Ann Arbor volunteers rebuild Louisiana homes damaged by Hurricane Rita

Allison Livesey (10), Jordyn Porter (6), and Debbie Bourque work on landscaping during a inter-generational mission trip to Louisiana.

Photo by Tom Livesey

For the sixth consecutive year, a group of volunteers from the First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor traveled to Lake Charles, La. for a week of rebuilding the homes damaged in Hurricane Rita. Each year we bring 20-50 volunteers, from age 4 to age 84, and this year proved to be one of the most unique.

Our group was challenged to rebuild a home belonging to an elderly couple, one of whom required a ramp. Their home was not habitable due to lack of plumbing, electrical, and accessibility; all of which was destroyed six years ago in the hurricane.

The home was more than a house, as many of our homes are. This was the Wiltz Family gathering place; a home not only to the couple, but to their children, grandchildren and extended family. This is where they gathered for holidays and family meals. Their memories were held in these walls.

The daughter of the family also had a home destroyed in the hurricane. Her and her husband lived with their seven children in the only habitable room of their damaged home, and yet everyday our group worked, she appeared on the site, putting in her own hours rebuilding her parent's home.

During the week, the group finished the plumbing and electrical in the kitchen and bathroom, they built a ramp so that the couple could access their home, finished floors, planted landscaping and much more.

Through the work, we brought a slice of hope to a hurting community in Lake Charles, La. The story of the mission work trip found its way to their local Channel 7, KPLC, who sent a reporter out to do a special on the project. The video can be seen here.

The mayor of Lake Charles later surprised our group, presenting us with a certificate of appreciation and granting each individual volunteer a key to the city. We are proud to have represented Ann Arbor in such a positive way for the people of Lake Charles. Though 1200 miles separate the communities, the distance did not deter the ability to give hope, and for that, we are grateful.

Darcy Crain-Polly is the Associate Minister at the First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor. She can be reached directly via email.