Raubsville, where people are wiped out for the third time in two years, I found a number of residents pondering the flood waters washing through the first floor of their homes. Along with their understandable grief and frustration I experienced gratitude -- their thanks that the Church stood with them in their hour of trial. "When the church people came down, it was beautiful," one man told me (he asked that I not use his name). "Going through this is hard, and it was just so important to us to know we weren't going through this alone." Photos are online here. The scenes and the emotions are the same in many communities in our Synod right now. You can be part of that "beautiful" response and stand with people whose lives are turned upside down in several ways: 1. Pray for those affected and for the volunteers, emergency workers and agencies working to assist them. Prayers for this Sunday are available here. 2. Gifts of cash are needed for emergency operations. If your congregation is directly involved you can give directly to those efforts. Lutheran Disaster Relief has set up a response page for Northeast Flooding here. You can make an online gift or learn where to send checks designated for flood relief. 3. Volunteers are not needed today, but will be needed very shortly. If you are able to give some time to help with mucking damaged properties or other support tasks, contact Linda Frey at 610.847.5775 or e-mail volunteer@sepa.org. Linda will put your name on the list for notification as volunteer work groups are mobilized. 4. Keep an eye on our website for specific needs of supplies and equipment at various flooding sites. Thank you for the support you have shown and will continue to provide as people across our region rebuild their homes and lives. We have also received word from Bear Creek Camp that despite raging waters on the Bear Creek, appropriate precautions were taken and all campers and staff are dry and safe. "Give us eyes to see the olive branch as the waters recede, knowing that you have been (and are) with us in the midst of it all." Amen! Flooding Update / June 29Many areas of our Synod have been affected by severe flooding as the result of several days of heavy rains here and in areas north and west that feed the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. Several of our congregations and clusters are already involved in active evacuation and cleanup efforts, and once the waters recede there will be a huge task of cleanup in many communities. As officials are assessing the scope of the disaster, Lutheran Disaster Relief is gearing up for the long task of cleanup and rebuilding. There will be many opportunities for you and your congregation to pitch in. LDR is starting to take contact information for individuals and groups who are willing to help with initial cleanup, so that they can quickly mobilize volunteers when needs are made known. If you are able to volunteer, as an individual or with a group from your church, contact Linda Frey at 610.847.5775 or e-mail volunteer AT sepa DOT org. Leave your name, telephone numbers and email, congregation and any special skills/abilities you have. Please pray for our sisters and brothers who are weathering what for many is the third flood event of the last two years. Here’s what we know so far about our congregations’ involvement: - St. John, Pottstown, is in an area with severe flooding, and water damage is reported to the church and parsonage. Pr. Susan Folks has evacuated. - Resurrection, Yardley is organizing cleanup crews to assist people in the borough of Yardley, which is mostly under water. - The Palisades Lutheran Cluster has been working with officials on evacuation as the waters continued to rise. Initial assessment indicates that Raubsville, Upper Black Eddy, Point Pleasant and New Hope have significant flooding, while Riegelsville has seen less than expected. - Low lying areas across the Schuylkill from Phoenixville have been hard hit, and St. John, Phoenixville is preparing to render assistance when waters recede. - Other areas that have seen significant flooding include Downingtown and areas of Chester County along the Brandywine Creek; portions of West Norriton, Perkasie and Philadelphia, particularly Manayunk, where much of Main Street was under water yesterday. We are still collecting information and will share updates as they become available. If you are aware of areas of need please contact Bob Fisher at 610.278.7339 or email rfisher AT sepa DOT org. Flooding Update / June 28FLOOD RESPONSE UPDATE / June 28, 2006, 1:52 p.m. With record flash flooding along local waterways this morning and river crests along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers expected to be a historic levels later today and tomorrow, Lutheran Disaster Relief Partners are gearing up to assist with relief and recovery efforts. Here are the needs we are aware of at this moment:
The worst is not over, as runoff from upstream areas hit with many inches of rain in the last few days makes its way down the major rivers. Please watch our website at www.ministrylink.org for new information as we receive it. If you are aware of other situations affecting ELCA churches, leaders or members, please contact Bob Fisher at rfisher AT sepa DOT org or phone 610.278.7339. IMPORTANT INFO FOR CONGREGATIONS AFFECTED BY FLOODING OR INVOLVED IN RELIEF EFFORTS: LDRP wants to know is your church, members or community are affected by this potential disaster. LDRP will host a conference call tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. to hear updates on local flooding and responses and determine next steps. Affected congregations or groups able to mobilize volunteers should call into this conference Thursday, 9:30 a.m. at 1.800.569.1949. The call requires a password, 700418 followed by the # sign. June 22 Strong foundation, shaken worldDay Two