Help is on the way

First Presbyterian Church of Jamaica serves in New Orleans, July 2008
by Kathleen Lovell

Volunteers from First Presbyterian Church of Jamaica. Photo courtesy of First Presbyterian Church of Jamaica.

During the second week of July, 2008, my church (First Presbyterian Church of Jamaica) visited New Orleans for a mission trip to assist in contributing and rebuilding a loved and forgotten state. Our objective was to assist in the recovery effort of working with Habitat for Humanity and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance in taking on the challenge of fixing up a couple of homes so that the residents of NOLA would have somewhere to live.

Due to Hurricane Katrina, many people lost their homes.  As a matter of fact, the damage that was done in the “wards” could bring you to tears. More than two years had passed, yet there was still much to be done.  In traveling to our location of “work”, you could see the many tents set up under the highway due to the saturation of homelessness. It truly was the grace of God that this state’s climate was favorable enough for people to be able to live outdoors.  Additionally, almost all of the homes experienced some form of damage, such that people had to evacuate their premises, and live with friends and family members, or even relocate. As I ponder this thought, I think about how so many people take life for granted. Who would have thought that this could happen again?

The host church, which was kind enough to put us up for the week, was the First Presbyterian Church, located off South Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans. Although we did not see it, this church also received structural damage as a result of this hurricane from uprooted trees to flood damage and broken pews.  By the time we arrived however, much work had been done in the improvement of this property.

I believe our first day of service was the most challenging due to arriving in NOLA so early in the morning, and having our first PDA (Presbyterian Disaster Assistance) orientation meeting on the same morning. We were briefed on where we were going to work, given the appropriate tools needed, and off we went to attempt to transform a “shell” into a livable dwelling place for a fortunate family.

Our group was broken off into two teams. The youth of our church were committed to working with Habitat for Humanity, while the older folks were sent off to work for PDA. Given that I was a part of the older team, my concentration will be in discussing the dwelling in which we worked.

The home that we were assigned to was located in the seventh ward. There was scraping, spackling, sheet rocking, and painting of walls to be done. There were floors to be built; there were windows to install, which included molding, caulking, and measuring oh so precisely, so that air would not escape. There were doors and windows that needed locks; outlets needed for electricity, and piping for water infiltration into the home. The bathroom needed a toilet. The walls needed tiles.  Wow — so much work to be done.  Tools were limited, and we had to make due.  Fortunately our team was spear-headed by one of our members, James Gangaram, who was very versed in construction procedures. So, as he gave the orders, we complied with accomplishing the task.

There we were, amateurs with willing hearts, giving our all to glorifying God with our service. Our desire was to do our best. By the close of the week, we were able to see some progress. We were also able to meet the woman who was to reside in this home.  Her name is Dora. She was so humble, and so grateful to us for helping out.  Although we were not able to see the finished product, our contribution mattered. We were just a small, but significant part of a bigger picture.

While in NOLA, we were also fortunate enough to be able to do a little sight-seeing, shopping, and eating in The French Quarters prior to leaving. The natives were very cordial and friendly, and did not mind sharing a little about their personal experiences and losses as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

On the last day of our work experience, as our trip was coming to a close, both teams gathered together, one last time at our work site location. With extended hands, and grateful hearts, we prayed on this home, leaving it into the care of God.

This experience has impacted my life greatly, as it has allowed me to recognize, so clearly, how much people need people. In this great big ol’ world, no man is an island. Everyone matters … and everyone is capable of making a difference, no matter how small the contribution. You see, no one is fully able to predict the future or its outcome.  It is when adversities such as this occur that we must look deep inside ourselves and make a conscious decision to help the next person in need.  After all — it’s the right thing to do because, we really don’t know what tomorrow will bring.  This was my first mission trip. Guess what? I’d do it again.  As the saying goes, “If I can help somebody, as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain.”

<< Back to Stories of hope: Presbyterians respond to bring hope following Hurricanes Katrina/Rita/Wilma