Jody Herrington, left, OBI's disaster relief manager, gives Jessica, her seven-month-old daughter, and her mother a warm welcome upon arrival as they see their completed home makeover by OBI for the first time.

Inside Jessica's renovated home, she has freshly-painted walls and new living room furniture thanks to help from Operation Blessing and volunteers.

VIOLET, La. - Jessica was stunned as she entered her home in St. Bernard parish last week. Eight months ago, the single mother of three had lost everything – job, community and home – when Hurricane Katrina forced a levee to breach and flooded the community with an estimated 15 to 20 feet of water.

Jessica's home sustained five to six feet of water. A tree also toppled through the roof and into her kitchen. But thanks to a home makeover courtesy of Operation Blessing, Jessica and her children now have a new beginning.

"It was a big surprise. I knew the floor was going to be done and the walls were going to be painted. But all the furniture and the toys for the kids . . . I just broke down crying," Jessica said.

With children ages 11, 10 and seven months, Jessica felt hopeless after Katrina. She did not have flood insurance and her homeowner's policy would not cover the damage. Pastor Randy Millet of Adullam Christian Fellowship referred her to Operation Blessing.

OBI volunteers from across the country – California, North Carolina, Colorado and North Louisiana – came to Jessica's rescue. Operation Blessing paid for most of the materials.

"They donated the furniture and bedding. I didn't have flood insurance, I only had homeowners. There's no way I could have afforded the materials and pay someone to do the work. I lost my job with the hurricane," said Jessica, who taught first-grade at a local elementary school.

Jessica remembers being at school that fateful Friday prior to Katrina.

"That afternoon before we left, the principal announced that we should move our things away from the windows. We didn't have a clue. The school was demolished. It was completely underwater," she said.

Although only one school is currently open in St. Bernard, Jessica is hopeful she will be able to return to the classroom next year. She believes more schools will open in the fall.

Jessica is renting a house in Marrero with her parents until the renovations on her home are completed. Her parents, who live four houses down from Jessica in Violet, are currently restoring their home as well. Jessica and her children will officially move into their newly restored home in three weeks when the children, who have been attending school in Marrero, finish the school year.

"They can't wait. They just want to be home. It's funny because when I first brought them to the house after the storm. I didn't let them go in. I just let them stand in the doorway. I wanted them to see the reality. They said 'Mama, I just want to be back home.' It's hard on them . . . everything they knew was gone," she said.

Pastor Randy Harper of Bellaire Baptist Church in Bossier City, a member of Louisiana United States Volunteer Joint Service Command, led a group of 12 members in rebuilding Jessica's home. The group of retired military members specializes in disaster relief. This marks Harper's seventh trip to help in Katrina disaster relief.

The group sheet rocked and prepped her house for paint. They also installed two windows and three doors and replaced the brick on the back of the house.

"Operation Blessing is great to work with. They helped Bellaire Baptist Church and USV get a grant to get two fully-equipped disaster relief trailers," Harper said.

Jessica gives many thanks to all the volunteers who have helped her family.

"I'm just speechless when I think about all these people coming down and donating their time. And they're thanking me. It's unbelievable," she said.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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