Julie's Hope Lives On

June 24, 2008

We've been home for 3 days. Life is back to normal but my heart is back in Gentilly . . . Julie's home. I miss her. I miss the sweat, the hard work, the day's accomplishments. I miss our team. Yet, I am so grateful to our God for making the impossible possible! I am privileged and honored that He choose me, completely unqualified, to carry out His work! I can hardly believe that WE DID IT! God led the way and each of us followed.

For 2 1/2 years, Dennis & I have longed to help Julie rebuild her home. I will never forget January 14, 2008 when Julie and I shared dinner at Zea's Restaurant. She spoke how God was doing a "good work in her", of faith in her God, how she would trust Him for whatever He had planned for her. For the first time since Katrina, she had hope.

At that moment, God gave me a glimpse of what He had planned. "St. John's can be Julie's restorer". I was so excited just to think that our dream for Julie could be a reality! Then the tug of war began. The war between Linda the Dreamer and Linda the Realist. I have been known to have grandiose ideas that falter and fail. "Is this a "God thing" or just another crazy idea?" I decided not to share this with Julie until I knew for sure that this truly was from God.

The following Saturday, when I arrived home from New Orleans, I told Dennis about the dinner with Julie. He immediately agreed to the idea and saw no reason why our Church could not make this happen. Next, I asked Pastor Stroup's permission to proceed. He said "Absolutely!" To make this work, the team needed a place to stay. Will the camps house a team who is not working on a camp project? Quickly, the answer came. No Problem!

What a joyous time it was when Dennis & I called Julie to share God's plan with her. The rest of the story is an amazing journey how God revealed His plan step by step and provided for every need.

He gave us a team complete with many skilled laborers and team members with passion and zeal to pack in a 10-15 hour work day. He lifted up dozens of individuals who donated all the gas and Home Depot gift cards needed, loaned the team 2 trailers, gave an abundance of home furnishings and most of all, prayed fervently for Julie's Hope.

Very soon, Julie will reside in her home, a home lovingly restored by the hands of God's people. I will cherish the lesson I have learned from this mission my husband called, Julie's Hope. I have learned to trust my God for everything, because He is faithful and will provide! Even in the midst of despair and hopelessness, when He seems to have forgotten me and does not immediately answer my prayer, I will know to trust in His abiding care and to wait patiently for Him to reveal His plan. For when I wait upon Him, He will not fail me. Praise Him for all He has accomplished and to Him be all the glory! Halleluiah!

Linda Burmeister

Dear God2

I am Sorry! Dear God was posted by me, Julie.

God Bless!

Dear God!

Father I have never been one to question your will, but today you allowed me to awaken with 2 eyes 2 see, I say not enough, 2 ears to hear, I say not enough, a mouth to speak, I say not enough, a mind to think with, I say not enough, a heart to feel with, still I say not enough. Not enough My Father, to express all the Joy, Love, Sharing, the Learning, and the Feelings of being among your Angels hear on Earth this past 3 months. For that I Thank You!

To everyone at St John's Lutheran Church, I say THANK YOU! Whether you were in a place to make a monetary donation, say a prayer with me in mind, supported a love one's effort to contribute to Julie's Hope, etc. To my brothers and sisters that it took Hurricane Katrina for me to meet and to get to spend a week with, and mom and dad, you know I am crying as I write this. Mary, Don, Linda, Dennis, Cathy, John, Christie, Art, Doug, Gary, Cliff (Craig), Debbie, Anna, Ed, Elizabeth, Mark, and Sue, you know the address, you know your spot, and please know that I will be working even harder to send you a completed picture.

Reflections on Day Five of Our Mission of Hope

We are approaching the final few hours of our time with Julie. As I am writing this, several team members have returned to Bethlehem Camp for some sleep so that they are rested for our drive home tomorrow; several more members work diligently trying to complete ...just one more thing. So many memories from this week--much hard work & I hope & pray Julie will be able to enjoy here home very soon! My favorite memory of today will be The House Blessing--the entire team stood together in Julie's living room and prayed that God would continue to protect Julie & bring joy & peace to her home. We know that our Lord will walk beside us, guide us through whatever may come into our lives--we as people of God just need to remain focused on Him. What a great example Julie has been to us all as she lives each day trusting that the Lord will give her strength to "get through this--one day at a time". Right now it is time for me to go help load up a trailer or wash mud off the kitchen floor-or help pack up tools.......what a week it has been---I thank all the "teachers" for showing me so many thing about home repair and for their help in getting Julie back into her house.

