Homeward Bound, But We'll Never Forget

Georgia sends: Heading home!
We started our morning out at 5:00 a.m. Ken drove us through a pretty hairy rain storm to get us to the French Quarter to have beignets (pronounce ben-YAY) and real coffee before our flight. Much thanks to Loring for the beignets and coffee, and Ken for the safe trip!

A Back Bay Send off:

Last night we had a fabulous Shrimp Boil. The usual cook, Don, had to go to
Florida for his uncle's funeral so one of our new friends from one of the there groups jumped in and took up the apron. The food was wonderful with all the shrimp, salad and cookies we could eat! We had a joy-filled evening of laughter, sharing and community with the groups that stayed in the Back Bay Trailers. Many of us have made life-long connections and look forward to the possibility of working with our new friends on future trips.

Work up date:
The groups we worked with stained and varnished all of Brenda's (this photo is on the porch of Brenda's house) kitchen cabinets (they will be hung next week), started and completed all the baseboards and door casings in the blue house, started and finished all the insulation and almost completed the drywall in two rooms of the house on Howard street. All in all a good weeks work. I'm struck by how slow the work is and how much is left to be completed. There is still so much to do!!! I'm already looking forward to a return trip!

As we head home we want to thank you all for your prayers and support this week. We wouldn't have been here without your help! We look forward to sharing our experiences with y'all soon.

Good Food, Good Friends and Honest Work!

Janie and Kenny send: Hello Y'all,

Our words echo from the beautiful city of Biloxi, Mi. Today's weather has been warm/hot to extreme humidity (Yuk).

My daily blog will be all about food and travel. Today is Thursday. We were up by 6 a.m. and at the retreat cafe by 6:30 a.m. Our menu was french toast, bacon, grits, cereal and beverages of choice. Georgia, Julie and I are very grateful for our new friend Cathy. She has been cooking all week for us and the meals have been terrific. Others in our work group have had to cook all their meals. after exhausting hard work. This is something we've been very thankful for.











Most everyone took off around 3 p.m., to do some sight seeing. The mighty six choose to stick around our city. So we went to the Camille and Katrina Memorial sites. They were beautiful and humbling all in one. We all took pictures that we will share.








Our next stop was Miss Mary Mahoney's Inn, built in 1772. This meal was a gift to us from the Wheelers, we thank them for their kindness. Our setting was fancy white table cloth, silver, crystal, and china. Our dinning area was in an old bedroom with 4 floors beautiful hand carved chairs. The windows framed the huge old oak trees surrounding the inn. One being 2000 years old. We dined on prime rib, veal, shrimp and crab. Our dinner was highlighted by our decadent desserts of key lime pie, lemon meringue pie, cheese cake all served with pretty presentation of sauces and syrups. With warm contentment within our bodies, we journeyed on back to our retreat, did some wash visited a bit and then went to bed.

Our young energizer bunny (Noah) has not slowed much. Georgia and Rick have much to be proud of, their two young men are fine, polite, warm and gracious to all they meet. These are words and comments by many of the other volunteers.

We need to get our reservation in for next year, they are already full for the remainder of 2008, and winter of 2009.

See you ALL on Sunday.

Greetings from Janie and Kenny

Touching Lives ~ Theirs and Ours

Noah sends: Meeting Brenda. Difficult to explain, but, she is very faith based and enjoyable to talk to. She can sing like an angel. She has lots of stories to tell about Katrina. She has a huge family that she feeds often. All 50 of them! She very much enjoys that we are helping fix her home. She has told us that we are God's children ~ like angels. She introduced us to her Christian sister as God's people. We were staining wood cabinets at her house. That's all we had to do and she was happy. She is a cook at a restaurant nearby.

She believes that you don't have to sing well, you just have to sing from the heart. So she helped us with the Gospel songs we were to sing that night. She sang the lead and we sang the response. She told us "ya gotta pick it up!" We sang like people who don't sing gospel very much. She has a great smile. She is a jolly person. She made everyone laugh at least 10 times. The things she said were funny, like... (Noah couldn't think if an example) She walked in and gave me a hug.



Julie sends: The yolk of Jesus, put on the yolk of JESUS. Amen!

We sang our gospel songs tonight at Missionary Bethel Baptist Church. We were guests of the church and sang for them to show our appreciation. We sang like people who don't hear or sing gospel very often. There were four ministers up front and an organist who could pick up a tune from the speech of a preacher. The prayers had organ music swirling in and through them. The message from the pastor was that there are a few prerequisites to following Jesus. One must be a person, one must be willing, be selfless, and be willing to take on the yoke of Jesus. Not the yolk of an egg as both Domenick and Noah thought but the yoke of Jesus. Lots of laughs around this conversation after the service.

Many Hands...

Georgia sends: First of all the man in the picture is Ron. Ron has taught Noah everything he will ever need to know about cutting insulation. They have become fast friends and make a great team!

