Notes from the first day

I (Chris) attended a job training class put on by the Baton Rouge Ministry Center on Wednesday (4/4/07). Class attendees included 5 evacuees still living in FEMA trailer villages. This particular class session was fun and interactive. Using the movie "The Pursuit of Happiness" as a frame of reference, the class attendees were overall very positive and are definitely working hard to get their lives back on track. It's humbling to witness them sharing their stories of all they've lost and been through, yet in the same breath proclaiming that "God will get us through this," and "tragedy doesn't last forever."

When the church van was giving everybody a ride back to their homes (trailers), I got to ride along. One of the class attendess, named Billy, was entertaining and full of conversation! From this point on, I wish I had our video camera with me, because we toured several FEMA trailer villages, including the apparently famous "Renaissance Village," in which nearly 600 trailers exist in tightly-packed rows. Rosie O'Donnell contributed significant funds to establsih a charter school inside the grounds of Renaissance Village, which we also got to see.

It was striking to be in the village, seeing numerous security guards, and seeing families with young children all around. I couldn't help but think of my own children while on this tour, humbled to realize how much our family has in comparison to these evacuees, and imagining how we would all cope if we were ever thrust into such conditions for several years, as these victims have been. Then I thought about what it must be like for these families in tight quarters during the sweltering summer heat in Louisiana.

We drove past Billy's trailer...one of the smaller ones in the park. Ironically, it says "Weekender" on the side of it. Better make it a long weekend! Billy decided to stick in the van with us a while longer, as he needed to be dropped off also at a store. As he was exiting the van, he pointed over to a woman across the parking lot who had two small children with her. He told Randy (the pastor of the Baton Rouge Ministry Center who was driving the van), "if you have time, could you please pick them up and give them a ride home?" He gave directions as to where she lived.

We picked her (Alisha) up, and we told her that Billy gave us the heads up that she and her kids needed a ride. She looked at us inquisitively and asked, "who's Billy?" She put two and two together and realized he must be someone that normally rides the city bus with her, but she still didn't know for sure who he was. She was overcome with amazement and gratitude, and had a hard time speaking for a moment. Then she simply said "God sure works in mysterious ways...yes I DO need a ride," and she stepped on board with her two kids.

That's when Randy introduced us all and told her about the Baton Rouge Ministry Center and its outreach. Randy got her contact information, and gave her his, and let her know that if she needs food or clothing for her family, to let him know. The Baton Rouge Ministry Center has received so many donations, and is connected with Angel Food Ministries to acquire quality food for distribution to evacuees, and it turns out to be an incredible way to reach out to people and build new relationships.

Alisha told us on the ride that she was originally from Baton Rouge, but had moved to Mississippi before Hurricane Katrina to "get a fresh start." Well, she lost everything in the storm, and has since returned to Baton Rouge. After we had dropped her off, I told Randy and Larry (the associate pastor who was also with us) how amazing that was to me. Randy said divine appointments like these are a daily occurrence for us around here!

More later as things continue to unfold for us here.