Latest News
Camp Restore to Present “Restore Trinity: An Exhibition of Katrina Images”
August 23, 2010-
“Restore Trinity: An Exhibition of Katrina Images,” featuring the work of Mario Tama (Getty Images), Lee Celano (NY Times, Reuters) and Debbie Fleming Caffery will be presented by Camp Restore Friday, August 27 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the still-damaged Trinity Lutheran Church, 5234 North Claiborne in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward.
Photos courtesy Mario Tama.
Mr. Tama will be donating a selection of prints from his new book, Coming Back: New Orleans Resurgent, available for a suggested donation. Donated pieces from Celano and Caffery will be available as well. Proceeds will be dedicated toward efforts to restore Trinity-Claiborne, which remains damaged after flooding with 12 feet of water during Hurricane Katrina. In partnership with the Lower Ninth Ward community, Camp Restore is working to reestablish Trinity as a multipurpose community center and place of worship by Easter, 2012, “Building a Foundation on Christ for the Future of the Lower Ninth Ward.”
Inquiries may be directed to Kurt Jostes, Director of Advancement, at 504-242-2636 x5015 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), or:
Jodi Einhorn
Manager, Public Relations
Getty Images
T: 646-613-4121 | Mobile: 917.716.6052
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Join or Hold a K5 Event in Your Area!
August 13, 2010—
August 29th, 2010 will mark the Five Year Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. This year, we invite you to hold a K5 event at your church, school or hometown, participate on Facebook by changing your status to a message of support for the continuing recovery, and/or become a part of Camp Restore’s “K5” Events being held in different parts of the country.
If you’re nearby along the Gulf Coast, consider joining us in Biloxi, MS at a decommissioning service for Camp Biloxi led by LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick at 10:30 a.m. at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. The Gulf Coast events will continue in New Orleans with an evening worship service at 5:00 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and Camp Restore in New Orleans, once again including President Kieschnick. We would love for you to join us! To learn more, please call us at 888-248-2636, watch our Facebook Fan Page and keep in watching our website.
The Chicago Area Mission Partnership will be commemorating the anniversary by hosting a K5 Fundraiser to spread awareness of the Campaign to Restore Trinity Claiborne. The fundraiser will be held at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Barrington, IL. To find out more information about the Chicago area fundraiser, please visit Restore Trinity Claiborne.
Summer 2010 Newsletter
This past summer has been a busy one, full of lots of wonderful changes for Camp Restore! Inside our Summer 2010 newsletter, you can get the details of the ongoing efforts to Restore Trinity Claiborne, the ‘K5’ events being held to commemorate the 5th Anniversary of Katrina, the new campus partnership with Pierre A. Capdau UNO Charter School and the 2010 LCMS National Youth Gathering that was held here in New Orleans this summer! Also, read letters from the Pastor Dave Buss, former Camp Restore Executive Director, and new Executive Director and Head Pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Pastor Dave Goodine.
Read all about it in the Summer 2010 Newsletter here!
Camp Restore Partners with Families of Oil Spill Victims
July 22, 2010-
Written by Michael Pieper
Photos by Han Nguyen
Well hello there, my name is Michael and I’ve been interning at Camp Restore this summer. In lieu of typing for the next several hours, telling you all how amazing the past five weeks have been, I will just succinctly state that the experience has vastly exceeded my expectations, and that through it God has revealed an incredible amount of his love and power to me.
A big part of the reason it has been so great is what this little blurb is about:
At a meeting in mid-June that I was fortunate enough to attend, numerous non-profits and outreach organizations convened to get the latest update on the vast number of issues concerning the oil spill and to decide what they could do about it. During the meeting, Joycelyn Heintz, a local woman working for a different rebuilding organization, talked about some of the human needs that she had learned of. She said that she kept hearing, from the wives of the fisherman, that the children of the fishermen now had nothing to do and they had just been sitting around in the house.
