Hello everybody,
We had a very busy day, we spread out across the city.
Lorraine, Johanna and John sanded at the Rebuild Project for five hours, they had the pleasure of meeting the homeowner, and even though
they were covered with dust, she insisted on hugging and kissing each of us.
Quite moving!
Meanwhile, back at the Beacon of Hope, Debbie, Sam, Heather, Diane and Ranjit
were cleaning, painting and hanging shades for a house for volunteers. They planted a magnolia tree, did some landscaping, etc. Because of our contributions this house was finished on time, so that other volunteers could move in on time.
At the Charter School, Cece, Sandy, Sheila, Lana and Anne and a couple of gorgeous hunks from Tulane, almost finished painting a huge bookcase and there 126 shelves.
We went to two new sites, "Loaves and Fishes and the Dragon Cafe,"
and at both sites, we made food to pass out to volunteers and to hungry folks.
Tonight, we attended a service at St. Anna's Episcopal Church where we heard Gospel Music.
And what is especially prominent is the way in which St. Anna's holds in prayer
the most recent victims of violence in New Orleans.
After the service, we took part in a meal that was for
the community but was directed towards the most needy. The evening was a carefully planned interplay of worship, jazz, free medical care and legal services that were provided by local professionals. As we entered, we noticed a sign that read 'Food pantry closed due to lack of food,' so we decided to make a cash donation.
We celebrated our hard work by going to the French Quarter and feasting on some beignets, coffee and cocoa and a glass of milk, (with some Zantacs by the fistful) at Cafe Du Monde. Mmm....yum.
We ended by reflecting on a spectacular day!
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Wow, all that in ONE day. It's really nice to see the contributions you are making in such a variety of ways...and sad, too, that the situation there hasn't improved more rapidly. Your work is truly needed.
ReplyDeleteLeah (friend of Sheila who has known me since I was in the womb!!!!)
I'm exhausted just reading about your day, I can only imagine living it. I'll look forward to hearing about some of the relationships you have made and I'm so glad you are getting a chance to experience some of the local culture.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Jeff
Dearest friends:
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of the physical and emotional energy you are all spending every day. Coffee and beignets and some jazz will certainly not sustain you. I am glad that St Anna's is offering some spiritual sustanance too. The ones of you we know are people with great wells of spirituality from which to draw. It must feel great to see some of your projects completed and draining to see the number yet to begin. We send our prayers to you and the people of the Gulf Coast and look forward to a resolution to the situation in the hopeful spirit of President Obama. You embody his call to action: "Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek." Thank you one and all.
Love, Steve and David
It looks like all of you are doing some amazing work! It's been great reading about your adventures, and seeing the pictures!
ReplyDelete~Claire (Sheila's granddaughter)