The churches in Stockton and Rushford received a grant from Thrivent for volunteer time put into the church or parsonage for rebuilding We will be keeping track of hours for them, so it's important each person serving the churches register through our website. The money will be given to the churches at each 350/hours, and is to be used to purchase building supplies, with $1500 upfront. Yeah, seed money for their rebuilding!
The ongoing issue is long-term support for volunteers Rushford is 20 miles from Winona and nowever else to go for food right now. There is no team housing and no vacant building in town to hold teams who want to sleep there. Tents or even campers? Did you feel the temperature this morning? Beyond that, the only showers are temporary access at the fire station, and food service is limited to the volunteer teams now donating and serving at Montini Hall. The church will want their space back eventually, too! So, the viability of having volunteer recovery teams for the long haul is ????? I don't know, but we're thinking... and talking...
We're going to try a weekend group over MEA weekend (families with teens and older). We'll stay at a church in Winona (on the gymnasium floor; bring your cots), and shower at the Fire Hall in Rushford if it's still available. It's 20 miles one way, but it beats driving back to the Twin Cities! If you've got nothing planned for that weekend; join us. It should be a fabulous time!
We are in desperate need of some skilled, experienced team leaders for upcoming weeks. We're going to start sheetrocking the parsonage in Stockton September 29. Can you spare a day????
Friday, September 14, 2007
Making the rounds
Mary, Dean and JoAnn from St. John and Miriam from St. Stephanus and I headed to Rushford, Thursday, Sept. 13. It was my first opportunity to meet with Pastor Merlin Stephan (without cell service, we didn't connect on my last two visits).
Pastor Merlin is a wonderful man and we enjoyed getting to know him. We rolled up our sleeves and got right to work removing drywall and doorframes from the lower level of the church. (Dean did most of the work in this regard, besting me two-to-one in the frame removal.) Dean also removed a bathroom cabinet and sink, and the other women and Pastor Merlin tried to remove the linoleum floor in the gutted kitchen, but even with a heat tool, that horrid paper backing just didn't budge. I'm taking all hints!
There is still much to be done here. The bathrooms haven't been touched, so fixtures need to be taken up and cleaned and sanitized (if they can be salvaged at all), and flooring removed. The entire lower level needs a good power washing and sanitizing. I'll have to remember to add power washers, chemical sprayers and shop vacs to the Saturday haul list.
We toured the parsonage, which will now serve as the education wing, with preschool two days a week, confirmation one evening and Sunday morning classes. Pastor Merlin has reduced his living quarters to a small bedroom, bath and office/study. He does still get kitchen privileges! The dining room will serve as the preschool room and he says next time we visit it will be painted a bright, primary color with an alphabet border. We didn't know licensing restrictions required that, but apparently in this situation they do. We told Pastor Merlin we thought he was very selfless in giving up his home and he just shrugged with a slight grin and said, "What choice do I have?" We'll see if he's still smiling in a few weeks after sharing his mornings with three-year-olds. Somehow I think he will!
Lunch at Montini Hall (St. Joseph Catholic) was an excellent offering by a church group from Preston, Minnesota. The church is hosting volunteer groups who prepare and serve 3 squares every day to 200-2000 people -- citizens, business people, utility and road repair workers, relief workers. Most power is back on and people were excitedly chatting about getting their cable, phones and Internet hooked back up so they are connected to the outside world again. The water is still contaminated; they are shutting down one well. There is an abundance of bottled water, though, so it's not a hassle. (And clothing -- have we learned nothing from Katrina???? Used clothing donations when no one polices what is donated are overly time consuming and yield little useful stuff, and aren't as necessary as people think... There were signs everywhere -- "We need help sorting clothing at TRW Center. No more donations. NO MORE!"
We also saw progress. The businesses are mudded and gutted, doors open, big fans running and a sign in each window: NEVER GIVE UP! We heard the Subway Sandwich shop will open next week and one of the bars had lit signs in the window -- WOW! We also saw our first piece of sheetrock being hauled into a home, although I would think it's still too damp.