I later learned that many of the fisherman-families were a lot like the old-time farm-families, in the sense that the whole family was involved in the work; the fishing business was a family business, and so the oil spill hadn’t just effected the employment of the father or the mother, but for many it had affected the whole family’s way of life. I also learned that since the main or only source of income had recently slowed or ceased, some of these families were now living without electricity. With no electricity indoors, it being in the heat of the summer outdoors, and, ultimately, without the routine activities of participating in fishing, children had ended up with no other option than to stay indoors with little or no activity.
Kathy Wendling, the Director of Ministry Restoration at Camp Restore, approached Joycelyn after the meeting about wanting to get involved in putting on some type of event for these kids. Through conversation, we came up with the idea of putting on a 3-day “field day”/“fun camp”/“play day”, and before I knew it, Kathy had allowed me, from Camp Restore’s end of things, to take responsibility on the planning and developing of all this. It was really exciting, but really scary too, knowing that I was being given an amazing opportunity to work on such an awesome project.
I attended three meetings with Joycelyn and with some of the fisherman wives. These women, the wives, were something else, but in a very good way. They had a presence that seemed to fill up the entire room, and they also had an amazing drive about them, like they could do pretty much anything if they were to decide to really go ahead and do it. The best portion of the “work” in preparing for this event was done by them, and I thought that was appropriate. They testified to how good it felt to have the opportunity to put their mind and effort back into a task again, after the oil spill had been trying to force upon them idleness. It was awesome to witness them being able to work on something for their own community, for their families and their neighbors and all the people they love, rather than just accepting the “handout” of an event like this. It was a very special partnering, being able to work with them.
Last Tuesday evening, the day before the event, I had this pit in my stomach. I had spent the day stressing out about all of the work I had done up until this point. Camp Restore was providing the volunteers to facilitate this event so I was in charge of orientating the volunteers and putting together a number of games and activities that would occupy most of the 5 hours of this field day. My mind was racing with thoughts of the schedule for the day, the process of splitting the kids up into age groups, the stations that the groups would rotate to and from, the list of games that I had prepared for the volunteers, the breakdown of what games were in what station, etc. Late that night, one of the volunteer groups staying at Camp Restore asked me to pray with them as I was walking by on my way to go to bed. I then realized that I had been occupying myself with all of the details and nuances of tomorrow, so much so that I had not yet slowed down and actually asked God to bless it and to watch over all of it. We joined hands, went around the circle with our petitions, and at that point I totally offered up the authority and sovereignty of the next day over to God.
The next morning came and the schedule that I had spent hours laboring over, the stations I had stressed about, the age groups I had tried to plan all went right out the window. It didn’t end up happening. And it was for the best. It’s not a hard or structured thing to enjoy and experience the concept of play with children. Now, I see that it was as if God was telling me, “Michael, it’s not that hard when you just trust me.”
Click Here to View Photos of Down Da Road FUN CAMP!
The volunteers from Camp Restore that came were absolutely incredible with the kids, nothing short of blessings, straight from God, into the hearts and smiles of these children. But the kids were the highlight of the inaugural Down ‘Da Road Fun Camp (that’s the official name that we ended up calling it). They immediately opened up and made their way into our affections. Every single child, out of the approximate 100 that attended one or all of the three days, experienced the gift of fun and joy, but gave it back ten-fold to us “grown-ups”. Throughout the three days, I heard a number of kids say how much fun they were having, especially compared to how boring most days have been this summer. Hearing those words made me so happy, but also so sad, wishing that we could have this “fun camp” every day for the kids, that it could never end.
As I am writing this, my whole legs and upper body are sore, and I am completely exhausted from these three days, but mostly, I am filled in all of the other ways that matter. If you turn on CNN these days, you will hear loads about the terrible effects of this oil spill, and you can start to feel helpless in being able to offer any type of redemption to the situation. The Gulf Oil Spill is terrible; I have learned that, being here the past 5 weeks. But I want you to know that there are very good things happening in the midst of all of it. For whatever reason, I was given the invaluable opportunity to be a part of an event that brought joy and light into the lives of some of the kids and families whose lives have been so negatively affected by this disaster.
