Julie's Story

August 29, 2005

As head Pediatric Nurse at Charity Hospital, Julie Newman began the day coordinating employee child-care during the storm. As communication between Charity and University Hospitals failed, she also gained responsibility for pediatrics, labor and delivery.
Meanwhile, the Industrial and London Avenue Canals bordering her neighborhood, were breached. Flooding continued until the water levels equalized to the level of Lake Pontchartrain. The flood waters leveled at 6 feet in Julie’s ranch home. She lost everything, except her car which was in the hospital’s parking garage. After 6 grueling days at Charity, Julie was evacuated to a shelter. From there she relocated to Johnsburg and finally to Camp Algonquin. In March 2006, Julie moved back to New Orleans and presently lives in a FEMA trailer which rests on her front lawn. During this tragedy named Katrina, Julie has discovered the guiding hand of our gracious God and learned how to be patient and wait for His answers in His time.

During the January 2008 Mission Trip to New Orleans St. John’s members, Lou Longo and Linda Burmeister, met with Julie. She told of her difficulty in her efforts to rebuild her home.

She slowly realized her best chance would be to rebuild room by room. She would buy a few sheets of drywall with each paycheck.

Little did Julie, Lou and Linda know but God was already at work! In the days ahead, God put forth a vision ~ bring together a team of St. John’s volunteers to provide the labor to rebuild and I will provide the rest. He is faithful to His Word! 17 Volunteers will leave Algonquin on Saturday, June 14th and head to New Orleans. The team includes a contractor, a kitchen cabinet builder, and several great “do-it-yourself” handymen and others willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done!

Donations have poured in . . .

· The children of St. John’s Day School have donated $1000.00 in Home Depot Gift Cards
· St. John’s Mission Resale Shop donated $1000.00 to purchase gas (estimate of gas required = 600 gallons!)
· Area businesses have donated $1050.00
· Friends and members of St. John’s have contributed $4900.00

All of the teams expenses have been met PLUS we will present Julie with $5400.00 in Home Depot and Lowe’s gift cards! PRAISE BE TO GOD!

The team will bring down donations of gently used:

· Oak Kitchen Cabinets
· Bathroom Vanity
· Bedroom Set
· Couch
· Trundle Bed
· Twin bed
· Desk
· Kitchen Table
· Canned and packaged food for the Baton Rouge Food Pantry
· Lots of miscellaneous stuff!

Story to be continued . . .