Jan. 27, 2006 - Seth Kaiser's report from Metairie, La.

Reconstruction by the numbers

In the nearly four months that I have been serving here in the disaster-ridden south, one of the staggering facts about the aftermath of the storm is the sheer numbers that have been compiled due to the destruction. Nearly 90,000 square miles of damage, over 500,000 vehicles that have received some type of flood damage; in New Orleans alone nearly 100,000 homes that were in some way damaged, over 4,000 victims were rescued by helicopter, and ultimately 1,100 people lost their lives.

These and countless other statistics serve as sobering reminders of the great level of destruction and the wide scope of the affect of the hurricanes.

In the face of such a sobering reality, there are other numbers that are beginning to compile as well. Numbers that represent a response. Billions of dollars have been donated in the relief effort, including 66 million to the Katrina Aid Today foundation, which includes Lutheran Disaster Response. Tens of thousands of volunteers have already aided in the clean up with more on the way each day. In our camp in Metairie we alone have had about 1000 volunteers and have helped clean up about 100 homes. It may take a decade to rebuild this historical city, but with continued efforts, one day New Orleans and all of the Gulf Coast South will be restored.

Though these numbers are impressive, none of them mean anything without another number; 1. Though the response truly has been a Godsend, it still can only happen one house at a time, one family at a time, one situation at a time. We who are on the ground here realize that with each home comes a new story and with each at the center of each story of survival is a person or a family that cannot be overlooked when we go in and clean out a house. In a very short time, we form close relationships with the survivors that offer opportunities for us to share God’s love with them. We have had home owners say things like, “I thank God for you, you are His angels sent here to help us!” and “I pretty much thought that it was a dog eat dog world out there, but you have showed me that there are still people who care.”

Really, isn’t that what it’s all about? Showing that we care through relationships? Not just in disaster relief, but being a Christian centers on relationships. Specifically, the personal relationship that we have with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Disaster relief is just one more avenue in which the Lord gives us to share the love of His Son. It can only happen one person at a time. Thank you again for all that you have done as individuals and as a congregation to continue in the response of love. I pray that you keep it up, I know, God willing, I will.

Continuing in His Service,

Seth Kaiser, DCE / Missionary

Metairie, La.

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