Today as we drove the second leg of the trip I noticed a billboard that proclainmed "Strong Foundation, Shaken World." We were whizzing along the interstate at an amazing clip (the drivers in Mississippi make my driving look like I'm a little old pastor's wife!) I wasn't able to read the entire sign or understand what the sign was advertising. "Strong Foundation, Shaken World..." the words kept rumbling around in my mind all afternoon. I wonder what that sign was about! We arrived in Pascagoula, MS, around 5:30 P.M. and made a bee line for Sonny and Rainey's beautiful bayou home. As we pulled down the quiet lane to the house we saw Sonny unloading supplies off of his black pick up truck. "Sonny! Do you have supper ready?" I teased. The twinkle in his eye radiated from heart to heart as he recognized me. "Y'all wouldn't want me to lie to ya?" Sonny invited Tom and me into the house to see Rainey. She looked great and was entertaining a friend who had come for a visit. She pulled out those well worn pictures of their home as the waters of Katrina rose and rose and rose, flooding their home of fifty years. Tom sat down on the sofa and was welcomed into the circle of love that has grown since SEPA workcrews first met this family in January. Sonny and I were both anxious to take Tom across the bridge to see the house which had been gutted to its bones in January. The building that greeted us was awash in beautiful hues of yellow, rose, blue, and green! The kitchen walls had new cabinets hung and new ceramic tiles on the floor and newly installed wood flooring in the dining and living rooms. Gone were the vast holes in the floor we had uncovered in January! What an amazing transformation,,, Strong foundation, shaken world.... We left Sonny and Rainey's with the promise to return again, hopefully to help with more of the rebuilding. But first, on to Camp Victor to register and get our gear into the dormitory. We are going to sleep in bunk beds with real mattresses! What a joy that will be! Camp Victor has grown from a small group of church volunteers on a stormy day in August to this incredible operation that today alone had crews working on twenty three houses! Strong foundation, shaken world.... I sit now in a warehouse that has been transformed into an intake center, a distribution center, a dormitory for hundreds of volunteers, a base of operations for the children of God who have taken seriously the gospel imperative to love one another. Strong foundation, shaken world.... I have absolutely no idea what the billboard was advertising, but I am slowing realizing that God has provided for us the strong foundation we need, through Christ, to deal with those things which shake up our world. Strong foundation, shaken world.... I will sleep well tonight, secure in the knowledge that in Christ there is a sure foundation, a cornerstone for living out my faith. God's Peace, Lois Top of the Morning, Tip of the HatEnd of Day One This is a week I've been looking forward to since last September. My husband, Tom, and I have blocked off three weeks of time to spend together. Week one was a family vacation for us, our children, and two grandsons in Ocean City, New Jersey. The second week is a trip together to Ocean Springs, Mississippi to work together at Camp Victor, the relief and recovery center operated by Lutheran Disaster Response and Christus Victor Lutheran Church. Tom and I have not been able to schedule a trip together until now. And we are both looking forward to working together on the coast. Last night as Tom and I finished washing our laundry, re-packing our suitcases for week two of our vacation, Tom asked the following question. "What time do you want to leave in the morning?" As many of you know, morning is not a time of day that I'm particularly familiar with - yes, I do wake up, in a manner of speaking in the morning, but I generally do not function for an extended period of time upon waking in the morning. "What do you think?" I hedged my answered carefully. Tom responded, "I was hoping to get on the road by seven." "A.M.?" I queried. "Yes, A.M." Tom replied. Well, we did get on the road in the morning, but it was closer to 11 A.M.! I'll spare you the ugly details, but we finally did get on the road returning to the coast, filled with excitement and anticipation for what the week ahead would hold. For Tom, this will be his first time back to the coast since he first responded to the emergency following Katrina's onslaught in August. He was among the many first responders, flying to Jackson, MS, then traveling to Biloxi, then Ocean Springs, MS where he learned first hand the needs of the relief centers springing up in Lutheran churches in southern Mississippi. I was unable to get to Mississippi until January and have had the privilege of working with three different crews from Southeastern Pennsylvania churches since then. We both have come to acknowledge the profoundly life altering effect this experience has had on us. We wondered aloud what new insights, emotions, and worries this new trip would open up to us. As we drove toward Morrisville, Tennessee, the halfway point on our trip, we talked together about what we planned to do. I wanted to get back to visit Sonny and Rainey to check on their progress. If they aren't back in their home yet, I hope to have the chance to work with Sonny again. Also, I'd like to spend some time at the distribution center. The sixth truckload of supplies collected from churches and communities in the SEPA synod through Christ Lutheran Church in Kulpsville is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. I think it will be really exciting to help unload those gifts sent from our home church. Tom wants to work on a DVD which will tell the story of Christus Victor Lutheran Church and their amazing response to Hurricane Katrina. He wants to interview volunteers, organizers, and