Group Over spring break, eight students, Mr McGee and myself, Mr Forbes, spent a week in Louisiana serving hurricane victims.  The trip was organized through the office of campus ministry.
           Although it has been two and a half years since Katrina and Rita struck in Louisiana, the area is still recovering.  Our contact, recommended by the Catholic Diocese of Lafayette’s office of social justice, was the Methodist Hurricane Relief Center.  The organization was able to find a facility to sleep and multiple work sites.  The trip had several goals for the Father Ryan students who participated:

  1. to have the opportunity to serve during their break. I believe in the transformation and the gift of giving of oneself to serve others. 
  2. to learn to live in community — we had a healthy balance of work, pray, and play.  Even after the work site, the students cooked and cleaned after each other.  After dinner, we usually played games, hung out, and concluded each evening in prayer and reflection.
  3. to be in solidarity with those whom we were serving.   In our homes in Nashville, it is difficult task with so many luxuries.  However, in Abbeville, Louisiana we attempted to live simply. There was no television.  Students minimized cell phone usage. I was the only person with intenet access, and even then it was limited.   

SUNDAY, DAY 1 - Mr Forbes

On behalf of Mr. McGee, I would like to thank all of the parents for allowing your child to participate in the alternative spring break. We have made the first leg of our trip to Mississippi - we will take two days to drive down to our work site: a trip of 664 miles. The group will start working tomorrow after getting settled in Abbeville. The enthusiasm is high among the students and Mr. McGee is excited to see the comraderie start to form with our group. In our first prayer/processing meeting, the students were open to share and willing to connect this trip with their faith. I am looking forward to the week to come.
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MONDAY, DAY 2 - by Nina

I think all of us would agree that day two of our mission trip was really fun. We started our days at 7:00 with a phone call from Mr. Forbes which woke us up (most of us weren't exactly excited but ya know...). We met in the hotel lobby at 7:30ish and after having 15 minutes of reflection time we headed out to the cars. We stopped for breakfast at McDonald's and, after eating, headed out and began our four-hour drive.

After a couple stops and finding a LOT of numbers on the road (we're up to 87, you look out the car windows to find numbers in order - its harder than it sounds) we arrived in Abbeville. Its really reminiscent of downtown Franklin - we walked to a cafe where we ate lunch and then returned to the Family Life Center where we are staying. The woman who will be helping us while we are working suggested that instead of starting work today that we go grocery shopping and drive to the Tabasco plant to do some sight seeing.

posing with the tabletsWe divided up the meals, made a menu, and left for the local grocery store called Robie's. Then we went to the Tabasco plant only to find that it was in the process of closing so instead we went on this really cool Jungle Garden tour. There were so many pretty oak trees covered with Spanish moss, we also got to see alligators!!! After enjoying the wildlife, we split up into two groups: Mr McGee drove Amie, Rachelle, and myself back to the Family Life Center to start cooking dinner, while Mr Forbes drove the rest of the group to Walmart to grab extra supplies. After eating spaghetti and meatballs, a Caesar salad, and some cookie dough, the guys did dishes while the girls played some indoor soccer. Some of us took showers, while the rest of us set up our rooms and changed into more comfortable clothes.

I guess all of y0u would like to know what the Family Life Center, so I'll do my best to describe the floor plan. Most of the building is a gym floor; there are stairs going to an upstairs where the girls are sleeping. The guys are sleeping downstairs where the kitchen and bathrooms also are. I know that all of us are having a great time getting to know one another - I believe that all of us are making friendships that will be lasting. By allowing us to partake in this mission trip you are giving us the tools we need to expand our faith and to grow in love for our community and those of our brothers and sisters whose struggles are greater than we could possibly understand. Thank you. - Nina
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TUESDAY, DAY 3 - Mr Forbes

Technology is a wonderful tool. However, when it fails it can be unbelievably frustrating. Amie sent a 400 word blog last night that is currently floating around cyberspace. I am in the process of asking her to rewrite it.

The trip has been a great experience. We have divided into two work teams. My team, consisting of Toney, Nina, Amie, Rachelle, and Michael, has been hanging panelling for the last two days. Mr. McGee's team, consisting of Tommy, Becca, and Manning, has been painting the interior of house. After day three, McGee's group looked like they had more paint on themselves than could have been on the wall.

To share a little about our day, it starts around 7 am. Three students wake up early to prepare breakfast and make lunches for the work site. After breakfast, the teenagers participate in a guided quiet time. Although dangerous in the high school setting, quiet time on this trip helps focus the teams for what they may experience in the work day. Our goal is to be at the work site by 8 am.

