Little Blessings

I spent the day (Thursday) working at Sandy's house. One thing she said was how she looks for the little blesses in life and appreciates them. We painted several rooms in her house and laid some flooring down. The week started off pretty stressful and a little hectic but these last few days have been amazing. Sandy is a pretty amazing women and meeting her was an enriching experience. One of my favorite times at her house is when we were waiting for Paul to come pick us up. She gave us Mardi Gras beads and showed us several different butterfly cocoons. She also took us to see her un-official ducks and birds. One of them was huge and wagged its tail like a dog! This amused me to no ends while witnessing it. All the while she shared her amazing stories of New Orleans and her life. I would love to spend more time just listening to her stories and learning about random things.

There has been many blessings outside this experience on this trip. We have played hours of NINJA! Its a game where people try to slap each others hands during their turn all the while being frozen in ninja poses. I have also gotten to know many other students that would never had the chance to. Every time one vists a new place or new people, new foods seem to follow! Some foods i had off the top of my head were Jambalaya, duck neck, beignets and spicy peanuts. Another awesome experience was geocaching in the French Quater ( beautiful!) and getting to go on top of a building to get one. Seeing New Orleans from 400 ft off the ground was priceless. We also meet some students from Ohio Northern and it has been great getting to know them all! There is really to many memories and moments to recount on here! Though i didn't get to work on people's houses as much as i desired or expect, the amount i did get to was well worth it. We may only be a page in the life of these women's lives (Sandy's and Betty's) but i know it has been a blessing in my life as well as theirs.

~ Kevin

Bourbon Street after work on Thursday

Thursday was a good day to get things done. I was in the group that went to Betty's group, and we got everything done we wanted to. We dry-walled and installed the bathroom toilet and sink, we ripped out carpet and fixed up the backyard. We finished up the dry-wall and were pleased to find out that in a few weeks another group is coming to help her. Finally all of us felt the satisfaction of accomplishing what we came to do when we saw the smile on her face. She was so happy to have us there, and while all week she thanked us, on Thursday when she saw all of the progress she was so happy it seemed like she was about to cry. She was so grateful, and the look on her face when she saw that she had a liveable bedroom and working electricity made the trip for me. After the work that day, we decided to go back to Bourbon street. We had already been a few times, but we had tickets to see an old time jazz band at Preservation Hal. They were pretty good, and a group of us wound up a few shops down at Fritzels, another jazz bar that was amazing. Fritzels was my favorite, they played upbeat music from the 1920's. I would definitely enjoy coming back, it was so much fun! The night ended there for most people, but not all :) Some of us went to Raising Cane's, which is in Ohio, but always a good experience. I talked to some people I hadn't got a chance to know really well throughout the trip at Cane's, it was a lot of fun. Now we're about to leave and already it's a full day. Some of us went back to the French Quarter to do some last minute shopping. Others, including me, went with Natasha to Target. We all had a good time, just shopping and wandering around. We all went to eat after Target, and now we're sitting in the church's gym, discussing random topics and resting before our big drive. Having fun :)

Flood Water and Politics

Today we split up in the vans and our group went through the Lower 9th Ward, which was really sad. It’s crazy to see all the houses that were still so damaged even though it’s been five years. It’s especially strange to see when many of the new houses they are building are so new and modern looking; they are built up off the ground to prevent future flooding and they’re so nice they stand out and look pretty out of place there.

We also checked out the rebuilt flood wall; the original one gave-away which is why the 9th Ward was so damaged. We were told that these walls are supposed to be able to handle up to a category 4 storm, but anything stronger than that and the walls will break again. From talking to different people, some people things it’s a result from a lack of funding and others say it’s because of faulty construction to begin with. I don’t know which has more truth to it or if it’s a combination of both reasons, but I find it strange that it’s common knowledge that the walls could break again if there’s another storm like Katrina and yet it seems like nothing is being done about it.

On the topic of damaged houses, there’s still a lot of houses everywhere that have spray-paint still on them where they were marked after they were checked for survivors. It’s very sad and haunting to see the reminders everywhere of how many houses were effected and how widespread the damage from Katrina really was.

