Guess it really is my turn to post something to the blog. It seems to often be forgotten in the midst of reading, research, and writing. Those must be the 3 R's of seminary.
Actually, after further consideration, I think it should be 4 R's for seminary education - the other one would be reflection. The list should be: research, reading, reflection, and of course, (w)riting. We spend a great deal of time researching to locate the appropriate materials, reading to gather insight and information, reflecting on what we have learned and experienced and where we have seen God at work, and then writing papers or sermons about those insights and experiences. (And then, of course, there is translating from Greek and Hebrew. But that ruins my list of R's so I'll give up that effort...)
Most of the juniors on campus have been accepted for CPE, so they know where they will be working this summer. This week the seniors received their first call synod assignments, which means that while they still need to interview with specific congregations and await calls, they at least know what synod they can expect to be living in soon as they graduate and begin their pastoral ministry. Now all of us middlers are anxiously awaiting the next round of announcements, which will be our internship assignments for next year. We expect those assignments to be announced around the first of April, so for the next month, the stress level will be high among all our classmates! While we are pretty flexible about location, some of our classmates need to be in specific areas and that just adds to their stress!
In the meantime, we just keep busy with our reading and other homework, and look forward to Spring Break, even though Ray and I plan on spending most of it right here at home. It's hard to believe we have already finished five weeks of this semester, and have just one more week to go before before the much-anticipated break. Which will probably be a very busy week as well, with plenty of homework, housework, and yardwork to do!
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Friday, February 17, 2006
Update, Feb 17
It appears that my last post got lost (lost in the mail? Operator error?). Life has certainly been busy, and there has not been a lot of time to update the blog. Another problem has been that our DSL has been on the blink ever since we got home. Hopefully, it was fixed yesterday and seems to be much more reliable than it was.
Class schedule for this semester is pretty tough - lots of reading, two classes requiring Greek translations and one requiring Hebrew translations. The transition back to seminary schedule has been a bit of a shock to the system, compounded by our arrival home only two days before classes started.
We have heard from a couple of people that we met in Mississippi, and talked about our experiences. We have also been asked to share with our field education church here, as well as with a couple of groups on campus. Talking about our experiences is good, but it can get a little emotional as well when you try and explain to someone who has not been there what it is really like. There are those who lost everything, but who remain hopeful. It does make it a little difficult for us to hear someone complain about everyday problems, though.
It's Friday night, the fourth week of classes are over, and we plan to do not much of anything for the evening. Sunday will be a big day - church, then home to watch the Daytona 500, and then back to church to meet with our small group. We are using the book Ordinary Joy, which is somewhat interesting, in that the author talks about ordinary joy in everyday life while we are still thinking about people to whom ordinary joy has become a truck delivering basic food supplies, or a blanket to keep them warm on a cold night. Our ordinary joy's would be extraordinary to many of the Katrina victims on the Gulf Coast.
Class schedule for this semester is pretty tough - lots of reading, two classes requiring Greek translations and one requiring Hebrew translations. The transition back to seminary schedule has been a bit of a shock to the system, compounded by our arrival home only two days before classes started.
We have heard from a couple of people that we met in Mississippi, and talked about our experiences. We have also been asked to share with our field education church here, as well as with a couple of groups on campus. Talking about our experiences is good, but it can get a little emotional as well when you try and explain to someone who has not been there what it is really like. There are those who lost everything, but who remain hopeful. It does make it a little difficult for us to hear someone complain about everyday problems, though.
It's Friday night, the fourth week of classes are over, and we plan to do not much of anything for the evening. Sunday will be a big day - church, then home to watch the Daytona 500, and then back to church to meet with our small group. We are using the book Ordinary Joy, which is somewhat interesting, in that the author talks about ordinary joy in everyday life while we are still thinking about people to whom ordinary joy has become a truck delivering basic food supplies, or a blanket to keep them warm on a cold night. Our ordinary joy's would be extraordinary to many of the Katrina victims on the Gulf Coast.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Friday, January 27, 2006
Back at Seminary
Wow! We only thought that coming home required some readustment - starting classes again has really been hard. We have now been in classes for a week, and going from working 7 days a week to sitting in classes every day has been quite an adjustment.
Instead of trying to get chainsaws working for a crew to take out, now I am trying to figure out how to read 300 plus pages every week. Between the class schedule, homework, and trying to get back into working in the computer lab on campus, I have been as tired this week as I was the first week in Ocean Springs.
This has also been a very busy week. We have been to classes, back to our field church, celebrated Ruth Ann's birthday, and re-stocked the pantry. This weekend, our dog is coming home and on Sunday, my mother is coming to visit. Hopefully, by next week, we'll be a bit more adjusted to being home and back into the swing of classes and homework.
Instead of trying to get chainsaws working for a crew to take out, now I am trying to figure out how to read 300 plus pages every week. Between the class schedule, homework, and trying to get back into working in the computer lab on campus, I have been as tired this week as I was the first week in Ocean Springs.
