Today I wore my mission on the bay shirt around everywhere and surprisingly enough almost everyone asked what is was from. After I had told them the story of helping the Katrina victims, everyone was extremely proud, thankful and just couldn’t believe that we had gone down to mississippi and accomplished what we had done (in a good way). I would just like to say that I am so proud of everyone in the group and I think we did such an amazing job and had an incredible experience.

I hope we can all get together and talk soon about the experience for a debriefing sort of thing.

-Jane

-Ray

Oh and the cots were not too comfortable. There was a bar that would stick in the middle of your back and the springs would sink down on both sides of it and therefore I can’t wait to get in my comfy bed.

Bonnie and Mary…These two were so great. We spent the day there working on their yard and dry-walling what will be Bonnie’s room. It had been started and we finished piecing it in. Ray is a great drywaller now. Jane knocked out the mudding and Paul’s our taper and corner mudder. I measured, cut, planed the drywall and drilled any left handed screws. Some of the kids left and went back and helped at camp. They raised another quansit(spelling???) hut and had a good day.

These two ladies are full of stories. They stayed and the water line is visible in their house. I don’t think they have ever thrown a thing away… I have to wonder if they hang on to what they almost lost with a vengence. They have 5 dogs they rescued, 5 Mccaws( birds…large birds) that they are desperate to not have fly out the door. They made us homemade chili meat and vegi which was so kind. They loved the company as much as the help.

Everyone here has a story. They want their stories heard. We will remember these people because of their stories. They do feel forgotten. I hope they know they are not with the 16 of us. Maggie

Dennis-Happy Birthday. I hope you enjoyed being sung to this am. I miss being there, I miss you and the girls. They sound like they are well. Mama will be home tomorrow an so get the games ready! I love you, Maggie
Today we learned how to speak Southern as only “the Infamous Mary Biehl” can. After we’d worked at her home all morning, she made us chili that “tasted so good it makes you wanna slap your momma.”

Here’s the recipe, made by Bonnie, who’s Mary’s friend. There’s a meat version, too, but you can guess that:

Chili
Celery bell peppers onions (they call this the “Trinity”)
Tomato puree, diced tomatoes, and crushed tomatoes
Kidney beans
Tsp salt
Chili powder
Put in some tofu about 15 mins before it’s done.

Tonight, we are going to bed at “Dark 30,” so we can get up at the “butt crack of dawn.” Really. We will be up before 5 a.m. for our plane trip home.
Just before dinner, I ran into Butch, who runs Mission On the Bay. He has a million stories to tell, but as we were going in to dinner, I asked him about the plastic baby Jesus in the stone manger outside the church. Welllll. After Katrina, people were finding all manner of things washed up on the beach. Among these, they found and brought to the church : Mary, Joseph and the manger—each at separate times in very different places. Then one day around Easter a year ago, someone found the plastic baby washed up on shore. If you know anything about New Orleans, you’ll understand when I tell you it was from the King’s Cake at Mardi Gras. Someone dressed the baby and put him in the manger, where he has stayed through storms and thousands of people.

We all have so much to tell, but time’s been limited. I am worried that I will miss my kids. I love every one of them. However, we could all use a pedicure. -Kathy

Saying our goodbyes::
Well today was our last day being at Mission on the Bay. We have all had a really great time helping those in need. As I went through the week, each day I learned a new task and met the most extraordinary people. I have never seen something so devastating in my life. Even though the work was hard and it is extremely hot and humid down here I feel like I have been a part of something that is larger then life. I never really thought that something as small as keeping someone company or as large as putting up sheet rock or putting in wooden floors would make such a huge difference to these people. I mean I have herd that a smile could brighten someone’s day and all but I never really fully experienced it. As we talked to Bill, helped Eagle move dirt to her back yard, looked at Diann’s pictures, helped Steve pull out nails or listened to the stories of Mary and Bonnie I felt as if I had been apart of helping them get their lives back on track after the terrible disaster that they had to live through and that was an experience that not a lot of people get the have in their lives. So as I say goodbye to those at Mission on the Bay, I am taking home a piece of understanding of what it is like to live through such an unforgettable event. I am very glad that I came on this mission trip and I feel that I have left a better person then when I came.
Liz Hofmann