Gulf Oil Spill Response
May 28, 2010-
Please keep the Gulf Coast in your prayers as we wait to see the true extent of the damage caused by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. We are working with our local partner organizations and local, state and federal authorities and will provide whatever assistance we can to restore our coastal environment and help families affected by the closure of fishing waters. The majority of fishing waters on the Gulf Coast remain oil-free and open at the moment, and any seafood on the market has been carefully tested and is safe to eat. Eating Gulf Coast seafood is a great way to support our seafood-producing communities through this tough time.
In the above NASA satellite image of the oil spill from May 24th, the stark contrast between healthy bayou (bright green) and dying coastal marshland due to saltwater intrusion (dark brown along the Southeast Louisiana coast) can be easily seen. New Orleans’ first line of defense against hurricanes is now facing further injury from the oil spill. Click the image to view full-size on the NASA website.
To stay abreast on the latest from a local perspective, visit www.nola.com. Updates on Camp Restore and RAI Ministries’ response and volunteer opportunities will be posted here in upcoming days.
RAI Responds to Yazoo City, Miss. Tornado
April 30, 2010-
On April 24th a massive tornado nearly two miles in width struck down in the town of Tallulah in Northeast Louisiana. It continued for another 149 miles, barreling through Yazoo City, Mississippi, before coming to a halt near the town of Sturgis, Miss. The lives and homes of hundreds of people were uprooted. RAI Ministries has had a near-immediate response in working with local agencies to help affected families begin the process of getting back on their feet.
The April 24 storm system spawned numerous tornadoes across the Southeast. The blue line represents the path of the Yazoo City tornado.
In response to the current need on the ground, today staff from RAI sent up an RV to set up as a hub near the makeshift operations center. In addition to the RV, a bobcat, trailer and truck will be brought up for use in recovery efforts. Donated products such as baby formula, diapers, sanitizing hand cleaners, and several pallets of bottled water and sports drinks will be also be delivered. Chief Operating Officer John Coyle met with the Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Services onsite coordinator to assess ways in which RAI can be involved in further assistance. Updates will be forthcoming, including a resource hotline number the First Lady of Mississippi, Marsha Barbour, is working to develop to aid victims of the storm.
Just as volunteer groups and donors continue to restore faith, home and community to the Gulf Coast through Camp Restore in New Orleans, we also have an opportunity to assist our Mississippi neighbors in Yazoo City and nearby areas in their recovery.
Donations are currently being requested: Please makes checks out to “RAI Ministries” and write “Yazoo City Tornado Recovery” in your check memo line or in the comments section of our Online Giving Page form if you would like to give specifically to assist in this recovery effort. Those interested in volunteering are asked to provide their contact information via our Contact Us page here. Checks may be mailed to RAI Ministries’ Biloxi office at 1996 Pass Road, Biloxi, MS 39531-4104.
Please watch this page for additional updates.
Camp Biloxi to be Decommissioned
April 3, 2010-
The City of Biloxi, which has continually supported and promoted the operations of Camp Biloxi, has again acknowledged the camp’s continued efforts and expressed its gratitude for our commitment to helping those individuals in our community which had suffered from the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.
Camp Biloxi is located on the grounds of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Biloxi and the adjoining land west of the church which is owned by the First Korean Presbyterian Church of Biloxi.
While the City of Biloxi has been most gracious and tolerant of the temporary use of this land for a volunteer camp, they also have an obligation to the City and to the residents living in the area around the camp. At this time, in their concerted effort to “return the City of Biloxi back to some semblance of normal,” the City is asking Camp Biloxi to discontinue its operation and “close our doors”, returning the church grounds to their pre-Katrina condition.
In compliance with the city’s request, RAI will soon cease the hospitality and construction operations of Camp Biloxi and begin the process of restoring Good Shepherd’s grounds to their original state.
Camp Biloxi will continue to house and feed volunteers through 30 April 2010. The packing process will begin in April 2010 and will continue through the summer of 2010, however, we would like to have the land to the west of the church cleaned up by 30 May 2010.
For those volunteers that would like to help with the camp closure, please contact the volunteer coordinator (Rava) at 228-594-0008 x7020. We are working with several local facilities for places where volunteers could stay while working on the camp closure and cleanup after April. This also includes our Sister Camp, Camp Restore, in New Orleans. We also hope to have several other facilities closer to Biloxi which volunteers could work out of.