This has also been a very busy week. We have been to classes, back to our field church, celebrated Ruth Ann's birthday, and re-stocked the pantry. This weekend, our dog is coming home and on Sunday, my mother is coming to visit. Hopefully, by next week, we'll be a bit more adjusted to being home and back into the swing of classes and homework.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Back to the grind...
Well, we are back and classes started today. Don't know why, but we just can't seem to get over being tired. We only changed time by one hour (I used to change time zones like changing shoes) and we can't seem to get caught up. Yesterday, we slept late, went to the late service at church, bought groceries, and then took a nap. Today, staying awake through two classes was very difficult.
On our last day in Ocean Springs, we went to a seafood restaurant called Port of Call. It is certainly not a fancy place, but they had some of the best fried catfish I have ever had (or was it just from eating at the church for 3 weeks?). Across the street from the restaurant was this storage business. As you can see, the building (and contents) were heavily damaged by Katrina. Also, you can see in the second picture, another boat that just does not seem to be where it is supposed to be. Seems that we saw many boats - some were stored and washed off their trailers but we also saw several that appeared to be washed from some other place and deposited.
The sign in the foreground is just one of many, advertising roofing, remodeling, or other types of home
repairs. The creator of the Presbyterian blog that I gave a link to earlier described it best when he wrote about going to Florida to finish the settlement on his burned motorhome - you are driving along (as we did coming home) and suddenly realize that things don't look right - there are no blue tarps on the roofs, no broken trees, and no signs like this one advertising for home repairs. It was actually a bit unsettling as we drove home and into our neighborhood - it looks so different than what we had been seeing the last 4 weeks.
We are glad to be home, and eventually, we'll get back into the swing of things here and be able to stay awake for classes. Most of all, we need to get used to things looking "normal". Stay tuned - we'll be posting updates as the semester progresses.
On our last day in Ocean Springs, we went to a seafood restaurant called Port of Call. It is certainly not a fancy place, but they had some of the best fried catfish I have ever had (or was it just from eating at the church for 3 weeks?). Across the street from the restaurant was this storage business. As you can see, the building (and contents) were heavily damaged by Katrina. Also, you can see in the second picture, another boat that just does not seem to be where it is supposed to be. Seems that we saw many boats - some were stored and washed off their trailers but we also saw several that appeared to be washed from some other place and deposited.
The sign in the foreground is just one of many, advertising roofing, remodeling, or other types of home
repairs. The creator of the Presbyterian blog that I gave a link to earlier described it best when he wrote about going to Florida to finish the settlement on his burned motorhome - you are driving along (as we did coming home) and suddenly realize that things don't look right - there are no blue tarps on the roofs, no broken trees, and no signs like this one advertising for home repairs. It was actually a bit unsettling as we drove home and into our neighborhood - it looks so different than what we had been seeing the last 4 weeks.We are glad to be home, and eventually, we'll get back into the swing of things here and be able to stay awake for classes. Most of all, we need to get used to things looking "normal". Stay tuned - we'll be posting updates as the semester progresses.
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Home Sweet Home
We got a late start from Montgomery, Alabama this morning since neither of us are morning people. We drove much of the day in light rain and arrived home around 5:00 pm. We had time to unload the Jeep before dark and between rainshowers, but we discovered some sure signs you have been away from home too long:
1) Neither of you know where you put your house keys (mine were in my purse and quickly located - I'm not sure where he found his!)
2) You don't remember where to put away some of the stuff you packed!
3) The unopened mail covers the kitchen table!
4) The house just looks different than you remember.
In spite of those moments of confusion, we are glad to be home. We have opened and read our mail, gotten mostly unpacked, found enough food to cook some supper, and started washing the mound of laundry. Tomorrow we will be going to church and the grocery store and continuing the chores here. Monday will be a day for buying books and running other errands on campus before we go to our first class of the semester.
Thanks to all of you who have helped us on this journey with your prayers and support, especially Rusty for bringing in the mail and keeping my houseplants alive and Rhonda for caring for our beloved mutt Smokey. The house is very quiet without him! We are eagerly awaiting his homecoming in a few days.
Those who remain on the Gulf coast - residents and relief workers - will remain in our thoughts and prayers for some time to come, as the rebuilding process begins in earnest. We are already considering a return trip...
1) Neither of you know where you put your house keys (mine were in my purse and quickly located - I'm not sure where he found his!)
2) You don't remember where to put away some of the stuff you packed!
3) The unopened mail covers the kitchen table!
4) The house just looks different than you remember.
In spite of those moments of confusion, we are glad to be home. We have opened and read our mail, gotten mostly unpacked, found enough food to cook some supper, and started washing the mound of laundry. Tomorrow we will be going to church and the grocery store and continuing the chores here. Monday will be a day for buying books and running other errands on campus before we go to our first class of the semester.
Thanks to all of you who have helped us on this journey with your prayers and support, especially Rusty for bringing in the mail and keeping my houseplants alive and Rhonda for caring for our beloved mutt Smokey. The house is very quiet without him! We are eagerly awaiting his homecoming in a few days.
Those who remain on the Gulf coast - residents and relief workers - will remain in our thoughts and prayers for some time to come, as the rebuilding process begins in earnest. We are already considering a return trip...
