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Cedarville University is accomplishing amazing things in its efforts to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina. Over Fall Break 2005 the first of several teams, consisting of 281 participants, provided 6,150 hours of labor in various hurricane-ravaged regions. The teams were coordinated by Dr. Carl Ruby, vice president of student life, and Roger Overturf, community relations and ROTC liaison.
In just over a month, Cedarville University:
"And through it all," Ruby said, "the teams suffered only minor injuries, including one snake bite!"
Not only were hurricane victims' lives enhanced, but volunteers say it enriched them, too. Natalie Gamache, a sophomore communication studies major, said she the trip was life-changing. While gutting a house and seeing all of its contents thrown in a moldy pile, she reflected on how quickly material possessions are lost. "It was emotional for me," she shared. "That picture will forever stay in my mind, and I told God I want to dedicate my life to building treasures in heaven."
Gamache was part of a group of 57 volunteers who went to Fellowship Bible Church in Metairie, La., and gutted 25 homes. Cedarville staff member Scott Van Loo was one of the team's leaders. He echoed, "I had a mixture of emotions as we helped clear away debris." A highlight for Van Loo was when the group came across an elderly couple whose home had not received any attention, and the team was able to share the gospel while assisting them.
Debra Halsmith helped lead a team to Pass Christian, Miss., where they ministered mostly to senior citizens, gutting homes and assisting in distribution centers. Debra was impressed with the spirit and unity she saw on her team. "We were the hands and feet of Jesus. We worked in concert with one another," she stated. On a lighter note, she said they were taught a valuable lesson: "We learned when gutting a house, DO NOT open the refrigerator door!" Despite the hard labor, Debra said her team of 37 did not want to leave.
Another Cedarville team joined Berean Bible Church in New Orleans. That group spent most of their time at a local public high school where they cleared out offices, pulled up a gym floor, and dismantled bleachers, bolt by bolt. One of the team leaders, trustee Debby Stephens, had high praises for the 59 members of her team. "It was hard labor! The odor of mold and mildew was overwhelming but never once did a student complain!" she exclaimed. Even the high school football coach was impressed. He told Stephens he has worked with a lot of students but "none like these" and added that he "could see Jesus" in the team.
Seeing the suffering of the victims was therapeutic for senior multi-age special and early childhood education major Amy Masowich. "I went because I was going through some difficult times and I wanted to get my eyes off of myself," she explained. "My situation is nothing compared to theirs." She concluded, "We helped many people and yet they ministered to us."
Matt Shiraki, a senior integrated social studies education major and president of the Student Government Association, shared Masowich's sentiment about how the victims ministered to them. He added, "I was impressed with how optimistic and gracious people were--even though they lost everything they were not bitter."
Volunteer efforts will continue with more groups heading to the Gulf Coast over Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. In reflecting on the first trip, Dr. Carl Ruby said, "This was one of the best student experiences I have ever had. People saw Jesus Christ in a way they could not have without this." He noted that the way the monies came in and the way the students got involved "was a 'God thing' right from the start!"
10/20/2005
Today was very exhausting both physically and emotionally!
I am with the group from Berean and the students are great - they are fun, they work hard and fast. We are at a local high school that has extensive water damage. We were asked to tear out the one-year-old new hardwood floor in the gym. There were two layers of 4x8 and then 3/4-inch tongue and grove hardwood. It was so badly damaged that the floor warped three feet high. CRAZY. The hardwood was removed by 4:30 this afternoon. They had expected it to take us the three days!
After lunch, the church's children's pastor took a student video guy and myself to another CU team worksite, but we could not find them so he took us around the area. We went to see two of the three levy breaks. Incredible is the only word I can think of.
We stopped to walk a neighborhood and saw a woman working in her garage; she had an industrial air mask. We went over and talked with her and she proceeded to tell us her story and took us in her home. Everything was ruined and nearly nothing salvageable. Mold went up the walls and onto the ceiling; the smell was unbelievable. There was muck six inches deep in the home. I've heard the stories and have seen pictures, but nothing compares to this. It was almost haunting ... I will have a hard time forgetting the scene and smell of that house. We were within feet of a house that was swept off its foundation and moved two blocks down the street.
Tomorrow morning will come fast and will be another interesting but fun day's work.
Scott