Erica’s Blog

Erica, Cathy, Stacey,Melissa,Meg,Jannice Anna,Janet, Patty and all—

 

Thanks so much.!!!!…we just got back from the George R Brown Convention Center –where we were going to have our seminar…..and wow, its just mass humanity. Thousands of people just showed up to help sort clothes,assembly lines of bags coming in the door,  organize the sleeping areas, blow up mattresses, cover with sheets, set up towels on each bed and wait for the next group to arrive on buses.  It was very good for our hearts,as we got everything ready all morning and then they arrive….very emotional for everyone. I took some pictures and will email as soon as I can.

 

They entered thru a huge line of volunteers—-two football field lengths–then we each take a family thru to pick out shoes, then clothes, toys, strollers, etc…its hard to describe the feeling except you know its the right thing to be doing right now. Most people coming in are covered in mud to their waists, no shoes, and look listless. They are just doing what they are directed to do and have a lot to ask as they haven’t had news to listen to….they have no idea where they are going to find family etc. they have signs everywhere looking for family. Must be what it was like at Ground Zero. They have no clue of the others cities, states, involved.

 

They are being frisked which is probably humiliating, but needed. This group is one of the worst crowds coming in…straight from New Orleans Convention Center…the forgotten and angry ones.

They are too tired to show much reaction to anything really. I think the sight of all the volunteers is truly overwhelming.  The news may say people aren’t helping, but its a beautiful sight to see it first hand. I am still choked up by the Houston efforts. We are being trained to handle the crowds, to help in shelters, and its amazing to see all the churches come together

to help.  Catholic Charities are doing the training, mainly in the Baptist churches–biggest facilities down here! and people from everywhere are helping. We met so many great people today! Our church in going en masse tomorrow so I will tell you about that later.

 

From what I see, we still have a shortage of shoes, underwear , baby clothes and equipment,

Need for strollers is huge! The amount of clothes here is overwhelming. One of the best ideas is flip flops if someone is going to be buying. The other basics- wipes, diapers, baby food, etc are still and will be a constant need. I forgot they are asking specifically for “Depends”for so many are elderly. Need I say more. I am so grateful for you all. Please continue to get the word out. We have a long haul ahead of us. This is just the beginnings.

 

Love always,

Terry

If you can house some of the refugees from Hurricane Katrina, here’s a place that is organizing emergency refugee housing:

http://www.hurricanehousing.org

Here are some updates I got from Terry in Houston.  First, the one from the early evening:

The churches are the best places to send money as we aren’t paying for overhead and red tape as Red Cross and
United Way. Red Cross Phone no. is: 1-877-568-3317. if that is preferable.

 

Churches are getting into the Astrodome directly. WE are hauling food and papergoods,in our own cars .We are also renting trucks to get it in there.  We have so many needs here- basics and medicine is a huge one now as hospitals are totally full and can’t take more people.

 

My boys are at the Astrodome as I write ,trying to help….which I have to say is very dicey right now. We have car jackings, store lootings and rapes going on here in Houston. We live in walking distance from the Astrodome, so believe me its a very testy place and people are really rallying but it seems like nothing is enough, quick enough. The disease control is a big issue as well.

 

We are taking care of families and putting them up in our homes and giving them shelter and hopefully a place to recoop and get ideas of what to do next. It is the most unbelievable series of events.No one is really going about their normal day here, its all about doing everything you can.

 

Please pray for our safety. They cancelled our seminar in the convention center to house more people, so its been a sad day for the disciples and we had great plans to do good, but the Mayor closed it without refund. We have the Jacobys, John Louis, Chip Mitchell, Dave McNulty and others in to speak at the conference which we planned all year. We will make the best of it.

Anyhoo, we appreciate your hearts out there in SF and hope you can do what you can. If you want to pass the info on to others, that would be helpful too.

And here’s the update from later that night:

The boys just got back from the Astrodome… Yeah!  They said the people were very grateful there…They unloaded trucks,they were serving dinner, picking up trash, checking for sick vs. healthy and sadly found a man dead tonite.The smells are horrendous…We are all going back tomorrow morning. You go thru rows of National Guard and Police to get in…so you feel safe in the Astrodome, just not in the immediate neighborhoods. They added that people needed soap! to the towels and underwear list- Also, Ziplock bags, garbage bags and womens hygiene products were among the big needs. the food supply is so far very good and clothing is being provided. Most came without shoes on since they had to wade thru water, etc!

 

Just thought an inside view was interesting, since its first time we are allowed in there.

If you’re sending any kind of refugee care package to Houston, Terry’s sons who just came back from helping at the Astrodome said what’s MOST needed is:

 I really liked how this yellow bulky acrylic stuff knit up.  Too bad there wasn’t much of it.  As you can see, I ran out on the last hat, so I finished with some really soft green stuff. 

I also started a small lace scarf with some yellow baby fingering.  Should be nice.