P.S.- Ellen, Mom, Dad and St. Paul’s, I went into thinking that it would just be a lot of hard work and something that I didn’t really want to do, but I am leaving a better, more humble and understanding person. Thanks so much for the opportunity. I love you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today and the other day were very hot but im glad to be their because it showed that helping someone even if it’s the littlest thing can help some one a lot and it means the world to them, and I am kind of glad of going home I am way tired and it is very hot with a lot of humidity, but it was fun and we got to meet a lot of people, some have a lot of of things they saved from the storm and some people don’t have anything at all, and it was nice having to help people even the littlest thing. Spencer Rallison

Today I helped a old man that had to live in a tent he was one of the nicest people i have ever met and I wonder how something so bad could happen to someone so good it is sad and depresses me—Tom

I’m so excited about going home tomorrow!!!! We are waking up at 5:00 AM though. Today we helped a woman rebuild floor. I have tons of pictures of houses destroyed by Katrina and I will have my camera on Sunday so anyone who wants to see them should ask at coffee hour after the service. It is devastating to see the damage the hurricane caused, but also amazing to see the good that WE have done to these people. He have pulled weeds, hammered bricks, pulled nails and staples, rebuilt floors, moved dirt, and gave the best gift of all to these people which is good company and a chance to share their stories. In all of the jobs we have done, the people have seemed most excited about having someone to talk to about their experiences. Alli, enjoy being a single child because it won’t last long. I will see all of you in a few hours. Can’t wait. Love you Mom, Dad, Alli.

Packing, how tedious of a task. Especially when you are trying to ignore the movie “50 First Dates” while blogging. As much as I love home I kind of wish I could stay longer and help out these people. But basically everyone disagrees with me. I am, though, exited for a hot shower, a blow dryer, and a comfy bed.
Today we realized that I am a pro mudding person. There is something… therapeutic about filling in the holes with white paste, even thought it gets very messy. The job we did today was my favorite one by far, especially due to Mary and the crazy facts she just happens to know. At one point she said “None of my friends like playing trivial pursuit with me because I know everything.” I also was impressed with her wine making skills, and no we did not taste the wine, she did not want to end up in jail. It was an amazing job and I think we all learned a lot from it.
But on a more serious note, a bridge collapsed today. The huge news came as a shock since we were rushed into a room and forced into a quick abrupt prayer. We prayed for help, survival, and an end to bad times. Luckily enough seven out of nine were rescued. Yet one was killed and one is still missing. Mississippi is going through immense trouble right now and this just added to it.
This environment is heartbreaking to experience, but amazing to help. I feel as if we did so much by doing so little. The people we met, the work we accomplished, the things we struggled through; they changed my life. Even thought the bug bites and humidity made you miss the warm corners of your bed, this trip built character, and I believe it changed me to be a better person. I am going to miss Mississippi and I hope to come back extremely soon. –Jane

Okay. I have learned that I am no better at blogging than I am at e mail. I have been here the whole week , feeling much of what has been written. I will tell you all about it when we get home. I was able to let the comments about my navigation skills go and have a very meaningful time. Tonight I am starting to anticipate leaving each other and feeling a little separation anxiety. I miss the young people once we get home and they go home to their real families. Thanks for entrusting their sweet lives to us for this trip. Debbie

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitatio, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to them and turn their pain into joy.

May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

+And the blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be upon y ou, and remain with you always. Amen

We separated for part of the day today. The boys went to move dirt. Sounds right, doesn’t it? The Girls with Power Tools set out to a home that needed yardwork. Problem was, it was just that. Yardwork. The house looked nice, the yard well-kept but for a few weeds in a small spot in the back. We weed-whacked it and jetted out within an hour, and went to Katrina Relief, where we were going to alert them to this misadventure. But when we went inside, we were introduced to the lady whose home it was we’d whacked. She was working for Katrina Relief.

This is not a bad thing. It’s just reality. Chaos. Katrina Relief is pretty much a one-woman show, with some volunteer help. We were a little surprised, but probably shouldn’t have been shocked. We were told, “There’s not a single person who HASN’T been affected by Katrina.”

Paul calls this the Microcasm Effect. Everything that happens here – the chaos, the lack of infrastructure, the bad directions – they’re all a reflection of what’s going on in Mississippi right now.

Oh, have I mentioned the SIGNS? There aren’t any. Or there aren’t very many – unless you count campaign signs. Debbie and I have a joke now that you turn right at Steve Seymore and left at David Baria. You can go straight at For Sale By Owner.

Our second stop was at what appeared to be a nice, big house on a large lot. We were instantly deflated, thinking they’d sent us to another place where help wasn’t needed. We were wrong. Debbie called it our Pastoral Care stop. More about that from her and Maggie.