Camp Biloxi, twice-named the “Nonprofit Volunteer Organization of the Year” by the City of Biloxi, has housed over 20,300 volunteers. These volunteers have been responsible for completing major restoration work on the homes of over 2,460 Mississippi families affected by Hurricane Katrina and completing several thousand smaller restoration projects.
We are tentatively planning a decommissioning service and celebration for August 29th, 2010 (the fifth anniversary of Katrina). Look for more announcements, camp history and photos to come in the near future.
Do you have thoughts, photos or videos from your experience at Camp Biloxi you’d like to share? Post them on the Camp Biloxi! Facebook page here!
Well done, good and faithful servant, Camp Biloxi!
Please note: Volunteer activities at Camp Restore, in partnership with Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and School in New Orleans, continue and are not expected to be adversely impacted by Camp Biloxi’s decommissioning.
Case-Management Programs Begin Phase-Out
April 3, 2010-
RAI Ministries has reduced its case management workforce by 64 individuals as it begins the phase-out process of its case-management programs in Louisiana and Mississippi, with grant-based project timeframes in both states ending mid-Summer, 2010. In both Mississippi and Louisiana, RAI case managers have been recognized as some of the finest service providers in their field.
In Mississippi, RAI case managers were assigned 968 cases (families & individuals) to assist in their recovery from Hurricane Katrina since the inception of our involvement with the Mississippi Case Management Consortium. As of February 28th, 2010, 135 of these cases remained open and represented families with unmet needs who are being assisted in their search to find sustainable housing. In Louisiana, RAI was assigned 548 cases, of which 298 remain open.
RAI case managers have served as advocates and resource finders for people with every kind of need imaginable; we have helped grandmothers raising their grandchildren find housing and schools, assistance with food and clothing; we helped people find medical treatment, government assistance programs, and all kinds of services provided by churches and other community agencies.
Southern District Deeds Former Trinity Claiborne Church Property to RAI
February 12, 2010-
The beginning stages of restoring the former Trinity Lutheran Church property on Claiborne St. in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans are now underway. The Southern District-LCMS recently deeded the property to RAI, as the congregation had disbanded several years ago after Hurricane Katrina.
At the present time, listening projects are taking place in the community in order to determine the facility’s best use moving forward. The goal is to restore the structure and to work with community leaders to develop the best plan for its use. Several ideas already presented include a youth center, community center, and a shared worship center for several congregations who are without a permanent building.
One of the hardest-hit areas of New Orleans by Katrina, the Lower Ninth Ward has had very few large buildings restored since the storm, and a restored Trinity Claiborne property would be a tremendous asset to the community as it continues its recovery.
Stay tuned as more news will be coming soon as plans are developed!
Executive Director Buss Announces Plans to Step Down; Board Begins Search for Successor
January 21, 2010 (Updated February 4, 2010)-
(Executive Director job posting at bottom of page.)
After almost five years of working in and leading the Hurricane Katrina and Rita recovery effort in the Southern District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Recovery Assistance, Inc. (RAI) Ministries’ Executive Director Rev. Dave Buss has announced his resignation, effective upon the hiring of his successor or August 29, 2010 (The fifth anniversary of Katrina making landfall).
“I was placed in an incredible place at an incredible time in U.S. history,” reflected Buss. “What a blessing it has been to be part of this powerful ministry - which continues to witness to the hope that we have in Jesus Christ in the aftermath of our country’s most destructive storms. I thank God for this opportunity and I thank the people of God for their response!”
Pastor Buss plans to return to parish ministry after his replacement is found.
In August of 2005, Buss helped lead the Trinity Lutheran-Baton Rouge response before being asked to coordinate the volunteer effort for the Southern District and then for Lutheran Disaster Response until March of 2006. In August of 2006, Buss took over as head of the Southern District LCMS Disaster Team from Rev. Dave Lewis and from it, founded RAI Ministries, a legally separate corporation to continue the long term response. Buss’ achievements:
-Organized early volunteer camps and the centralized reservation system for managing tens of thousands of “muck-out” and construction volunteers.
