WELS volunteers make progress in New Orleans
Filed Under: COR, FIA, Hurricane, Katrina, Kingdom Workers, Louisiana, Relief, Volunteer
WELS volunteers have virtually completed refurbishing the interior of four more homes in New Orleans that flooded in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. 
One of the homes is ready for occupancy—the three others should be ready by January.
In all, about 70 homes have been gutted and about 10 rebuilt in New Orleans in a partnership between WELS Committee on Relief, which funds the effort, and Faith in Action (FIA), which organizes the volunteers. Faith in Action is part of the parasynodical group WELS Kingdom Workers.
All of the homes are within walking distance of Crown of Life, the WELS congregation in New Orleans. About half are owned by members—about half are owned by other residents.
David Sternhagen, pastor of Crown of Life, says he is aware of at least two members in the past who have joined his congregation after their homes were rebuilt by FIA volunteers, but he understands that’s not the point of the rebuilding effort. “We Christians are supposed to be showing kindness all the time,” he says. “If people end up coming to church and joining, that’s extra.”
Thirty-eight volunteers—some full time, others part time—have been working since October 15. They are breaking for the Thanksgiving holiday and resuming work Nov. 26-Dec. 15. A new group of volunteers goes to work Jan. 5-April 30. Plans include refurbishing about six more homes and completely rebuilding two others.
More volunteers are needed for the effort in the new year. For details, or to learn how to support the effort financially, go to www.welsrelief.net.
