Devastation in Haiti

Our thoughts and prayers must be with the suffering people in Haiti. We can never know their challenge without living day-to-day trying to survive on $2 per day with barely any shelter or things.

In the U.S., we are still rebuilding from Katrina nearly four years ago. In that time, we have seen our fully capable government provide necessary support to its people. Even in New Orleans, we watched knowing that our government would help with search and rescue and cleanup. And yet, the work and help continues in its own way.

But Haiti does not have a capable government to provide any real help immediately, nor later or long term. And they have to pray and beg that the capable neighbor countries, mostly the U.S., will step in.

Our church and Presbytery supports Hearts with Haiti. They help with Wings of Hope and St. Joseph's Home for Boys and Trinity House in Jacmel. Some word has arrived that the buildings are destroyed with some injuries but no deaths. Years of building up the orphaned boys and special needs children is wiped out in less than a minute.

While the people there had little and said they were happy, now they have none, scrambling for survival. Hopefully, we find just ways to help restore the Haitian people. Should that way be repopulating them in the U.S.? Haiti has no resources to support its people before the earthquake.


And, not long after the initial help, the politics will start with restrictions on how to help, who to help, etc. What priorities do we have? $700B and counting this year for wars for the Pentagon and how much will be pledged to help Haiti?
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Pictures from Pearlington - April 2009

Here are pictures from the Summerville, SC crew that worked on Lester Dell's house in Pearlington. We were honored to be part of a chain of crews to work on his house, almost 4 years after Katrina. Until recently, Lester helped everyone else rebuild. Now, it was our time to help him. The biggest part was rebuilding and reattaching the deck to the raised house. And, we had a few people willing to go 30+ ft in the air to hang the fascia and soffetts.

Click here for the pictures.

How Did You Spend Your Spring Break?

This is how Mark Jr. from PA spent his Spring Break. I caught them catching some rays after working hard (you decide). Their family did spend a couple of days in Biloxi. If you check some other pictures from our group, then you will see him high up on scaffolding and dangling over bannisters to hammer in framing or fascia. Mark, why were quarters scattered all over the floor in the shower trailer?

Pearlington PDA Village #6 closing in October 2009

After almost 4 years helping residents in Pearlington, the camp will likely be closed because Hancock County will not renew the occupancy permit for the temporary facilities of the PDA at the former post office along Hwy 607 in Pearlington. Here is a copy of the letter that our church received.

This letter shows the helpful spirit that Hancock County has shown the organizations "from outside" that have tried to help. In many ways, Hancock County feels insulted that outside organizations have stayed. But, if the county helped its residents more then the organizations wouldn't feel the need to stay. I believe that organizations like PDA, One House At a Time, and the PRC have helped a lot more residents find grant and relief money and get FEMA trailers and now MEMA cottages than the county did.

Yes, the Storm would have overwhelmed any county staff, especially as small and rural as Hancock County. But, rather than support the organizations, they are business as usual.

Maybe Hancock County is trying to get back to normal; whatever that now is. And, the temporary pod structure that PDA set up needs to go away. Maybe, PDA should have planned a more permanent facility. Maybe, PDA should plan some kind of facility to help the community develop. Jane Els put some of these ideas in my head; they are settling in better after my initial disappointment with the county. The county caused some issues when PDA was restoring the camp after Gustav. I guess that we should have gotten the message.

I have been to Pearlington 4 times, and our church has been on 6 trips there. I don't feel like an outsider while I am there. I know where most of the streets are and I know people on both sides of the highway. We will work hard to get travelers there to finish the 49 cases still open, but the summertime is a struggle there with the climate.

I think that the conspiracy theory that Stennis Space Center was disappointed that groups like PDA came to Pearlington and is a thorn to their land grab for buffer is probably a good theory. Just like ignoring the rebuilding of Ninth Ward will lead to it being largely left alone, maybe in the end Pearlington should have been left. The next destruction by any type of storm will certainly highlight that direction.

Pearlington PDA has allowed me to connect with other Presbyterian churches across the country. I now have friends in TX and PA to connect with on a regular basis. Maybe, that was a good thing for me. And, I now have a reason to stop in at Pearlington on my drives across I-10.

