One word: Aware

We have been reflecting throughout the week with one word that describes our feelings/emotions/reactions etc. As this is the second to last day of the trip, I am thinking of what the word would be to describe my trip as a whole: AWARE.

Before this trip, I thought about the destruction of Katrina and how quickly it destroyed so many lives, homes, businesses and places of worship. Now that I am here, I realize I need to reconsider the strength I gave to Katrina. From removing furniture, pictures, and personal items to knocking out cupboards and showers to banging out all of the sheetrock, I now understand how difficult it is to truly destroy a structure. Katrina and the subsequent flooding soaked and molded memories and carpet, but it has taken a group of 9 an entire week to gut the home down to its frame.

We met Tony, the owner of the house, on Tuesday. As we talked with him and saw his tears and joy simultaneously, I realize how much it takes to ruin a life. Tony and his family still have their lives; they are different, but they did not disappear when the water receeded. Slowly pounding away the sheetrock has provided ample time to ponder what I have become aware of: the power of humanity is greater than flood waters.

What we have done this week in New Orleans has brought awareness to me, and likely to all of the Hamline students and leaders. We have provided hope to Tony's family. As soon as another group can remove the molded ceiling in one bedroom, Tony can begin rebuilding his home and the life his family shared in the structure that is now down to the bare bones. While he does that, we can share our new level of awareness back at Hamline.

Katie Young