On the way home...
We are about a third of the way home. Leaving, as usually, was more complicated than we had planned on. A couple of people had mentioned a restaurant which had great seafood, so we went out for our last lunch (I expect we won't be having hotdogs at our house for a while). Then, when we went back to our hosts home to pack, I noticed that a tire was low. One of the wonderful things about driving around in neighborhoods where many of the homes have had all of the drywall pulled out is the number of nails laying in the road - and one of them found it's way into our tire. So, after packing, we sat for an hour getting the one tire fixed and the other three checked.
Our last stop at the church for goodbyes took a little while, but we had expected that. Some of the people there had been our constant companions for the last 24 days. We finally got on the road and arrived at the hotel about 8:00 p.m. - just in time for a nice, long soak in the hot tub! After that, and a good nights sleep without alarm clocks, we are ready for the final leg of the journey home.
Our last stop at the church for goodbyes took a little while, but we had expected that. Some of the people there had been our constant companions for the last 24 days. We finally got on the road and arrived at the hotel about 8:00 p.m. - just in time for a nice, long soak in the hot tub! After that, and a good nights sleep without alarm clocks, we are ready for the final leg of the journey home.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Short timer
It is time for the distribution center to open, yet here I sit at my computer. What an odd feeling. My replacement seemed to be learning quickly, so after spending a day and a half training her, I decided the best thing I could do was to hand over all the keys and notes and let her take over. This morning when the van full of volunteers left for the distribution center, I stayed behind. I'm trying to give them time to get there and get opened up. I will stop by later this morning, to see if I can answer any last lingering - or suddenly occurring - questions before we head for home later today.
I am asked by many pastors and volunteers what items are needed most by the distribution center. The simple answer to that question is FOOD (or money to buy food). We had to order groceries last week - nearly $10,000 worth! Six full pallets of food arrived yesterday but I suspect that they won't really last very long. Items that we continually run out of are soups, juices, spaghetti sauce, cookies and crackers, and packaged meals like macaroni & cheese.
We had a special project yesterday at the distribution center. We assembled 75 food kits for a new FEMA trailer park in a nearby community. Seems that a small church nearby has adopted this new neighborhood - they have obtained dishes, pots and pans, bed linens, and towels to furnish all of the trailers for the new residents. They asked us to provide a food kit for each trailer so the families moving in would have everything they need for the first few days. We assembled the food kits, stacked them on pallets, shrink-wrapped the pallets, and loaded them on a truck. I was really glad we had received all the new groceries so we could help!
We also filled 160 orders from the front line and 20 casework vouchers for furniture, linens, and other household items. It was very a busy day, with supplies and donations coming in and kits and furniture going out!
Today we begin our trip home. I'm looking forward to being home, but will miss this place as well. We have worked hard, but we have also made new friends from all over the US. For example, I worked with a pastor from Nebraska yesterday who assured me that he would be glad to help us if we want to intern or serve in his synod!
I am asked by many pastors and volunteers what items are needed most by the distribution center. The simple answer to that question is FOOD (or money to buy food). We had to order groceries last week - nearly $10,000 worth! Six full pallets of food arrived yesterday but I suspect that they won't really last very long. Items that we continually run out of are soups, juices, spaghetti sauce, cookies and crackers, and packaged meals like macaroni & cheese.
We had a special project yesterday at the distribution center. We assembled 75 food kits for a new FEMA trailer park in a nearby community. Seems that a small church nearby has adopted this new neighborhood - they have obtained dishes, pots and pans, bed linens, and towels to furnish all of the trailers for the new residents. They asked us to provide a food kit for each trailer so the families moving in would have everything they need for the first few days. We assembled the food kits, stacked them on pallets, shrink-wrapped the pallets, and loaded them on a truck. I was really glad we had received all the new groceries so we could help!
We also filled 160 orders from the front line and 20 casework vouchers for furniture, linens, and other household items. It was very a busy day, with supplies and donations coming in and kits and furniture going out!
Today we begin our trip home. I'm looking forward to being home, but will miss this place as well. We have worked hard, but we have also made new friends from all over the US. For example, I worked with a pastor from Nebraska yesterday who assured me that he would be glad to help us if we want to intern or serve in his synod!
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Almost done
Our replacements are doing so well, we have decided to leave here Friday afternoon and drive part of the way home. Driving 9 1/2 hours on the way down was not too bad, especially since we were fairly well rested, but going home, I think we are still going to be tired so breaking up the drive will be good. Besides, a night in hotel with a hot tub sounds really good - especially as sore as I am tonight.
Today turned out to be moving day. There were several generators still in boxes that needed to be moved around, including a couple that were taking up space in the tool trailer. We have about 12 generators available as volunteers need them to run lights or power tools on job sites; these are extras that have not been uncrated yet. They need to be handy in case of a storm, but not in the tool trailer. Now that LEDR has the distribution warehouse, there is room there for storage, so we put them on pallets to be moved. Lifting is not really what I needed to be doing today.