I will see you in Pearlington for the next few months working hard to finish the 49 cases. See you there!

Pictures from Lester's House

Here is a link to pictures taken by Lester's pastor Gary from the Pearlington Church of Christ next door. Pictures include before the house was lifted and conclude with Tony and Scott working to put the soffetts and fascia up high on the side of Lester's house.

Click here for pictures of Lester's house.

Neighbor Night in PDA Village #6, Pearlington

Neighbor Night on Thursday night is always a special dinner at the camp. We invite the homeowners that we are working with to join us for dinner and discussion. Thursday night for Holy Week has been special the previous 2 years because we had Pastor Kevin Porter from Germantown who provided a communion service.

Two years ago, Teddy and others from our church organized a wonderful Maundy Thursday service and Kevin with the group of youth from Germantown played a huge part. Well, last Wed night I learned that Kevin had been in town last Holy Week with Jane Els as the village manager. She remembered the year earlier Maundy Thursday service and asked Kevin to "do it again." Kevin didn't have the youth this time, so the music wasn't as good but he served communion.

So, thinking that it was our group's turn for devotion and not being a preacher-type, I asked if Kevin would like to continue his Holy Week tradition. He said "sure." But, the Germantown group was working late on completing roof repairs before expected rain on Friday and they arrived late for dinner. And, with an unexpected repair job on my front tire due to a nail, we had to change plans quickly. Don O. from our group stepped in for me and carried a wonderful devotion that ended with Jimmy Buffett playing "Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On."

Our neighbor, Lester, was there and almost had all of us in tears speaking from his heart with appreciation for our help and everyone's help in the past few weeks. Then, Ken Short spoke to us as he has done for the past few weeks. His call sign as a first responder carrying critically ill patients to Meridian (some 200 miles away) was REDBALL 247. His story is amazing; and almost unbelievable. His description of almost no help from the government for 3 days is hard to fathom in our country. But, being here is believing it.

Progress is slow in Pearlington, but after a few trips, you unfortunately lower your expectations when you come back. Three families that we have helped are back in their homes. Hopefully, Lester now makes four. At first, I wasn't sure of the continued value in going back to Pearlington again. But, after Ken's inspirational words expressing the need for us to continue helping, I will find a way to get another group to go in October.

For Jane, we missed you and I was only teasing about you getting down there (well maybe a bit serious after speaking with Kevin). The corny-dog stand that we looked forward to for lunch, is closed and has a "For Sale" sign on the trailer.

Back from Pearlington, April 2009

Almost 4 years after Hurricane Katrina, our group from Summerville, SC along with groups from NC and PA were able to help the remaining residents make progress in rebuilding after the Storm.

At Lester's house, the big project was getting the deck and pool area ready for his family for Easter Sunday. A deck may not be considered important when your entire house has cracked drywall because of your house being dropped while being raised. But, for a family that is used to spending most of their time outside on the deck around the pool, it is a huge thing.

We were driven and energetic to complete the deck as the excitement grew from Lester while he invited family members over for Sunday afternoon. And, I bet it was a great party. We did our best to get the deck and grounds stable, level, and in shape for visitors this weekend.

Our group helped Lester and family for the week. The other groups were each at different family. From PDA volunteers, four families were moved forward towards returning to normal more than 3 1/2 years after the Storm.

We will go back in 6 months. Will I see you there?

Where is Jane?

I talked with Pastor Kevin Porter from Germantown tonight and mentioned Jane being "bummed" about missing both our group from SC and the group from Germantown, PA. He said just a little while ago by the fire where Matt was making s'mores, that if she was less than 9 hours away that she could be here before we left.

Then, we discussed the Maundy Thursday devotional/service that he served 2 years ago and mentioned doing a similar service last year. That caught my attention. Our group is responsible for Devotions tomorrow night, Maundy Thursday. Now, we can't do quite the service that Teddy Marcot put together and we can't have the musical parts because the kids aren't here, but maybe we can keep the tradition alive a little longer with Kevin and do a simple communion. Kevin seemed to like the idea. Let's see where the idea takes us.

Jane, let me know if you are on your way.

I couldn't go to sleep tonight before I threw this question out there.

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Pearlington Update - 4th trip

I meant to write an update of some of the people that we have met along the way and I sidetracked myself. I figured it was better to finish that thought and try again. Here goes...