Even with all the progress, people here are weary. Pastor Merlin said it's going to take a long time before anything approaches normal. Just a week on the job when the flood came, he's not sure what normal will be for him. He doesn't have office staff, and his key members had significant personal losses, so everything has fallen to him. He looked tired, and I think he's ready to be pastoring instead of meeting with furnace installers, electricians, insurance agents, building inspectors, day care license inspectors, etc.
After lunch, we prayed with Pastor Merlin. Sunday, Sept. 16 will be their first service in their building since the flood. We delivered a communion set donated by Redeemer to replace theirs that was destroyed. It will be a sweet reunion and we hope their day is blessed with joy that they are on the way to recovery.
We headed over to Stockton so the team could see Stockton, meet Pastor Krusemark and do a little work. We met Pastor Krusemark at the parsonage, and drove over to Betty and David's as I had heard Betty was asking about us.
When we stopped there two weeks ago, David had just gone on a bear hunting trip for a week (he'd paid for it long ago). We toured the house and I offered to send a team in to pull nails and move debris, but Betty didn't know if David would want that done. Last week, we moved the debris from the yard and hauled it to the curb but she still didn't know about the nails. There they were, hard at work in the yard, leveling the ground where the debris pile had been, pulling weeds. When I pulled up, she approached the van and when she recognized me she asked, "Where were you Saturday? You said you'd pull nails!" So, I dropped Dean, Mary and JoAnn with their crowbars and hammers, and Miriam and I went to check on a few other things. They got the nails done and convinced David to let them take out some (but not all) of the moldy beadboard insulation on the outside walls. Dean thinks they need to remove the firring strips and they definitely need a good power washing and sanitizing and I offered to send a team in Saturday, but Betty said she didn't think so. I'll send a team anyway so she doesn't come looking for me again. Funny! These two are definite passive, humble Minnesotans. She was also talking about the beautiful front garden that she had and how she didn't know how she'd ever get it back to its original beauty next spring. I'll have to add a May visit to Betty to my calendar!
We stopped in to talk with Pastor Krusemark, worked out a few details and learned about some of his members who still needed help. Twenty two families, or 50% of his members had significant damage.
We also stopped at the city offices and got a job assignment for 100 Concordia Academy high schoolers who will be bused in to Stockton and/or Rushford for a service project. There are several cornfields and woods where the river of mud carried and dumped the contents of a couple of destroyed houses, patio furniture, toys, and a flattened barn. They will haul the debris out of the fields and woods and to the curb for pick up. It will make such a difference to those who live near the area, and for the farmer, who can then prepare his field for next spring!
Lots of progress here, too. 99-year-old Helen had a new foundation and the red "do not enter" sign has been removed from her front door. Several other houses had been jacked up and their collapsed basements were being repaired. A couple of homes have been demolished already and some yards had been cleaned, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Vi's been back to the city asking for help and we continue to wonder. You really need to see this place to understand -- It's big, and old, and overwhelming. The Southern Baptists have been there, and did some more demolition on the walls. Now she wants the floors pulled. Each of us does a little work and walks away, shaking our heads. It just doesn't look like progress, we're not sure if we helping, or hurting... But if it gives Vi hope, we'll all keep working on it a bit at a time.
We left Stockton to the rumble of thunder, clap of lightning, and a wary eye to the sky. Looked like a short, small rain. Thank God!!!!!!!
Pastor Merlin is a wonderful man and we enjoyed getting to know him. We rolled up our sleeves and got right to work removing drywall and doorframes from the lower level of the church. (Dean did most of the work in this regard, besting me two-to-one in the frame removal.) Dean also removed a bathroom cabinet and sink, and the other women and Pastor Merlin tried to remove the linoleum floor in the gutted kitchen, but even with a heat tool, that horrid paper backing just didn't budge. I'm taking all hints!
