"Trouble the Water" on HBO

Last summer we saw this movie in the theatre. We had heard that it created a lot of buz at Sundance, won several awards, and was a Best Documentary nominee for an Academy Award. So we went out of curiosity more than anything.

It is the story of one couple with their video camera, capturing what came along for them during Hurricane Katrina. The raw footage is revealing and their calm spirits during those horrific days is uplifting.

We came away from this movie moved by the tenacity of the people, disturbed by some of the events that they captured, and uplifted by this couple's enormous desire to get their life back. We were also saddened at their loss, not only of home and belongings, but of their entire community, which to them was their extended family in many ways.

This movie will be shown on HBO on Thursday, April 23rd at 8:30 PM ET/PT

http://www.troublethewaterfilm.com

I thought you might like to know, and be able to watch it if you so desire. I do recommend it!

Until next time!

Stephanie

Disaster Relief - What is the best choice?

Talking to "our kids" about Hurricane Gustav turned out to be an interesting and at times rather entertaining discussion. We knew that if they had not already heard about another storm in New Orleans, they soon would, as they hear everything. We felt the best thing to do was to have a little meeting about it so that we could confront any fears that they felt. We explained that "mandatory evacuation" meant that everyone had to leave. If they did not have a car, they could take a bus to a safe place.

Annie: "What about my baby sister?" (yes, their mom had another baby!)

Marquel: "Will Chantal (their mom) come to San Antonio?"

Charlie: "Girl, don't be crazy. You know Father won't let her come here."

We listened to their comments and the underlying concerns and did our best to reassure them that their sister, mom, grandpa and grandma, great grandma and cousins would be OK.

Now that Gustav is dissipating, there are 3 new storms to be concerned about. You will hear lots of invitations over the next few weeks to give to charitable causes.

Prior to Hurricane Katrina and our resulting mission project, we would have thought of the most high profile organizations, Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc.

Following Hurricane Katrina we learned things we had never considered. In the aftermath of Katrina, millions and millions of dollars were given for the victims. This money did not necessarily get to the victims. If an organization's main focus is to see that immediate needs are met, that is where the money is spent, with any excess staying in their bank account for the next disaster.

So how should you decide what is the best contribution to make? First you must consider that money is not the only donation choice. Do you have some time you can donate to a shelter? You might be good at cooking, scrubbing floors, or lending an empathetic ear.

You might be part of a church or civic organization that could use your donation of time or money. There are still many churches sending volunteers to help the gulf coast rebuild from Katrina. They need cash donations to be able to send those volunteers and purchase supplies needed.

Everyone has their gifts and talents. Decide what you have to offer. As the giver, you can do a little research and decide what would be the best option for you.

Last night on the local news they talked to a single mom who had evacuated to San Antonio with her small children. After living through Hurricane Rita, this time she knew had to leave home. She had spent every penny she had on gas to get here. Now how was she going to get home? And she may have been wondering how she would feed her children, and keep up with rent and other necessities.

As we have learned, the trauma and tragedy of these disasters lingers on long after the storm is gone, and in ways that we sometimes don't think of or comprehend. It does no good to think "well, that lady should have planned for something like this". We have to understand that she is most likely doing the very best she can with what she has, just as any of us do.

As I thought about any recommendations I might have, I pulled up a website set up by the RNC - www.CauseGreater.com I think this is an excellent place to start. One of choices is Aidmatrix - where you can choose a state and find links to all kinds of organizations who can use donations of cash or time.

While Red Cross is great at immediate relief, there are 2 church groups that I would recommend for the on-going rebuilding efforts. I have personal experience and knowledge of both of them:

Lutheran Disaster Response
Adventist Community Services

As you go about your daily routine, try to stop and remember those who are not as fortunate as you are. When you are at the grocery store, purchase a gift certificate of what you can afford for the local food bank. They are always in need of cash.

Maybe your church has a family or cause they are supporting. What do they need?

Give some thought to your giving - and you will be blessed in the long run! We know we have!

Stephanie

"Katrina's Children - a Documentary" by Laura Belsey

Several weeks ago I ordered a DVD documentary "Katrina's Children". As I watched I would rewind and watch again, trying to catch all the words and feelings of the precious children featured in this documentary. I probably watched the entire DVD 3 or 4 times, each time hearing more of what the children said.

Some say "children are resilient". Others say "just get over it". These children demonstrate how both of these are myths that we adults propegate in order that we do not have to feel the pain that others feel. We want to push it out of our minds saying that "those people" are somehow lower than we are, less intelligent, less capeable, lazy and poor - all by their own fault. If we don't learn about them, then we can condem them and complain about the bleeding heart liberals who want to give them more of our hard earned dollars.

In the meantime, the children are left behind.

As I watched Katrina's Children I saw "our kids" reflected back at me. "Our kids" do not talk much about Katrina, and at the advice of experts, we do not push them to. We listen for the little comments and the actions that speak far louder than words.

In Katrina's Children I heard familiar comments such as "I wish I was white". I watched the girl who kicked and pulled at the padlocked gate to the fence that surrounded her school. She was so frustrated that her school was not open. And yet she could not read a sign warning about the consequences of bringing firearms onto school property. It reminded me of "our" Aleisha. Poor Aleisha, so left behind, and as she screamed out through words and actions for help, she was ignored even more. No one had taken the time to hear her story, the incredible pain this little girl suffered because of abuse and neglect. As she told us her story with tears flowing down her cheeks, I wondered if anyone had ever seen this vulnerable side of her. All they saw was the anger that came from a heart with hurt so deep that none of us adults could begin to comprehend it.

In this documentary each child draws a picture to represent their feelings. I watched to see if any of them would draw a picture like our Charlie daws, with a house on stilts and his bed in the attic.

I was struck by the little girl who did not cry in front of her mom because she could not put into words why she was so sad. It made me wonder how much "our kids" wanted to say but felt they couldn't. Children do not have the wisdom that comes with years to deal with or describe their loss and grief. And yet they are so very wise.

This documentary features kids from New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and yet it could be children from any city across our country. They beg to be heard. They desperately want to go to a good school, to learn to read and understand what they are reading, to be treated the same no matter the color of their skin.

We can make a difference. But we have to be willing to put aside our pride and our arrogance. We have to be willing to be quiet and listen to their words both spoken and unspoken. We have to be willing to give them friendship and not be judgemental. It must come from a sincere desire to make a difference, and these kids can spot a fake in a minute.

Please take a minute to visit http://www.katrinaschildren.com/ and purchase a copy of this DVD. You will be helping a good cause.

If you want to read a great review of "Katrina's Children - a Documentatry" - click here

If you want to share the story of "our kids" with a friend, click here.

Until next time . . .

Stephanie