In 2008, our associate pastor at Mt. Sylvan UMC found a mission trip for our youth in Dulac, Louisiana. No one knew where Dulac was located, but we soon found a map and located Dulac south of New Orleans. Mike and I had never been on a mission trip but thought it would be something good to experience, especially with our 2 sons. So we signed up.
We traveled there in a 34 passenger bus over a 2-day period. I will never forget riding into New Orleans. Three years after Hurrican Katrina, the devastation was still incredible. There were condemned houses next to reconstructed ones.
We traveled there in a 34 passenger bus over a 2-day period. I will never forget riding into New Orleans. Three years after Hurrican Katrina, the devastation was still incredible. There were condemned houses next to reconstructed ones.
We talked with a woman whose home had just begun reconstruction that day. She showed us the 9 foot water line on her house. Her FEMA trailer was parked on her front lawn. I was shocked and tears filled my eyes as we rode through the city. It was unbelievable to see this in person as opposed to on the TV national news channel. How could people just now be receiving services after a 3 year wait?
We traveled on to Dulac, whose main industry is shrimping. The devastation continued.
Dulac is located on a canal which was filled with shrimp boats, most of which were wrecked on the shore.
Dulac is located on a canal which was filled with shrimp boats, most of which were wrecked on the shore.
We arrived at the Dulac Community Center and Louisiana United Methodist Disaster Relief Center.
We worked for a week, laying flooring, installing light fixtures, installing ceiling fans, performing plumbing repairs, etc. As we were ready to leave at the end of the week, the center director asked us to come back and bring more people because there were 100 more homes that had not even been assessed yet.
We worked for a week, laying flooring, installing light fixtures, installing ceiling fans, performing plumbing repairs, etc. As we were ready to leave at the end of the week, the center director asked us to come back and bring more people because there were 100 more homes that had not even been assessed yet.
Two weeks after arriving back home, the Dulac area was devasted by 2 storms - Hurricanes Ike and Gustav. More devastation. More requirements from the government for homes to be raised to a 10 feet height but not enough money for citizens to be able to do this. Our group was ready to return immediately because of the relationships we had established with our friends in Dulac.
In August 2009, a group of 10 workers from Oxford and Durham, NC returned to Dulac.
In August 2009, a group of 10 workers from Oxford and Durham, NC returned to Dulac.
It was evident that progress had been made since 2008 but so much more needs to be done. One of the families we assisted was ready to return to their home in 2008 1 week before Ike and Gustav hit. After these hurricanes passed through, they were back to "square 1" and out of their house for another year. We were able to finish their house and help move them in before we left.
This is how the ministry with Dulac began, and it is the people and the relationships that have been made that give us the desire to continue to return. I hope you will want to return with us.
