Today we just worked a half day so we could go sightseeing. Lisa, Jansen, and Jo weeded flowers at the mission center; Jessica, Alex, Dr. Larry, Jon and I finished what we could do at the Carnot house; and Larry, Scott, Jessie Lyn, and Jim continued hanging drywall at the house on Bruxelles. Then Jon, Dr. Larry, and Alex helped Pastor Elijah with Elijah Ministries move building material while Jessica and I cleaned up trash and swept at the Bruxelles house.
After lunch and showers, we began our sightseeing. We took the ferry across the Mississippi River to the Lower Ninth Ward to look at the destruction that still exists there. We met Pastor Washington at his house (the one we worked on during the 2008 mission trip), and he gave us a tour. It is beautiful and really helped all of us to realize the fruits of our labor; the last time we saw his home, it looked much like the house on Bruxelles - completely gutted on the inside. Pastor is so proud of his home, as he should be. It was no surprise to us to see him sitting on the front porch when we arrived visiting with someone who had stopped by. Just as it was two years ago, Pastor Washington seems to know just about everyone in the Lower Ninth Ward, and many people stop to visit with him on his shady front porch.
Then Pastor gave us a tour of the Greater New Jerusalem Baptist Church that we had also worked on in 2008. What a joy to see the beauty of the church and to learn that the congregation has grown because a few more people have been able to move back into their restored homes.
As we were leaving the church, another ice cream truck came by!!!!!! So we treated ourselves to ice cream again in the extreme afternoon heat of New Orleans.
We finished our tour of the Lower Ninth Ward and looked at the homes Brad Pitt is helping to build in the neighborhood right next to the levy. These homes are very energy efficient and look quite interesting. Did I mention that we were told when the levy was rebuilt it was rebuilt with the exact same specifications as the old levy - the one that breached after Katrina and caused so much death and destruction in the Lower Ninth Ward?
Then we went to the French Quarter to take in the sights, sounds, and smells (some good and some not so good). We enjoyed beignets at Cafe Du Monde near Jackson Square. Some of us toured the St. Louis Cathedral and the Ursuline Convent while others walked on Bourbon Street or the River Walk. We met for dinner at Mulate's - excellent etouffe, jambalaya, alligator, shrimp, catfish, bread pudding, and more. The zydeco band began playing at 7, and we thoroughly enjoyed listening and dancing to their music.
I need to explain a couple of the pictures posted that I took at the Ursuline Convent in the sanctuary. It is a statue of Mary holding Jesus just after he was removed from the cross. If you look closely at the picture, you can see tears rolling down Mary's face. I was so very moved by this statue. I always get really emotional when I think of how Mary must have felt before, during, and after the crucifixion of her son. I was very moved by this statue and wanted to share it with you.
I must make a correction to my posts for this mission trip. Jo said Jon has helped her cook, and that she shouldn't receive all the credit. The food has been delicious, and the friendship and comaraderie has been priceless. Thank you for everything, Jo and Jon!
