[StBernard] CajunCrossFire Update: Point of View by Ron Chapman

[Westley Annis]

((((((((((((((((( CajunCrossFire Update: Point of View )))))))))))))))))

                          2006.03.21 01:02:45


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<"http://www.CajunCrossFire.com/archives/2006/03/point_of_view.html">

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Point of View

When I came home to my FEMA trailer the other day from classes at Nunez, I
discovered a number of out-of-state vehicles in front of my mother in law's
home.  I stopped to check out what was amiss.

A group of retired men from Baptist Ministries had arrived with chainsaws,
heavy equipment, blocks and tackles, etc. and they descended upon her back
yard where a large oak tree had been toppled by Katrina.

Within a few hours these volunteers had cut up the tree and neatly stacked
the wood into a pile on the side of the road.  They would take
nothing in return.   When we tried to thank them, they stopped us and
thanked us for allowing them to serve.	Their only request was that we
hold hands with them and thank the Lord for his blessings.  They then
presented her with a bible that they had all signed.  Such kindness brought
tears to my eyes.

We have so many church groups, volunteer organizations, and now college
students who have given up their Spring Break to help us out.  The kindness
and consideration they have shown revitalizes one's faith in the goodness of
the human race.  It gives us some strength to carry on.

Those of us who have endured this Katrina Experience have seen it all.the
suffering, the death, government inefficiency, bureaucratic
tangles, and, likely, some outright theft and profiteering.   Looking
back, one would have thought that seven months after this horrific
storm, our poor parish would be further along.	But it is not. What we
see are piles of trash, garbage, abandoned cars, and overgrown yards.  


Matters appear to be getting worse and not better.   As these most
thoughtful volunteers come into neighborhoods to gut houses.the trash
stays on the street where they left it.   There was no coordination
between gutting homes and picking up trash as if one were not connected to
the other.  Another failure of government.

But despite our sense of disgust at our present state of dysfunction, we
still can be heartened by the love and selflessness of those volunteers who
have descended upon our community to lend a hand.  Their
efforts are so deeply appreciated and they have changed lives.	They
are the rays of sunshine that warm our days.

It brings tears to your eyes to see a total stranger reach out a helping
hand, and their kindness fosters a sense of guilt.because the need was
there, but how many of us have taken the time to do the same? 
Too few I fear.  They have given us far more than clean houses.  They have
rekindled the dying embers of our human spirit.  We are not alone and
forgotten!

"Point of View" takes this opportunity to collectively thank them all.  Were
it not for your efforts it is hard to imagine where St.
Bernard would be.  Your actions have defined the true meaning of the
words: "Love", "Sacrifice" and "Sharing" and this community will forever be
grateful for your efforts.