The lad checks in

The lad called a little while ago, during a break. First time since Sunday. This time the tenor of the phone call was quite different. He *is* having a great time and has already been prevailed upon to stay past his two weeks. I told him that is his decision to make and to do what he wants. If, in two weeks, he just wants to come home, that’s fine. If he wants to stay, that’s fine, too. Currently, I think he’d like to stay.

One of the things he’s learned so far is that the entire city of New Orleans and surrounding areas love the volunteers. He said it’s kind of like a golden ticket that gets you a lot of favors. It’s not something they want to take advantage of, but it is something that crops up again and again. He and his co-workers go into the city after work at night to hear live music—always Jazz. Last night, they heard a jazz brass band—he couldn’t remember what it was called—but he said they are very popular in the area. Parking places mysteriously appear close to the establishment when they arrive (they are pretty well known by now—some of the vols have been there since the month after Katrina). And complimentary baskets of food seem to suddenly appear as well. The residents and business owners really, really like them and protect them and try to make life easier for them.

The other observation worthy of note is that since he’s been there he has not seen one resident with a frown or a sad face. He said they are the kindest and most caring people. And they always keep a smile. Despite their adversity, they *always* have a smile and a good word. Not.One.Single.Complaint. Ever. He takes his meals with the residents who come in and they talk and share stories. They have an unshakable optimism and faith.

Their camp is like a compound. It is surrounded with fencing and razor wire. It’s a reminder of how grim things still are. They have numerous refrigerated trailers on site filled with perishables and pallet upon pallet of non-perishables. It’s like a huge grocery store in the middle of nothing. The fire department and emergency medical technicians have also moved into the compound. And there are police officers and other security personnel on site with check points in and out. He said it is like a military compound. Except that besides working (really) hard all day long, there isn’t a military style discipline going on. Everyone just does what needs to be done.

In an environment like that you become close to the people you’re with pretty quickly. The bonds have already been established and he is so glad to be there. He just can’t believe how giving the residents are. He said, “We’re supposed to be the ones giving, but they are the ones keeping our chins up. It’s unbelievable.”

That is also a story that needs to be told. And he says he has more stories. Lots of them already. I can’t wait to hear them.