There is still much to be done here. The bathrooms haven't been touched, so fixtures need to be taken up and cleaned and sanitized (if they can be salvaged at all), and flooring removed. The entire lower level needs a good power washing and sanitizing. I'll have to remember to add power washers, chemical sprayers and shop vacs to the Saturday haul list.
We toured the parsonage, which will now serve as the education wing, with preschool two days a week, confirmation one evening and Sunday morning classes. Pastor Merlin has reduced his living quarters to a small bedroom, bath and office/study. He does still get kitchen privileges! The dining room will serve as the preschool room and he says next time we visit it will be painted a bright, primary color with an alphabet border. We didn't know licensing restrictions required that, but apparently in this situation they do. We told Pastor Merlin we thought he was very selfless in giving up his home and he just shrugged with a slight grin and said, "What choice do I have?" We'll see if he's still smiling in a few weeks after sharing his mornings with three-year-olds. Somehow I think he will!
Lunch at Montini Hall (St. Joseph Catholic) was an excellent offering by a church group from Preston, Minnesota. The church is hosting volunteer groups who prepare and serve 3 squares every day to 200-2000 people -- citizens, business people, utility and road repair workers, relief workers. Most power is back on and people were excitedly chatting about getting their cable, phones and Internet hooked back up so they are connected to the outside world again. The water is still contaminated; they are shutting down one well. There is an abundance of bottled water, though, so it's not a hassle. (And clothing -- have we learned nothing from Katrina???? Used clothing donations when no one polices what is donated are overly time consuming and yield little useful stuff, and aren't as necessary as people think... There were signs everywhere -- "We need help sorting clothing at TRW Center. No more donations. NO MORE!"
We also saw progress. The businesses are mudded and gutted, doors open, big fans running and a sign in each window: NEVER GIVE UP! We heard the Subway Sandwich shop will open next week and one of the bars had lit signs in the window -- WOW! We also saw our first piece of sheetrock being hauled into a home, although I would think it's still too damp.
Even with all the progress, people here are weary. Pastor Merlin said it's going to take a long time before anything approaches normal. Just a week on the job when the flood came, he's not sure what normal will be for him. He doesn't have office staff, and his key members had significant personal losses, so everything has fallen to him. He looked tired, and I think he's ready to be pastoring instead of meeting with furnace installers, electricians, insurance agents, building inspectors, day care license inspectors, etc.
After lunch, we prayed with Pastor Merlin. Sunday, Sept. 16 will be their first service in their building since the flood. We delivered a communion set donated by Redeemer to replace theirs that was destroyed. It will be a sweet reunion and we hope their day is blessed with joy that they are on the way to recovery.
We headed over to Stockton so the team could see Stockton, meet Pastor Krusemark and do a little work. We met Pastor Krusemark at the parsonage, and drove over to Betty and David's as I had heard Betty was asking about us.
When we stopped there two weeks ago, David had just gone on a bear hunting trip for a week (he'd paid for it long ago). We toured the house and I offered to send a team in to pull nails and move debris, but Betty didn't know if David would want that done. Last week, we moved the debris from the yard and hauled it to the curb but she still didn't know about the nails. There they were, hard at work in the yard, leveling the ground where the debris pile had been, pulling weeds. When I pulled up, she approached the van and when she recognized me she asked, "Where were you Saturday? You said you'd pull nails!" So, I dropped Dean, Mary and JoAnn with their crowbars and hammers, and Miriam and I went to check on a few other things. They got the nails done and convinced David to let them take out some (but not all) of the moldy beadboard insulation on the outside walls. Dean thinks they need to remove the firring strips and they definitely need a good power washing and sanitizing and I offered to send a team in Saturday, but Betty said she didn't think so. I'll send a team anyway so she doesn't come looking for me again. Funny! These two are definite passive, humble Minnesotans. She was also talking about the beautiful front garden that she had and how she didn't know how she'd ever get it back to its original beauty next spring. I'll have to add a May visit to Betty to my calendar!