Tuesday had our group going in many different directions. Domenick, Noah and Georgia went back to their house on Howard to finish up the installation of insulation. All that was left were the ceilings and they spent their day with their hands over their heads. 

When the insulation was completed they started on dry walling the ceiling. Their shoulders were very sore by the end of the day. Janie, Julie and Ken went back to their house on division to continue finish work there. At about 11:00 a.m. Julie and Janie went to Loaves and Fishes, a soup kitchen run by BackBay. There they helped to feed the homeless. They served a hot meal and then handed out bag "lunches" to help keep the needy fed for the rest of the day. Each week Back Bay asks for two volunteers from each group to work at Loaves and Fishes one day that week.

After our day's work we attended a presentation about Back Bay Mission. This was wonderfully informative! Back Bay Mission has been in business since 1922. Rebuilding from Katrina is a small part of the serves they bring to this community. More later about Back Bay later. You can follow the link at the right side of the blog if you'd like to read more about Back Bay.. After the presentation. Don taught us two "Spirituals" that we will be singing at a community church on Wednesday when we will be the "Choir." Noah was on fire and can't wait!!

Then it was off to the house of a couple who's house was renewed and repaired two years ago by some of the members of one of the other groups here this week. The house looks great and the couple have clearly continued to take great pride in their house. The couple shared that they were ready to give up on their house when Back Bay came to help them and that they would not be living there today if not for the help they received. Their story was very inspiring and gives us all encouragement as we continue our work.

~ More Late!

Photos Du Jour

A photo report of Monday's work from Noah:

The first photo is Domenick and Georgia on ladders (Dom in the middle, Georgia to the right) installing insulation. The second photo is of Domenick looking like "Darth Handyman." And finally a yet to be named fellow volunteer. Never fear though, as soon as our Biloxi crew gets me the information I'll update the blog.

- Rick

Bedding Down the Crew

Rick reports: I made a bedtime call to Georgia who promptly told me she couldn't talk to me because she and Janie were playing cards and Janie had just opened a can o' whoop (you know what) on her. She did call back later as most of the crew was bedding down for the evening. Apparently, Noah had just woke up Domenick and told him it was morning and time to leave for the work site. As I laughed Georgia wondered why I thought that was funny and realized it was something I'd have done. Though beyond that, it is the unspoken bonding of my two sons that goes hand in hand with the important work they are doing. And it is important "play" that will help keep the lasting effects of such a violent act of nature in check. Both emotionally and spiritually. Georgia commented that it was exciting to "pick up where they left off." I have often heard the Ninth Ward crew talk wondering what state those homes they'd mucked out were in today. And there certainly must be some satisfaction in working toward the completion of that.

Our team seems at peace with the work they are doing. Though words, pictures and news reports never seem to effectively touch on the work still left undone. I know that we are all very proud of our Redlands UCC team and that they represent the body and how we will never forget. As you look at the photos and read the stories, I urge each of us to "evangelize" (sorry, no pun intended) the work left ahead of us in rebuilding part of our nation.

And the Work Begins

Julie sends: Last night we were all pretty excited about the start of our work.
Monday began with a quick breakfast in the dark of morning, at 6:30 am (that's 4:30
am for you sleepy heads). By 7:30 am we were at the Mission for
orientation. There were folks from Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and
Pennsylvania. Thailand and Brazil are the home countries of two exchange
student workers. To round out the international interest, our construction
director is from South Africa.

Volunteer Coordinator Pam Small encouraged us to do three things this week:
1) Listen to people's stories; 2) Tell people that Biloxi is not well and
will not be well for many years; and, 3) Do a little work and be kind.

The Construction Director gave us some quick guidelines for the week. The
most important is to be safe. He then wanted to know if there were any
brick layers in the group. No one has that skill, so that work will wait
for next week. He then asked about framers and one fellow said he had
experience. (People standing around photo) We then split the group of 32 people into framing carpenters, insulation installers, painters, and trim carpenters. Georgia, Dominick and Noah went to do insulation and dry walling. Ken, Janie and Julie went off to do trim
carpentry.

The house Ken, Janie and Julie worked on is like a shot-gun house, only
sideways. It is designed for two families, with full facilities in each
half. The insulation and dry wall and basic painting have been completed.
The work done today was finish trim for doors and baseboards. Outside a group was finishing the exterior soffits. (Photo of ladder)

In this home there are twelve single doors and seven double doors, Some parts of the house are original and so reflect construction from another era. The walls are sometimes wider than the framed and hung doors, so we were cutting strips to stuff under the case trim and worrying about reveals. Ken and Janie were putting down baseboard in rooms with floors that dipped. It took us a long time to get up and running because there was no electricity to run the chop saws. Ken found a mitre box and it was looking grim for those scores of mitre cuts. Finally, we got current and folks started to fall into jobs.