A few new people arrived today; a big group left tonight on their way back to Nebraska. I spoke to a group leader in the Chicago area that is coming down in a couple of weeks - with about a dozen skilled people! Word is out - we are starting to do rebuilds and skilled labor is needed. It has really been great to begin to see some people almost ready to move back into their homes - especially as there are many people who are still waiting for FEMA trailers. As some move out of their trailers, they can then become available for others.
Volunteering here has been interesting, educational, and challenging. If you can get time, come down for a few days and use some of those tools that have just been sitting in the tool box. Or come and cook for a few days - volunteers are always hungry. Look for a group from your area that is coming down and support them - help with gas money or help them collect items to bring down. Blankets, towels, food - any item that you use everyday is an item that someone here could use as well.
This will probably be our last post from Ocean Springs. Hopefully, we can take some more pictures tomorrow and as we leave and we'll try to post some of them after we get home. First, there is the Jeep to unload, a month's mail to sort through, groceries to buy, textbooks to buy - all sorts of things. Thank all of you for your prayers and support while we have been here - it has meant a lot. Hopefully, after a safe journey home, we can get a little rest this weekend and be ready for classes next week.
Remember, we do hope to continue posting to the blog after classes start. We will continue to send out occasional emails about our progress but will be posting some information here as well. Please feel free to leave comments - know that comments have to be approved (by me) before they appear as a post, so if you want to leave private information, leave it and ask me to not post it. If you are not on our email update list and would like to be, please leave your email address in a comment and I will add you to the list (and no, I won't post it for the world to see).
Today turned out to be moving day. There were several generators still in boxes that needed to be moved around, including a couple that were taking up space in the tool trailer. We have about 12 generators available as volunteers need them to run lights or power tools on job sites; these are extras that have not been uncrated yet. They need to be handy in case of a storm, but not in the tool trailer. Now that LEDR has the distribution warehouse, there is room there for storage, so we put them on pallets to be moved. Lifting is not really what I needed to be doing today.
A few new people arrived today; a big group left tonight on their way back to Nebraska. I spoke to a group leader in the Chicago area that is coming down in a couple of weeks - with about a dozen skilled people! Word is out - we are starting to do rebuilds and skilled labor is needed. It has really been great to begin to see some people almost ready to move back into their homes - especially as there are many people who are still waiting for FEMA trailers. As some move out of their trailers, they can then become available for others.
Volunteering here has been interesting, educational, and challenging. If you can get time, come down for a few days and use some of those tools that have just been sitting in the tool box. Or come and cook for a few days - volunteers are always hungry. Look for a group from your area that is coming down and support them - help with gas money or help them collect items to bring down. Blankets, towels, food - any item that you use everyday is an item that someone here could use as well.
This will probably be our last post from Ocean Springs. Hopefully, we can take some more pictures tomorrow and as we leave and we'll try to post some of them after we get home. First, there is the Jeep to unload, a month's mail to sort through, groceries to buy, textbooks to buy - all sorts of things. Thank all of you for your prayers and support while we have been here - it has meant a lot. Hopefully, after a safe journey home, we can get a little rest this weekend and be ready for classes next week.
Remember, we do hope to continue posting to the blog after classes start. We will continue to send out occasional emails about our progress but will be posting some information here as well. Please feel free to leave comments - know that comments have to be approved (by me) before they appear as a post, so if you want to leave private information, leave it and ask me to not post it. If you are not on our email update list and would like to be, please leave your email address in a comment and I will add you to the list (and no, I won't post it for the world to see).
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Job Posting Closed!
I found a new tool man today! Actually, Paul and Gwen found him. Now that I have a replacement, it really is time to go home. Ken spent most of the morning helping me repair wheelbarrow tires - 6 flats - a new record. A little more time with me tomorrow, then he is on his own.
Our host have been wonderful. Knowing that we will be leaving soon, they presented us with a book this evening of pictures of the Ocean Springs/Biloxi area both before and after Katrina. They signed it and everything! We really have been blessed, both this January and last in that the families that have hosted us have been wonderful people.
We attended our last long-term volunteer coordinators meeting today. Everyone seemed to be happy that we had found replacements and were training them, but they still threatened to slash our tires so we couldn't leave. They even offered to write notes to our professors at seminary, explaining that we would miss a few weeks of class! We have really enjoyed our time here, and have learned a lot about what disaster relief looks like, but we are also ready to go home. Part of the pastoral care for volunteers is knowing when they need to rest. We may come back, but for now, it is time to wrap up this trip and go home. Classes start next Monday and we will arrive home where there are no groceries, a pile of mail to sort, and most likely, a bit of dusting and vacuuming that needs to done.
This week has been filled with amazing stories about people and their ability to survive, their struggles, and how volunteer’s hearts are touched so that they go the extra mile to finish their home, or help them buy groceries, or something. I would imagine that everyone who has been here has at least one such story to tell. Some of us have several. It is truly amazing what we, as the body of Christ, can do, will do, and have done. Praise be to God!