At the work site, the students are drawn out of their element and have responded incredibly. Nina, Michael, and Amie are the team's panel hangers, nailing all of the cut panels. Rachelle, Toney, and I are measuring, framing, and cutting. We have worked until 3:30 or 4 both days.

In the short time we have been here, we have already developed the habit of knocking off to Abbeville's local coffee and ice cream shop. Starbucks has nothing on the local coffee brew. The evenings are filled with prayer and games. The students are an endless source of energy. After working for eight hours each day, we have played floor hockey wuffle ball, and basketball. After games, four students prepare dinner for the group. We have alternated boys and girls for clean up. Our day ends with small groups and reflection time.

In my experience, I have learned how impressive teenagers are. I have also learned in the last two years not to underestimate a Father Ryan student. I have learned never to accept the words, "I can't". Over the course of the week, these students have cooked for each other, picked up after one another, worked eight hour days consisting of manual labor, and have done it laughing and having a great time. Thanks again for all of the prayer and support.
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WEDNESDAY, DAY 4 - Mr Forbes

groupTonight we went to eat at a local hamburger place where we met one of Mr. McGee's college friends named Katie. She ate with us and after she shared with us a few things that she went through when the hurricanes went through. She told us about how New Orleans, which was normally a party twenty four seven, became a ghost town past nine o'clock at night.

There were police men on every street corner trying to prevent looting, but most of the officers were doing the looting also. Katie said that after everything was sorted out, 80 percent of the police force in New Orleans were let go because of looting or not enforcing the law. The only ones that were not in trouble were the ones who allowed the hurricane victims to go into the grocery store to take only what they needed.

The information that Katie presented to us truly gave us an image of how bad it was anywhere in the gulf area. The New Orleans airport at one time became the morgue where they placed the bodies. New Orleans was so bad that they blocked off every main road in and out. The only way to get in was to have a government pass. After you got in you were only allowed fifteen to twenty minutes in each building because of the disease. You also had to wear a full body suit while in each building.

This story opened my eyes to the struggle of a hurricane victim and I thank God that I was fortunate enough to listen.
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THURSDAY, DAY 5 - by Rachel & Tommy

paintingRachel - Today was a pretty exciting day because we finished our house. It was also a sad day because we had to leave Bob and Joe when we finished. I was especially happy because today I didn't need to do insulation, which I did an amazing job on yesterday. I would never do it again though because afterwards I had a ton of fiberglass on my skin.

Today we finished up the last room and closet with paneling. It was a real drag with the last piece of wood we cut, but when we realized it was the last piece it got really exciting. When we left, we decided to go and get lost on the streets of Abbeville to see the scenery and for sun. Then for another fun idea, on our last day of work with Bob, we came back to the cafe again it is like tradition now!

paintingBob left me with a very valuable piece of information, "Get a good education and marry a Cajun!" Then after he spoke those wonderful words, Joe showed us a lovely sight we have never seen before - a dead beaver in the Bayou. I can now say I have seen a beaver. Later tonight we will be eating Cajun cuisine, Crayfish, Corn, Beans, and Rice.

Tommy - Today was a very good day!! Team McGee finished painting the closets at the Mendez Residence. Today Michael switched from the Forbes group to the Mendez group, because he wanted to see what it was like to paint closets but mainly to meet Carlos and do what ever he could do to help. Michael also entertained us by singing some good songs. Manning had a lack of sleep.

Becca and Manning both painted their hands in white paint. My favorite part of the day was talking with Carlos, the owner of the house we were working on. Aside from talking with Carlos, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed painting and what it meant to help other people. Finally, I got a lot out of this evenings reflection. It was nice to here my classmates talk about their faith and what it means in their lives.
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SUMMARY, DAY 6 - by Mr Forbes

I was able to witness God’s hand in many places throughout the trip.  Jonathan McGee was a great resource and witness to our students; he was able to arrange two guest speakers during the trip.  Both speakers were residents of New Orleans during the time of Katrina.  Their stories of struggle, survival, and resilience were inspiring and amazing.  One of them, Kate, evacuated New Orleans to escape Katrina only to get hit in Lafayette by Hurricane Rita.  For me, their stories put a name and a face to the devastation of both hurricanes. Aside from the speakers, we were able to travel through the ninth ward and St. Bernard’s Parish. Jonathan McGee continued to comment at the progress that was being made.  However, I was stunned to see so many abandoned homes and empty stores. The recovery in New Orleans may not be measured in months or even years, but possibly decades.

I feel like the trip was a tremendous success. We met our goals and returned safely.  I am hoping next year to have more Father Ryan students participate.
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last updated on April 2, 2008