-Deb

Start of Day 4 at Julie's

It's 8:05 AM in New Orleans and half of our group is just finishing cleaning the camp. The other half has already packed up the trailers, taken one of them and set out for Julie's for the last day of work. This is going to be a tough day, both physically and emotionally, but everyone seems to be ready for it.

When we left Julie's house last night at 10:00 PM, she told us that she would probably be crying today. She told us that the tears would be a mixture of tears of joy for how far her house had come and for all the help and blessings she had received, as well as tears of sorrow for the group leaving so soon. It's only been a few days, but I think it's safe to say that every member of the team considers Julie a friend and will be feelings exactly the same way that she is today. We've done so much but there's still work to be done.

Everyone has worked so hard over the past week and accomplished so much. Today is going to be no different, but the feelings will be. Today will be bittersweet, joyful because of what has been done and sad because the experience has to end. I'm not sure how we'll feel tomorrow at 4 AM when we get on the road back to Illinois, but I do know that the memories of this trip will stay with each member of the group for a long, long time.

Three 1/2 Years Later by Anna Martell

My first trip to New Orleans was in Jan 06, five months after Katrina hit. The devastation was unbelievable and one that pictures could not really tell. Mucking out a home in the neighborhood of where the levy broke brought reality to the disaster that year. Things have changed a lot since then and no longer do you see the blue roofs as you circle the airport. The animals are back and thriving. Baby ducks and turtles fill the ponds and we even saw what looked like an egret in a tree. Dogs greet you at the camp. Unfortunately though , it will still take years for the city to recoup, if ever. Although one by one homes are being put back together by many volunteers still willing to come and help; one home will be abondoned or torn down in the same neighborhood with no one to return. The bureaucracy has hindered those who want to get back into their homes. On this trip, we will help one more person get back in her house before the FEMA trailer is taken away. Julie told us that this disaster has been the worst thing that has happened to her in her life but feels blessed because if this wouldn't have happened, she would not have met all of us, but helping Julie has been more of a blessing to me than anyone could ever know.

REFLECTION OF DAY 2 BY MARY LONG

I am a retired attorney with time but no constructions skills. You know what they say about attorneys - it takes 6 to replace a light bulb. So, Art Osburn, the professional cabinet guy, has to teach some of us the rudiments of sheet rock installation. I learned some new construction lingo. First, you rock, then you mud, next you scrap the buggers and finally you scrap up the turds. Due to my few skills, I was assigned to the Shop Vac - so you know my job assignment for the day . In the evening our Team boss, Linda Burmeister, who happens to be my daughter, gave us the night off to tour the Katrina damaged areas and visit the French Quarter. A must, is a cup chicory coffee and a powdered beignet at the Cafe DuMond. We were all dressed in our "Julie's Hope" red shirts so we stood out in the crowd. The "Celebration" church team spotted us and stopped by to compare experiences. We found out that we are living in the lap of luxury at the Bethlehem Volunteer Center. The Celebration Camp only has 6 showers for 300 people. Bethlehem has 15 showers for 60 people. We sometimes have to stand in line, so they must have a lottery. The Lutherans really know how to live. I can report that our team behaved themselves on the French Quarter walk about. Not due to their exemplary character but because we have to be back at camp by 10:30 p.m. or there is a lockout. Right now, the streets of New Orleans is not a good place to camp out.

Meeting all the Christians, of all denominations, working so diligently, makes you feel the "Communion of Saints". All the prayers are helping each of us to be Jesus' hands and feet to help the people restore their homes and spirits. This is my second trip to New Orleans and I can see the progress - one house at a time - one life restored. Praise the Lord.