For Georgia, Dominick and Noah, walking into the house they were to work on
was like walking into a house after they had mucked it out. For them it was
a natural progression from their experience in New Orleans. "The house
today looked like the houses in New Orleans after we finished mucking them
out. Today was like a continuation of that experience."

A Day of Rest...Partis Duo

Georgia sends: As we head out this morning (Monday) before beginning a day of work I'd like to get you caught up on yesterday. Our first full day (Sunday) here we had all to ourselves. And went out to explore Biloxi.

After breakfast we made a quick trip out to shop for things we forgot and a stop by Back Bay Mission. Pam Small (she's pictured below standing in the middle) gave us a quick tour and history of Back Bay Mission. Back Bay Mission does do a lot of wonderful community out reach. Check the link and videos about Back Bay on the right hand side of this blog.

Next, Noah took us all across the street to the beach to play in the Gulf. The water was reasonably warm and very shallow a long way out. Perfect for water play. After an hour long driving tour of the Biloxi coast, trying to find a restraunt that was NOT lost to Katrina, we had dinner at the High Cotton Grill. If you want to check out the Grill's menu and a short story of rebuilding after Katrina, follow the link.

More later! We are off to our first day of work!

A Day of Rest

Georgia sends: We arrived in Biloxi last night (Saturday) around 9:30 at the Methodist Church Camp where our group is staying and found it looking very much like, well, a Church Camp. We knew the ocean was out there, close, because we can hear it. It's dark. We've been packed into the van. We're tired. We can't find our key. After some deliberation and wondering, we call our friend and caretaker Pam Small. Pam jumps out of bed. Drives over, finds the onsite camp person, gets them out of bed so we can all go to bed. And I'm happy to say we were in bed by 11 pm.

Now it is a glorious Sunday morning. I have yet to go to the ocean. But I can see it
out my cabin window. We are not working today so we plan to spend time getting our bearings. We will be eating all our meals and sleeping here at the church camp and then joining our work groups at Back Bay each morning.

I'm sending this email from a laptop computer while sitting on an old stump. I've found a strong wireless connection for the computer and have a good view of Biloxi Junior High School.

More later.
Georgia

Touch down!

As of 2:49 p.m. this afternoon (Saturday) our team was safely on the ground at the New Orleans airport. Ah, that would be the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Now if that's not inspiration... And as of a 5:30 p.m. text message the gang was loaded into a seven-passenger van. And on the road to Biloxi. Let that mental picture sink in for a moment. Six people in a seven passenger van, 500 pieces of luggage, with nearly a 100-mile journey, Well, it's actually 77 miles. But, 100 sounds far more painful. Are we there yet! Via con Dios!
- Rick

Flight delay in Phoenix

Georgia sends: "We've made it to the Phoenix Airport. We had an hour layover and the plane delayed an hour. So here we sit with time to spare, time to play on the internet. And Noah found the the birds in the Phoenix Airport amazing!" It seems as though even the birds are sometimes grounded.

Departure!

And so it begins anew! After arriving in the church parking lot this morning at 5am (a miracle!) the group got underway with chauffeurs Rick and Loring and about 500 suitcases and sleeping bags.

Everyone was excited and ready for the trip, albeit a little bleary-eyed. And speaking of miracles, the super sleeper-inner, the head hibernator, the late-lounging leader, Sharon was there too! She came bearing a bag of seven gifts, with directions to open one each day, starting with this morning, right there in the dark parking lot of RUCC. It was a birthday card for Ken with a bag of Werther's to share. There were also instructions to sing Happy Birthday!, but apparently the group will do that in the middle of the airport later when it's really embarrassing. I'm not sure how old he is, but Jane said something about getting a discount at Denny's.

The rest of the bags were loaded up, and it was time to bless the intrepid travelers and send them on their mission. The Spirit's presence was among us as we offered words of thanks, pleas for safety, hopes for togetherness and growth, and reminders that the group is not traveling alone; all of us will be with them in our hearts.

Good luck Georgia, Noah, Domenick, Ken, Janie, and Julie! We will miss you and wish you all the best! We love you!

-Loring

T-minus one day and counting!

Noah sends: "It's Friday and we were getting packed and ready to go. The next thing we know, Cooper is in my suitcase hoping that he could come along. The family thought it was funny. So here's a picture. Love you all and see you again soon."

Getting Started

Last year members from the Redlands United Church of Christ traveled to the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, LA. The Ninth Ward was one of the most devasted portions of the Gulf Coast left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Misery was a byproduct too. RUCC members sought to provide comfort through their actions and armed with compassion spent time in the Ninth Ward mucking out homes.
Once again RUCC members are traveling to the Gulf Coast, this time to work with UCC's Back Bay Mission in Biloxi, MS.

We'll do our best to post information, stories and photos, comments and yes a few opinions in the days to come.