Why we SHOULD Rebuild New Orleans

Happy 23^rd Birthday, Aaron!

Day three on the worksite commenced and I have to admit that my own enthusiasm for filling nail holes and caulking base-boards had waned. However, my respect for our crew chiefs has grown exponentially. It is one thing to give up a week of my time and dedicate myself to long-overdue construction on a home for a deserving owner. However, the young people of ESCLA do this five days a week for a year or more. To be done well, it requires a deep commitment to discovering one’s most altruistic self. In my experience, this kind of self-exploration is all too rare. For Annie, Sophie, and all who are committed to this type of work, we’re thankful for your inspiration and your witness to all those whom you meet. We could use more folks like ya’ll!

[Just to be clear, we did do lots of great work today – baseboards are closer to being done, lots of quarter rounds were installed, and some folks mixed and poured concrete to create a foundation for the water heater. Go team!]

After work today, we joined with another group of college students from Missouri and received a formal orientation from Pete (mentioned in yesterday’s post.) Pete gave us a thorough overview of the cit of New Orleans before and after Katrina from a social, economic, environmental, and historical perspective. As you might imagine, the reductionist pictures that were often painted by the news media in the wake of Hurricane Katrina did not come close to giving a full perspective. I cannot possibly do justice to all we learned today, but I will try and mention a few highlights.

We were grateful to be reminded that the history of the United States can be traced on foot through the city of New Orleans. We discussed seminal events and people in light of the question that has frequently been posed post-Katrina, “Why bother rebuilding New Orleans?” New Orleans is truly one of the country’s treasure chests’ of history and culture. You can see it in the development of jazz, the fusion of the cuisine, and the diverse mix of people who call the city home.

There are lots of things you may not realize about Hurricane Katrina, or were misled to believe. For example, Katrina did not make land fall in New Orleans. New Orleans, while surrounded by several different bodies of water, is not a coastal city. There are many, many acres of wetlands between the coast and New Orleans. However, the wetlands are currently eroding at a rate of A FOOTBALL FIELD EVERY THIRTY-TWO MINUTES. Meaning, when powerful storms like Katrina make landfall on the Gulf Coast and move inland, the effect of the storm surge is far greater than it should be. Hurricane Katrina was only a category 3, not category 5, as was often reported. The list goes on, but I won’t try and recreate it from scraps of my own memory. Rather, I will encourage you to read books, watch documentaries, and most importantly, come visit New Orleans and learn more for yourself.

Pete also told us a bit about the NOLA service corps. (I mentioned it earlier in reference to one of our crew chiefs, Sophie.) The service corps is an opportunity that allows young adults to live in an intentional Christian community and spend a year committing to serving others. That can mean acting as a crew chief in the rebuild efforts, coordinating Mobile Loaves & Fishes, or teaching in one of the city’s literacy programs. Additionally, service corps members learn about New Orleans, and commit to participating in various activities designed to enhance spiritual and personal growth.

After gaining a deeper understanding of the undercurrents of the dynamics in New Orleans, we drove to the Lower 9^th ward. The Lower 9^th ward was one of the areas most frequently displayed in the news media following the flooding after Hurricane Katrina. It was the sight of the infamous barge breach in the levee. To date, it has not been determined whether the levee burst, letting the barge into the neighborhood, or the barge was the agent that caused the burst in the levee. Regardless, destruction was catastrophic. There are still certain blocks in the neighborhood that are completely sparse and bear no semblance to what used to be a bustling residential area. The Lower 9^th was a working class neighborhood of 18,000 residents pre-2005. Nearly 6 years later, approximately 3,500 people have returned to the neighborhood. A good number of folks now residing in the Lower 9^th moved in for the first time after the storm. Meaning, most of the original multi-generation home-owners have not returned. Brad Pitt’s project, Make It Right, accounts for the majority of the construction that has been done to date. While providing safe and sustainable homes for working class families is a noble goal, many residents are shouldered with tremendous mortgage payments. This project is certainly changing the shape of the neighborhood by limiting who is able to afford to come back. Yet, local and national government funding has completely dried up. Driving through the Lower 9^th was a stunningly eerie and humbling experience. If the trees could speak, I’m certain they would, and we would weep to hear of all they have to tell.

After a long day, we made our way to a local favorite of mine, Miss Hystra’s BBQ restaurant in the Broadmoor district. We ate roasted chicken, and fall-off-the-bone-ribs, along with macaroni & cheese, green beans, home made corn bread, and baked beans until we were ready to burst. It was soul food in every sense of the phrase!

