Amid the Rubble - - Hope

In mid February ‘Hibitaters’ from Second Church with able participation from 3 stalwarts from Simsbury again devoted a week of time and toil to help restore new life and rebuild safe housing for those who have fallen victim to the circumstances of nature - - - all under the aegis of Habitat for Humanity. Originally scheduled for Mexico, following the havoc caused by Hurricane Katrina the venue was shifted to our own southlands, fulfilling the adage that charity starts at home, and we were proud to help where help is so sorely needed.

Touring the area revealed firsthand the true measure of the destructive force that can be unleashed by nature, and so indiscriminately. More vivid and a magnitude more extensive than the images seen on TV, the landscape was a horrifying mixture of twisted debris, denuded buildings and uprooted trees decorated with an assortment of clothing from far and wide. Crushed cars and large sections of buildings transported from one neighborhood to another, boats washed ashore and onto someone’s backyard, all adding to a landscape of utter devastation.

Yet amid the destruction there were encouraging signs of hope, resignation and determination. Old Glory hastily erected in the midst of a leveled house sang out a clear message: “This was once our house; this is still our country.” Graffiti scribbled on the walls of abandoned homes assured the passerby: “Thank God we’re safe; we will return.” The insistence that Mardi Gras celebrations not be curtailed is a testament to the fortitude of a people who refuse to let their misfortune change the course of their lives.

We were gratified to offer a little help together with a host of other volunteers from virtually every state and from as far afield as Canada; some professionals with real skills, others with only a deep sense of compassion and a desire to be there to search for some small way to be of some help.

We are pleased to report that our group played a significant role in the complete framing and siding of two houses in a new 15 house complex, called “Hope Village”, - - - a high profile project Habitat for Humanity is undertaking in Covington, Louisiana.

It was cold, sometimes blustery and often muddy, and the fact that we survived a week of sawing, hammering, trimming and straddling rafters, beams and joists and dangling from ladders, all without mishap, is truly a testament to the grace of God. The ‘dream’ team, led by Gretchen & Bob, included Carola, Pat, Kathy, Courtney, Andrew Naylor, Adam & Elizabeth Naylor, Kevin, Bob & Marilyn Rath, Sara Batchelder, Mona & Ollie. We returned with a few aches, a lot of mud, a good deal of humility and a renewed sense of appreciation for the simple blessings of life and God’s bountiful mercies - - - too often taken for granted.

Ollie Akel