Lower 9th Ward, New Orleans

Just recently read an article about the Lower Ninth Ward, New Orleans. So very very sad. The area appears to be a jungle, the article mentioned that there were snakes, wild animals, etc, living in the area. The pictures in the article were very disturbing as both my daughter and I spent numerous hours in that location, attempting to re-build the area. Kind of makes one wonder what the local government is thinking, if they are thinking.

Juno Cup in Prince Albert

What a night in P.A. NHL ALLSTARS against the ROCKERS. I can't believe my daughter, she was invited to ice level between the first and second periods to shot for Juno prizes. Needed to get 6 pucks in the net, first six shoots, six in the net. She had the chance to go the Junos', be on the RED Carpet, 2 tickets, or recieve an autographed Darcy Tucker Maple Leaf Jersey and every CD that was avaliable from every group that was attending the Juno's. She choose the sweater and CD'S, then gave the sweater to her sister, as it was her sister's fav. player. Man, what a BIG heart. So proud of you Melissa.

Juno Weekend

Man have things been changing for us. Have been atemptting a write a book about my journey with the folks of Southern Lousiana and New Orleans. Anyone now of an author that might be interested in lending a hand?????? I suck @ writing, can put my thoughts down on a blog, but in book form, forget it. New web site, check it out. www.simplemissions.com, has just been re-done and looks cool, or at least I hink so. Let us know what you think. More later, as so much has happened around here, can't really tell it all. P.S. Aren't the roads in Saskatoon just the ######################. Your thoughts.

Back to New Orleans

Well, soon back to N.O. We leave on Dec. 24th, Xmas eve morning. On Xmas day, we are heading a homeless shelter that will be opened up for the first time since Hurricane Katrina hit a few years ago. This will be a very special Christmas for many people in the city, as well as for our family. It feels so good to be helping those folks have so very little. Keep you posted as to what is happening.

Can't believe it.

Man, I just got off the phone from a friend of mine in Southern Louisiana, he has now been given the unimaginable job of accepting applications from people that have lost everything, or almost everything from Hurricane Rita. So much media attention has been placed on Katrina and New Orleans, that the rest of the area has almost been forgotten. Anyway, he called to tell me of the horrible situations that he has just seen recently. People living in houses that have BLACK MOLD growing on the walls, elderly folks that have holes in their roofs, with much of their homes destroyed. He told me that a old man in a wheelchair was and still is attemtping to build a two bedroom shack, all this from a wheelchair. He also mentioned that he received a call from a young couple, with a small child that were needing help. They had very little roof left on their trailer, and what was there was being held up by 2 x 4's, their trailer will be condemned, but they have no money to even move to another location. People are so very poor, with little or no hope of ever overcoming this situation.

The poverty is almost to hard to imagine, but the issue that is the hardest to come to terms with is the lack of caring of many people. Recently my daughter and I appeared on CTV news, told our story of our travels to Southern Louisiana, etc. We also ended our story by asking those that wanted to travel to the South, with us, to contact us. As we would be going again in May (?). To date there has been only two people that have shown any interest. I can't believe that there has not more people that would want to lend a hand, either physically or financially, to this worthy cause.

These people are no different than you and I are, they have feelings, they cry like we do, they laugh, they feel emotions like we do, they need love like we do. Isn't it surprising, or maybe not to many people have figured it out yet, but THEY ARE JUST LIKE US. The only difference now is, we have shelter, food, clothing, a place to call home, they don't. Do you think it might be different if we were in their situation?

There is book, titled, "If You Want To Walk On Water, You Have To Get Out Of The Boat", their are many people that want to walk on water, but only a few that ever want to get out of the boat. Maybe its time a lot more people got out of the boat, you know the old saying, "Put your money where your mouth is". Once you start on a mission, be it what ever, it does not take long to find those that really do want to walk on water, and those that just think they can.

Blessings

Rocky

Haven't forgotten about this site

Hey everyone, just received a call the other night from a friend of mine in Southern Louisiana, and he said that they are just now finding people and homes that were destroyed by Hurricane Rita. These people are very poor, no insurance, now, no jobs. I am putting together, or trying to put together a group of folks that would like to travel to New Orleans and area to be part this project. The work involved will be difficult, a lot of carrying out material from peoples homes, removing debri, etc. Very difficult work, but also very rewarding. If you would like to change not only your life, but more importantly, some else's life, then this is your chance to make a difference. I am not sure of the dates, and the price, however, if anyone is interested in been a part of this group or may not be able to travel, but would like to give financially, please contact me @: www.simplemissions.com, as this is a great opportunity to serve others.

The needs are so great, for so many people. Its difficult to imagine unless you have actually been involved on a personal level. As I write this note, I look outside and see the snow falling, I can't help but think of the folks in the South. Yes, we have a Winter Snow Advisory in effect for much of this area, and it has been snowing heavily for a few hours, but, we are save inside, where it's warm, we have food, proper clothing, family. Everything that anyone needs to survive. To bad the same can't be said for the people to the South.

Anyway, please consider the request to join the team, either in person or finacially. Just drop me a line, and I will keep you all posted.

P.S. Does anyone know how to or if you can put a counter on your blog site ????

Blessings
Rocky

As promised

Well, its taken me this long to get it together, or at least as far as the trip to N.O. goes. Man what a site. People that think that things are going fine in New Orleans are sadly mistaken. You know, its such a shame when people, even in America, think that all is well. And the only reason for this is that the media does not cover Post Katrina. Its easy to stand in the middle of a storm, and make yourself look good, you know, like CNN. But now is when the reporters really need to be in South Louisiana and the southern gulf coast. As of Feb. 1st, areas south of New Orleans were without power, my daughter Melissa and I, along with people from the New Orleans United Way were setting up a Distribution Center, for food, water, and clothing. Can you imagine, 5 months Post Katrina. Anyway, check out some of the pictures of the devistation of the area that we were working in, and I promise, there will be more pictures shortly.

Blessings

Rocky