-Founded and incorporated RAI Ministries as an ongoing mission serving those in need on the Gulf Coast.
-Directed the effort to:
o Repair and restore over 6,000 homes of families who survived Katrina,
o Rebuild four Lutheran church buildings (a fifth is in progress).
o Assist 40 affected LCMS congregations (and many non Lutheran congregations) in their recovery efforts.
o Equip tens of thousands of volunteers from all over the nation and world to share the hope of Jesus Christ.
-Positioned RAI to be awarded multiple FEMA case-management grants providing case management and recovery plan assistance to thousands of families living in FEMA-assisted housing.
“On behalf of the Board, we thank Dave for his tireless service to the cause for over four years,” commented Woody Keim, RAI Ministries Board Chairman. “His work has been a true blessing to thousands and he will be sorely missed.”
A nationwide search to fill the position will begin immediately. The RAI board plans to hire a CEO with the intention of expanding RAI’s impact on recovery efforts and ministry in the Gulf Coast for years to come. A job description and instructions for inquiries and nominations can be downloaded here.
RAI Ministries is an independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in the State of Louisiana. RAI’s mission is “To restore faith, home and community in the name of Jesus to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina.”
RAI Ministries Haiti Response
January 14, 2010-
We at RAI Ministries offer our prayers and support for those affected by the recent earthquake in Haiti. Our mission partners Lutheran Church Charities and Orphan Grain Train are well-suited-for and actively responding to the needs in Haiti, and we encourage anyone seeking to assist to consider helping through these ministries.
The Southern District-LCMS is also working with the Florida-Georgia District, which has had an ongoing mission for Haiti and is responding as well. Click here for their website.
We are also exploring where we might provide assistance for the response, offering our expertise acquired from our continuing response to Hurricane Katrina on the Gulf Coast.
If you have any questions or thoughts regarding RAI’s Haiti response, please contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Thank you, and God Bless!
Pastor Dave Buss
Executive Director
2010 RAI (Recovery Assistance, Inc.) Ministries Outlook
January 11, 2010-
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
As part of their ongoing stewardship of our mission, RAI (Recovery Assistance, Inc.) Ministries’ Board of Directors is strategically planning with the goal of taking RAI to the next level in making life-changing events possible for those we serve, in the Gulf Coast communities around us, and for the church at large.
Looking forward to 2010, we look to God to lead us as we eagerly anticipate the following:
-Welcoming thousands of new and returning volunteers to Camp Biloxi and Camp Restore who, in combination with our caseworkers, will work to return over 1,000 families to their homes in 2010.
-Expanding our volunteer partnerships to include over 50 other ministries and nonprofit service organizations and projects in New Orleans and Biloxi, helping restore and heal the fabric of our communities.
-Entrusting organizational leadership to a new Executive Director who will carry the mission forth with a Christ-centered focus, integrity and a passion for the people of the Gulf Coast (Click here for more information).
-Working with the 30,000-plus participants coming to New Orleans for the 2010 LCMS National Youth Gathering in July as they share what they believe and know – the peace and joy that comes from living in Christ.
-Sharing our progress and new opportunities at the LCMS Convention this summer, proclaiming what God has done through the Church in the past five years on the Gulf Coast.
Since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, we at RAI Ministries have had a front-row view of the tremendous outpouring of love, kindness and caring that hundreds of thousands of volunteers and supporters have shared with those in need on the Gulf Coast. We thank God for everyone who has played a part!
We are humbled by the continued outpouring of support, and ask God to help us make the best use of the blessings we’ve received:
-The prayers of thousands of supporters from across the country.
-The opportunity to continue welcoming, housing and equipping volunteers in their ministry of restoring faith, home and community on the Gulf Coast.
-Donations and financial support from individuals, churches and organizations – making our volunteers’ work possible.
-Grants supporting our caseworkers in Mississippi and Louisiana that continue to connect families with the resources to return home.
Thanks to all who have given of their time, talents and treasure to support our mission. I encourage your continued prayerful involvement in 2010 and beyond.