We stopped in to talk with Pastor Krusemark, worked out a few details and learned about some of his members who still needed help. Twenty two families, or 50% of his members had significant damage.
We also stopped at the city offices and got a job assignment for 100 Concordia Academy high schoolers who will be bused in to Stockton and/or Rushford for a service project. There are several cornfields and woods where the river of mud carried and dumped the contents of a couple of destroyed houses, patio furniture, toys, and a flattened barn. They will haul the debris out of the fields and woods and to the curb for pick up. It will make such a difference to those who live near the area, and for the farmer, who can then prepare his field for next spring!
Lots of progress here, too. 99-year-old Helen had a new foundation and the red "do not enter" sign has been removed from her front door. Several other houses had been jacked up and their collapsed basements were being repaired. A couple of homes have been demolished already and some yards had been cleaned, but there is still a lot of work to be done. Vi's been back to the city asking for help and we continue to wonder. You really need to see this place to understand -- It's big, and old, and overwhelming. The Southern Baptists have been there, and did some more demolition on the walls. Now she wants the floors pulled. Each of us does a little work and walks away, shaking our heads. It just doesn't look like progress, we're not sure if we helping, or hurting... But if it gives Vi hope, we'll all keep working on it a bit at a time.
We left Stockton to the rumble of thunder, clap of lightning, and a wary eye to the sky. Looked like a short, small rain. Thank God!!!!!!!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
A Day of Ups and Downs
Tuesday, September 11 -- Bill White, Ray Roemmich, Neal Nelson, Tim Ericson from First Presbyterian, Stillwater
Pastor Krusmark took us over to his house to survey work still needing to be done. We power washed his utility room, removed two door frames that were delaminating and replaced the ceiling in his bathroom.
We stopped at Steve's house to retrieve items left by Saturday's group. Steve is awaiting an evaluation to determine if his house needs a higher foundation so nothing could be done to his house until this was decided.
Vi of Vi’s Shop was there and we surveyed her place – the southern Baptists had done a lot, but after inspecting the place and noting the “uninhabitable enter at your own risk” sign I had to question the value of putting more labor into the place. I spent some time with Vi and suggested she really needed to find out from the inspector what possibilities were open to her – what could be done that would allow her to stay in the structure or was it beyond recovery. She was clinging to the idea that staying in her building was what she had to do. She has children in the area so there might be other ways to go.
[We went] over to Rich's place as he needed some appliances removed. We found Rich and his wife Lizzie literally throwing things out of the windows of a house trailer. They had both a home and the house trailer on the property. The house has already been gutted. We helped them get rid of a freezer, refrig, stove (which somehow still held quite a bit of water) plus other furniture and household goods. Richard stopped me at one point to tell me he had no idea what he was going to do. I think he said he had lived in Stockton for 24 years and had been through the ‘91 flood. He and Lizzie were living in the trailer and his son and family in the house. After hearing what a contractor said it would cost to rehab the house, he was wondering if he shouldn’t just walk away and start over.
He was very appreciative of our help and said if we were ever back down this way he would by us a beer. I said I should be buying him a beer. We both laughed and agree this probably wouldn’t be a good time to start drinking.
We left Stockton at about 2:00 agreeing that while we had been stymied in doing all that we might, we had done some good work, had had some good opportunities to connect and that the day had been very worthwhile. I think we all would like to do it again soon.
Bill White
Vicki's note: There was a bit more to Bill's Email to me that I edited. Bill and his crew went to many homes and found no one home. They discovered what we who work weekdays in Stockton are learning. In spite of homeowners' need and desire to get work done on their homes, as commuters to Winona and Rochester, the rest of life goes on. They have jobs, school and other commitments that get in the way of sitting around and waiting for volunteers. So, on our part, it takes a longer list and more perseverance to accomplish what we feel called to do. At the end of the day, Bill and company got Pastor Krusemark and his new bride closer to "normal" in their own home, offered Vi some yearned-for company even if they couldn't give her more hope that her building would be rebuilt, and gave Richard and Lizzie a hand with tasks they couldn't do alone and a listening heart to share Richard's burden. I'd say they accomplished much! Well done, good and faithful servants!