recipients of the food and supplies sent and homeowners who have had workcrews help re-build their homes. We spoke of our long list of things to do, places to go, and soon realized we would never be able to accomplish all the things on our "to-do" list. Our conversation dwindled as we silently sorted through our list trying to prioritize the most important things on our list. As we drove along the rolling interstates of Tennessee we became aware of folks reading the magnetic sign on the side of our car. Laurie Hart, of Christ Lutheran Church, one of the crew from the April group nick named "Charlie's Angel's" had ordered these magnetic signs that read "Lutheran Disaster Response" with the LDR logo. It is certainly a step up from our previous mode of communication - chalk paint on the windows of our van. No smiley faces this time! But then, smiley faces don't always have to be painted on! A fellow, driving past our car, slowed to read the sign on the driver's side door. As he passed us on the left, he smiled, nodded his head in affirmation and tipped his hat! The smiley faces were on us as we felt the wonderful warm glow of knowing that what we were doing, along with thousands of other volunteers on the coast, mattered to others! Our list of "to do's" no longer seemed to have the importance we had previously assigned it. God's plan for us will unfold - He will use us as He pleases. And it will be good! Really good! God's Peace, Lois June 21 10 months later -- Volunteers neededAlmost ten months have passed since Hurricane Katrina, and another hurricane season is upon us, but the rebuilding work from the 2004 & 2005 storms is far from over. Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to the long-term recovery of the areas affected by these disasters - a commitment that could last as many as ten years. You are an important part of this long-term recovery. Volunteers are needed at our sites in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Volunteers must be 16 or older, in good health, have a good attitude, and be willing to work hard. The conditions, especially as summer brings high temperatures and humidity, are less than glamorous. But the work is truly rewarding. As the recovery effort transitions from clean-up to long-term rebuilding, a particular need is for volunteers with a background in construction and rebuilding, or in a particular trade. These volunteers can coordinate and train others, perform assessments, and lead teams of less-experienced volunteers. If you are interested in putting together a work crew, please visit our website at www.ldr.org/volunteer. The site lists information regarding our ongoing operations and a section of Volunteer FAQs. Please fill out the "Volunteer Sign-up Form" to submit contact information and information about your work group directly to our local volunteer coordinators. Visit today to become part of the long-term recovery efforts. If you cannot put together a work crew, please forward this message to family, friends, neighbors, and members of your congregation who may be interested. In service, Michael Nevergall Associate for Program Interpretation Lutheran Disaster Response ELCA Domestic Disaster Response (800) 638-3522 -- ext. 2863 michael.nevergall@elca.org April 29 Deja vu all over again!April 28, 2006 "Oh my goodness! Someone's 1995 tax records are here!" I couldn't believe my eyes as I walked down the road of a Ocean Springs suburban development. We had visited this same development in January and were astounded at the violent aftermath of Katrina on this once quiet coastal cove. The debris field is still there, clothing and bed linens, carpeting and holiday decorations, still hanging as ghostly reminders of that happier time before August 29, 2005. And as I walked through the piles of debris I stooped down to look at the pile of papers in the mud and recognized the W-2 forms that all taxpayers are required to attach to their returns. These returns were for a person named Charles Neel from Louisiana. The returns were filed in April 1995 and all of his personal financial information was there for anyone to see. His income, his deductions, his social security number. Another pending violation of this persons life and property - just waiting for the wrong person to pick up his papers. There is such a strange feeling of the surreal - bathtubs in the back yard, stairways going nowhere, a pup tent serving as a child's bedroom outside of a FEMA trailer, a life sized Christmas Santa stashed in the ruins his arm sticking out looking like a corpse - stark and surreal - so very hard to comprehend. I found it hard to believe this development was in virtually the same condition it was in four months ago. It was a deja vu experience, all over again. Deja Vu has been on my mind lately. I've been in a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young mood lately. You probably picked up on that when you read yesterday's journal entry, Tin Soldiers and Nixon's Coming. Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, and Neil Young are the composers of some of my favorite songs from the 1970's and Deja Vu is probably one of my favorite albums (CDs!) along with Carole King's Tapestry album. The lyrics from the Deja Vu album encapsulate some of the powerful feelings I've been experiencing since coming to Mississippi, "Helpless," "Carry On," "Our House," "Deja Vu," and "Everybody I Love You." Helpless is how I feel sometimes when confronted with the enormity of this event. We watched a DVD this evening, "Eight Days In Biloxi" compiled by a volunteer from Dublin, Ohio. He spent a week at Bethel Lutheran Church in Biloxi, MS last October and recorded his experience. His photos showed how things looked early on, before so many volunteers came to the Gulf. The destruction was apalling and the visual impact of his video was gut wrenching. He