Following on most of the people are returning volunteers, within 2 minutes of walking into the dining tent, I am asked the question "do you remember me? you seem familar." Pastor Kevin Porter along with DCE Christian are here from Germantown, PA along with a group of adults. I think after they rode the whole way from Philly with the kids in the car, they decided to fly down on this trip. Kevin is on his fifth trip to Pearlington.

I gave Dallas a call yesterday and she came by for a quick visit with us while we worked over at Lester Dell's. Dallas has lost 46 pounds since January and is looking to lose another 40 pounds. She is full of stories as always. Her neighbor, Kendra, is finally in her house. We helped with Kendra's house 18 months ago putting in the windows, doors, and building a deck. A PDA group either 6 months or a year ago was painting her house. What a slow pace the residents have to endure waiting on a group of volunteers capable of helping...

We haven't driven around too much; we have a lot of work to do at Lester's house. He has plans to have his family over for Easter Sunday. We are getting him close enough to be able to host friends and family at his house. We will visit with all of the families that we know - the Thompson's, the Dawsey's, the Lee's. Hopefully, we don't have to stay with them too long so that we can finish what we have started this week. Jane, I will update you better when I get some decent information to update.

We haven't seen Miss Susie, but need to check on her. There is a lot of work to do and a lot of people to visit from our previous trips. I like coming here, but I wish the work was done. In previous trips, the volunteer line waiting on lunch at the Baptist church is out the door. This week, we barely hold one line inside. I pray that this week is just a slow week. Rev Rawls continues his calling to feed lunch to the volunteers. He and his wife continue to prepare lunch each weekday and he greets everyone entering with a warm handshake and smile and welcome.

Pearlington and other places around still need your help. If you can spare the time, then come on down. I can help with directions or anything to convince you. Once you come to Pearlington, you will come back. Everyone traveling in our group has been here at least once before. I didn't do a good job convincing anyone else, but the group here didn't have to be convinced. Are you listening to your call for mission? Even if not here in Pearlington, how are you using your blessed time and talents?

2nd day back in Pearlington

I received a nudge tonight from Anonymous that I hadn't made any posts on this trip. I have been working pretty hard on this trip, and was a bit tired the last few nights. Last year when we were in Pearlington PDA Village #6, almost 80 people were staying and volunteering. This trip, there are less than 30 and only a few of the volunteers are here for the first time. It is sad, and I think that the residents notice that fewer volunteers are coming to help them rebuild. The issue may be the economy because people are saving rather than generously giving their time, talent, and funds for the travel. Or, more likely I think, they are forgetting about Katrina because of the bigger events going on in the world. As Americans, we pay attention to short-term issues because of the TV/cable news cycles. I can't necessarily blame anyone; the world is going through a large situation rather than just one area of the country and The Storm roared ashore nearly 4 years ago.

We as Americans should be pretty sad that with all of the generosity that we supposedly display, and almost 4 years later, the people in Pearlington, Houma, New Orleans, and on and on, that these places still need us volunteers to come in and help. The residents have no funds left; insurance, if any, has been spent marking time until they could get started and most grant money is either spent or locked up in projects or red tape. Enough of my soapbox....

Less than a week

We will be back in Pearlington next week. I hope that the pods haven't been washed away with the flooding from the rain.

Our numbers are smaller, with 7 that have been before.

And, this afternoon we picked up Jim from Pittsburgh, NY for the week.

See you there.

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Back to Pearlington, April 2009

I will be leading a group on my fourth trip to Pearlington over Spring Break in a few weeks, April 6 - 10. I am beginning to think that this trip will be our last.

Originally, the trip was about doing what's right for your fellow American. With a 12-hour drive and support from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to set up the camp, and the motivation from members of the church with family close to the devastation of Katrina, I felt the call and it is within my capabilities (safe and secure within our country and driveable). But, once you go, you realize that the need continues to be there and you want others to share in the experience. We haven't been very good encouraging others to go.

For this trip, we set the date a year ago to allow the kids that went last April to go again. But, none of the kids and parents are going. And, we are down to those of us that planned our schedules long ago and have been before. We know the need is there; I was hoping that we could continue to expand the groups to include more members of our church or other churches in Charleston Atlantic Presbytery. A lot of people talk about wanting to go; but talk doesn't rebuild or introduce you to the families.

