As I get ready to start my last week in the city, I wanted to show everyone that I did go out and have some fun. I went to the French Quarter and relaxed after church today. I was smiling really. I spent the day eating and walking all over the Quarter. I still can't believe what goes on on Bourbon Street. I visited the Tomato & Seafood Festivals during my travels. The spirit at the festivals was great, even though the temp. was 94 degrees with very high humidity. I was excited to see so many people. The city is coming back, but it's going to take a long time, especially for the harder hit areas. I worshipped at Bethlehem Luth. Church again. I have fallen in Love with this congregation. I look at them and I still see the many people that I grew up with in Gary, IN. I spent time talking to Pastor after the service and I will have dinner with him and his wife tomorrow. Even after being here for 2 weeks, it's still eye opening when you talk to new people. 50% of their congregation has not and may not return to the city. The church had about 2 feet of water in it and all the floors and pews had to be repaired. The church is now ready to host groups who want to come and do relief work. (Hint, Hint Trinity) I have some ideas of what we can do to help, I'll let you all know what they are when I get home. The biggest thing I can say right now is that the job is not finished. There is still work to do, not just for today for for years to come. I know I'm repeating myself, but it's so important that we do not forget about all the people here. Below are pics from the house our team started on Thursday. I will get a chance to work with another team this week. I hope we can get this one finished before I have to leave. The four block neighborhood is almost completely deserted. The more we clean this one out, the more it seems that it can be saved. We still did not hear if the house from my first week and a half can be saved. Many homeowners down here are in the same situation with their houses.
aaron
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