Update

Wow did I have an amazing weekend this eve of hurricane season! Janet Hines, working with Hilltop Rescue in Chalmette, asked me to join their planning meeting and crawfish boil (Lana pictured). I’m writing this from the Houston airport waiting for my connection home to Columbus. So many great and small, but significant conversations and events happened while planning the next response and how to continue with the current effort in New Orleans.

I was able to define Servants Unite’s mission for the Hilltop organizers from California Savita and Robert and how we will support them in the next response. We are very much on the same page in planning. Details on that will be out when I get the whole plan documented. We are also going to work together to encourage other team leaders from around the country to start groups like ours. Through emails and a side meeting at the NACC Conference in Louisville next month we hope to increase the national capacity to respond.

We all met Louisiana Representative and recent gubernatorial candidate Bobby Jindal at a special church service Sunday to present thank you plaques to the relief organizations from the residents of Chalmette. Representatives were on hand from 14 organizations with 5 more mentioned.

We also discussed finances. Hilltop burned spent $81,000 in funds from January through April and has around $100,000 remaining. Volunteer levels average 100 people a day and will be climbing with summer vacation again, though not quite to the spring break levels. To continue to function, Hilltop would like a donation of $10 per person per work day (generally 5 per trip) from volunteers to cover food. They have grant requests out and are pursuing additional funding sources that may change that request, but presently they are only funded into August or September.

The $50 per person cost is something to start considering for our spring break groups. This is not a deal breaker for anyone who can't pay the donation, but will help Hilltop to continue to provide for our volunteers in Chalmette. We can also help by providing cooks with our teams to help feed the volunteers.

The St. Bernard parish government has issued a requirement that all homeowners at least begin to clean out their houses by August 29. Because of that, Hilltop is focusing all their effort on mucking out homes. They have cleaned out 400 since moving into the school building the first of March. They have 600 requests to fulfill and there are many who have not yet asked for their houses to be cleared.

I walked the block around the school building and it all came back again. Most of those houses have been cleaned and the debris removed, but the neighborhood is absolutely deserted. I saw only 2 or 3 residents living in FEMA trailers in the general vicinity with empty, abandoned properties making up the majority of residences. The spiritual darkness was visible even in the bright gulf coast sunshine.

Flying in, the tarped roofs weren't so prevalent, but were still there. This effort is making progress, but will need support for quite some time to come.

Put all that together and it underscores the importance of sending as many volunteers down as possible. We have more than 100 volunteers scheduled through the middle of July with more trips open and accepting volunteers up through the first full week of August.

Those teams are all on notice. A new disaster area when they are scheduled will require a redirection to provide for immediate and urgent first response needs. More first responders are needed and churches who can serve as collection centers with staff. If you can organize collection of water and ready to eat, nonperishable foods along with baby and personal care kit components at your church, we need to start stocking up now to be ready for the next need.

I have registered 8, but need at least another 32 first responders. Those with medical training are very important to have available right after a disaster, but anyone who can leave on short notice will help our effort. When the next one happens, Hilltop will set up shop and have supplies shipped in and we'll send the volunteers. I need a committed list of 40 where I can expect half to be able to go on one to two days notice. Please join this group so we can plan our first aid response as soon as possible.

You're all amazing and we're doing God's work. When Satan whispers in your ear you can't, won't, or aren't worthy, remember, you are recreated in God's own image. You are filled with His spirit. You are enlisted in His army. Together, when we turn ourselves over to Him for this work, we are a powerful force. I'm so proud of all our volunteers and so thankful to have the opportunity to work with you all. Pray for all our brothers and sisters on all occasions.

John McGuire
Servants Unite!