We did have another stop that was a bust, but we were still able to relay the information about that client to Katrina Relief, so they could better coordinate for a later appointment. We ended up back at Steve’s, just because we knew we’d feel we were contributing, and we all needed that.

I’m not putting up pictures yet because the computer blipped out. Emily decided to write a book for her blog last night, and just juiced us out. That’s OK. We’ll have lots more for you today. Drywall, flooring … and more introspection. -Kathy

Hey Y’all!

The past few days have been so amazing. Some things have been fun, some were hard, but all were rewarding. New Orleans was very different than I expected. Everything was colorful, including the people. And yes, mom, we DID go to Café Du Monde and ate beignets. When we were driving into the city, we saw houses that had been damaged or destroyed by Katrina. It was enough to bring me close to tears. I had assumed many people from New Orleans (New Orlineans?) would be somewhat bitter after something like that, but I was surprised to talk to them and be proven wrong. On the working side of this trip, we have had all kind of jobs, from gardening and yard work to chiseling bricks. Everyone we helped told us his or her story. One woman brought out enough pictures to fill an album, and we patiently waited while she showed us every one. Another woman was four months away from dying, and she was fixing her house up only so her family wouldn’t have to deal with it when she was gone.
On a happier note, we have been hanging out with many people after the work day, including Carlyn, Winn, Nathan, Sean, Kirk, and Jimmy. Nathan, Carlyn and Winn are all From North Carolina, and Kirk, Jimmy and Sean are from Montana, I think. Carlyn is a cute energetic little girl. Winn is a nice wannabe soccer player. Nathan is quiet at first, but he started talking and we all enjoy his company. Kirk, Sean, and Jimmy are inseparable, and very fun to hang out with.
Mom: I love and miss you very much. I am sorry for not blogging sooner, as I have been very busy having fun and working hard.
Al: As pathetic as this may sound, I miss you not coming into my room every 5 minutes asking me for something, (or wondering if one of your friends can wear my clothing.) How is track? Still doing well? Good. I want to hear all about it when I get back
Dad: Sorry I couldn’t talk for long when you called. I love and miss you too. Call me when you can.
To the Parish: Thank you for supporting us and reading these. At least I hope you are reading them, because otherwise we have been writing for nothing JKeep us in your prayers, and I will see you again soon.
Just for anyone who wants to know: I have completely given up on putting on anti-itch cream on one mosquito bite after another. Now I just lather it on like lotion, as it is the only way I am guaranteed to cover all of the stupid bites. Emily, 1 Mosquito, 0. I win! By the way I think I beat Kari too. I have about 1 kajillion bites, and she is complaining about like 30. -Emily

Emily and I are writing these blogs at precisely 11:02 p.m. And we’re really hyper, can you tell? Right now she’s sticking a flashlight in her mouth so her cheeks light up, and it’s making us both laugh so hard that Kathy and Debbie kicked us out of the tent. Anyway, today, we worked again on bricks. We also pulled staples out of the walls of a run down house, so they can hang the drywall. There was no air conditioning or even electricity for fans, so it was ridiculously hot! The lady’s house was up to her porch lights with water, and they were still inside! I’m kind of sad and kind of excited that we only have one day left. It seems like we’ve hardly accomplished anything in the past few days, but I guess we have already changed 5 peoples lives. I think I have more mosquito bites than Kari or Emily and a sunburn on top of that. Kathy wants to go to bed now so I guess I will talk to you all when I get home J Adriane

Let’s play a guessing game. If you can guess how many bites are on my legs right now, I counted, then you win. Good Luck—Kari

Hey Y’all!

This is Carlyn McGiffin. I am a girl at the Mission on the Bay, who was Mrs Buese’s bunkmate. I was also a bunkmate with Kari and Adriane. This is my first year at Mission on the Bay and I would like to come here next year. I was wondering what Utah is like. Is it pretty? Is it smelly? Is it gunky? Just kidding, I am sure it is beautiful and wonderful and more exciting than Durham, NC, which is gross. But any ways I just wanted you to meet me and know all about me. I don’t thing that you know about yet so I will tell you about me. I am “BEYONDHORSECRAZY” because I ride my own two horses all the time.
-Carlyn

I hit myself with a hammer today. AND I talked to Jane a lot. –Tillie

Top 10 things to do while chiseling out cement in bricks:
1. Actually do it
2. Pretend to do it
3. Talk to Tillie
4. Talk about cereal
5. Hit yourself with the hammer
6. Sing
7. Ask what time it is
8. Do butt flexes
9. Dream of Craig’s hair
10. Check out hot men who are either working out their muscles or are black men coming to inspect the trailer
-Jane
P.S.
I like eating margarita snow cones in thunderstorms also

