In August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina wiped out nearly 2,000 people across the Gulf Coast. The devastating effects of the disaster motivated four students, a dentist, and an architect from San Francisco's Asian American Yerba Buena Corps and an office manager from New Jersey, to dedicate one week to assist in the restoration efforts throughout the hurricane affected areas. With motivated curiosity and a desire to help, I joined my fellow corps members in similar hopes of learning something from our experiences.
In collaboration with Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army is helping to fund the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project which provides safe, affordable housing for needy individuals living across the Gulf Coast. As the only Salvationists volunteering with Habitat Humanity that week, we did our best to be examples of faith through our words, actions, and responsibilities.
Day 1: Un-sided
At our work site, 3229 Maureen Lane, in Mereaux, Louisiana, we were greeted by five Americorps members, four other volunteers from New York, and three from Maryland. By working together, our duties were to apply shingles to the roof and to nail siding up along the walls. Constant pounding, lifting, climbing, and measuring is not an easy task in 90 degree, humid, swamp-like conditions. However, we were able to achieve much in five 8 am-3 pm working days.
James & Teresa Salande
Throughout the week, an elderly man frequently visited the site in his red pickup, and I quickly learned that he was the homeowner. Though he was hard of hearing, we were able to communicate through both sign language and lip reading to find a common belief– our faith in God. Homeowner James Salande, a Louisiana resident for many years, explained to me that the hurricane lifted his home off the foundation, moved it to the side, and crashed it down into pieces. James and wife, Teresa, lost their 12 dogs due to the hurricane, but fortunately, they and their two children were safe. Despite their many hardships and difficulties, James has stood firm in his faith. He views hardship as an occasion to "bring people together to help each other."
Upon learning that his house was destroyed, James said, "I was devastated but then prayed to God for a miracle." Soon after, he was accepted into Habitat for Humanity's Carter Work Project, which has allowed many volunteers, like us, to help rebuild his home. He was so thankful that God answered his prayers by allowing him to finally "go home." As he was passionately telling his story, James gestured toward the beautiful green trees surrounding his backyard which remind him of God's abundant blessings toward him and his family.
Working hard!
After a week's worth of tiring labor, dripping sweat, and pounding nails, we were glad to experience not only building a house, but many relationships as well. On our fifth and last day of work, James gave me a hug as a thank you for helping to rebuild his house. I feel unworthy to be thanked– instead I give God all glory for allowing us to be used as a tool to build-up His children, be examples of faith, and spread Christ's love through the bodies He gave us.
Day 5!
"The body is a unit, through it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ." 1 Corinthians 12:12
Mereaux, Louisiana
May 27-31, 2008
