Getting Engaged in Katrina Recovery

Following the record breaking 2005 Hurricane season, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, through its Disaster Response Program, sent an urgent call for volunteers through local churches. As a retiree and with my background as a hospital chaplain, I decided to volunteer, with my wife’s blessings. In April 2006, I joined twelve men and women from New England states on a trip to New Orleans. Nothing we had seen and heard about Hurricane Katrina prepared us for what we witnessed—unimaginable human suffering and great need. Over the course of a week, while living and working among gracious people who were determined to return to their home or what was left of them, we did a variety of things including gutting one house down to the studs, putting sheet rock in another house, and setting kitchen cabinets in yet another. We returned home with a clear message from folks at the Lutheran Disaster Response: we need more volunteers.

I immediately set about planning a return trip with fresh hands and willing hearts to participate in the rebuilding. My goal was to organize at least six Lutheran congregations in Maine supporting and sending volunteers to the Gulf Coast. In October 2006, eighteen men and women flew from Portland, Maine to New Orleans. This trip saw us working on the homes of three widows, one of whom saw her husband die as the storm was passing. Once again, going home, there was a feeling of compassion for all those we had the privilege of serving, and soon enough the volunteers began to talk of a returning mission in the spring of 2007. This time, also, the Lord provided us people with energy and determination to plan another mission of compassion. In April 2007, I joined ten men and women at the Portland Jetport to fly to New Orleans. Let me share with you some important information about rebuilding work organized by the Lutheran Disaster Response:

• Over 18,000 volunteers coordinated in the five affected states
• 695,000 volunteer hours were completed
• 2, 920 children received care through 73 “Camp Noah” programs
• Over 10,000 clients receive services from LDR case managers

The need persists for volunteer work in the Gulf Coast regions impacted by the storm. As the transition is made from short-term relief and clean up to long-term rebuilding and repair, the major need is for skilled volunteers, especially those with carpentry, roofing, flooring, and electrical or plumbing experience. In Latin, compassion means “to suffer with.” Jesus enters the world to suffer with his creation in order to redeem it. As such, we follow in the footsteps of our Lord, Jesus.

We are planning another mission to New Orleans/Slidell for the fall of 2007—we need your support, your prayers, and your assistance.

With all good wishes,

Rev. Norm Bumby