of Tim Parsons and Spike Lee
It was our second day of service in New Orleans and another chance for our delegates and leaders to pull together and make a difference in this amazing community.
My exposure to that effort came at the home of Tim and Karen Parsons. Like so many, the Parsons' are still in the process of rebuilding after their neighborhood was submerged in 10 feet of water. After volunteering for a mold study to be conducted in their home, Tim and Karen learned that they had at least 11 types of mold…none of them good and at least three that were potentially dangerous. That's when they decided to tear it down and start over. They had no idea how complicated the process would be or how long it would actually take.
The initial hurdles in building their new home included new flood insurance to accommodate the new height of the flooring (which required cancelling the old policy and creating a new one and resulted in a period of time in which they have no coverage - too much to go in to here), adhering to recently established building guidelines, design plans, a change in architects, and all kinds of I's to dot and T's to cross along the way.
Four years and who knows how many challenges and disappointments later they finally broke ground in November of 2009. Fortunately, Tim did some construction in college so he is overseeing the project and our team of delegates along with leader Val Fellersen agrees that he's a great foreman.
In the two days that People to People Ambassador Programs delegation members have been working with Tim they've installed insulation, excavated many wheelbarrows full of earth from under the house, separated old bricks and cement from the dirt that is becoming new landscaping along the side and back of the house, and helped bring the Parsons much closer to being able to move into their new home.
Tim is a gentle man that quickly admits to having grown a lot from this experience and was happy to declare that he and his family have not been defined by this experience.
Tomorrow, Val and her team will return for a third and final day working with Tim and I have a strong sense that their goodbyes will be heartfelt and the entire experience life changing.
Tonight's speaker was the much anticipated, Spike Lee! The students, leaders, and program staff were all excited to hear from this influential filmmaker and he didn't disappoint.
He talked about how filmmaking actually picked him, why he chooses the projects he does, how important it is to work hard for what you want in life and not to choose a profession based solely on the money you may earn. Spike also showed footage from his documentary on Katrina that will air in two parts on HBO, August 23 and 24, as well as his current project on the BP oil spill.
I have to admit, he really got me thinking and by the questions asked during a lengthy Q&A session I'd say he had the same affect on our delegates.
Whew…another packed day!