So, if you are interested, sign up. A few more slots in Pearlington PDA Village #6 will be available for the week of April 6 - 10. We originally reserved space for 20, but will probably be around 8. We all know our way around. I really hope that things are moving along; but we have been there enough to know the pace is slowwwww.

Obama Inauguration 2009

History is unfolding. We thought about going, but too much trouble to get there and be there, plus I am supposed to be working today. Our kids may not quite understand the history yet, but in many years they may remember what they were doing today. Our kids happen to have a school vacation today for a teacher workday.

What Obama's presidency shows that America is making it to the promised land dreamed by MLK. Obama shows that you can achieve the top and not let "the man" keep you down. No more excuses; the obstacles may still be there, but they can be overcome.

The excitement now is the hope that he brings to turn the country in a different direction that leads to more peace and more justice.

Special Offering

Our church raised $1700 in a special offering last Sunday to support our mission in Pearlington. The church Session approved the group to take the money with them to support the PDA Village as needed. Hopefully, limited or no strings are attached to the money and the travelers can feel the call to do the right thing with the offering. The Summerville Presbyterian Church has budgeted (yes I said budgeted - like Dorchester Pres needs to be doing) money to take down to Pearlington. SPC has 4 people signed up, and DPC has 4 people signed up. 4 slots are still available. There is still time to sign up for the week of Oct 12th.

SPC will host a covered dish lunch in their gym from 12:30 - 2 PM on Sunday, Sept 28, to prepare for the trip. We will fill out the paperwork (Presbyterians always have to be decent and in order :) ) for the trip and set the logistics of when everyone is leaving and how many vehicles, etc.

We have cleanup work to finish from Katrina. Gustav and Ike have added to the damage in certain places (about 100 homes either west of Hwy 604 or south of US 90). Let's finish what we started and help get people back to normal even if it means helping them resettle. I think that it is time for discussion.

Special Offering this Sunday

Hopefully, the church Session approved a special offering for the special Mission Sunday service this weekend. This offering is planned to help our friends in Pearlington recover again from hurricanes, this time Gustav. Based on the coverage from Ike, I wouldn't be surprised if Pearlington had more flooding again from Ike. The PDA camp in Houma appears to be flooded again from the coverage on every news network.

One of the friends that we learned about this week are the Wades. They are the entrepreneurial type in town. They have opened the only new business in Pearlington after Katrina. Her husbands works at the Fire Dept and with her family, they were running the so-called by Jane Els "Corny Dog" stand.

When we were back there in April, we made a point of eating lunch there a couple of times. The food was home-cooked at the back of the pull-trailer by the family. Their home was flooded out again by Gustav. Based on information from Jane and Dallas, they really need help. Hopefully, we can provide some help, especially with the special offering.

In other sad news for me: I do not think that I will be able to go on the Oct 12 trip. I have a business trip to Australia around that week, and I do not think that I can pull off both trips back-to-back. Unfortunately, I had to make that decision to delay a trip to Japan because I didn't want to leave when Hanna was coming close and Ike's direction wasn't clear. Somehow, I will find a way to get there. My labor wouldn't really help too much, but I was always helpful getting people and things to the right places...

Smaller Group to Pearlington

Originally, we had split into 2 groups because I figured that we could start expanding the size of our groups to go. But, that expansion didn't happen. Only my name was listed on the week of October 5th. Therefore, I cancelled that week and was able to get Penny Noel to add a couple of spots for us on the week of October 12th.

I am excited to go, even if only to visit with the families and friends that we have met previously. They kept in touch before and after Gustav and expressed concern for us with Hanna. I am conflicted about what our role as volunteers should be going forward. The elevated houses did fine, but what about the ground level that were flooded again. I think that we work to move them to higher ground, either by elevating their house or moving to a different place.

In the articles with residents, I sensed a bit of fatalism after Gustav because they have been flooded out 2 times in almost exactly three years. The PDA staff is working very hard to get things back together for all of the volunteers. As tired as they must be, they are keeping their individual blogs updated and sending out emails to the volunteer groups.