Finally, we were able to convince our birthday guy to let us do what he wanted to for a few hours. Aaron’s narrative all day captured the selfless spirit we were doing our best to live into all week – he didn’t want it to be his day at all. Instead, he wanted to spend time doing things for others. We could certainly use more Aaron’s in the world! We did have a rousing game of Frisbee – during which Aaron was the great rescuer of the disc that flew into the neighbor’s back yard (more than once.) We also went to the Rock ‘N Bowl for an evening of Zydeco dancing and bowling. Brian Jack & the Zydeco Gamblers were INCREDIBLE!!! They had the bonus effect of helping us bowl better. The Fried Bread Pudding Po Boy was a perfect end to the birthday celebration.

Goodnight, New Orleans!

the Treme

Day two of our work in the home in the Lakeview neighborhood was focused on details – baseboards, quarter rounds, returns, caulking, nail-hole-filling, and other exciting things. It all seems small in and of itself, but each task makes a big difference in the finished product. When things got tedious, it was helpful to be reminded to give as much attention to the home as we would want given to our own. The team is working together more smoothly with every hour that passes. The 80’s rock tunes only help to keep the energy high – and encourage spontaneous dance parties throughout the day.

Tonight we attended a mid-week Eucharist and healing service at St. Anna’s Episcopal Church in the Treme. The first thing you’ll notice is the murder wall on the outside of the sanctuary. Handwritten on large sheets of foam board are the name, age, and cause of death for every person in the area who has died as a result of violence in the last year. This is one way the St. Anna’s community has chosen to give voice to one of the many injustices that plague the city. The service itself was a Rite II Eucharist, though it has clearly taken on the character of the community. Meaning, we sung Gospel hymns, yet also rang bells to honor the presence of the Holy Spirit in the midst of the Eucharistic prayer (typically regarded as a “high church” tradition.) During the prayers of the people, they name each person who has died in the city that week. It is yet another way of giving voice to all that is going on in the community that needs their prayers and attention. During the sermon, Father Bill Terry preached on the legacy of the venerable Bede of Monk. His message of relevancy was appropriate for our task for the week. He reminded us of many of the ways in which the church has become less accessible, which is exactly the opposite of what it was created to be. Using insiders language, creating markers for membership, and ultimately means for keeping people out, all hinder the mission of Jesus Christ – to love others. We are able to do the work that Jesus Christ did.

During announcements, it was clear that our group was “not a part of our normal rag tag gathering.” So we introduced ourselves. We were thrilled to meet two parishioners who have played roles as extras in the hit HBO series, “Treme,” including the church piano player & organist, who is often the one playing the piano in the TV soundtrack. Father Terry also issued us a very specific message, “You afford the people of New Orleans dignity by showing up. When people are forgotten their dignity is taken away. By showing up, you remind us that we matter and that people love us. Thank you for being here.” We were humbled to be in the presence of such a loving, genuinely Christian community.

For dinner we went to a hole in the wall establishment for some of the best po-boys and fried alligator bites we’ve ever had! We were joined by Pete Nunnally, Mission and Volunteer Coordinator of ESCLA. Pete took time to tell us his story of service in the city. Several months after Hurricane Katrina, Pete traveled to New Orleans on a short-term mission trip. He spent time gutting houses, removing personal belongings and valuables. Years later, Pete still describes it as a horribly gut-wrenching process. People’s lives were literally reduced to trash. Pete soon quit his job, sold his house, and moved to New Orleans to be a crew chief on various work sites, gutting and beginning to rebuild houses throughout New Orleans. After three months as a crew chief, Pete was invited to become the Mission and Volunteer coordinator, a position he still currently holds. His love for the city, the people, and the work is abundantly clear!

On the end of our second day of work, we’re slowly beginning to weave together a narrative of the folks with whom we have worshipped, worked, and communed. I have never encountered a city or a group of people who have the same collective narrative in the way that the residents of New Orleans do. The disastrous event of six years ago is without a doubt, “the failure of the federal levee system,” not Hurricane Katrina. They spoke of neglect and denial of the magnitude of destruction and despair from all authority figures. But throughout there narratives were words of hope, forgiveness, and compassion – both for one another and for the place that they have called home. One of the themes that came up over and over again today was dignity. You cannot put a price on dignity. It cannot be physically destroyed and rebuilt. However, by showing up, listening, and being in relationship with someone, dignity is something that they are able to reclaim. The catastrophes that followed in the wake of the failure of the federal levee system caused deep and lasting damage. Sitting with folks and diligently working to allow them time to reclaim what all humanity deserves, is the real work that is needed in this place, and in so many others.

Goodnight, New Orleans!

