Here is our Home in the rubble. We are sleeping in Tent City (Tentropolis?) which is inside the YMCA'a ruined basketball fieldhouse. the roof is not fully intact and the space underneath is prone to flooding....we have to build platforms out of block and scrap lumber before we can put up our tents.
We arrived late Monday night because we stopped at New Orleans on the way through. (The French Quarter is fully intact and operating.) But getting out of NO and down to Burras took over two hours and by then it was very dark. There are not many usable street signs down here and we actually drove past our turn off to the YMCA. By the time we got settled in it was very late.
We have worked on many projects around the Emergency Communities (EC) base camp here at the Y. One of those was to clean-up around tent-city. (See photo above)
Another was to help clean up debris around someone's home. (Photo, second from top) the house in the background was moved from its foundations...almost half a mile away. Another nearby home was moved over a mile!
We have helped an elderly couple put in their garden, we have helped prepare and serve meals, we have helped with an after school program at Booneville Elementary and we have provided children's recreation services to one of the "FEMA Camps" at Camp Diamond. One of the most important things we'de done, though is to interact with the people here and listen to their stories. they are eye-opening, heart-wrenching and yet spiritually up-lifting at times.
One of those storied is turning into Our next big project. On thursday we begin helping Pete with his plan to build a recovery se-lf help center using two abanonded properties. One of those is the old Buras Pharmacy (photo very top right). We have some very hard work to do there!
More to come!
Ron
3 comments:
The pics you posted are touching and remind me that not only were lives and home losts to Katrina but I have a sense that an entire culture was eradicated. Thank you for taking the time out of your life to do what you are doing. Mary when I read your post about the daily gatherings I am reminded of many of the things your friends and loved ones respect about you. You, know how to create a space, open up opportunities for people to step into in their most authentic, celebatory self. I learn from you even in this venue and am proud to call you friend. Be well all of you and tonight at 11:30 p.m. I pray peaceful, restful sleep for you and a full and glorious day tomorrow. What you are doing, is making a difference.
Good night,
Martha Deaton
Ron--wow. Great post. Thanks for sharing pictures and descriptions of what you are experiencing. The pictures blow up really huge on the screen and have lots of detail. I am truly impressed with what this group is doing under the conditions they are doing it.
You know, this seems to be a crash course for the group in the Ryle/Shotter knowing "that," knowing "how," and knowing "from within." Have you talked with them about those?
Later brother (and be careful!)--
Annie
Annie, Thanks for the supporting and encouraging comments. I gave a quick overview of dialogue in general, but we are all making our own way together here. Creating new ways of being.... together.
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