In Christ,
Pastor Dave Buss
New Video: Camp Biloxi Update Nov. ‘09
December 22, 2009-
Watch our new video update from Camp Biloxi this fall in the Multimedia section here. Featured in the video are homeowner Morris Robinson, volunteers from Indiana and Wisconsin, and long-term volunteer Tom Fox.
Updated with Video: Miss America Visits RAI
November 18, 2009-
Miss America 2009 Katie Stam visited New Orleans on October 7 and stopped by Camp Restore for a special message to area students, then joined with volunteers from Camp Biloxi and Camp Restore for a painting project and a house blessing. All this after visiting Atonement Lutheran School and Lutheran High in Metairie in the morning—quite a day! To see Katie’s account of her visit at the Miss America website, click here and scroll to her October 14, 2009 entry.
Click here for more information about getting involved with RAI Ministries’ mission to restore faith, home and community to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina.
October 5, 2009- Click here to read more.
For more information please contact: Kurt Jostes, Director of Development For immediate release NEW ORLEANS (September 28, 2009)—Miss America 2009, Katie Stam, will be visiting RAI Ministries’ Camp Restore in New Orleans East on October 7th, 2009 to speak to volunteers and take part in a restoration project and house blessing, helping raise awareness for the continuing needs of the people of the Gulf Coast still in recovery four years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. It will be the final stop for Miss Stam on a two-day tour which will begin with visits to Lutheran schools in Baton Rouge and Metairie. Miss Stam, from Seymour Ind., is a member of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and an alumnus of the LCMS school system. Recovery Assistance, Inc. Ministries (RAI Ministries) restores faith, home, and community to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina in the Name of Jesus Christ through the operation of two volunteer camps: Camp Biloxi in Biloxi, Miss. and Camp Restore in New Orleans East. Thousands of volunteers from across the United States travel to the camps each year to physically rebuild family dwellings, churches, and schools and participate in numerous other restoration projects while providing emotional and spiritual care to those in need. As of September, 2009, RAI Ministries’ camps have housed over 30,000 volunteers, providing approximately 1,348,000 volunteer hours and completing work on over 2,700 major home repairs/rebuilds ($1,000-plus in materials costs) and over 3,900 minor home repairs (<$1,000 in materials costs) and other projects. On the weekend of August 29, 2009, the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina [K4], RAI Ministries held several “Restoration Sunday” events at Camp Restore, including a Lutheran Hour Ministries Men’s NetWork gathering, jambalaya cookoff and worship service commemorating the anniversary and giving thanks for all the volunteer work that’s been completed thus far. Click here for photos and more!
RAI Ministries’ August newsletter is now online! This issue features a report on the exciting community partnerships underway at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in New Orleans, a ton of information about all the events surrounding K4, a report from summer intern Brenda Schmidt, the Thank-You Tour and more! Click here to check it out under Newsletters.
A new batch of photos from the past few weeks at Camp Restore is now online! Check it out here under the Camp Restore photos section.
Come out to see Tangled Blue Wednesday July 1 at 7pm at Camp Restore! Tangled Blue consists of Joel and Aimee Pakan from Minnesota playing great Christian Campfire Oldies along with secular covers for God. Great event for families, youth groups, and music lovers! Read more here!
Over 120 youth showed up at Camp Restore Thursday June 11 for a weekend of fun, hard work and reconnecting with God. Click here to see new photos and more.
A video account of Faith Lutheran-Rochester NY’s 2007 mission trip to Camp Biloxi is now online in our Multimedia section. Enjoy!
Now you can easily search and see if your employer will help multiply the impact of your gift, then download the information and forms to make it happen—all at our new Matching Gifts page. Try it out here!
A new video showing the recovery progress in New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish in 2009 is now viewable under Multimedia! It was produced by a volunteer group from Zion Lutheran in Victorville, CA. Thanks guys, great work!
Arnie Fielkow, City Councilmember At Large for the City of New Orleans, welcomed Katie to the city and thanked her for visiting the area and supporting the continued Katrina recovery effort. Photos provided by Bill Mattheessen. 
Students from H.C. Schaumberg and Joseph A. Craig elementary schools listened as Katie spoke and had the chance to ask her questions.
