It is done. And it is what it is. For those who were there at this particular time, I'd like to thank you for allowing me to include you on tape, for your hard work as volunteers and as witness to these events. A special shout-out to my homey, Michael, your chef-extraordinaire who recognizes culinary talent when he sees it in his kitchen and thus encouraged me to leave and go out with my camera often. This mission was his doing and on our return he helped finance the production of the video.
There is much left out due to technical problems with bad audio including Pastor Megan's reading and Pastor Rich's song "Feed My Sheep. " There is way too little footage of Judy showing her tireless efforts and inspriational talks. I have about ten minutes worth of snippets of Pastor Jerry and Judy whipping by the camera and out doors on their way to take care of varying crises.
I lost a whole segment to a mangled tape. It is completely unsalvageable and would have been the cornerstone of what needed to be shown. You might remember Evelyn, a long-time member of Bethel Lutheran. Her husband takes care of the grounds. She's about knee-high to a grasshopper and usually carrying something or on the phone or listening to someone's problems. She allowed me to interview her with Pastor Jerry and she spoke of her son and daughter-in-law, newlyweds drowned in Katrina. And of another son who lost his battle to cancer a week later. I am deeply saddened by her loss and thank her for sharing how faith has led her through her grief. While others will not know it because the tape is destroyed, I know it. The video was edited in exhausting 16 hour sessions and rushed to FedEx just in time for All Saints Day Sunday for some volunteers who needed footage and scheduled a report to their church. Whenever I was too tired to continue, I'd just think of Evelyn and press on.
Okay, so we have a visual record from a small snippet of time in the aftermath of Katrina. What do we do with it? The TV crew have packed their equipment, the Red Cross is about to pull out, FEMA is still trying to lace its boots yet the situation remain dire and the church is running out of supplies, food and money.
Remember that sending a teddy bear may comfort a small child and make the giver feel good about themselves. But a freshly kilt bear will feed and clothe a small family. Ask my wife. She still hates to talk about that camping trip. A Christmas card would be spiritually uplifting but practically only provides .1 btu for 2 seconds. They need more. And fast. Be creative. Think outside the cardboard refrigerator box these people may be sleeping in soon.
You've been there as volunteers and you've all expressed a desire to go back. Good for you. As Pastor Glenn (sp.?) said, you wanted to be a part of "an armload at a time" lifting the people out of the rubble. You can do this from where you are right now.
Show this tape. Make copies. Empty one of your services and split up to different churches in your area and show it to each. This video does zero good sitting on a shelf. It needs to be presented to audiences quickly. The need is urgent. Find a way. Any way.
Here's some points to get you started talking through it. It is divided into chapters in an order like a newspaper article of descending import. Strong images of the aftermath of Katrina are near the front, details about what work crews do and future equipment needs are towards the end.
Think of it as a "moan", a style of wordless singing found in southern churches (fascinating background and will explain how I was called by a song from a Beaumon church in another post). This is meant to be seen close-up and personal, quietly with the volume low. Its suitable for larger audiences with the sound off in many parts. I didn't have time to do a lot of narration and where I did manage to mumble something over the video, it is evidence that English must be my second language. Walk them through it like a slide show. Give it a shot.
Note: I didn't video any of the public using the church commissary. We're not here to exploit anyone. But that's why I concentrated on the physical destruction instead and hope the viewers can connect the dots and realize people are living amongst the ruins shown.
So far, the reaction my gentle preview audiences had was : "I had no idea it was that bad." People want to help. They want to be a part of this. We need them. Now.
Title & Infoincludes Bethel Lutheran address and website URL. Instruct your audience to have a pen ready.
Quick OverviewA general report to my church (Lord of Life Lutheran in Columbus, Ohio) regarding our mission to Biloxi. This serves little public interest beyond my congregation and the people forced to suffer my humor on a daily basis. This is my homage to Coppola's Apocalypse Now.
The Gulf CoastTour of I-90 and casinos. This is quite dark in tone, despite the bright sunny day. If presenting this, I'd turn off the sound and just let it play in silence. Some text overlay imagery detailing after-effects of the storm. If you're talking through it, I'll provide some key points shortly about what casino barge came from which dock way in the background. Most of these are mansions and casinos. Why should we care? Well, along, with the fishing industry, thats the tax base. Mostly gone. Plus the physics involved in carving out the first floor of a 6,500 sq. ft. mansion is impressive to imagine.
LDRInterview with Hal Shope of Lutheran Disaster Relief. Not only is he the oldest disaster relief executive on site in the state of Mississippi, he's a voice of calm reason amongst a brash cacaphony of political posturing.
CommissaryGoods and supplies dispensed through the church. I set down a shaving kit on a table my first day. Big mistake. It was put on the shelf and went out the door with someone.
Medical ClinicShort interview with Michael Funk from Florida who ran the medical clinic for part of October. He was impressed with the church and we were impressed with him: when a long trailer truck arrived at the front door, he was first inside shoveling out palettes of goods for the shelves.
A NeighborhoodSurveying houses near the gulf.
FrankSharon worked in the Medical clinic from September 2nd to October 16. She met and remembered so many local people and we were lucky to go "on rounds" with her through the community. Frank was walking up a side street and Sharon recognized him and offered him a ride to the Salvation Army relief area ("Yankee Stadium"). Along the way he told his story. It was sad and all too typical of the frustration these citizens have been going through. Some kind volunteers followed up the next day with a gift to help him get through the ordeal.
It is not my intent to make FEMA look bad here (he still hasn't gotten his trailer). In fact, Sharon told us later how he got a bill from the hospital for his hurricane related injuries and the hospital mentioned that FEMA might pay part of it. He walked across town to FEMA and his case worker looked at the bill, tore it in two and said "There. All taken care of."
Frank has become sort of a poster child for the church; a gentle face to the suffering of many. I'll keep you updated on his progress as I get reports from those still on the scene.
St. MichaelsWe stopped at a Catholic church near the casinos. A group, probably the congregation, swept up the insides and placed various statues on the altar. Note how the stained glass survived.
Morning CrewInterview with Terry, Tom and Peter on dispatching crews, future equipment needs, etc. This is more detail oriented for the groups that have decided to go on mission. It is important to contact the church to schedule when you're coming down, and to get a list of immediate needs as these change from week to week.
Mucking A HouseThough "mucking" will soon end and reconstruction will begin, this is an interesting segment showing the hard work our volunteers did to help save the basic structure of homes. We visit a site and learn what the volunteers do. Afterwards, the owner of this house thanks the volunteers. There is much more to her story. But it is very personal and her sharing it with the volunteers in attendance was witness enough.
Did Anybody See God Today?After dinner and just before Devotions. What the volunteers saw and did that affected their lives and strengthened their faith. If you were in this segment during the week I was there, it was an honor to have worked with you. I have enough footage for a second DVD.
CreditsI could have put a list of needs but since everything changes so fast and as different tasks move to different churches, I'm planning on just posting current news and information on the web site (here).
More soon.
- Kent
