The Anniversary

Today is the five-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Much has been done to rebuild but this is a monumental task that will continue for years to come. Please help the rebirth of a great American city. There are many ways to do so:
Donate online! Give $5, $50, or $500 to help Construction Assistants train new volunteers.
If you are in California:
In the Bay Area: Go to Roux Louisiana Kitchen! Address is on our side bar. 10% of their proceeds for the day will go to Project Homecoming.
In Santa Barbara: Eat at Woodstock's! Up to 25% of their proceeds from 5-9pm will go to Project Homecoming. You need to mention PH, New Orleans or Katrina to help.

Hoodoos and Who Dat

On top of the Watchman, above Crater Lake, OR

As we have driven to and from New Orleans we have made a point to see as many of our National Parks as possible. During these past 4,500 miles we have been to five National Parks: The Grand Canyon, Crater Lake, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Arches. For those of you who have not been, the National Parks system is awesome. The parks are cheap, clean, well-staffed and beautiful. A lot of work has been done to make the parks have better roads, more public transportation and better services. 

Who Dat.

The natural treasures showcased by the parks are all fantastic. There is a special sense of freedom felt in the parks. You get a real good 'Amurica!" feeling. Crater Lake marks the farthest northwest we have been. Bryce Canyon Nation Park was definitely the hidden gem of our trip. We would recommend the Navajo-Peek-a-boo Loop. It is a fantastic hike down in to the valley and into the 'Hoodoos.'

Bryce Amphitheater, Bryce Canyon, UT

A big surprise was the massive amounts of foreign tourists at the parks! You would be hard pressed to hear the same language spoken on a trail twice. People all over the world come to our National Parks to see our national treasures.

The Arches

New Orleans is also a national treasure. It is one of our greatest cultural centers; it is an important component of our energy economy. It is one of our great cities- and great nations rebuild their great cities. Growing up in the Bay Area that point was made to me at a young age; San Francisco was completely rebuilt after the earthquake and subsequent fire of 1906. 

Cafe du Monde

Next time you want to travel or volunteer, don't forget to look state-side before abroad. There are many unique treasures to be found in these United States. There is also great need. 

A home in the Seventh Ward, New Orleans, LA

Almost home...

Overlooking the Bryce Amphitheater just after completing a 5 mile hike through it.

Alex and I have been touring some National Parks on our return back to New Orleans, we've been frequently asked "Are they still fixing New Orleans?" or "Are they still doing that down there?"

While hiking Bryce Canyon in Utah we had a great hike met 2 others, unfortunately we never exchanged names. They helped us figure out the trails we were hiking and the more we talked, the more interested they became in what we we're doing in New Orleans. Both had visited New Orleans multiple times but they haven't been in years. It was great to see people are still concerned with the current conditions of New Orleans and perhaps peak their interest in a return trip. Of course the food, culture, and music were all talked about and those are subjects that will always be associated with New Orleans. We've all missed the crescent city in some capacity during this road trip, but our love for it has helped us throughout the our fundraising trip. That factor alone (there are many) makes the fundraising an easy task.

Please continue to follow us as our work is still not done!

- Henry

God's Call to Service

Old First Presbyterian Church

On Sunday August, 15 Alex gave a sermon at Old First Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, CA. It was his first full sermon!

We had to do a little divide and conquering; Henry and Christina were giving a great presentation at Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church! There are no pictures from Alex's sermon but you can hear it in its full length (23 minutes!) at www.oldfirst.org.

Sanctuary

Divide and Conquer: Krewe du NOLA Hit the Road Again

Android and the PH Krewe hangin' out at Google.

We are about to take off and maker our return home to Louisiana. Christina will be visiting her step sister in Sacramento before flying home, while Alex and I will make our way up to Crater Lake in Oregon. We're thankful that Sunnyvale Presbyterian, St. Andrews Presbyterian in Pacifica, Clayton Valley Presbyterian, First Presbyterian of Livermore, and Old First Presbyterian in San Francisco allowed us to share with them the story of New Orleans. 

Don't think that we're done yet. Christina will be sharing our story on the radio in Columbus, Ohio and you can bet that we will be sharing it with everyone along the way. Local restaurants better watch out too! Keep checking the blog because we will be sharing our stories and home owner stories over the next couple of weeks, as well as updates to our fundraising progress. Please continue to share this blog with your friends and family and let them know their support is needed. 

Come Hear Our NOLA Presentation on Saturday!

For those of you in the Bay Area of California ... or if you're within driving distance ... Our next presentation is at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 14, 2010 at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 1125 Terra Nova Blvd. Pacifica, CA 94044.

Come out to find out how New Orleans is doing, hear about how we each came to be so passionate about rebuilding their homes and listen to touching stories of the homeowners who now are back thanks to the thousands of volunteers who have kept coming to help.  Rumor has it, there may even be some beads involved.  :o)

See you there!

Da Krewe du NOLA Rocks Their 1st Presentation!

Henry tells his New Orleans story.

Despite last minute jitters (by Henry) and preparations (by all), we had a terrific turn-out at Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church.  "You guys seemed a little frazzled leading up to it," said Alex's brother, Paul, "but when you got up there, you really mobilized the troops!"  I guess that pretty much sums it up.  LOL  We were very relieved at the end when we displayed the information for donating and following our blog, and suddenly, there was a mad scramble trough the crowd for pencils and paper.  I think we got really close to a stampede when we started throwing our Project Homecoming beads!

Seriously, though, the response was very good and the audience was very appreciative of our efforts.  We are grateful to Sunnyvale PC for giving us this opportunity and as always, thoroughly impressed by the level of caring and commitment of the church community.


I should mention our trip to San Francisco on Tuesday.  The highlight for me was meeting a woman named Kates Meier from Glide.  Glide is a faith-based organization who are involved in so much good stuff that it would take an entire book to mention all that they do.  (www.glide.org)  Kates is just one of those people that you love upon sight, and her quick wit and welcoming arms only sealed the deal.  When we arrived, there was a long line outside for their food bank.  The three of us shared an elevator with several other folk who saw our Project Homecoming Mardi Gras beads and asked about what we do.  When I told them that we are rebuilding homes in New Orleans, they all thanked us for doing what we are doing.  "We love New Orleans," one man said.  "We love the people."  It was heartwarming to run into folks around the country who really know what our beloved city is about.


Warm fuzzies all around!

- Christina