Project Homecoming: Recover, Rebuild, Rejoice! by Lisa Lani Easterling

August 29, 2007 was the second anniversary of the greatest disaster the United States has encountered—a disaster caused not by the rain and winds of Hurricane Katrina but by the instability of the levees surrounding the historic and beautiful city that is New Orleans, a rich gumbo of cultures, once home to an estimated 470,000 people.

For many of those quarter of a million people, their hearts are in New Orleans, yet they are still scattered across the country. Many who are still in exile long to return home. But how can one return home without resources? How can one return home when the necessities of life are so scarce—limited housing, few opened schools, crippled medical and mental health care systems, an understaffed police force and a lack of a cohesive plan by government leaders for recovery?

Much of the grassroots recovery work depends on faith-based organizations, especially the thousands of men, women and youth who are answering Jesus’ call to share compassion and justice with those who continue to be in great need. Alan Cutter and Jean Marie Peacock are leading the efforts of the Presbytery of South Louisiana. Alan was called to be the presbytery’s chief “Gumbo Chef” (known in most presbyteries as a general presbyter) in June 2006. He recalls the images of New Orleans coming across his television screen, stirring s omething in him. He knew then that God was calling him to be a part of the recovery. Months later, that call became clearer when he saw the ad for a “Gumbo Chef” for the Presbytery of South Louisiana.

What special recovery and rebuilding efforts did the “Gumbo Chef” and the Presbytery of South Louisiana come up with to help New Orleans residents? Find out by reading the full text of this article in the November/December issue of Horizons.

Call 800/524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the November/December 2007 issue (HZN-07-260; $4 plus shipping).

Lisa Lani Easterling is the pastor of First Union Presbyterian Church in Luling, Louisiana, wh ich hosts FISH Camp on its grounds.

Photo by Lanny Pratt

Other Articles Online This Issue

Raising Children, Growing Ourselves
There's Something About Mary
A Miracle in Progress
When We Recognize Our Sisters
Together in Congo
Project Homecoming
Beyond the Kitchen Counter
Continuing the Journey
Keeping the Link [A WEB EXCLUSIVE]
Dispatch from Forbearance Presbyterian Church
Working for Justice and Peace
Faithful Parenting
Strengthening the PC(USA)


What special recovery and rebuilding efforts did the “Gumbo Chef” and the Presbytery of South Louisiana come up with to help New Orleans residents? Find out by reading the full text of this article in the November/ December issue of Horizons. Call 800/524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the November/ December 2007 issue (HZN-07-260; $4 plus shipping).	Project Homecoming Recover, Rebuild, Rejoice! by Lisa Lani Easterling August 29, 2007 was the second anniversary of the greatest disaster the United States has encountered—a disaster caused not by the rain and winds of Hurricane Katrina but by the instability of the levees surrounding the historic and beautiful city that is New Orleans, a rich gumbo of cultures, once home to an estimated 470,000 people. For many of those quarter of a million people, their hearts are in New Orleans, yet they are still scattered across the country. Many who are still in exile long to return home. But how can one return home without resources? How can one return home when the necessities of life are so scarce—limited housing, few opened schools, crippled medical and mental health care systems, an understaffed police force and a lack of a cohesive plan by government leaders for recovery? Much of the grassroots recovery work depends on faith-based organizations, especially the thousands of men, women and youth who are answering Jesus’ call to share compassion and justice with those who continue to be in great need. Alan Cutter and Jean Marie Peacock are leading the efforts of the Presbytery of South Louisiana. Alan was called to be the presbytery’s chief “Gumbo Chef” (known in most presbyteries as a general presbyter) in June 2006. He recalls the images of New Orleans coming across his television screen, stirring s omething in him. He knew then that God was calling him to be a part of the recovery. Months later, that call became clearer when he saw the ad for a “Gumbo Chef” for the Presbytery of South Louisiana. What special recovery and rebuilding efforts did the “Gumbo Chef” and the Presbytery of South Louisiana come up with to help New Orleans residents? Find out by reading the full text of this article in the November/December issue of Horizons. Call 800/524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the November/December 2007 issue (HZN-07-260; $4 plus shipping). Lisa Lani Easterling is the pastor of First Union Presbyterian Church in Luling, Louisiana, wh ich hosts FISH Camp on its grounds. Photo by Lanny Pratt Other Articles Online This Issue Raising Children, Growing Ourselves There's Something About Mary A Miracle in Progress When We Recognize Our Sisters Together in Congo Project Homecoming Beyond the Kitchen Counter Continuing the Journey Keeping the Link [A WEB EXCLUSIVE] Dispatch from Forbearance Presbyterian Church Working for Justice and Peace Faithful Parenting Strengthening the PC(USA)	Current Issue NOV/DEC 2007 About This Issue Contents FREE Resource How to Use In Our Next Issue Items underlined can be seen in this Web site, all others appear in the November/December 2007 (HZN-07-260) issue of Horizons magazine. to Horizons, call 800/524-2612 or this issue ($4 plus shipping/handling)

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