Katie spoke about a wide range of topics, including what it’s like being Miss America, what school was like for her growing up, how she draws inspiration and hope from the people she gets to meet, and the opportunity each one of us has to make a positive impact on those around us.
After lunch and a quick change into paint-friendly clothes at Camp Restore, Katie traveled to join volunteers working to paint Chaquita Day’s house. Chaquita is a homeowner in New Orleans East who was finally able to return to New Orleans from Houston this past summer to live with relatives and hopes to be back in her home by January.
A potential future Miss America?
A volunteer hands off a paint roller—let the painting begin! Several of the volunteers working at Miss Day’s home happened to be from Katie’s home state of Indiana.
On to the window trim…
The whole crew gathers outside. Represented are four generations in Chaquita’s family - herself and her mother, daughter and granddaughter.
Next is the house blessing—Katie carries in a “welcome home pack”...
...and is greeted out front by 87-year-old Gladys Hays!
Gladys gave Katie a full tour of the house, showing off all the work that had been completed by volunteers from Camp Restore as well as several projects she is working on herself.
In the house blessing service, God was asked to grant His blessing on Gladys and on her restored home, and to bless all who live in it until they reach their heavenly home.
In addition to the welcome home pack, Gladys was presented with a painting from IArtists, an art organization assisting with the revitalization of New Orleans.
Gladys and Katie see how it looks on the wall.RAI Ministries Expands Case-Management Program into Louisiana
Since June 2008, RAI Ministries has contracted with the State of Mississippi and, more recently, the State of Louisiana as an affiliate in a Federally-funded case management pilot program. The goal is to determine the best form of case management to deploy in future disasters, while equipping Katrina survivors still living in FEMA-assisted housing with a comprehensive recovery plan that will connect them with permanent, affordable housing solutions. Miss America Coming to Camp Restore October 7
Press Release
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Phone: 504-242-2636 ext. 5015
Fax: 504-242-5885
http://www.raiministries.orgGod’s Gumbo Gang at 2009 Orphan Grain Train Convention
To show our thanks for Orphan Grain Train’s continued support of Camp Biloxi, Camp Restore and other hurricane relief efforts on the Gulf Coast, RAI Ministries and God’s Gumbo Gang from Trinity Lutheran Church-Baton Rouge, LA paid a visit to Norfolk, Nebraska this past weekend (9/19/09) to share some Louisiana cooking at the OGT Int’l Convention. On the menu: jambalaya, gumbo and red beans and rice. For dessert: Bread pudding with rum sauce! Photos courtesy Scott Schmieding.
L to R: Kurt Jostes, RAI Ministries; Dottie Calmes, Trinity Baton Rouge; Woody Keim, RAI Ministries; Pastor Dave Buss, RAI Ministries.
You can never go wrong with rice and shrimp (and lots of it).
Fresh shrimp from the Gulf!
Sprig of parsley? A bag is more like it! Pastor Scott Schmieding of Trinity, Baton Rouge and his mother Karen, a Nebraska local, prepare the herbal seasoning. “This was our way of expressing thanks from LCMS members throughout our Southern District to the wonderful people associated with Orphan Grain Train,” said Schmieding. “They truly shared Christ’s hope with us in our time of need.”
Roux for the gumbo. Find out more about roux here.
The “holy trinity” of celery, bell peppers and onions is added to sausage to begin making jambalaya.
Time to add rice… Glen Schmieding (father to Pastor Scott) stirs as Woody pours.
Red beans and rice.
Mmmm bread pudding and rum sauce! Dottie did an amazing job!
Looonng line! Over 400 people were fed in 35 minutes! Thanks again Orphan Grain Train for all that you’ve done for the Gulf Coast!
Restoration Sunday Events at Camp Restore - August 29, 2009
August ‘09 Newsletter Online
Photo Update from Camp Restore
Tangled Blue Concert at Camp Restore
Camp Restore Hosts Southern District Youth Gathering-Updated With Photos!
New Camp Biloxi video online
Employer Gift-Matching Search Now Online
New volunteer-produced video