said that Katrina impact was felt on an area the size of all of Great Britain, a new way to put this into perspective. I feel helpless when confronted by the size of this thing. I feel helpless when I work one-on-one with someone and see their situation and hear the pain in their voice and witness the challenges they face on a daily basis. Then I do the math.... helpless.... Carry On - that's what the people on the coast are doing. There is re-building going on. The number of blue tarps of the roofs of homes is beginning to lessen. The lines at lumber yards and home improvement stores like Lowe's and Home Depot is testimony to the resilience and determination of these folks. These people still go to work (if their jobs are still available to them), they still pay their mortgages, children still go to school, and people still attend church. They carry on.... The sky is clearing and the night Has gone out The sun, he come, the world Is all full of light Rejoice, rejoice, we have no choice but To carry on The fortunes of fables are able To sing the song Now witness the quickness with which We get along To sing the blues you've got to live the tunes and Carry on Carry on Love is coming Love is coming to us all! And with the help of hundreds of church groups coming here to help re-build, love is coming to us all! Our House Our house is a very, very fine house I think (and I feel certain that all of our volunteers think) of Sonny and Rainey's house as our house. We've invested so much of ourselves in re-building that place, working alongside of Sonny day in and day out. Our house is a very, very, very fine house! However, there are no cats in the yard, but quite a few dogs! And yes, life used to be so hard, now everything is easy, 'cause of you... That's you, the person who put those extra dollars in the offering plate to send a work crew to Mississippi... That's you, the person who took personal time off from work to spend your valuable and limited vacation time in Pascagoula re-building a flooded out home.... That's you, who bought extra food, water, bleach, paper towels and toilet paper and sent on a truck to Christus Victor... That's you, who has prayed every day for the safety and well-being of the people here and the long term recovery of these coastal states... This week our crews also helped a woman named Rose in Biloxi by re-wiring her house, a woman named Galleen in Moss Point by finishing the installation of her siding, a woman name Loan in East Biloxi by painting her walls and ceilings. All of these homes we consider our house... Everybody I Love You.... Though your heart is an answer I need your love to get me through When I tell you I love you You can believe that it's true Everybody I love you Everybody I do! The bonds of caring and love that have grown between the volunteers, the people of Mississippi, the people at Christus Victor has been an added bonus for those involved in this effort. There is a palpable feeling of the love of Christ in the midst of what we are doing and it is translated in every interaction between volunteer and homeowner, crew member to crew member, and on and on. Ron Bardman and I went to Lowe's this afternoon. Ron purchased more molding to finish the trim work around Sonny's windows. I purchased switchplate and outlet covers and two smoke detectors. The man checking out ahead of us said, "That's a good sign!" I looked up at him and said, "What's a good sign?" He replied, "You're getting to the end putting up your switchplate covers and that's a good sign." "Yes, you're right! That is a good sign." I had been feeling frustrated all week about Sonny's house. We didn't get the kitchen cabinets installed, we didn't get the third coat of joint compound on the bathroom drywall. I wasn't looking at the big picture though. We have gotten Sonny to the place where all of this is manageable for him. He has hope now, very real hope of seeing this thing through and getting back into his home before hurricane season begins. It's going to be okay! Sonny made a point of taking us to his sister's house this afternoon before we said goodbye. Sis's home is about four houses away from Sonny's, just up a bit from the bayou. She lives in the home where she and Sonny crew up. They've been in this neighborhood since 1939. A Presbyterian church crew from Oregon just left this afternoon after spending a week fixing up Sonny's sister's home. Sis told us how five different church crews have helped her do the repairs. "It's better now than it was before!" she beamed proudly. The home is a beautiful old southern style home with beautiful high ceilings and lovely architectural features. It really did look quite nice! Once again we heard those words repeated, "If it wasn't for the churches, I don't know what I would have done!" A renewal is happening here and it's not just in the bayou. Church people are starting to get a sense of what the church is about - they are living the gospel imperative that Jesus Christ himself commanded his disciples. Church people are getting out of the pews and getting out into the streets, into the neighborhoods and to those who are hurting... It's deja vu, all over again!
God's Peace, Lois Kadel
PS: Our crews all leave tomorrow. It's been a wonderful experience with this group of people. Please keep Pastor Bob Doll, Mike Oxenford, Peter Doris, Jan and Ralph Barndt as they all fly out tomorrow. The weather forcasts aren't too promising for air travel! Also keep our drivers in your prayers too as Lee Smeltz, Clyde Beck, Walt and Joanne West, Ron and Marlene Bardman, Debbie High, Deb Freece, and myself travel home by van and motor homes. We are all looking forward to seeing our loved ones again! We've missed you all! Tin Soldiers and Nixon’s ComingApril 27, 2006
Tin soldiers and Nixon's coming We're finally on our own This summer I hear the drumming Four dead in Ohio.