Anyway, after we went to the 9th Ward we went to a new work site, where we met Sandy. She’s an older woman who is still working on getting her house back to a more normal state. She was really welcoming and very happy to have us there to help. We painted a few rooms for her and will be going back tomorrow to finish panting and replacing some flooring. Sandy was extremely open and willing to tell us her story, which was really interesting and new for me because I it was the first house I’ve worked on where I was able to meet who I was helping.

On Monday I helped at a house where the owners are currently living in Texas and yesterday I didn’t get to talk to the house owner much because she was in and out, so I enjoyed meeting Sandy today and hearing parts of her story. Something that really struck me was that her husband died two years after the floor so now she’s not only going through all the devastation of Katrina, but she is going through it without her husband in the house that they lived in together for most of their lives. Also, she was telling us about how excited she was because her lights were finally installed yesterday or the day before and her electricity was working; she is finally using lights that aren’t run from extension cords for the first time since 2005 when she evacuated for the hurricane.

I thought today was a very positive experience after getting to meet Sandy and talked to her about what she’s been through and how happy she is that things are moving along with her house. She’s so grateful for everything people have done for her and so struck that strangers come so far during their free time to help her; she was a very encouraging person to talk to.

One of the last things she said to us was that she works hard to stay happy, but she has to deal with all of this in a way she can live with so she has to always try to be happy. I think this is definitely a “take home” point because I know there’s a lot of little things that I get upset over that really aren’t anything in the big picture of things, so I hope that even after I go home I can take a lesson with me from this trip.

Amanda R.

A Unfortunate Reality

This morning, we broke up into groups and our group went to go see the Lower Ninth Ward where some of the worst damage was done. It was really sad to see all the damage that was done by Katrina and how much work still needs to be done. There were some new houses built (apparently some funded by Brad Pitt), and they were really interesting and modern, but they definitely didn’t fit in with the rest of the neighborhood. While we were there, we went to go check out the floodwall up close, and we took some great pictures.

We went to get some local cuisine for lunch, but we were really distracted by a giant dead cockroach we found near the bathroom.

After lunch, we went to our new worksite and met the homeowner, Sandy. She was a really amazing lady who had a lot of great stories to share with us. We painted two rooms of the main floor of the house, and we’re also going to be working on flooring in the house as well.

I felt really positive about the whole experience, because I felt like we were able to help someone who really deserved it. It was so good to see how happy she was that we were able to help in restoring her home. Today was the first time on the trip where I really felt like we were able to make a difference.

After we were done at Sandy’s, we went back to the church for dinner and some group activities. We all shared with each other as a group positive and negative experiences we’ve had on the trip so far, and I think it was another good bonding experience for us. I’m really excited for tomorrow to be able to go back and work on Sandy’s house some more.

-Nicole

Welcome to NOLA

Today, we all broke up into separate groups to do different work. My group stayed back at the church to do some cleaning to help the people who are nice enough to host us here. We cleaned for about two hours, and then we had the rest of the day to relax.

Unfortunately, there’s not really too much to do here, so we had to make our own fun, which included putting together children’s puzzles and other things of that nature. We also spent a great portion of the day texting the people who were actually out at the work sites. We were happy to see them when they got back. Sara and I started what I deemed a “big kid’s puzzle”, which is now being continued by everyone in the group.

We ate dinner here and then spent the rest of the evening in the French Quarter and spent some time on Bourbon Street. It was a really great time and spent the night bonding together. I feel like it was one of those breakthrough moments for the group where we all came together. It was quite magical.

-Nicole

Recovery is a MUST

New Orleans is slowly recovering, but there is still a lot to be done. The organization we are working through is the United Methodist Committee on Relief. They have worked for five years through governmental grants and through church donations. They will probably end their efforts in December.

The remaining work will continue with other relief agencies and through local agencies that existed before Hurricane Katrina.

Heidelberg's students are wonderful and awesome.. They work hard. They are considerate of each other.

We've worked on three houses--one has not been touched since the hurricane. The owner, a widow, had 18 inches of water in her home for a short period. So, she was not as badly affected as many. But, her home is so full of items, that she has not been able to tackle the problem of pulling out items and rehabilitating the house. We've torn out drywall in the hallway, a bedroom and laundry room. The owner is elated.

