Saturday, March 25, 2006
Surviving Katrina
Bill Niess sent this link to me. time.com/katrina. It's a pictoral essay with the stories of the people in the pictures done mostly right after the storm. Good reminder of who we're helping and how much progress we have made.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Pics from last week
Well, I finally got Bill and Meghan's pictures up from last week's trip to Louisiana. You can find them by clicking the photo album link on our web site or at these links directly:
Bill
Meghan
Nancy McCoy and Susan Stingley from Xenia Church of Christ, Kathy Kar, and Larry Hunter will be heading down Saturday for a week. Pray for their safe trip and a productive week.
John McGuire
Bill
Meghan
Nancy McCoy and Susan Stingley from Xenia Church of Christ, Kathy Kar, and Larry Hunter will be heading down Saturday for a week. Pray for their safe trip and a productive week.
John McGuire
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Jennifer Levanduski, Buffalo NY
Having been back into the swing of things for a few days in cold and snowy Buffalo, I wanted to collect my thoughts and send you something regarding our recent trip to warm, sunny LA.
First, leaving Chalmette on Friday, I felt selfish because what I was taking away from Louisiana was about 10,000 times greater than the work I had done while I was there. Never before have I had an experience so spiritually moving. It was obvious that the Holy Spirit was pouring out of each of the 400 volunteers who stayed in the school with us that week and for that, to have been part of that, gave me a blessing greater than I can even describe.
Next, it is awe inspiring to hear the stories of the people who lived there. While demucking our first house, we met the daughter, JoAnn, of the homeowner who is one of the most interesting, engaging, and courageous people I've ever met. Her story of driving north through Louisiana with her mother, daughter, and menagerie of pets wowed each of us. That night, JoAnn, along with her mother, daughter, and neighbor, joined us for worship at the school and a nice chat after that. The next day, as we worked on another house, JoAnn and her mother pulled up, told us they had been driving around looking for us, and unloaded a cooler full of cold drinks and snacks! That they would be so gracious and giving absolutely floored each of us. Their gratitude for our being there was overwhelming especially given that I feel like we should have done more for them.
Another homeowner we met, Janie, was a paramedic and her tales of heroics through the storm were also awe inspiring, as was her gratitude and cheerfulness, especially given that she had not yet received her FEMA trailer.
Another blessing I received was that my life was a musical for the week! I have always wanted my life to be a musical. The group sang worship songs all week; we would be working in a house, everybody doing different tasks and someone would begin a song...and everyone would join in! This bursting forth of song also happened in the vans, playing cards, and even in the showers. This spirit of constant praise and worship inspired each of us and grounded us in the fact that we truly were doing the Lord's work.
One other thing that struck me was the unwavering dedication and phenomenal leadership of Brendan, Brad, Tim, and Lisa. They expected nothing but the best from us all and exhibited a spirit of selflessness in everything they did.
One last note is that it was clear that the Lord was with us all week. The weather reports before we left indicated that it would be 80-85 and humid all week. I was concerned that, as Yankees, we would melt working in that heat! However, the weather was gorgeous, blue skies and breezes all week. Additionally, despite many nails through boots, scrapes on a daily basis, sunburns, and a hammer head that fell off, everyone made it through the week safely and there is no doubt that was purely by the grace of God.
I could go on forever (and I kind of have...) but I hope this helps with your account of UB's experience. I have found it difficult describing the experience (both here and to folks in Buffalo); it truly was the greatest thing I've ever had the privilege of being a part of.
Additionally, as president of my student government here at UB (the Graduate Management Association, the student government of the MBA program), we have one last charity event coming up and I've convinced the other members of my e-board to donate the proceeds to Hilltop Rescue.
Thank you,
Jennifer
Jennifer Levanduski
President - Graduate Management Association
University at Buffalo School of Management
MBA, Class of 2006
http://wings.buffalo.edu/mgtclubs/GMA
First, leaving Chalmette on Friday, I felt selfish because what I was taking away from Louisiana was about 10,000 times greater than the work I had done while I was there. Never before have I had an experience so spiritually moving. It was obvious that the Holy Spirit was pouring out of each of the 400 volunteers who stayed in the school with us that week and for that, to have been part of that, gave me a blessing greater than I can even describe.
Next, it is awe inspiring to hear the stories of the people who lived there. While demucking our first house, we met the daughter, JoAnn, of the homeowner who is one of the most interesting, engaging, and courageous people I've ever met. Her story of driving north through Louisiana with her mother, daughter, and menagerie of pets wowed each of us. That night, JoAnn, along with her mother, daughter, and neighbor, joined us for worship at the school and a nice chat after that. The next day, as we worked on another house, JoAnn and her mother pulled up, told us they had been driving around looking for us, and unloaded a cooler full of cold drinks and snacks! That they would be so gracious and giving absolutely floored each of us. Their gratitude for our being there was overwhelming especially given that I feel like we should have done more for them.
Another homeowner we met, Janie, was a paramedic and her tales of heroics through the storm were also awe inspiring, as was her gratitude and cheerfulness, especially given that she had not yet received her FEMA trailer.
Another blessing I received was that my life was a musical for the week! I have always wanted my life to be a musical. The group sang worship songs all week; we would be working in a house, everybody doing different tasks and someone would begin a song...and everyone would join in! This bursting forth of song also happened in the vans, playing cards, and even in the showers. This spirit of constant praise and worship inspired each of us and grounded us in the fact that we truly were doing the Lord's work.
One other thing that struck me was the unwavering dedication and phenomenal leadership of Brendan, Brad, Tim, and Lisa. They expected nothing but the best from us all and exhibited a spirit of selflessness in everything they did.
One last note is that it was clear that the Lord was with us all week. The weather reports before we left indicated that it would be 80-85 and humid all week. I was concerned that, as Yankees, we would melt working in that heat! However, the weather was gorgeous, blue skies and breezes all week. Additionally, despite many nails through boots, scrapes on a daily basis, sunburns, and a hammer head that fell off, everyone made it through the week safely and there is no doubt that was purely by the grace of God.
I could go on forever (and I kind of have...) but I hope this helps with your account of UB's experience. I have found it difficult describing the experience (both here and to folks in Buffalo); it truly was the greatest thing I've ever had the privilege of being a part of.
Additionally, as president of my student government here at UB (the Graduate Management Association, the student government of the MBA program), we have one last charity event coming up and I've convinced the other members of my e-board to donate the proceeds to Hilltop Rescue.
Thank you,
Jennifer
Jennifer Levanduski
President - Graduate Management Association
University at Buffalo School of Management
MBA, Class of 2006
http://wings.buffalo.edu/mgtclubs/GMA
Monday, March 20, 2006
Some Great Stories from Spring Break Work Last Week
Thought this was interesting. 270 articles on spring break hurricane relief work! Amazing turnout from college kids and quite a bit of press coverage to boot.
You should checkout an article I posted to the WhereISawJesus blog from Mark Elrod. It's a great synopsis of the week a group from Harding University had working in Louisiana last week. Mark has day by day coverage on his blog. The stories he tells are exactly why we go and serve. What an awsome God that gives us these opportunities to work in His kingdom.
You should checkout an article I posted to the WhereISawJesus blog from Mark Elrod. It's a great synopsis of the week a group from Harding University had working in Louisiana last week. Mark has day by day coverage on his blog. The stories he tells are exactly why we go and serve. What an awsome God that gives us these opportunities to work in His kingdom.
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