“Four dead in Ohio, four dead in Ohio, four dead in Ohio....” I've heard the lyrics to Neil Young's powerful dirge written in 1970 following the deaths of four college students on the campus of Kent State University in Ohio. I can well remember the impact of those shootings and as we approach the 36th anniversary of that event in May 2006 I grieve for the senseless loss of those young lives. Four dead in Ohio... I learned this week that 1,604 persons died in Katrina's wake and that just recently the number of lost from the storm has finally dipped under the 1,000 mark. Bodies are still being found, another two were just uncovered in New Orleans earlier this month. In our de-briefing session the other night, Ralph Barndt told us of noticing an article on the bulletin board in the hallway of Christus Victor Lutheran Church. Dateline - Baton Rouge, LA (AP) Fewer than 1,000 of the 11,600 people reported missing after Hurricane Katrina remain on the list, the state health department said Wednesday. Over the past three weeks, the number was cut from about 1,900 as of March 13 to 987 Tuesday evening. The Family Assistance Center, formerly the Find Family National Call Center, got 11,626 missing persons reports after Hurricane Katrina. It told the Department of Health and Hospitals on Wednesday that 9,804 were found alive and 835 were confirmed deceased. "That is a significant achievement, especially considering that we have had more than 11,000 missing person reports to follow up on," said Dr. Louis Cataldie, state medical examiner and incident commander for the Family Assistance Center. "Fortunately, most of them were found alive and simply had not made contact with their loved ones. Unfortunately, we know that there are some people reported missing who may never be found." The article lists a website where one can find the list of the missing, www.katrinamissing.dhh.louisiana.gov. I went to the site and felt the same sense of grief I had felt those 36 summers ago as I wept over the four dead in Ohio. We are bombarded by the media with an ever increasing numbers of tragedies. We all see the suicide bombers, terrorists using planes as bombs, tsunami and hurricane victims - on and on and on. We see people dying and we watch the replays - and I wonder, are we becoming so numb to the loss of all of these people? We watch the 11 o'clock news, we see the video, we comment, "Isn't that awful!" and then roll over and go to sleep. The next day dawns and we begin our daily routine. Does it even matter? I went to the Katrina Missing website and was going to pick a few names to share with you, just to make it a little more real. But then I started to look over the list and felt I had to share it in its entirety. [view it here: http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/miscdocs/docs-192/Still_Missing/StillMissing_04242006.htm] White trailers and FEMA vouchers We're feeling we're all alone This summer I hear the drumming, Sixteen hundred four gone on the coast.
Gotta get down to it people are missing down here should have been found long ago What if you knew her And found her dead on the ground How can you run when you know?
White trailers and FEMA vouchers We're feeling we're all alone This summer I hear the drumming, Sixteen hundred four gone on the coast.
Gotta get down to it people are frightened down here houses are gone and the storms Will be returning and killing again How can you run when you know?
White trailers and FEMA vouchers We're feeling we're all alone This summer I hear the drumming, Sixteen hundred four gone on the coast.
Gotta get down to it rebuilding and stoking the hope Life will be normal again. What if this happened to your Momma, your Pop or your child? How can you run when you know?
White trailers and FEMA vouchers We're feeling we're all alone This summer I hear the drumming, Sixteen hundred four gone on the coast.
God's Peace, Lois Kadel
There will be an informational session for anyone interested in joining Hurricane Work Crews this Sunday night, 7:30 pm at Christ Lutheran Church, Kulpsville. Please call the church at 215-256-8738 for information. I'll have a Mango Margarita, Please!April 26, 2006
Last this afternoon our crews returned from their various assignments to have dinner at Christus Victor’s dining room. The volunteers who work in the kitchen do amazing things with the donations that are sent here to feed volunteers and members of the community. We had ham with pineapple sauce, spiced apples, cheddar mash potatoes, carrots, and a wonderful homemade chocolate cake with whipped cream icing. I’ve complained with each trip that I’ve gained five pounds every time I come here. The cooks in the kitchen out do themselves every time! After dinner we have devotions in the sanctuary. Tonight Pastor Deborah Dawson lead the devotions and she spoke of resurrection. She asked the volunteers, “Where did you see resurrection today?” One woman spoke of clearing out a yard full of debris. Everything was ruined, destroyed by the storm surge. Yet, amid the destruction a sunflower was blooming, it’s bright yellow petals sending a message of hope amidst the devastation. One of our volunteers, Jan Barndt of Little Zion, Telford, spoke of touring around Ocean Springs and going to the now famous Ocean Springs/Biloxi Bridge that used to span across the Gulf of Mexico. The fury of Katrina pancaked that bridge into oblivion. Each and every volunteer who comes to Christus Victor is encouraged to go to the bridge to get a sense of the scope of the damage caused by last summer’s premier hurricane. Slab after slab of concrete was lifted up and slammed down leaving pilings where roadway once stood. Amidst the rubble Jan found wild daisies growing in the concrete. A sign of new life and hope. Following our evening worship service our group of fourteen met in the chapel to de-brief. Every night we meet together and each person shares a transforming experience or epiphany moment that they had experienced during the day. I usually go through my days here making mental notes of those things that make an impression on me, those things that I’d like to share in my journal or those things that I’ll talk about in our evening de-briefings. Today I just couldn't think of a thing that I felt was interesting or insightful enough to share. Our group started to share their thoughts, feelings of wishing they had begun to get involved sooner. One of our volunteers, Peter Doris of Calvary West Chester shared his feelings of guilt for not responding sooner. Peter is a first time volunteer to