Our first assignment was to help organize the distribution tent.
People can pickup food, toiletries, cleaning supplies and clothes. The clothes are particularly challenging - imagine organizing your local thrift store and you'll get an idea of what they have here. It is amazing to see firsthand the generosity this nation is capable of.After a lunch supplied by the Salvation Army, Matt and I were assigned to assist a church member pressure wash the interior of his home. The ruined furnishings, carpet, cabinets, appliances, and drywall had been removed this morning and piled up at the street. It is stunning to see the possessions people have spent their entire lives acquiring in a heap....
All the drywall and insulation that was below four feet had been stripped off. We then applied a bleach solution to all of the wood studs and pressure washed any visible mold off of the wood and the concrete and ceramic flooring. Then the homeowner, Brandon, applied a second coat of bleach solution to all of the exposed wood.
Conversations with the locals reveal trouble with insurance companies. Many folks lost everything, but because they didn't have flood insurance they won't receive compensation. And even when they have flood insurance, the adjusters are playing games (depreciating paint!!!). One couple had flood insurance for their home but discovered that it did not cover the contents of their home.
This evening we ate dinner with our new friends and had a beautiful time of worship.
P.S. Here is a satellite image of the Word of Faith Church (pre-Katrina)
1 comment:
God bless y'all, Jeremy. That must be some emotional and difficult but rewarding work down there.
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