By Word of Mouth

For the third year in a row, I am starting the New Year with a trip to New Orleans. No, it's not about the French Quarter or Bourbon Street, or the majestic Mississippi. It's about the on-going rebirth of the region in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Three years later, many people have returned to their homes, but the waiting lists are still growing. Much of the progress is being made with the help of volunteer groups like ours. Our initiative started with two people from the First Presbyterian Church of Ontario Center, where I am pastor. They travelled to the Gulf Coast with a group from Geneva Presbytery and returned with stories and a passion to continue this important work.

By word of mouth, we gathered a group and in our first year, 15 of us arrived at Camp Hope, in St. Bernard's Parish, ready to work. We were deeply touched by the stories of those who had endured the devastation of losing everything. We were angered by the sense of abandonment. We were saddened to see restaurants and businesses standing, vacant, and neighborhoods that looked like ghost towns, and parking lots filled with FEMA trailers, and homes still filled with muddy, moldy debris. We pitched in, did our part, and returned home, with stories and a passion to continue this important work. We were heartened by the spirit of the people and by the gratitude expressed by everyone we met.

By word of mouth, our group grew. Three churches got involved. Local businesses became corporate sponsors. Friends told friends. Connections spread through college and church networks. Year two, we were 30 strong. Back to Camp Hope we went. Progress was seen. There were fewer FEMA trailers and more businesses open. Neighborhoods were starting to come to life. But we were shocked when assigned the gutting of a house, two and a half years after the hurricane. How are people managing? What keeps them from giving up? Their patience and perseverence were inspiring. Habitat for Humanity has come a long way in restoring Musicians' Village, a neighborhood dedicated to preserving the rich musical cultural heritage of the region. The rainbow colored homes are a hopeful sight. Brad Pitt has launched a Do It Right initiative in the lower ninth ward. There is still a long, long way to go. We returned home, with stories and a passion to continue this important work.

This year, we are a group of 23 college students and adults from the communities of Ontario and Walworth in New York. Only a few of us are from the church that started this initiative. By word of mouth, it's spun way beyond it's starting point. At this point, many of us are strangers, drawn together by a common desire to contribute to the rebirth of New Orleans. We are grateful to a vast network of friends and family who are partnering with us through generous financial contributions. On Saturday, January 10th, we will embark on our third Hurricane Relief trip to New Orleans. It is my intention to offer blog postings from the Olive Tree Village Relief Camp, where we will be living.

Blessings to all,

Cheryl