Heartthrob

This morning we met the Episcopal Community Services of Louisiana (ECSLA) Volunteer Coordinator, who gave us a great history of ECSLA. In a nutshell, it is a grassroots operation that began with a bunch of Episcopalians and a few tools. As a Diocese, they responded to the clear need that was left in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the failure of the federal levee system. To date, they have gutted some 900+ homes and rebuilt 76 houses from scratch – which are all still standing and in great condition. They have been creative about designing the program, welcoming volunteers, subcontracting professionals, and continuing to rebuild the city despite more than a few setbacks – most of which were financial. But they’re still going strong and responding to the needs that remain in the community. We also got to meet our Crew Chiefs for the week, Sophie & Annie. They are fabulous!!! Sophie is a part of the NOLA Service Corps program (more on that later,) and Annie moved down late last summer to be a crew chief. It was really interesting to hear about what they have learned and observed in the last 10 months.

We spent our day working on a home in the Lakeview neighborhood. There was at least 3-4 feet of standing water in Lakeview for several weeks following the flooding – certainly not the worst in the city. The homeowner had purchased the piece of property we are currently working on before Hurricane Katrina hit, but had not received the final title deeds, which turned out to be a huge problem. The insurance company awarded the money for the damage to the previous owners, who still possessed the deed to the house, even though it had been months since they occupied the home. As a result, it has taken these residents an unusual amount of time to be able to begin clearing debris and rebuilding the house. When the ESC team arrived on the scene in February of this year, there was still debris to be cleaned – clothes that remained in closets. However, you wouldn’t have known that when we arrived today. The construction is quite impressive, and things are really coming together. We spent some time this morning cleaning the yard, primarily to make space for the foundation that will soon be poured for the water heater. Some of us put first, second, and third coats of “Heartthrob” red on the living room walls. Whatever you’re imagining – it’s at least four shades brighter and bolder. Others of our group caulked and painted exterior window frames, and painted window shades (“hardware” grey). There are many more exciting projects to come throughout the week, though I think we’re most looking forward to demolition of the carport!!!

We also enjoyed our visit from the Mobile Loaves and Fishes of Trinity Episcopal Church. They delivered a much needed and greatly appreciated feast for lunch! All in all, it was a tremendous day of work.

For dinner this evening, we walked to Louisiana Pizza at the end of our street. Delicacies such as lamb pizza hit the spot after a long day of work. We then played a short-lived but rousing game of Episcopalopy. We also vowed to try and re-write the game. Though supposedly written for sixth graders, its quarks were difficult for a group of young adults to understand. Billy and Aaron outlasted the rest of us and went to hear the Rebirth Brass band at a local joint in our neighborhood. Apparently they’ve been playing there every Tuesday night for the last 25 years. The food, the music, the people – New Orleans is a beautiful city!

As we closed out our first day of work together with Compline and time for reflection, there was a lot to ponder. What does it mean to be “home?” What are the luxuries that one is afforded by having a private, personal space? How does one grapple with a space that is supposed to provide security and rest, and is nothing but a source of stress and painful memories. It’s all counter-intuitive in a way, but yet living reality for so many in New Orleans, even six years after the failure of the federal levee system. One thing is clear, we are grateful to have a week to pour our energy into doing whatever we can to create a home for one deserving family.

Goodnight, New Orleans!

Destination: New Orleans, Louisiana

The following blogs tell the story of a mission trip to New Orleans. While they were written during the trip, they are being posted following our arrival at home, purely because of easier internet access.

Three folks from the Episcopal Student Center at the University of Texas embarked on a journey. The missioner, program coordinator, and another brave member of the community are joining with the Episcopal Campus Ministry from Baylor University on a mission trip to New Orleans. The upcoming blogs will include the tales of our travels. We hope that in sharing these stories, you might be encouraged to intentionally explore your own journey as well.

After a long but entertaining journey on Monday, we arrived in the Crescent City. It was stunning to see the height and power of the water through the swamp lands as we drove in over the bridges between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The tributaries were still very much swollen from the controlled release of water upstream.

We are staying at the Cholstrom Parish House, which is affiliated with St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. It is BEAUTIFUL – as are most things in the Garden district located just off the street car line. We have front porches for sitting, back yards for frolicking, and beds to rest our tired bodies. We are so grateful!

Once the group from Baylor arrived (Yay!!!) we headed to the French Quarter for dinner. I kept forgetting that Hadyn and Jewlez have never been to New Orleans, and was frequently surprised by their squeals and screeches of delight. Although I am overjoyed to be back, it’s also a lot of fun to watch them take it all in for the first time. We had a delicious dinner in the French Quarter – red beans & rice, gumbo, jambalaya, and crawfish etouffee. We have arrived!

We also made a stop at the only Wal-Mart in New Orleans for breakfast and lunch amenities. The Texans in the group were shocked to discover that it was not a 24-hour facility. Truly, shocked. We were later told that it used to be a 24-hour facility, but now closes at 10PM because it was the most dangerous location in the whole of the city. Meaning, crimes occurred more frequently at or around the Wal-Mart than anywhere else in the city.

We are excited for all that this week will bring. Goodnight, New Orleans!