Our host have been wonderful. Knowing that we will be leaving soon, they presented us with a book this evening of pictures of the Ocean Springs/Biloxi area both before and after Katrina. They signed it and everything! We really have been blessed, both this January and last in that the families that have hosted us have been wonderful people.
We attended our last long-term volunteer coordinators meeting today. Everyone seemed to be happy that we had found replacements and were training them, but they still threatened to slash our tires so we couldn't leave. They even offered to write notes to our professors at seminary, explaining that we would miss a few weeks of class! We have really enjoyed our time here, and have learned a lot about what disaster relief looks like, but we are also ready to go home. Part of the pastoral care for volunteers is knowing when they need to rest. We may come back, but for now, it is time to wrap up this trip and go home. Classes start next Monday and we will arrive home where there are no groceries, a pile of mail to sort, and most likely, a bit of dusting and vacuuming that needs to done.
This week has been filled with amazing stories about people and their ability to survive, their struggles, and how volunteer’s hearts are touched so that they go the extra mile to finish their home, or help them buy groceries, or something. I would imagine that everyone who has been here has at least one such story to tell. Some of us have several. It is truly amazing what we, as the body of Christ, can do, will do, and have done. Praise be to God!
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Three more days
One of the members of Christus Victor who is involved with their relief efforts asked me tonight how many days we had left. I had to ask him what day it was before I could answer his question! The days are starting to blur, especially today, with all the rain and the problems it created. Most of our crews could not work because most of the work was either outside or was in a house where the roof leaked. We had a lot of make-work jobs today, including putting up more drywall in the sanctuary at Christus Victor.
As we move more and more into construction, there are tools that we need but don't have, so I was sent on a shopping expedition today to outfit a couple of roofing crews and a couple of drywall crews. When the weather clears tomorrow, we'll have the tools to send people out to do construction type projects.
It is not that all of the houses in Ocean Springs and surrounding towns are all cleaned out; it is that we are about out of cleanout jobs where the homeowner has returned, has a FEMA trailer or somewhere else to live, and has had the insurance adjuster come do their thing so that they can clean out the debris. Some people simply have not returned (yet) or have not requested help. One of the things volunteers were doing today is going to areas where help was obviously needed and passing out flyers and offering help. Much, much more needs to be done, but only with the homeowners permission (and usually with them present).
While it looks like Ruth Ann has a replacement, I don't. There are a couple of people who could take over for a week, but by the end of the month when we are gone and Paul and Gwen leave, there will be no one with knowledge and history of any of the tools that are available or the maintenance that has been done or is needed. Hopefully, a long-term volunteer will show up in the next couple of days or Paul has to go back to doing 2 jobs.
From our blog hit counter, it looks like a lot of you are checking in on us. Hopefully, you are learning some of what it is like to be here, but I assure you, it is only a glimpse that you are seeing. The stories that the volunteers share each evening wrench your heart while at the same time assure you that God work is being done here; that His hand in everything that we do. My stories of tools and supplies appearing just when we need them the most continue. By Sunday, we had 3 crews trying to rebuild or repair fencing and only had one post-hole digger. By Sunday afternoon, a group from Pennsylvania had arrived with blankets and other much needed supplies for distribution and 6 post-hole diggers for the tool shed. I can't tell you how many times this has happened during our 21 days here. Prayers are answered, sometimes even before we ask.
As we move more and more into construction, there are tools that we need but don't have, so I was sent on a shopping expedition today to outfit a couple of roofing crews and a couple of drywall crews. When the weather clears tomorrow, we'll have the tools to send people out to do construction type projects.
It is not that all of the houses in Ocean Springs and surrounding towns are all cleaned out; it is that we are about out of cleanout jobs where the homeowner has returned, has a FEMA trailer or somewhere else to live, and has had the insurance adjuster come do their thing so that they can clean out the debris. Some people simply have not returned (yet) or have not requested help. One of the things volunteers were doing today is going to areas where help was obviously needed and passing out flyers and offering help. Much, much more needs to be done, but only with the homeowners permission (and usually with them present).
While it looks like Ruth Ann has a replacement, I don't. There are a couple of people who could take over for a week, but by the end of the month when we are gone and Paul and Gwen leave, there will be no one with knowledge and history of any of the tools that are available or the maintenance that has been done or is needed. Hopefully, a long-term volunteer will show up in the next couple of days or Paul has to go back to doing 2 jobs.
From our blog hit counter, it looks like a lot of you are checking in on us. Hopefully, you are learning some of what it is like to be here, but I assure you, it is only a glimpse that you are seeing. The stories that the volunteers share each evening wrench your heart while at the same time assure you that God work is being done here; that His hand in everything that we do. My stories of tools and supplies appearing just when we need them the most continue. By Sunday, we had 3 crews trying to rebuild or repair fencing and only had one post-hole digger. By Sunday afternoon, a group from Pennsylvania had arrived with blankets and other much needed supplies for distribution and 6 post-hole diggers for the tool shed. I can't tell you how many times this has happened during our 21 days here. Prayers are answered, sometimes even before we ask.
Rain, rain go away...