the coast. He’s been seeing for himself, first-hand, the devastation and witnessed the personal toll this event has taken on the people of the Gulf Coast. With emotion gripping his voice he expressed his sorrow for not coming sooner. Peter and his wife are parents to four young children and yet, he is here. We have another volunteer, Mike Oxenford, who is father to six, and yet he is here. The volunteers who come to help are all ages. Retirees, college students, young parents, empty nesters - all taking time to come and help. And I think that's what I’d like to share with you tonight, the volunteers. I’ve been privileged to be here with three different groups now and with each group a wonderful camaraderie develops and we become fast friends. I still think about the group of 25 who came to Mississippi in January and the fun we had together. Then the group of five we dubbed Charlie’s Angels, four women and one man on a mission together. Now this group of fourteen have grown in Christ’s love together, working on a common mission, working with a servant’s heart to heal the pain of Katrina. We’ve come to appreciate and love each other for the gifts we bring to this ministry and we celebrate each other’s abilities and we laugh together at the quirks that make us unique. Tonight we joined together at a local Mexican style eatery for nachos and re-fried beans, salsa, and a cold drink. I ordered a mango margarita looking forward to the icy cold drink and the salt rimmed glass. When all of our beverages and munchies were served we all raised our glasses and said, “Cheers!” as we clinked our drinks together. We laughed together, told stories, and even cried together as we shared our personal journeys together. We have become more than volunteers from Southeastern PA synod, we’ve become friends. More than workers in the kingdom of God, we’ve become brothers and sisters - the children of God. It occurred to me as we laughed together and enjoyed each other’s company, that God does, indeed, work in mysterious ways! Look at this group of people who, just a few short weeks ago didn’t know each other, and now, after a few days working together, were friends. An added bonus to this thing called mission! In a few minutes, I’ll be crawling into my sleeping bag on my cot in the fellowship hall. I’ll be saying my prayers and falling quickly to sleep, I hope! As I pray, I will be saying a prayer of thanksgiving for these people who have answered God’s call to respond to his children in despair on the coast. Everywhere we go, people say thank you to us for coming. They tell us how important it has been for the thousands of church volunteers to come to the Gulf to help. It happened again tonight as a patron just got up and came over to our table to thank us for coming. She spoke of the many in her neighborhood who suffered utter destruction and then said, “I don't know where we’d be without the church volunteers...” The reality is the church is needed here and will be for a long time. Today, at breakfast, a representative from LDR spoke briefly at the morning devotions. He spoke of the long-term need for volunteers, supplies, and assistance. He said the reality is our volunteer base follows CNN. Our volunteer base will diminish with the next disaster. This disaster is going to impact this region for the next eight years, at least! Volunteers are needed at home collecting and sending supplies, spreading awareness of the widespread damage of Katrina, and sending crews to help. We would ask you, as volunteers serving on the frontline today, to consider how you can serve tomorrow. God’s Peace, Lois Kadel Sleepless Nights, Bad Dog Sign, Thunderboomers, and BalmApril 25, 2006
Some times I feel discouraged, There is a balm in Gilead Sleepless in Mississippi - that's what I was thinking of focusing my journal on today - sleeplessness. We are sleeping in a large room with about sixty people all together. We lie on cots which have a thin, plaid covered foam mattress. I've not had any trouble sleeping here in the past, but I did have trouble sleeping last night. I couldn't get comfortable and every time I would move to adjust my position, the cot would squeak and the foam mattress would make a very annoying scrunching sound. I'd immediately stop and lie still in whatever position I was in - fearful that my tossing and turning would awaken those around me. But then I’d be in an even more uncomfortable position and have to move again! The room was also very warm last night and I began to think maybe I should go and get a cool, wet rag to help lower my body temperature. As gently as possible I rolled out of my cot and put my flip flops on. Walking as quietly as one can walk in flip flops I walked past four rows of sleeping people to get to the cooler bathroom and the cold water. Nothing I tried worked! Not even taking a Tylenol PM worked! I spent the night in a nether land halfway between sleep and frustration. Not a great way to start the day! The temperatures this morning was racing to get to the high of 82 degrees with 80% humidity. We walked outside to go to the tool shed and entered a sauna called The South. Sweat began to pour out of my pores instantaneously and I hadn't even begun to work yet. It was going to be a long day.... Our crews were once again divided. Crews went to Biloxi, the distribution center, and to Pascagoula to Sonny's house. Deb Freece, Debbie High, Jan and Ralph Barndt, Peter Doris, and myself were assigned the job of painting three bedrooms in Sonny and Rainey's home. Walls and ceilings - finally! The paint colors had been chosen, a rosey pink for Rainey’s room, a cool light green for Sonny’s room, and a light sky blue for Paul, Sonny and Rainey’s grandson. But you’d think I’d be excited about this, wouldn't you? But I couldn't shake a sense of frustration and maybe even a little bit of anger. I must confess I had hoped and prayed that we’d be putting the finishing touches on this house this week, and maybe even help Sonny move back in. But that eventuality is still months away. I learned yesterday that no other work crews had been to Sonny's since Charlie’s Angels departed in early March. Sonny and his sons have been trying to put the house back together themselves. I also learned that both sons had also sustained significant storm damage to their homes and had to work on them as well. June 1st still looms precariously in the future as the threat of more hurricanes with the new hurricane season becomes an even more threatening reality. 70,000 homes - 70,000 families - still at risk.
