I have been wasting a lot of time trying to get a mp3 file upload for you all to listen to. I’ll come back to that later.
As I explained earlier, there are several disaster ministries working here in Linton. But what is more amazing is the hospitallity and the community at large. The local Catholic Church is headquarters. We use their basement hall for a lunchroom and meeting room. The parish priest gave up all of the rooms in the rectory except his own bedroom, plus, they closed the small school on the same grounds to use as “bunk house.” There is a shower trailer for us to use and cots to use. The school house has a game room with a pool table and a foosball table.
Saturday night a couple of cowboys from Montana broke out their guitars and sang classic gospel like “The Old Rugged Cross,” and another song that Lloyd and Gary had written. That is the audio I wanted to post, but there is so much to write. More pics coming as well. The Catholic Church, St Anthony’s, arranged for us to have a wonderful Easter Dinner at one of the three resturants in town. The Harvest Resturant, opened one week after the flood hit but was not damaged. They even have their own chef and it was fabulous! The other places are pizza fare and throw in 4 or so bars and you have a town on the plains of North Dakota. I met the local female pastor of the Methodist Church, Corrie. She asked me what I felt about the culture of this small town. I said that I thought that the hospitality and friendliness was intentional and very refreshing. She agreed as she thanked us for coming up.
I just met aparty of three women who drove up from Florida and had worked in the Katrina Disaster. In fact, most of these folks have valuable experience and a heart of service.
A few moments a met another group who drove over 1000 miles from eastward to get here.
This week-end most folks left for time with their families, so mostly staff was here. I talked to them and wrote their names down and will try and get contact information.
Just one more note. A volunteer from Minnesota was surprised that the family they helped for 2 1/2 days did not seem to be very thankful. We talk about these things and create a dialouge. It seems that the homeowner was overwhelmed with the loss of her stuff. You know, we all have useless stuff sitting around that we don’t want everyone else to know about. These folks come back home, after they are allowed back, and walk around in a daze trying to find something left of their lives. A flood, according to Joe Hosea, my foreman, said that a flood destroys everything but the building is still standing. They still have lost most of their stuff and will not be back in those water soaked dwellings for months to come. But most have a place to stay. The 1,300 people of this community opened their arms and homes. In fact the Red Cross was here to provide temporary housing and left because everyone had a place to stay, including volunteers. I have so much to share but not enough time now. Please pray for this little town as it is raining and the water is rising! Also, please comment on these post and tell us how this affects you.
Keith