Another house is a home where two different families live, both who have
deaf people in their families. They were swindled out of 27,000 dollars the year after the hurricane. Now their home is almost complete.
The other home is getting ceramic tile and drywall. I don't know much about that family.

Anyway,

We are having a great time! We are going into the French Quarter tonight.


Paul Sittason Stark

Betty: The A & E special

Today one of the groups from Heidelberg worked on Betty's house. Betty's house has not been touched in 5 years, since hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. When we entered the house it was packed full of junk from the floor to the ceiling. This woman was obviously a pack rat. She told us nothing was allowed to be thrown out without her approval. Believe me there was plenty of trash to throw out! Betty must have had about twenty cats at one time because that is all we could smell was mold and cats. This house was disgusting. Along with the nasty smells there was garbage all over the house and backyard. You could definitely tell that no one had touched this place literally in five years.

Throughout the process of cleaning out the house we only had pathways between the junk to maneuver everything out of the house. I have never seen so many newspapers and as seen on TV junk in my life. Overall we spent about five hours cleaning out and working on the house. In those five hours we ripped out all the drywall in the hallways from the floor to about waist high. We also cleaned out the backyard.

I feel like even though there is a lot to help Betty with still, we accomplished a lot today and I think that Betty is grateful for all we did.

<3--b

New Orleans bound

The ride down to New Orleans was all but uneventful. It was about 5am with the Bergers converged on Hoernamann to board the vans. Bags and bodies filled the vans as we made a short trip to the Journey at Christ United Church of Christ to meet the rest of the team known as F-Troop. Why F-Troop, I don't really know but Heidelberg and F-Troop made the 18hr drive from Findlay to New Orleans, LA. Follow this blog as 23 students of diverse backgrounds and experiences along with four staff/faculty members chronicle their experiences, good and life changing as we do our part to rebuild New Orleans.

While on the road.
Let me paint a picture for you. Before we made it on I-75 the windshield wiper was frozen and not properly clearing the SNOW and ICE from the window (do you forsee a problem?). We proceeded to warily drive to meet F-Troop with only partial visibility to the point that I was worried we might have to pull over. We get to the church and de-ice the van windows AGAIN. We share a few positive words and get on our way.

By the time we made it Kentucky our windshield wipe blade came undone while driving, while I was trying to maintain control of the van other students observed that a camper ahead of us door flung open and a cooler was on the verge of falling off the camper right in front of us (do you see the next problem). All of the previous stated occurrences caused no damage expect my skyrocketing blood pressure.

After several hours, food breaks and potty stops we made it to Aurora United Methodist Church where we were greeted with open arms (although it was just after 1am).

Aurora is a volunteer site for the UMCC, after Hurricane Katrina the church converted into a housing facility for all volunteers who come to NOLA to help rebuild. UMCC has been very influential in the reconstruction in the area. without their help our trip wouldn't be possible.

-Natasha

Meet the team

Allow me to introduce the fearless team of faculty, staff, spouse and students that will be embarking on our Big Easy adventure. These group is the most diverse team of participants to ever participate in a Heidelberg Alternative Spring Break trip. Students from all backgrounds, including international will bring their different experiences to the trip in what will be great conversation, dialogue, experiences and point of views.

Natasha Hopkins
Hey Everyone, I am currently the Residence Coordinator for Williard Hall and the Graduate Assistant for Student Activities. This is my first alternative spring break trip and I am really excited to be sharing this with you. I am in graduate school at Bowling Green State University. I love working with students and hope to be a director of student activities and maybe even a dean of students one day. I am originally from Atlanta so this trip will get me one step closer to warm(er) weather and far from this white fluffy stuff known to most as snow. I consider myself a sweet tea aficionado and like driving fast. I have a car affectionately known as Casper.

Mohammed Risheg
Mo married to Dr. Risheg went last year and enjoyed it so much, decided to come back.