It rained outside all day today - and inside the distribution center, as well. The volunteer schedulers wanted to send me extra people to work in the center, which seemed logical, since we would be inside and many of the work projects are outside. But in reality, I needed only about half as many people as usual to work. We were not able to put clothes outside or to do any sorting of clothes or other items inside. Everything, including our big work table, needed to stay under plastic for protection.
So the twelve or fifteen of us there unloaded a couple of trucks, packed some food kits, swept floors, emptied buckets of rainwater from under some large drips, and helped the 80 or so clients that came by. (That's only about half as many as usual.)
We made sure the tarps were in place when we left, but the weather forecast is for clear weather tomorrow, so hopefully the drips will slow down and we will be back to business as usual.
The good news is that another long term volunteer (also from Charlotte NC!) has arrived and is scheduled to take charge of the distribution center when I leave. Now my challenge is to pass along all the information I can to help her out.
So the twelve or fifteen of us there unloaded a couple of trucks, packed some food kits, swept floors, emptied buckets of rainwater from under some large drips, and helped the 80 or so clients that came by. (That's only about half as many as usual.)
We made sure the tarps were in place when we left, but the weather forecast is for clear weather tomorrow, so hopefully the drips will slow down and we will be back to business as usual.
The good news is that another long term volunteer (also from Charlotte NC!) has arrived and is scheduled to take charge of the distribution center when I leave. Now my challenge is to pass along all the information I can to help her out.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Monday, Monday
I have to agree with Garfield (the comic strip cat) - I'm not much of a Monday person. Monday's here tend to mean lots of new volunteers so there are lots of questions and lot of work, since I tend to not do much maintenance work on Sunday afternoons. Needless to say, by the end of Monday, I am exhausted.
Ruth Ann seemed to have one of those days as well. With rain in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow, everything at the distribution center had to be tarped this afternoon. That takes a lot of time and energy!
The best part of this Monday is that it will be our last one here as part of this trip. Next Monday, we'll be home and back in classes. As the days count down, we have mixed feelings - ready to go home, but knowing that we could stay and help and be able to do some good. One of the volunteers here, Jim, has been here for something like 3 months. He is leaving tomorrow to take 3 weeks off, then he is coming back. He is young and single, which makes this more possible, but it is still pretty amazing that he has been able to be here for so long. The continuity that Jim has brought to the volunteer coordination here is one of the reasons that Christus Victor Lutheran Church has had such success with volunteers. We talked to him in October and he was still here when we arrived in December.
Seems that several of the long term volunteers that we have gotten to know are either taking time off or winding up their stays. Of the dozen or so long term volunteers that we met our first couple of days, over half have gone home or taken extended time off. Only a couple are local and only 3 or 4 will be left by the time we leave. It is kind of like spending your summer working at camp or something where many of the people change each week, but a few core staff people are there all summer and at the end of the summer, you all hate to part company. The big difference here, is that "camp" won't be over when we leave; it will be going on for the next few years, in some form or other.
Seems that this week in particular, we are getting more into construction mode. Several people have had their houses cleaned out and gotten their building permits and either have insurance money or FEMA money to buy materials, so we are providing labor to hang sheet rock or shingle roofs. While we have plenty of tools for tearing things down, we are finding that we could use more construction type tools - especially power tools such as screw guns for drywall and roofing nail guns. If you still would like to help, send a tool or a Lowe's or HomeDepot gift card (see www.christusvictor.com) so these items are available for volunteers to use. I will probably be shopping for an air compressor tomorrow to run the one roofing nail gun that we have. Hopefully, we can come up with the funds to buy a complete second set (nail gun and compressor) so we can have two crews roofing this week. If you are experienced in hanging sheet rock, finishing sheet rock (tape and mud) or in roofing, bring your favorite tools and come help out for a week! There is plenty of work to go around.
Ruth Ann seemed to have one of those days as well. With rain in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow, everything at the distribution center had to be tarped this afternoon. That takes a lot of time and energy!
The best part of this Monday is that it will be our last one here as part of this trip. Next Monday, we'll be home and back in classes. As the days count down, we have mixed feelings - ready to go home, but knowing that we could stay and help and be able to do some good. One of the volunteers here, Jim, has been here for something like 3 months. He is leaving tomorrow to take 3 weeks off, then he is coming back. He is young and single, which makes this more possible, but it is still pretty amazing that he has been able to be here for so long. The continuity that Jim has brought to the volunteer coordination here is one of the reasons that Christus Victor Lutheran Church has had such success with volunteers. We talked to him in October and he was still here when we arrived in December.
Seems that several of the long term volunteers that we have gotten to know are either taking time off or winding up their stays. Of the dozen or so long term volunteers that we met our first couple of days, over half have gone home or taken extended time off. Only a couple are local and only 3 or 4 will be left by the time we leave. It is kind of like spending your summer working at camp or something where many of the people change each week, but a few core staff people are there all summer and at the end of the summer, you all hate to part company. The big difference here, is that "camp" won't be over when we leave; it will be going on for the next few years, in some form or other.
