By Jacquie McMillen, Chair
EOA Church in the World Department

Another group from EOA seeking to be "church in the world" to our brothers and sisters in New Orleans headed to the Gulf Coast in February. This mission group led by Jim Ditzler, an Ohio Conference Disaster Response Team Coordinator, was the third disaster recovery work trip that has been sponsored by the department.

Twelve followers of Jesus from St. John UCC, Glenmont (Richard Orth); St. Peter’s UCC, Apple Creek (Norma and Paul Klingerman, Jim McMillen, Jon Orr, Ivan Ott); Trinity UCC, Wadsworth (Peg Kochy, Sue Moore, Judy Woolsey); and Trinity UCC, Wooster (Linda and Jim Ditzler, Claude Grindstaff), offered hands and hearts through the hospitality of St. Paul UCC in New Orleans.

Peg Kochy working on one of the four homes where the mission group served. 

These energetic, committed disciples—"newbies" as well as experienced volunteers—worked patiently with hope, witnessing the slow, steady transformation of neighborhoods being rebuilt, home by home, relationship by relationship. The work of the February group centered around four homes, one of which is nearly complete, ready for its homeowner to move out of his FEMA trailer!

While in New Orleans, the group enjoyed Mardi Gras festivities, experiencing several parades and the French Quarter. On Ash Wednesday, they joined in worship with Congregational UCC and St. Matthew’s UCC, two local churches joined in covenant after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

From clean-up to plastering, painting and hanging doors, so much rebuilding remains. One first-time New Orleans volunteer was amazed at the devastation two and one-half years after Katrina: "In each neighborhood where we worked, we saw one or two rebuilt houses with everything else boarded up. Our home owners were so appreciative of the volunteers and construction workers who come from out of state. ‘They are doing more than anyone else!’"

Ivan Ott and Jon Orr stand ready to tear out part of a home
needing reconstruction.

A four-time volunteer noticed lots of activity in the neighborhood where she worked but still sees "mountains" of work to do. She added that "Alan Coe (Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery in New Orleans) always makes me want to come back. He really, really cares!"

EOA Church in the World will sponsor another trip in Fall 2008. The cost, including transportation, food, and accommodations in New Orleans, is approximately $300.