Samira Risheg
Dr. Risheg is a Assistant Professor of Education at Heidelberg University

Paul Stark
Hi! I’m Paul Sittason Stark the Director of Campus Ministry and Religious Life at Heidelberg University where I’ve been almost 2 years. This is my third trip to New Orleans and I continue to be amazed at the level of need for rebuilding after 5 years. When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast we were told it would take 10 years to rebuild. I would increase that estimate to 20 to 30 years judging what I’ve seen.
I love working with students and sharing in the pursuits of higher education. I’m married to Dr. Traci Sittason Stark, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Heidelberg. We have three amazing children and Suzie, an almost human dog plus a guinea pig and a turtle.

Sarah
Sarah is a Psychology major with a Biopsychology track. I am twenty-two years old and was raised in New Castle, PA which is near Pittsburgh and Ohio’s state border. I am a member of the Euglossian society on campus along with working in Heidelberg’s mailroom and Arby’s in Tiffin. I still love watching Disney movies, puddle jumping, and playing on swings. I guess you could say I am a child at heart. I am addicted to candy, preferably gummies, and I have a slight obsession with skulls and crossbones. I used to go on mission trips in high school and always enjoyed the experience. I wanted to continue doing them in college but didn’t have time until now.

Allison
I am a spunky, hardworking, sarcastic, witty, playful, kind hearted, young lady. I enjoy spending time with friends, being outside, helping others, and music. I love to explore new things and entertain new ideas. I’m curious and inquisitive about everything. On campus I am a member of the Concert Choir, APO, Berg UCC, Religious Life Council and CROP Walk. I spend summers at camps as a counselor, swimming in the river near my home, finding magical adventures to go on with my friends, or going on pretend quest through the forest. My favorite color is green, animal is the goat or rat, place is Pilgrim Hills camp, book is Blue Moon, movie is Rocky Horror Picture Show, and TV show is Bones (I think).

Leah
A sophomore majoring in Psychology. She plans to enter into the business side, working with public relations within corporations. She is interested in all aspects of life, wanting to know a little about everything and experience all there is. She enjoys Theatre, both participating backstage and attending any play she can. Musicals are a favorite, including Into the Woods and Rent. Musical tastes include; alternative rock, some pop, and many bands no one ever hears of. One of her favorite activities besides reading includes entering a music store or library and choosing random music to experience. She likes winter and loves playing in the snow, but also enjoys a nice warm summer day, filled with swimming and eye candy of the male persuasion.

Brittani
Hi, my name is Brittani, I'm a sophomore. My major is Early Childhood education. In my free time I love to play volleyball and be with my family and friends. After I graduate I plan to be a Kindergarten teacher.

Amanda
A junior from LaGrange, Ohio, majoring in the ever so popular major of Public Relations. While on campus I am involved in WHEI 88.9 FM, Student Ambassadors, Heidelberg Fund Phonathon Student Supervisor, and the corollary Rhos’ Bud. I thoroughly enjoy playing soccer as well as talking more than the average human.

Heather
I'm HJ. I enjoy standing on furniture and zebra print. I often refer to myself as Harley Quinn and disappear in the night with my boyfriend, the Joker. My favorite color is tickle me pink & macaroni & cheese orange. I have 14 piercings and a small child named cunther. Jewdy Jewd is my cuddle buddy & B & Honer are my shining stars.

Mona
A Chinese in environmental science major. Just the 2nd year in America. Not really good at English but friendly, outstanding, funny and enjoying make friends. Want to know more American cultures which mostly might be different in China and of course practice my English.^_^ Like nature, music, photograph... Very exciting about the trip!

Yulu
Student from China

Aaron
I am a senior Communications major with a minor in Broadcast Journalism. I am very involved on campus in activities such as theatre department, BSU, WHEI TV and WHEI 88.9. I also take part on occasions announcing men’s and women’s varsity basketball games. During my three and a half years at Heidelberg I have been a two sport varsity athlete in both track and football. I’m from the Columbus city area and I attended Mifflin High School. After college I hope to receive a job or internship opportunity in the broadcast industry, and also further my education.