Seems that this week in particular, we are getting more into construction mode. Several people have had their houses cleaned out and gotten their building permits and either have insurance money or FEMA money to buy materials, so we are providing labor to hang sheet rock or shingle roofs. While we have plenty of tools for tearing things down, we are finding that we could use more construction type tools - especially power tools such as screw guns for drywall and roofing nail guns. If you still would like to help, send a tool or a Lowe's or HomeDepot gift card (see www.christusvictor.com) so these items are available for volunteers to use. I will probably be shopping for an air compressor tomorrow to run the one roofing nail gun that we have. Hopefully, we can come up with the funds to buy a complete second set (nail gun and compressor) so we can have two crews roofing this week. If you are experienced in hanging sheet rock, finishing sheet rock (tape and mud) or in roofing, bring your favorite tools and come help out for a week! There is plenty of work to go around.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Our last week!
Today is the beginning of our last 7 days here in Ocean Springs. Next Saturday, we will be heading for home. Today, being Sunday, was a pretty lite day. Ruth Ann and I took our friends from Michigan and a couple from Wisconsin for a little tour around the area. At first, there was a lot of talk about needing to take pictures; then after awhile, mostly silence. Seeing houses blocks from the Gulf that have clothes strung in trees 15 feet in the air makes you realize that pictures just will not capture the enormity of the destruction.
I even took a little extra time at dinner this evening to watch the end of the Panthers and Bears game. I was, of course, the only Panthers fan in the room. Most of the Midwesterners were pulling for the Bears. Still, it was very relaxing to just sit and watch the end of the game.
I am also improving my small engine repair skills. One of the chainsaws that I had previously worked on developed a leak in the fuel line. After finding some fuel line tubing, I managed to get the saw apart, remove the old fuel line, cut a new piece, get in installed and it worked! A few weeks ago, I would probably have just taken it to the shop. Now, I have both the time and the need to get it done quickly and cheaply.
New volunteers continue to pour in. About 30 new people have arrived this weekend and twice that many left on Friday or Saturday. There are always new faces at meal time. Believe it or not, after 19 days, we are considered old-timers, as there are just a few of us who have been here more than a week. This afternoon I was giving tours of the church like I was a life-long member. It is always interesting to see the reactions we get when people ask how we were able to be here for most of a month and we tell them we are seminary students. I have, in the past two weeks, talked with at least five volunteers who have been considering seminary for themselves.
Shortly, there will be some pictures posted of the distribution center where Ruth Ann works. I went over yesterday to join her for lunch at the BBQ place two doors down from the distribution center and took some pictures. If you come to Ocean Springs to volunteer and you like good BBQ, try Pleasants BBQ. I don't think you will be disappointed.
I even took a little extra time at dinner this evening to watch the end of the Panthers and Bears game. I was, of course, the only Panthers fan in the room. Most of the Midwesterners were pulling for the Bears. Still, it was very relaxing to just sit and watch the end of the game.
I am also improving my small engine repair skills. One of the chainsaws that I had previously worked on developed a leak in the fuel line. After finding some fuel line tubing, I managed to get the saw apart, remove the old fuel line, cut a new piece, get in installed and it worked! A few weeks ago, I would probably have just taken it to the shop. Now, I have both the time and the need to get it done quickly and cheaply.
New volunteers continue to pour in. About 30 new people have arrived this weekend and twice that many left on Friday or Saturday. There are always new faces at meal time. Believe it or not, after 19 days, we are considered old-timers, as there are just a few of us who have been here more than a week. This afternoon I was giving tours of the church like I was a life-long member. It is always interesting to see the reactions we get when people ask how we were able to be here for most of a month and we tell them we are seminary students. I have, in the past two weeks, talked with at least five volunteers who have been considering seminary for themselves.
Shortly, there will be some pictures posted of the distribution center where Ruth Ann works. I went over yesterday to join her for lunch at the BBQ place two doors down from the distribution center and took some pictures. If you come to Ocean Springs to volunteer and you like good BBQ, try Pleasants BBQ. I don't think you will be disappointed.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
We cleaned off the work table!
While lots of volunteers have been available the past couple of weeks, we have been trying to help clean up the warehouse and sort out many of the mysterious pallets of assorted "stuff" which has been in storage for weeks or months. This meant that for several days, our big central work table was covered with boxes of clothes, hangers, toys, linens, and household items. The clutter seemed completely out of control.
The good news is that with the patient steady work of several folks, we managed to sort through the pallets of clothes and toys, arrange the linens (including about 300 blankets and bedspreads that arrived today), relocate most of the household items, and even clean off the table!
Next week's major task will be to finish sorting the household items, which probably means that the table will be covered again for a few days, but I think we can get those under control as well. Or at least that is my goal for my last week here.
Keep in mind that while all that sorting is going on inside, we are also filling about 150 orders a day in our drive-through line outside - which means that volunteer workers must also be assembling kits of food, cleaning supplies, hygiene items, baby food, and paper goods. Plus there are people who keep the pallets of goods moving out to the front line, and others who spend most of their day collecting trash and flattening boxes. All in all, it takes about 30 people to run the distribution center and sort supplies on a busy day.
