Published: April 04, 2006
April 4, 2006
QUEENS, N.Y. -
Unlike most college students who head for warm weather and sunny shores during their spring break, three Red Storm student-athletes along with more than 200 St. John's students traveled to the Hurricane Katrina devastated region of New Orleans. The students volunteered their time and efforts with Campus Crusades, a Christian organization.
Sophomores Ben Shuleva and Jeff Stepan of the men's soccer team, along with Caitlin Rimgaila of the women's volleyball team spent the week cleaning out and tearing down houses that could not be salvaged. They also spent time with the survivors and others who have devoted their time to help rebuild New Orleans. Below are personal reflections from Shuleva and Stepan as well as a photo gallery of images from their "week-long life changing journey."
Reflection 1 - Jeff Stepan, sophomore, men's soccer
We arrived in New Orleans full of reserved excitement not knowing what to expect. When stepping off the plane, our week-long life changing journey would begin. It was a journey that taught me hope, charity, service and kindness, all while planted in the middle of the worst disaster zone the United States has come to know. During the journey my heart teemed with sorrow, joy, satisfaction and the knowledge of how blessed my life really is.
No picture or television broadcast could do justice to the widespread destruction of the neighborhoods around the levy break. With cars on top of houses, houses floated into the middle of the street, McDonalds signs still lying smashed on the ground and people's sole possessions being tossed out on the street to be dumped, the devastation of New Orleans six months after Hurricane Katrina is one of the most despairing sights we have ever witnessed. On the first Sunday of our week we were taken to see the Lower Ninth Ward, which felt the brunt of all the destruction in New Orleans. With nothing cleaned after six months the pungent smell stung our noses as we reflected on our own lives and pondered how such widespread destruction could occur in our own country. On this trip I saw firsthand the frustration of the homeowners as they shifted through the remains that once was their home. It was a feeling of helplessness as I could only stand there and watch them see their whole life reduced to ruble.
Our service consisted of gutting out houses (removing all drywall, insulation, cabinets and ceiling). Before we could begin however, we started by throwing all possessions out on the street to be thrown away. The stack of "things" on our first job was as tall and wide as the building itself. Nothing was salvageable. We worked all day cleaning out different houses for the whole week. At the end of each day, all we wanted to do was sleep after the amount of effort we put in.
I was grateful to be surrounded by people with so much hope. People who have taken off school and work for a whole year to devote themselves to the service of New Orleans. Their hope and attitude not only rubbed off on me, but rubbed off on everyone they came in contact with. I quickly learned the valuable lesson that in order for anything to be fixed, there must be hope within the hearts of the volunteers and the residents alike. When I saw the destruction I did not know what to do or how this could ever be cleaned up, but after a couple of days I believed and trusted in myself and the people surrounding me that we were making a difference. Little by little this city will be rebuilt.
During my stay I was shown an unknown kindness that I have never experienced. One would think the residents of New Orleans would be flustered or angry at the world. These people, however, were the ones that showed me the meaning of true kindness. Every favor asked was met and exceeded. When we asked for directions, we were offered a three-mile ride to our site. When we asked for a ride to the hardware store, we were given a tour of the city, including the stop at the store. These are only a few examples of the unwavering kindness and gratitude the residents and other volunteers had for me, and it felt satisfying to be so greatly appreciated.
New Orleans presented me with the opportunity to serve others and give my life, if only for a week, to the people who have nothing. At the end of each day the satisfaction and joy rested within me knowing that I only did good throughout the day. The ability to have such an effect on people, and giving them what I am blessed to still have, helped me see how the world works. We give to each other and help each other through times of destruction. I know that if an earthquake struck my hometown in California, people would be there to help me just as I was to help them. Service is something to be valued as you are blessed enough to even have the opportunity to help others. With this in mind, it is more of a privilege than a duty to serve others.
Reflection 2 - Ben Shuleva, sophomore, men's soccer
Spring Break to most students is a time to relax and have fun. For the past four to five years I have experienced Spring Break in such a manner with my friends and family on the beach. This Spring Break after countless plans fell through, for one reason or another, a few friends and I decided to give our time as service by serving those in need in New Orleans. Jeff, Caitlin, Katie and I were a part of more than 200 students that volunteered to work tearing down houses in conjunction with Campus Crusades, a Christian organization.
The entire week we worked extremely hard, for we knew that the work we did was needed and precious to all of New Orleans. Our week was not undemanding or painless; rather it was taxing mentally and physically. We slept in an enormous tent on wood plank floors that we built. We prepared and cleaned up the food that we ate. We shared four showers with over 100 males. We woke up every morning when many Spring Breakers were calling it a night. All these things added to our experience, an experience like none other.
For most, it is very difficult to realize the suffering and pain that the entire city of New Orleans is in at the current moment. A once thriving city of 600,000 is now less than 60,000. Before Spring Break I was completely ignorant of the damage that Hurricane Katrina caused. I realized it immediately upon walking through an area known as the "Ninth Ward." I was walking around what used to be a loving neighborhood that has become a trash dump. I was literally walking on what remained of residents' hopes and dreams. It did not stop here, the area in which we were working was like a ghost town. It had been months since Katrina struck and still most residents had not returned home. The Lord opened my eyes throughout the week and forced me to see things that will forever stay in my heart and mind.
Although the destruction to New Orleans was extremely severe, I can take comfort in the fact that Jesus Christ is in New Orleans. I know this because it was ever so clear throughout the week. The people who were volunteering were all filled with the Lord's love and passion. All those working were working for the good and the glorification of God and not themselves.
Looking back on our week, I can truly say that it was one of the most valuable weeks of my life. It is easy, often too easy, for caring individuals to simply donate money to a relief effort while sitting comfortably at home with their families. Most of us live in a world where our problems consist of tests and athletics, while many of those is New Orleans have no home, no family and no sense of hope. People's lives have been destroyed, while we all are ignorant of the causes. This week taught me to be thankful for all that the Lord has blessed me with. Whether it be Montgoris food or the love my parents, I realize that all this is temporary and that all of it is simply a blessing from Christ. In the end I know that I did not choose to go down to New Orleans, rather the Lord chose me. And once again it is proven that as you help others, ultimately you help yourself.
- Red Storm -