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Lutheran Disaster Response
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Volunteer Stories
Patrick Jenkins - DeKalb, IL:
“The Spring Break trip to New Orleans stands out as one of the best
experiences of my college career. From the trip there and back, to the
people, I was able to experience the journey where many fond memories
were made. Perhaps the greatest part of the experience was lending a
hand and making a difference in the lives of people who have been
displaced for many months. The amount of work we were able to
accomplish as a team is amazing to me, and yet is just a drop in a
very large bucket in regards to the total work left to be done in the
area. Being in the New Orleans area and seeing the destruction taught
me how much of the process to rebuild is step by step and requires
much patience. The fast-paced way of life so many are accustomed to is
slowed and we were forced to deal with the unpleasantness of reality.
This is where hope shines through. When relief workers from all over
the country come together with one purpose it can't help but bring
some hope to the people who suffered loss due to the storms. It was an
amazing trip and a life-changing journey.”
Mark Staples - Lansdale, PA:
One by one the cars pull into the long driveway leading to the
Lutheran/Episcopal Distribution Center here, their occupants hoping
for a few days worth of food, hygiene and first aid kits, laundry and
dish detergent, perhaps a pillow, blanket and a set of bed linens...
One crowded sedan contains members of three households. A woman in the
back seat that I interview is an attractive African American woman who
tells me she is 76.
“Where are you from?” she asks me. I am used to asking, not answering.
“From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,” I say. She has waited in line for
some time.
“That’s a long way from here. How far is it?” she asks.
“About 1,200 miles,” I said. I knew the answer because we were among a
group that had driven to Mississippi over two days.
The woman smiled and squeezed my hand. “Thank you for coming all this
way to help us. You didn’t have to do this.” I thought for a minute,
looked into her eyes, and said. “You’re welcome. Talking to you like
this, I bet you would have done the same thing for me if you were in
my position.”
She smiled again. “Yes,” she said, “the Lord wants us to help each
other.”
It was a brief encounter. I don’t even remember the woman’s name, but
her words haunted me. “You didn’t have to do this.”
I almost hadn’t come, but I was suddenly so thankful I had.
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