It is hard to believe the week is over. It has been a very busy - I even took a turn leading the morning chapel service yesterday morning. I'm glad that today was a bit quieter in the distribution center, and we will be closed tomorrow. I plan to take some time to rest and do laundry.
The good news is that with the patient steady work of several folks, we managed to sort through the pallets of clothes and toys, arrange the linens (including about 300 blankets and bedspreads that arrived today), relocate most of the household items, and even clean off the table!
Next week's major task will be to finish sorting the household items, which probably means that the table will be covered again for a few days, but I think we can get those under control as well. Or at least that is my goal for my last week here.
Keep in mind that while all that sorting is going on inside, we are also filling about 150 orders a day in our drive-through line outside - which means that volunteer workers must also be assembling kits of food, cleaning supplies, hygiene items, baby food, and paper goods. Plus there are people who keep the pallets of goods moving out to the front line, and others who spend most of their day collecting trash and flattening boxes. All in all, it takes about 30 people to run the distribution center and sort supplies on a busy day.
It is hard to believe the week is over. It has been a very busy - I even took a turn leading the morning chapel service yesterday morning. I'm glad that today was a bit quieter in the distribution center, and we will be closed tomorrow. I plan to take some time to rest and do laundry.
Friday, January 13, 2006
TGIF (again)
Another Friday has rolled by. As with last week, there were several groups leaving today - some left this morning, others packed up after lunch, and yet another packed up and left after supper. It is wonderful to hear the stories some of these groups tell about their interactions with the homeowners they have been helping.
This weekend will be a bit of a challenge - there are still about 150 volunteers here, many of them staying at the church, and there is a wedding tomorrow afternoon at the church and an Eagle ceremony Sunday afternoon. Christus Victor is trying to regain some normalcy to their schedule, which is great, but how normal can things be with 150 extra people floating around???
We begin the countdown on our last week. By this time next week, we should be home and climbing into our own bed - what a wonderful thought! In the meantime, we are wondering who our replacements will be and how much time (if any) we will get to have with them before we leave. Hopefully, these replacements will be identified by mid-week so we can pass on what we know and have learned. It seems that several key people will be changing over the next two or three weeks, so it will be a big challange for everyone.
This weekend will be a bit of a challenge - there are still about 150 volunteers here, many of them staying at the church, and there is a wedding tomorrow afternoon at the church and an Eagle ceremony Sunday afternoon. Christus Victor is trying to regain some normalcy to their schedule, which is great, but how normal can things be with 150 extra people floating around???
We begin the countdown on our last week. By this time next week, we should be home and climbing into our own bed - what a wonderful thought! In the meantime, we are wondering who our replacements will be and how much time (if any) we will get to have with them before we leave. Hopefully, these replacements will be identified by mid-week so we can pass on what we know and have learned. It seems that several key people will be changing over the next two or three weeks, so it will be a big challange for everyone.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Thursday, Jan 12
You probably noticed that we did not post anything yesterday-we were sooooooo tired last night that we were in bed by 9:30. Yesterday just seemed to be one of those days where many, many things went wrong, we were both extra busy, and by the time we finished dinner, we were too tired to do anything except climb into bed.
Today was a better day - for both of us. Still busy, but things seemed to go better. Several of the large groups finished up today and will head for home tomorrow. We'll be sorry to see them go, but getting the number of volunteers back to under 200 will also be a relief. Have had almost 300 volunteers for the past 8 or 9 days has certainly pointed out weak points in the plans. There were tools I did not have; there was not enough room to get everyone loaded in the mornings; we pretty much had to eat in shifts (more than usual); housing was an issue; parking was an issue; keeping everyone busy was an issue; showers were a MAJOR issue for some. These are some of the issue that I am aware of - I am sure there are others. Since LDR is hopping for 1000 college students to come to this area for Spring Break (see www.ldr.org), this was a good test of the system to see what flaws need to be addressed before spring break.
Today is day 16 of our stay here in Ocean Springs and we are beginning to count down the days till we can head for home. Hard to believe that I used to be gone for two, three, even four weeks at a time and now, a week away from home seems like a long time. I think I miss sleeping in my own bed.
Today was a better day - for both of us. Still busy, but things seemed to go better. Several of the large groups finished up today and will head for home tomorrow. We'll be sorry to see them go, but getting the number of volunteers back to under 200 will also be a relief. Have had almost 300 volunteers for the past 8 or 9 days has certainly pointed out weak points in the plans. There were tools I did not have; there was not enough room to get everyone loaded in the mornings; we pretty much had to eat in shifts (more than usual); housing was an issue; parking was an issue; keeping everyone busy was an issue; showers were a MAJOR issue for some. These are some of the issue that I am aware of - I am sure there are others. Since LDR is hopping for 1000 college students to come to this area for Spring Break (see www.ldr.org), this was a good test of the system to see what flaws need to be addressed before spring break.
Today is day 16 of our stay here in Ocean Springs and we are beginning to count down the days till we can head for home. Hard to believe that I used to be gone for two, three, even four weeks at a time and now, a week away from home seems like a long time. I think I miss sleeping in my own bed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