Steven…we met Steven today. He lost everything in his house, which was full of water and exploded. Literally the brick exploded off the outer walls. He only received $3000 and is trying to salvage what he can to use again. It was physical work today pounding the mortar out of the brick, stacking the brick, burying the mortar and then we went around to the other side of the house and there was an even bigger pile. We did have a power chipper and my hands won’t grip now. That tool lost its appeal quickly!! I cried behind my sunglasses after loading 3 front-loaders full of chipped mortar to be buried. I was so exhausted and we really had done so little. We saved him hours and hours of work but he has so much more. You can hear the hope at times but then the depression comes out. He’ll make it; I have to believe. He was working in his yard all day except for an errand run. He works on oilrigs 28 days and is off 14. I can’t imagine how tired he must be. I wish him well. Maggie

Arden it was so great to hear about you 1st day at Spanish camp. I’m glad you are feeling better and getting to go to the b-day party. I had a sweet treat today called a snowball. It’s like a snow cone but sweeter and as things go in the south involved cream! I look forward to playing lots of games with you when I get home. All my love …Mama

Deirdre
Today we went and got cement out of bricks. I am looking forward to hang with you guys and to see you dad I barley can make it through the night. I miss you soooo much ever since I was at the airport I’ve missed you daddy. If you didn’t see the first Blog I’m coming home on Friday at 10:00 am I’m pretty shore. Tell everyone at home that I miss themand that I love them. J OXOXOXOXO

Hi all. Sorry I haven’t written for a while, they keep us very busy here at camp. Working for all of the Katrina victims is very sad. Yesterday we helped to level out a lady’s lawn who is dying in four months and only wanted her house to be in order for her family. Today we helped a man who only got three thousand dollars from the insurance company when his house was completely flooded, and all these people are so positive despite all this. They are all so grateful for even the smallest things. At the camp it is very buggy. I have had beetles in my hair, my pants and in my bed. The gnats and mosquitoes are killer! I counted and I have sixteen bites on my feet alone. I did catch a frog today at the work site though and Tom has caught two toads. It is hard work here though. The weather is miserable, the stories are so sad, and it is very hard being away from our families this long. Sometimes it makes you just want to cry. I’m not lying when I say that we have already had three people in tears. But despite all this, I feel very good about what I am doing here. I’m learning so much about how much Katrina really destroyed. Not just houses but lives. As hard as the work is, it is very satisfying but you get a lot done as well too and it make you feel good too. I miss you Mom, Dad, and Alli. Tom says hi too. -Kari

I am thankful for a nice morning with overcast skies. The stories we heard yesterday from some of the hurricane victims really makes me realize how fortunate I am in this world. All of the kids are working hard and it has definitely been an eye opening experience for them. Being down here makes me remember the best things in life are not things. –Paul

How AMAZING running is in the morning. You are just in your own world, it is incredible. It’s as if no one can ever touch you. We (Emily, Tillie, Ray and myself) ran for 30 minutes under the overcast sky, and even though people dwindled out eventually I believe we all got something out of it. Nice bathing suit body here I come!
Last night was quite funny too because the St. Pauls group and some people from North Carolina all hung out, and we decided that Tom is the new comedian of the group. Yes little Tommy, I’m not joking. Plus we all got a sense for what North Carolina is like and I can tell you I don’t want to go to college there.
Well I best pass on the computer and get ready for a hardworking day…that is if we can find the sites. –Jane

Running here is rad. As you already know, a few of us went for a 30 minute run this morning, I however only lasted 18 minutes. –Tillie

I should also tell you that we’ve discovered that Tommy is a collector. Yes, he will be bringing back “stuff” he’s found or been given along the way — although we did draw the line at the FROG.

One of the girls said she’d hoped we could rebuild an entire home while we were here so that we really felt like we’d contributed to someone. After our Bill experience, I think everyone realized that a small gift is often the most meaningful.

It was the same with Eagle, a woman who returned to her home a few days after Katrina to find her house and her entire neighborhood devastated. Her neighbor told her that he sat on top of his roof and watched the waves crest over hers. Everything she has now was donated by volunteers: the Amish came to put in hardwood floors; others painted. We moved mounds of dirt to her backyard, which had been sunken in from the floods.