Bad Dog Sign - Dr. John, legendary New Orleans jazz singer and composer croons a song about a bad dog, it goes something like this: I got the baddest dog. He'll bite anybody. Now I ain't got a clue as to what you puttin' down, but My dog is dangerous. Try to set people straight. That's MY DOG & when I come home he don't sleep that sound. We ran into a bonified (no pun intended!) junk yard dog today. We knew this dog had a bad attitude, we even warned the new members of our team. Watch out for that black dog, he's got a bad attitude. But there was an old black corvette sitting on the property next to Sonny's house and sometimes, boys will be boys, they've just got to sneak a peak at those mean looking set of wheels. Well, right behind the mean looking Corvette was an even meaner dog who took a bite out of Ralph! A bad dog sign would have been useful today! (Ralph wasn't bitten badly - he runs pretty fast for his demographic!) In my first journal entry for this trip I wrote, “I don't do thunderstorms!” Well, yes, I do. We had a doozey of a storm this afternoon! While riding back to Christus Victor a pretty strong cold front came through spawning loud thunder, vivid lightening strikes and heavy rain. Debbie and I sat in the back seat of the car, Ralph stayed in the front seat, while the others dodged the rain and challenged fate running to the building. We learned that Ralph had once been struck my lightening, affirming for me my intention not to get out of the car until the storm was well past. I am tired. I've only been here for a few days, and I'm tired. I'm frustrated too. I want these people back in their homes, we all do. We’ve all come here to make a difference and it’s hard to tell if that is happening. Only 80 volunteers are here this week and there are 100 homes on the waiting list for help at Christus Victor and more people coming daily asking for assistance. The percentages of people experiencing depression, anger, experiencing domestic violence, thoughts of suicide, road rage and other destructive behaviors are increasing. The people on the coast are tired, frustrated, and worried too. They will still be here when we leave on Saturday morning. It is too much.... I came back from dinner tonight and laid down on my cot hoping to feel a little better. I feel soundly asleep. Deb Freece came over and nudged me gently, “Do you want to go to evening devotions?” A voice inside me said, “No, sleep!” I heard my voice say, “Yes, I'll be right with you.” I went to the sanctuary, but kept thinking about my cot. Pastor Robert Doll from Grace Lutheran Church in Hatfield, PA, who finally arrived yesterday after several flight delays, was leading our worship this evening. “I like to sing,” he announced. “Let's sing the first verse to ‘There is a Balm in Giliad.’” Acapella voices rose and sang the words, “Sometimes I feel discouraged and think my works in vain, but then the Holy Spirit revives my soul again.” I felt as if Pastor Doll was reading my mind, I am discouraged, and I do think this work is in vain.... A gentleman sitting in front of me leaned forward a little, straining to hear Pastor’s words. His tee shirt had these words printed on the back, “Ponder ANEW what the Almighty can do!” You know, it's not the work I am doing, it is not the work our crew is doing or all the volunteers are doing on the coast, but what the Almighty is doing. It’s so interesting the many ways the Holy Spirit conveys that reminder to me, to us. Tonight it was through a tee shirt. As I lay down to sleep tonight, I will say my prayers, and will ponder ANEW what the Almighty can do. I think I'm going to sleep well tonight. God's Peace, Lois Kadel Little Boss and StarfishApril 24, 2006Monday mornings in Mississippi can absolutely test the patience of a saint! The beginning of a new work week with new crews, and on this trip new work assignment coordinators, makes the first of the work week crew assignments more than a little bit confusing! But we prevailed and after a few mis-steps we found ourselves on our way to our different assignments. Walt West, Lee Smeltz, and Clyde Beck are re-wiring a home in Biloxi. Ralph Barndt is assigned to the distribution center to help do electrical wiring there and his wife, Jan Barndt is working there to distribute food. Deb Freece, Debbie High, Peter Doris, myself and a crew from the Palisades Lutheran Cluster went to a home in East Biloxi to paint the entire house. At the end of our first workday we met in the dining hall to de-brief our day. De-briefing is always a wonderful time to share the moments that touched us, agitated us, moved us, or concerned us about the day. I was asked to begin by our team leader, Deb Freece, and I knew immediately which story, out of the many I could have told from the day, I would choose to share. I wanted to tell everyone about “Little Boss.” Little Boss, or Loan Nygun, is a 31 year old Vietnamese woman who is the homeowner of the property we painted in East Biloxi. She came to the United States as a refugee when she was 18 years old along with her mother, father, and five younger siblings. As the oldest child, Loan has felt tremendous responsibility for taking care of her family. After she graduated from high school she immediately went to work for the Biloxi Housing Authority (and she also works a second job in a nail salon). She worked hard enough to be able to purchase a lovely home for her parents seven years ago. It is that home which was flooded to the roof and had to be completely gutted. It is now in the final stages of re-building and Loan's mother is hopeful to be able to return to her home before hurricane season begins. Loan told us of how she has helped two of her siblings go to college. The first sibling to graduate has gone on to graduate school to pursue his Ph.D. The second is a pharmaceutical student, and a third has been accepted at Texas A&M