Project Homecoming aids continuing disaster relief efforts in Louisiana

(Rockwall) July 23, 2012 – A van filled with seven sleepy yet exuberant teenagers and their two chaperones pulled out of the parking lot at First Presbyterian Church of Rockwall about 5:45 a.m. on Sunday July 15, 2012.

Their destination was the Olive Tree Village in New Orleans, Louisiana. Their mission was to participate in Project Homecoming, a continuing effort of the Presbytery of Southern Louisiana to rebuild the area devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

The group arrived at the village about 10 hours later, during a heavy rainstorm. After unloading the vehicle and settling into their temporary shelter, the nine weary travelers enjoyed a meal prepared by the staff and a few rousing games of ping pong before turning in for the night.

The next morning they gathered early for breakfast then were split into two groups. Half of their party headed off to drywall and paint one residence while the other spent time at another site nailing up siding. Each work site was supervised by one of the Project Homecoming staff members, but the students quickly caught onto the work at-hand. Laboring outside in the steamy New Orleans weather made returning to the air-conditioned buildings at Olive Tree Village a welcome respite at the end of each day.

On Tuesday the weather turned stormy once again, so the team headed to the Presbyterian Disaster Relief warehouses where they sorted equipment and tools, later returning to their base for a traditional New Orleans dinner of jambalaya. That evening the group explored the French Quarter’s unique shops for souvenirs.

Wednesday, rainy conditions cut the work day short, so the kids and chaperones piled into their van and headed to the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge to learn about saving the wetlands and with hopes of spotting a few alligators.

Thursday the skies cleared, and the two groups were able to continue their tasks of painting and applying drywall and siding. After the workday ended, a staff member of Project Homecoming took them on a tour of the Lower 9^th Ward.  Zack Thacker, who has accompanied the First Presbyterian Church mission team to New Orleans for the past two years said, “There is still so much work to be done. Each time I return, it shocks me how much damage still remains from the hurricane. Seven years after Katrina, there are still abandoned houses, even on the main street.”

Friday the group worked with Green Light New Orleans, an environmentally-conscience organization whose goal is to reduce carbon emissions. The workday ended early, so the team revisited the French Quarter for lunch and beignets.

Working in conjunction with Presbyterian Disaster Relief, Project Homecoming’s goal is to rebuild the region that was devastated during Hurricane Katrina. Since its inception in April of 2007, the organization has utilized 8,000 volunteers and experienced construction staff to rebuild 120 homes at less than one-third the cost charged by contractors for low-income, uninsured, underinsured, disabled, and elderly homeowners.

The team departed New Orleans Saturday morning, but the memories of their trip will stay with them throughout the year and as they plan for the coming summer’s activities. David Gordon, the Youth Director of First Presbyterian Church, is enthusiastic when talking about his young charges.

“Mission work is such an important part of our youth group, and I am very proud of the service the kids provided and all the ways they witnessed to Christ’s love in New Orleans. We are truly blessed as a congregation to have such a great and active group of teenagers,” Gordon said.

Thanks to Mary Thacker for sharing this story and photo.

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  First Presbyterian Church, Hurricane Katrina, mission, Presbytery of Southern Louisiana, Project Homecoming, Rockwall, teenagers