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Feeding evacuees' souls, bodies
Church service followed by a home-cooked feast
By Janine Zúñiga
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
September 19, 2005
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Hurricane Katrina evacuees sang along with the choir yesterday during a service at Word of Life Worship Center in Spring Valley. More than 1,100 displaced Gulf Coast residents have found at least a temporary home in San Diego. |
Ken Carter wiped away tears yesterday after greeting the pastor of a local church at the close of a service for Hurricane Katrina evacuees.
Carter, 54, a retired New Orleans bus driver, was overcome because he feels so blessed to be in San Diego – a city he says has gone out of its way to help those affected by the devastating flooding – and back in church.
"I hadn't been going to church," Carter said. "You know, sometimes you get busy. But I was really looking forward to coming today. I barely slept last night thinking about it. This incident really restored my faith in God. It closed one door but opened another."
Following the nearly two-hour service at Word of Life Worship Center in Spring Valley, Carter and more than 60 evacuees spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying a home-cooked meal. They were treated to heaping portions of soul food, Filipino specialties, pepperoni pizza and chocolate cake.
More than 1,100 displaced residents from the Gulf Coast have found at least a temporary home in San Diego. Many are being put up in downtown hotels, some are in private or family homes and others have found their own shelter.
The evacuees at yesterday's services are part of a group of Louisiana residents brought to San Diego by businessman David Perez in privately hired planes, many from an evacuation center near Baton Rouge, two weeks ago yesterday. They are staying at the Holiday Inn downtown.
Quarter that sells Mardi Gras souvenirs. Emnace said her
family may go back early next year to see if anything can be salvaged, but they
may stay in San Diego.
The nondenominational East County church, which prides itself on its diverse
membership, knew to expect a similar crowd of evacuees.
Emnace said yesterday was the family's second taste of Filipino food since arriving in San Diego. Back home they prepared Filipino dishes daily.
"We had lumpia, pansit and chicken adobo," said Emnace, whose nursing school studies were interrupted by Hurricane Katrina. "It was really good. We really miss it."
Many of the evacuees were in good spirits yesterday but some were still in shock, said the church's senior Pastor Tommy Miller. He said he wanted to offer them a place to release their frustration to a higher power, reflect and heal.
"Lots of people were touched and encouraged today with a vision for the future," said Miller, who led the church service. "It's an uphill battle, but they'll get through it."
Eddie Monju, 46, of Metairie, La., near New Orleans, said he left his apartment before the hurricane's arrival with a gym bag slung over each shoulder, then hitchhiked to Baton Rouge. It was there he met Perez.
Monju, in a Chargers cap and House of Blues T-shirt, said he appreciates everything that everyone has done for him, including the trip to San Diego and spending cash from Perez, but feels guilty. Monju was a handyman back home.
"It's been incredible," said Monju in his unmistakable New Orleans accent. "I don't like taking anything. I like to make my own way. It's a pride thing. I am ready to work. I just need a job."
Perez attended the service and chatted with evacuees, many of whom greeted him with handshakes or hugs.
"I'm just happy I was able to deliver my help," Perez said. "Where there's a will, there's a way. I'm no saint. I'm just a guy who got involved."
After the meal, evacuees were allowed to select clothes from tables filled with items donated by area stores. They each got a grocery bag stuffed with food.
Church members in their Sunday best served food and made sure the evacuees had everything they needed. Carter and his 7-year-old daughter Tia enjoyed several servings of food under a large tarp in the church parking lot, where long tables were set up for the guests.
"Those greens was good," said Carter, who came back on his second trip for collard greens with a coveted ham hock. "I had some good meals at the hotel, but this sticks to me. This is soul food."
Alexandra Emnace, 28, of New Orleans was one of more than 20 Filipinos, including seven family members, who left Louisiana for San Diego. Emnace's mother owns a business in the French