By Diane Tenbrink, ASC

On February 3, 2007 seven of us volunteers from Habitat in Wichita, KS headed to Slidell LA, for seven days to help build houses for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I was the new one in the group and had no idea what I was getting myself into. I just knew I wanted to help these people who were victims and had lost everything. On the way down we stayed at a Methodist Church and slept in sleeping bags on the gym floor.

When we arrived in Slidell, about 30 minutes from New Orleans, we stayed at another Methodist Church that had opened its doors to all volunteers who were there to help. I was very impressed and felt right at home with everyone.

Every morning we left the Methodist Church and went to a Baptist Church where we met around a bonfire to keep warm, and the woman in charge gave us instructions as to what site our team was to work at that day. Then someone would lead us in devotion. After that a young man would talk to us about safety on the job. Our team from Wichita would then drive over to the assigned site for that day. Our team turned out to be the Foundation Team. We ended up working on three different sites. Some sites had as many as 20 houses started and at all different stages of construction.

Some of the people who were going to live in the houses would come and help us and tell us about their experience. One very young guy was helping me when I asked him if this house was his. He said yes and started to cry. He has a wife and two little girls. One woman told me that if it wasn’t for Habitat and the churches no one would be helping them.

One evening after work we went to see the 9th Ward. No one is able to live there at this time. Some of the houses were still standing but you could see straight through them. In St. Bernard’s Parish you saw big X‘s on the houses saying how many people and animals were found dead in that house. You could see completely through the houses even though the outsides were still standing. You could see holes on the roofs where people tried to get out. There were houses that had been lifted up and were on top on another house. Boats were in other people’s yards or on top of houses. There is much to be done and when we left St. Bernard’s the security officer told us to spread the word NOT TO FORGET THEM as they still need a lot of help. It was a wonderful experience for me. I found the people from the Lutheran and the Methodist churches so self giving and devoted to helping others.

Every night when we got back to the Methodist Church the Wichita Team met for devotions, and each one of us took our turn to lead prayers. Each of us shared our experiences of the day, then off to bed in a very cramped small dorm with three bunk beds and no window. Habitat is a very spiritual program of helping people. I chose this project because it addresses the U.N. Millennium goal of eradicating poverty, which our ASC community is supporting. I’m so grateful for this experience, and now I have new friends and am eager to do some work with Habitat here in Wichita.

The Habitat Building program is an ongoing event in Wichita. One of the women in WIN (Women’s Initiative Network) has been approved for a house built by Habitat. I hope I’m able to help with building that one! What a blessing.

Photo above: S. Diane at work

Wichita Habitat For Humanity - Slidell, LA Group Sister Diane Tenbrink, ASC is front row center

Foundation – End of Day 2

Women on the Team – Gloria, Pat, S. Diane (right) and Ann