Zak
From Buffalo, NY

Kevin
Hello! I am currently a sophomore at Heidelberg university. I am double majoring in International Studies/Spanish and desire to be a missionary or work with a non-profit organizations after college. I am active in several clubs on campus. I have wanted to do a volunteer activity of building/working on houses for years!
The New Orleans trip will finally allow me the opportunity to! To describe my personality i am like the paradox of an old man and a child mixed together. Some random things i love are having deep conversations, making odd noises (meow?), laughing, dreaming, and helping people. I am excited to see how God will use this experience in my life!

"Be the change that you want to see in the world." -Mohandas Gandhi

Adam
I am a junior and I am the Elections Chair for Student senate, next years Vice Prsident on Senate, Alumni Secretary of Sigma Tau Nu, and an Orientation Leader. I am a Business Administration major and Legal Studies minor.

Eric
I am a sophomore here at Heidelberg university. i am a bio major planning on attending graduate school for zoology. i wrestle for the school, and i live in brown hall. i graduated from garfield heights high school, which is located in garfield heights ohio. for those not familiar with it, it is just directly south of cleveland, so yes i am a city boy. i enjoy working out, and hanging out with friends. i am attending this spring break trip to experience something different in my life, and help out the country at the same time.

Kris
Hi, I am from Oberlin, OH. I played basketball and football in high school and continued to play football last year in college, but for now, I am just a student. I have two sisters, one older one younger, we all live with my beautiful mom whose birthday just past. I am majoring in communications here at Heidelberg with a minor in WGS. Well that is pretty much my life, so now you know me now.

Amanda
I’m a junior here at Heidelberg. I’m a mental health psycholgoy major and a biology minior. I’m from Michigan so I’m a fan of the Tigers, but they’ve traded away players that I like so that’s been annoying. I’ve lived in the MidWest all my life and I’m starting to get bored with this area. If I could move anywhere else, I think I’d like to move to Colorado; I’ve been there quite a few times and I love the Denver area – its beautiful . I’ve never been to New Orleans before, but I’m excited to go and am looking forward to having a lot of fun while we’re down there!

Emily
My name is Emily. My favorite color is green. I love anything zebra printed. Music is my life. I have two nephews and a niece, they are my favorites. I have four lovely dogs who are my best friends.
And... I love pictures; I take too many for my own good.

Charles (Chuck)
I’m a sophomore at Heidelberg University. I run track here as well. I’m double majoring in business and sports management. One day I hope to become a successful business man or athletic director. My hobbies include fishing, traveling, and working out. I have an older brother who is currently is Afganistan. I like to meet new people and make new friends. I’m pretty laid back and easy to get along with.

Beau
My name is Beau, I'm from Springfield, OH. I'm a Business Administration Major, and Political Science minor, and currently in my Junior year at Heidelberg. Current President of Sigma Tau Nu Fraternity, the Business Enterprise Resource group, and Heidelberg Disc Golf Club. I also run cross country for the Berg.

Ding
This is Ding. I come from Beijing and I'm sophomore in math major.

Rachel
I am a math and religion dual major as of this semester and I have no idea what I will be doing with it. I am very active in my fraternity Alpha Phi Omega, and one of my greatest passions is for service. I’m not entirely sure where I’m going or what I’m doing with my life, but I’ve found peace in that. When home, one of my favorite places to be is Waffle House, the restaurant with a sign that looks like a ransom note. I may seem goofy at first, but the best way to get to know me is just by talking.

Matt
Freshman here at the Berg. I'm on the football team. I have no idea what I’m going to do with my life so for now I'm majoring in communications media just because it seems a lot more fun than accounting or business etc. I try to instill as much comedy into my day as possible, I love when people make me laugh, I love laughing at other people's laughs, but most of all I love to make people laugh. If I could make a living doing it I would...“When you forgive, you love.
And when you love, God's light shines through you.”

Nicole
I was born in Parma, Ohio and I have unfortunately lived there my whole life. My dream is to move somewhere south and to never have to experience a cold Cleveland day ever again. I have a beta fish named Franco and he is my obsession. I love all Cleveland sports and the Pittsburgh Penguins (Sidney Crosby in particular). I will be spending the majority of my summer working at Outback Steakhouse trying to save some money for grad school!

Guoran (Gu)
Chinese student