Pastor Krusmark took us over to his house to survey work still needing to be done. We power washed his utility room, removed two door frames that were delaminating and replaced the ceiling in his bathroom.
We stopped at Steve's house to retrieve items left by Saturday's group. Steve is awaiting an evaluation to determine if his house needs a higher foundation so nothing could be done to his house until this was decided.
Vi of Vi’s Shop was there and we surveyed her place – the southern Baptists had done a lot, but after inspecting the place and noting the “uninhabitable enter at your own risk” sign I had to question the value of putting more labor into the place. I spent some time with Vi and suggested she really needed to find out from the inspector what possibilities were open to her – what could be done that would allow her to stay in the structure or was it beyond recovery. She was clinging to the idea that staying in her building was what she had to do. She has children in the area so there might be other ways to go.
[We went] over to Rich's place as he needed some appliances removed. We found Rich and his wife Lizzie literally throwing things out of the windows of a house trailer. They had both a home and the house trailer on the property. The house has already been gutted. We helped them get rid of a freezer, refrig, stove (which somehow still held quite a bit of water) plus other furniture and household goods. Richard stopped me at one point to tell me he had no idea what he was going to do. I think he said he had lived in Stockton for 24 years and had been through the ‘91 flood. He and Lizzie were living in the trailer and his son and family in the house. After hearing what a contractor said it would cost to rehab the house, he was wondering if he shouldn’t just walk away and start over.
He was very appreciative of our help and said if we were ever back down this way he would by us a beer. I said I should be buying him a beer. We both laughed and agree this probably wouldn’t be a good time to start drinking.
We left Stockton at about 2:00 agreeing that while we had been stymied in doing all that we might, we had done some good work, had had some good opportunities to connect and that the day had been very worthwhile. I think we all would like to do it again soon.
Bill White
Vicki's note: There was a bit more to Bill's Email to me that I edited. Bill and his crew went to many homes and found no one home. They discovered what we who work weekdays in Stockton are learning. In spite of homeowners' need and desire to get work done on their homes, as commuters to Winona and Rochester, the rest of life goes on. They have jobs, school and other commitments that get in the way of sitting around and waiting for volunteers. So, on our part, it takes a longer list and more perseverance to accomplish what we feel called to do. At the end of the day, Bill and company got Pastor Krusemark and his new bride closer to "normal" in their own home, offered Vi some yearned-for company even if they couldn't give her more hope that her building would be rebuilt, and gave Richard and Lizzie a hand with tasks they couldn't do alone and a listening heart to share Richard's burden. I'd say they accomplished much! Well done, good and faithful servants!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Missions accomplished and a couple of good stories!
The Saturday team this week tore into town and tore into a long laundry list of work! Led by Tim Bredahl, 19 team members from Mt. Olive Anoka, Bethel St. Paul, First Presbyterian Stillwater and Woodbury Lutheran tackled several unfinished jobs and started a few more.
They were able to finish mudding Marian's basement and got that pesky washer/dryer unit out. We'll have to go back and power wash the basement this week.
They finished gutting a house someone else had started (walls, kitchen, bathrooms, and insulation), and finished removing the ceiling and floors in Robin's house, which our team started last Saturday. Robin, who had water on the main floor, had an amazing story -- Facing no place to live for a long time, she was given a trailer this week! So, she can stay in her driveway while work continues on her house.
The team also pulled carpet and moved furniture and equipment at a restaurant next door to Vi's Antiques on Main. The owner hopes to open back up. A group of Southern Baptists from Texas were tackling Vi's building at the same time.