Keep everyone in your prayers down there. We will be back soon. If interested in going during the week of Oct 12th, please let me know.

Back to Pearlington

We are still planning to go to Pearlington for the weeks of 10/5 and 10/12. If you would like to go, then let me know. We have 15 spaces for the week of 10/5 and I think that I am the only person currently signed up for that date. The 10 spaces for the week of 10/12 are full with 4 from Dorchester Presbyterian Church, and 6 from Summerville Presbyterian Church.

The pods that we sleep in stayed tied down to the pallet floor and floated off into the woods. According to Jane's blog (http://janeels.blogspot.com), the pods are salvageable. If they can recover the pods from the woods next door, then they can get the camp back together for us volunteers to make the trip.

Houma doesn't appear to be in as good of shape. They are just now being allowed there today to evaluate the impact and possible recovery of the PDA camp there.

Now Ike

Just when everyone is getting back settled after mostly evacuating for Gustav, now Ike appears to be heading into the Gulf. I think that if I was flooded by Gustav, then I might already be packing my things. The tense energy to have to watch and worry and make a decision to stay or leave has to be causing problems. I kept in touch with Dallas and the Lee's and they described a near panic to get out in front of Gustav. Don Lee stayed at the house that was under water with Katrina and he was able to keep the water out of their repaired house. Dallas's house is up high enough to be spared any flooding.

But, Pearlington saw a 19 ft surge in places, particularly south of US 90 and west of Hwy 604. Why is the surge occurring with storms that earlier were never a problem? Has the marsh disappearing along the MS coast like LA coast caused the issue?

Like Katrina, NOLA captured the media's attention during Gustav waiting to see the national tragedy unfold when the levees failed. The articles coming out of Pearlington are trickling out now. The NY Times has covered articles fairly consistently from there. The tone from residents is quite a bit different. After the first flooding, the talk is of rebuilding. I think after Gustav, that some residents are weary to go through the process again or to see what was lost after rebuilding. I think that the question of moving people should be discussed. After floods in the mid West along the Mississippi, the govt offers a buyout to help people relocate away from the flood plain. What about the same type of help for the families flooded again? I know, Mississippi doesn't have that type of program and Mississippi is not Iowa with a lot more black, lower income people. But, maybe that type of support is what we should be providing rather than helping rebuild houses that will flood again.

The comments from several of the residents interviewed in the different stories are as if they would leave if they thought they could. Maybe, we should help them relocate rather than rebuild. Maybe it is time for the discussion that has been avoided by everyone because it is not a politically correct discussion.

Ike looks like it will pass south into the Gulf. By the middle of the week, evacuations could be needed again. Ike is already a Cat 3/4 and maybe it won't be able to hold the energy into the Gulf. But, it looks like a buzzsaw right now.

Gustav is Coming 2

The hurricane models are lining up together on Gustav, and they make it appear that some part of Louisiana is going to get hit. That adjustment may help my friends in Pearlington, MS, but the storms have a tendency to drift east at the last minute. Plus, the worst part of the surge and winds are usually on the East side. I will be calling down to a few of the families and friends that I have met in my last few trips. I will be offering our home for them to come. The emotional trauma of knowing that what you just rebuilt may be destroyed again is pretty tough at this point. Tough people that stayed for Katrina are getting ready to evacuate. Knowing what the surge and wind can do now just 3 years earlier, I do not think that anyone can over prepare. The setup is similar to Katrina, about 4 days out the models consistently point. The storm is getting into 90F water. Get out of the way. Come visit us in SC.

Gustav is Coming

Not a good way to plan to Labor Day. Hopefully, Gustav will not follow predictions, but the NHC has been getting better and better. The models seem to be pretty consistent pointing Gustav towards LA/MS coast. The current path is on the west side of NOLA which will be worse for surge on the east side. But, once in the Gulf, Gustav has to hit somewhere. We have trips planned over 2 weeks, 10/5 and 10/12. We may need to move up the trip to next week, but hopefully not. If you are interested in what we are doing with the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), then please leave a comment with contact info. If you would like to go on the trip with us in Oct, then leave some contact info. We are sure to have a good work crew and excellent food. Our group will be meeting up with the group from Texas again. This time the food competition may be dessert.