Day 1 revisiting New Orleans

After such a long day of driving Saturday, we arrived safely and ahead of all other New Orleans/Project Homecoming volunteers to Olive Tree Village.

Paul ushering us into the gates.

 For those familiar with the New Orleans's area, Olive Tree Village is in New Orleans's East; or for those not, click on the highlighted above or below links to see more as well as learn more about Project Homecoming.

Officially, last February Presbyterian Disaster Assistance handed over the reins of recovery work and the running of Olive Tree Village to the Presbytery of South Louisiana's Project Homecoming. The current count from Project Homecoming is finishing over 200+ homes, with nearly 10,000 volunteers. It is an awesome testament of God's continuing love present in the greater New Orleans area.

But back to First Presbyterian's adventure! Last night we went to what was clearly a busy and 'locals' only area of the Gently/New Orleans East: Deanie's Seafood, however with a 45 minute wait, we wondered across the street to Mamma Mia's Pizza. Definatly a New York style but votes all around said good.





This morning, we worshiped with Lakeview Presbyterian Church.

We visited another New Orleans's favorite: Red Fish Grill for a delicious lunch. Sarah and Jimmie highly recommend the alligator sausage and seafood gumbo. This of course led to a few hours of culture and shopping in the French Quarter.

You can see life flourishing along Jackson Square with artists and creative folks.










Folks also took the time to visit St. Louis Cathedral and Louisiana State Museum's exhibit: living with hurricanes KATRINA & beyond.

For myself, this was a moving exhibit, one that took both the personal stories of those who've survived it to also how it affected the city into the future. Below are a few photo's from the exhibit.

 This is a picture to explain the spray painted markings on homes as emergency services went home to home. The top of the X says 'time and date'; the right says: "whether or not there are hazards in the home,' the bottom says "number of dead found' and left 'rescue team' that searched the home. You can still see these markings on abandoned homes; one is 2 doors down from Olive Tree Village.

 Notice Presbyterian Disaster Assistance t-shirt in the center.

A private boat that was used to save over a thousand people from a near by hospital from where it was stored during the flooding.

Also, if interested, click this link: Map  and see an interactive Hurricane Katrina map to truly see how the flooding occurred, what was affected. etc

Returning to Olive Tree, we will meet our fellow volunteers from Foot Hill Presbytery; Atlanta GA and Charlotte NC. Work begins tomorrow!

Peace, Sarah