First Hand Look... (Lots of pictures below)

A HUGE pile of debris in the devastated area next to the 17th Street Canal breech in New Orleans. Here you see debris that has been cleared from roadways and piled in one central location. If you look closely you can see a man standing on the pile. This pile is estimated to be about 25 feet high.

I have mentioned how tough it has been for us out here about 30 minutes from New Orleans. Stores are closed early, many haven't opened back up at all. Everywhere we look there are trees down, and blue FEMA roof tarps. But today I went to where the 17th Street Canal breech occured and it was worse than I could have ever imagined. Once you cross the canal you immediately see the debris and a layer of dirt EVERYWHERE. This is no power. Spray painted numbers were visible on each door, indicating whether bodies were found inside when rescuers conducted their search and rescue operation. I even saw one house with a hole in the roof. Apparently, that was someone's means of escape.

I have been delivering boxes of food to needy families in the New Orleans metro area the past few days. Students at my school donated items for Thanksgiving, and another teacher and I have been delivering them. Today one of the homes we delivered to was not far from the famous canal that breeched, so we decided to drive down and see the damage first hand. The other teacher's son was married in Lakeview Christian Center (next to the canal) just weeks before the storm hit. It was a beautiful church, newly renovated. Now it is completely destroyed. Here are a few pictures from inside the building. By the way, my nose still burns from breathing in the mold inside!!


This is the foyer of the church.


A picture of what used to be the sanctuary.


A picture from the foyer looking "through the wall" at the sanctuary.


The mold was everywhere!!

Looking at the devastation today made me realize how fortunate I have been through all of this. I still have a bed to sleep on, a car to drive, and at no time did I fear for my life, or the lives of my family members. Take a minute today and thank the Lord for all that you have. There are many in New Orleans that will be spending Thanksgiving away from family members because they have no home to go to. As you sit down with family members Thursday, don't forget to thank the Lord for His many blessings. We have much to be thankful for...