University. There are two younger siblings who Loan intends to put through school. I asked her if she was going to go to college. “Oh, no,” she replied, “My reading is not that good!” Loan continued to tell of the problems she has encountered with red tape following the hurricane. Inspections, permits, dealing with insurance issues, purchasing supplies - Loan has handled it all! I neglected to mention, Loan is married and has two children, ages 2 and 4! We all commented on how much she has accomplished and how well she has navigated the complicated maze of disaster recovery. She smiled a beautiful smile at us and said, “They call me Little Boss because I get lots done!” As we went around the circle, each volunteer told of similar stories. Joanne who stayed behind at Christus Victor today to input data for the case workers shared stories of conversations she had with people from the community who come to Christus Victor for lunch. The phone call from someone who told her she needed help burying her son. The heartache sometimes is too much to bear. Pastor Deborah Dawson, a volunteer from the Palisades Cluster shared in evening devotions tonight, an experience she had at the distribution center. A woman pulled up to the center, needing food and supplies. She mentioned to Pastor Dawson who was working the line that she needed to be at the hospital for a CAT Scan in forty five minutes. “Yes, we’ll be able to get you through in time,” Pastor Dawson assured the woman. “What kind of CAT Scan are you having?” she inquired. “A renal CAT Scan,” was the reply. Pastor Dawson’s eyes began to brim with tears, her face turning crimson as she continued the story, “What's wrong with your kidney?” she asked. “How do you know it’s my kidney?” the woman asked with a surprised look on her face. “Because I had renal cell carcinoma and I’m still here!” Isn’t it funny how God places us in just the right place at the right time? Just what are the odds? The woman is going to meet with Pastor Dawson on Wednesday after the doctors stage her cancer. She will meet with someone who can offer her hope and assurance. Yes, you can live with one kidney! God is here and God is active - and this sort of thing happens over and over again! There are only 80 volunteers at Christus Victor this week. This is the lowest number I’ve seen in the times I’ve been here and it concerns me. The white board in the assignment center is full of names of homeowners who still need help. The distribution center is busy everyday with carloads of people who need food. (The truckload of food and supplies that Christ Lutheran, Kulpsville, sent to Christus Victor three weeks ago lasted only four days!) The need here is beyond great - it is critical. Volunteers, supplies, and monetary donations are desperately needed. Towels, linens, paper towels, toilet paper, water, bleach, and food are presently needed at the distribution center. Gift cards for Lowe’s are needed to purchase supplies for the re-build. Volunteers are needed to come to the coast and work. Please help as God leads you and please pray for all on the coast. June 1st brings another set of worries as Hurricane Season 2006 commences. During our orientation on Saturday night, Amy Beerson, the volunteer coordinator here told the story of the starfish. A little boy was walking along the beach when he encountered hundreds of starfish somehow stranded on the sand. He picked one up and tossed it back into the ocean. He scooped up another and did the same, then another, and another. A man walking down the beach saw what the youngster was up to and he came over and said, “You are never going to get all of these starfish back into the ocean. Throwing those few back isn’t going to make a difference. I don’t know why you bother.” The little boy looked up at the man, then bent back down and picked up another starfish and threw him back into the surf. “It made a difference for him!” What our little groups are doing here on the coast is like what that little boy did for that one starfish. We are making a difference for that one family we help. There are 70,000 families on the coast who’ve lost their homes. We’ve got a lot more starfish to throw back in the ocean!
God's Peace, Lois Kadel Strange and awesome strifeApril 23, 2006
"Hail, the victim undefiled, Al-le-lu-ia! God and sinners reconciled, Al-le-lu-ia! When contending death and life, Al-le-lu-ia! Met in strange and awesome strife, Al-le-lu-ia!"
What a strange and curious day we've had, but oh, what a glorious morning! We worshipped today in the recently restored sanctuary of Christus Victor Lutheran Church. On this first Sunday after Easter the wondrous words, "Christ is risen, alleluia!" echoed up to the rafters. Just a few months ago, on Martin Luther King's birthday weekend, we also worshipped in this holy place. In January the flood soaked carpet had been removed, some drywall had started to be hung by volunteer groups, and none of the usual amenities associated with a worship service were available. Today, however, the lilies of Easter morning graced the altar and the rise behind the altar where the large cross was once again suspended from the ceiling. In August that cross swung precariously back and forth as Katrina called forth her fury on Ocean Springs and beyond. Following our worship service our group decided to go see Sonny and Rainey Naquin over in Pascagoula. We learned today that no one has been back to work at their home since "Charlie's Angels" left in March. We will be able to return to help them this week, as well as work at the distribution center in Ocean Springs which is being converted into dormitories for future volunteer groups. Sonny and Rainey need to chose the paint colors for their walls, so we stopped at the local Loew's to get color samples for them. Sonny and Rainey were so pleased to see us! Rainey looked and sounded as |
Print
