Jeremiah Project

Hey everybody! Lauren and Jackie updating for the group today! It’s been a busy time from the moment we landed so please excuse our lateness.  Travel was quick and painless, no airport horror stories to report. Upon arrival we were greeted by some authentic New Orleans hospitality! Everyone enjoyed a traditional meal of red beans and rice that Pastor Rich and his wife Cinda prepared for us. Then it was off to bed for a good rest before early morning church.

On Sunday we attended the Episcopal Church of All Souls in the Lower Ninth. They gather in an old pharmacy still being repaired and restructured from Katrina.  We joined in worship and fellowship with the local congregation, and were blown away by the enthusiasm and faith of the locals. We learned of an after school children’s program the church runs for 33 youths. They provide meals and tutoring, as well as a small music program for about 15, it truly was inspiring. Afterwards we were granted an opportunity to walk around the Lower Ninth to see what work had been done and what work still remained after the devastation of Katrina. The X’s still marking the front of the houses were haunting. This really put into context what it was we are here to do.

Sunday night we experienced our first Mardis Gras parade and local culture. The turn out was astounding. We knew after the Saints won the Superbowl it would be big…but this was HUGE! One man we talked to said that the festival had almost finished it’s run last year…he thought it had been the last Mardis Gras the city would see. For him it was a miracle to see life breathed back into the people of New Orleans in this gathering. And yes…we did collect some beads.

Monday morning it was off to work…and almost as chilly as home! After a few wrong turns we made it to the warehouse where we were set up with our crew chiefs and the story behind what they had been doing during the reconstruction. The man we are working for is 71 year old Mr. Hammond,  who owns 6 units in the 7th Ward.  He did not evacuate the city because he wanted to stay to protect his property. He was forced to chisel a hole in the roof to escape the rising flood waters. He was flown out of the city and lived with his son for a time before managing to get back into city.  He currently lives in a trailer at the back of his property, we are repairing the unit he will move back into. Check out the links below to see his story that was told in the Washington Post and New York Times. Many of us surprised by the sheer hope and determination Mr. Hammond has, which in turn has motivated and further inspired the work we are doing. Our task was to scrape tiling to prepare for the grouting we will do on Wednesday. Not the most thrilling work perhaps, but certainly nessesary and with the help of conversation and music we made it through. It helps to remember that this is the least we can do for someone who has lost everything but manages to stay hopeful and faithful.

We spent alot of time during the afternoon reflecting on what we’ve experienced in New Orleans thus far, and giving thought to where we’ve seen God in our wanderings.

Monday we experienced more New Orleans hospitality, as supper was brought to us completely by surprise and was all the more welcomed for it! The people here truly are amazing. We attended another parade, collected some more beads, and were amazed by the behaviour of the crowds. Back in Canada, a gathering of this size and intensity would certainly warrant some rowdy behaviour, but everyone was gracious and joyful.

So now we leave you on the morning of Shrove Tuesday, we welcome everyone to enjoy their pancakes or whatever they eat or do to celebrate this day!  Keep checking for updates, and feel free to make comments or reflections on this post!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/us/08trailer.html

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/recession-road/2009/07/post_14.html