No insurance for anything, she said. Before Katrina, she was $9,000 away from paying off her mortgage. After, the insurance company paid her $800 for a downed fence. Several of our girls were crying tonight, partly at the thought of such injustice. We’ve all had some drama today. It’s been hard; it’s been good; it’s been something of a lecture from God. –Kathy

Today was our first day of actual work. It was actually pretty fun at first; it was mostly just yard work for a very nice, quirky, old man. Then, as we were relocating …we got lost. We ended up driving around for an hour and actually, it was a lot of fun. Once we found the new place we dug, and dug, and wheel barrowed, and dug, and raked (which wasn’t as much fun, but it was alright.) now I hopefully have some biceps to show of. (I think I got my first bug bite! Does it still count as a bite if it doesn’t itch?)
-Tillie

Bill. He didn’t learn how to read. He just listens. An old old man who just listens. BUT out on the working field he is a pro, especially with a rake. While we tended to the garden work around his “invisible” home, he helped us, and wanted to be a part of our experience. He also has some funny jokes, but only some of his jokes are actually funny. Today we changed Bill’s life. –Jane

It felt really good to get out and work today even though it also felt awful. It was really amazing to see how much we’re changing these peoples lives even with little things like yard work. Mrs. Eagle (one of the people we worked for today) was really appreciative of all our hard work filling in her sunken yard. Her insurance wouldn’t pay for the damage done to her home because it was “flood” damage and not wind damage. I think it was the hottest and most humid it has been this whole trip. This morning we pulled weeds and spread gravel around so they wouldn’t come back. Later, it cooled off but emotions heated up a little. It is really hard work! When I’m tired, hot, and sticky with sweat and moisture, it is really hard to stay positive. Tomorrow I’m going to have to keep reminding myself, why I’m here. I hope that as we all get used to the heat, things will get better. Missing you all, Adriane

Deirdre
Today we helped people clean up their yards. We also helped this lady that is dieing of cancer and she is going to die in maybe 4 months. Her back yard sunk in Hurricane Katrina. She also had a piggy before the Hurricane came but after the Hurricane past she found out that her piggy was died.
Then we helped this old guy that kept on calling us baby and sweet pie. Then we all started to put on gravel. We had lunch after that so yeah. He also didn’t have any of his house left. Love XOXOXOJ.

Evolution
By Jane Fudyma

We’ve learned to live with them
They are the grazing mosquitoes
Flying
Sucking
That subtle buzz
They are the drops of sweat
Cascading
Pooling
Drenching our clothes
They are the thick southern accent
Surrounding
Laughing
Yet soon adapting
They are the humid heat waves
Smothering
Choking
Warmly welcoming our dry skin
Many miseries and more
traumatic as it may seem
We have been able to live with them
As “They” become “Us”

Yesterday was a free day, meaning the only work we had to contend with was fighting the heat. We started out at church, which we felt fortunate for because originally they told us we’d have to go into New Orleans to worship. Kind of No Room at the Inn, or something. But as luck would have it, we were welcomed here at Christ Episcopal Church, founded in 1890.

I have to say their little 7-person choir does a yeoman’s job of sending up music, but it can’t compare to ours. Of course. And frankly, the organ kind of overtook everyone’s voices anyway. Which was good for us since we weren’t really in fine vocal form!

Elizabeth, the rector, sent us off nicely, even if it was with a Monty Python story about the guy who gathers dead bodies. The point was that Jesus wants us to live through Him, and was a sacrifice for others. Despite the Python analogy, this was not about dying with a frying pan to the head. Elizabeth has promised us her blessing, which was beautiful.

I am relenting enough to say that Maggie is now a pretty good navigator, but Debbie and I are NOT. Nonetheless, we did tromp around New Orleans, Bourbon Street and such.

Today, we’re headed out to some site where they want us to wear JEANS. This is not a priority clothing choice for most of us, who now live in sweat. But Spencer’s itching to “construct” something, and we’re all excited about DOING something useful. The girls, I can tell you, didn’t sleep much last night in anticipation.

We’ll tell you more later about the militaristic group from Durham, N.C. -K

Deirdre
Today we all went to new Orleans and got you all presents. The time we’re coming home on Friday is 10:00am. I’m really home sick so this is all I’m going to write! Oh and also there is to much y’all talk. Love you.

I don’t know what Deirdre’s talking about …Ya’ll is so much easier to say. Music to my ears. The girls told me my accent is getting thicker. Ha!! NO was fun today but I wonder if the kids are aware that tomorrow will be much different. Lots of work ahead and they will be tired and hot. We are up to challenge but all groups get a day/night off campus to debrief. Ours just came at the beginning. Until soon. Maggie