And the Minnesota Lutherans did GREAT things for Steve and his fiance, who had water on both levels of their house. They removed all inside stud walls with the exception of a load-bearing wall so they could pull up the floor underneath. Some of the team worked on the outside, where they were approached by 10 students from Winona State University who asked to help. In talking with the students as they worked together to remove damaged shrubs and fences and try to even out the mud-flooded ground, they learned one of them is Jim Byzstrycki, a member of Woodbury Lutheran (yeah Jim!). They had a great time getting to know the young people and appreciated their energy in completing work on Steve's property.
Another week of miraculous stories and hard work. We hope to have some pictures up soon; check back!
We have teams heading out Tuesday and Thursday and Saturday this week. Sign up online to join us!
They were able to finish mudding Marian's basement and got that pesky washer/dryer unit out. We'll have to go back and power wash the basement this week.
They finished gutting a house someone else had started (walls, kitchen, bathrooms, and insulation), and finished removing the ceiling and floors in Robin's house, which our team started last Saturday. Robin, who had water on the main floor, had an amazing story -- Facing no place to live for a long time, she was given a trailer this week! So, she can stay in her driveway while work continues on her house.
The team also pulled carpet and moved furniture and equipment at a restaurant next door to Vi's Antiques on Main. The owner hopes to open back up. A group of Southern Baptists from Texas were tackling Vi's building at the same time.
And the Minnesota Lutherans did GREAT things for Steve and his fiance, who had water on both levels of their house. They removed all inside stud walls with the exception of a load-bearing wall so they could pull up the floor underneath. Some of the team worked on the outside, where they were approached by 10 students from Winona State University who asked to help. In talking with the students as they worked together to remove damaged shrubs and fences and try to even out the mud-flooded ground, they learned one of them is Jim Byzstrycki, a member of Woodbury Lutheran (yeah Jim!). They had a great time getting to know the young people and appreciated their energy in completing work on Steve's property.
Another week of miraculous stories and hard work. We hope to have some pictures up soon; check back!
We have teams heading out Tuesday and Thursday and Saturday this week. Sign up online to join us!
More mud!!!
Seven of us worked in Stockton Wednesday. We helped Marvin remove the contents of his house and pulled carpet from one room and gutted his garage. Marvin mercifully had no basement -- For that we were very glad as he had about 2 1/2 feet water on the first floor. He was on the computer when he heard rushing water. In the lightning flash outside his window, he saw a river of water rushing through the cornfield in his backyard and against his house. He climbed onto his bed, where he sat and watched the water rise by the light of a dim flashlight. The water came in at 11 p.m., he was rescued by hovercraft at 5 a.m.
We also helped Darlene power wash and sanitize her mother's garage and contents. They still have several inches of mud, a ruined washer/dryer, water heater and furnace in the basement, but without power and running water (we ran a hose from the neighbor's to get in the garage), it's a tough job on the narrow stairs. Darlene is a very sweet woman trying to take care of her mother Marian, who at 90 has every intention of returning to her home. If the power isn't on Saturday, perhaps we can bring in a generator.
Lastly, we went to Betty and David's where we moved a bunch of debris that had been sitting in a mud soaked front yard to the curb so the city would haul it. Free hauling is coming to an end so time is of the essence!
With 90 degree heat and humidity, we were grateful several members of our team needed to get home for evening events, so we let the guys admire each others' sweat stains and called it a day about 3:30.
We also helped Darlene power wash and sanitize her mother's garage and contents. They still have several inches of mud, a ruined washer/dryer, water heater and furnace in the basement, but without power and running water (we ran a hose from the neighbor's to get in the garage), it's a tough job on the narrow stairs. Darlene is a very sweet woman trying to take care of her mother Marian, who at 90 has every intention of returning to her home. If the power isn't on Saturday, perhaps we can bring in a generator.
Lastly, we went to Betty and David's where we moved a bunch of debris that had been sitting in a mud soaked front yard to the curb so the city would haul it. Free hauling is coming to an end so time is of the essence!
With 90 degree heat and humidity, we were grateful several members of our team needed to get home for evening events, so we let the guys admire each others' sweat stains and called it a day about 3:30.
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