Teresa McMahan checks in. (Readers of these pages may recall Teresa's first hand reports on the making of "Friday Night Lights".) She forwards an email from her brother who is in Slidel, Louisiana. (See his photos at end of this post.)
These are pictures and narrative from my brother who is working on relief efforts in La. Thought you might could use them for your blog. Later, Teresa.
----- Original Message -----
I don't know what emails got through and what didn't. In any case. Here's an update.
Right now we're moved into a Baptist church in Slidel across the lake from New Orleans. I think they'll have us in New Orleans when and only when they think its safe. We may stay here all week, or one phone call could take us into New Orleans.
I like it here better than LaFayette. There we were cooking for the people in the Cajun Dome. Here were cooking food and loading it into Red Cross ERVs (looks like an abulance). They're taking the food to people around here who can't/won't leave their homes. Many of these people are "camping" in their houses as they begin to "mudout". Volunteers from all over the country are helping with that nasty job. We're keeping all of them fed.
People are coming through here daily needing water, cloths. Many have asked us, "any idea where we could do some laundry or get a shower". Many of these people would like to just clean up and rest before they go into whatever they're doing again.
This church is in real trouble. Staff being layed off at the end of the month, this just wiped them out. Keep in mind, this is First Baptist. Its huge. They're 2 miles from Lake Pontchetrain and the title surge brough about 5 feet of water in here. Yes, 2 miles. There's dead fish in the parking lot. I killed a snake half way up the stair going to the balcony in the auditorium. Its a wreck and people (rescue workers) are living in the auditorium. They already have the mud out, carpet out, sheetrock out (1/2 way up the walls). I found some cots so I wouldn't be sleeping on the ground around here. A lot of the people that go here have lost their homes and their jobs. Amaizingly enough we went to their church services this morning and their response to this tragety was overwhelmingly obviouse, they are each and every one thankful for what they have and for the many opportunities this will bring them to grow stronger. I don't just say that, that is really how they feel. I would never have seen that on the news nor would I have believed it without being here.
More Later if possible.
Kyle.
Thanks Teresa! And thanks to you, Kyle, for all you are doing!
Kyle's photos:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Comments