New Orleans, LA, November 2007:

Mrs. Hayes, home owner New Orleans, LA

"Peace of mind and a feeling of security is what the wonderful Communitas men gave me when they quickly installed doors on my house." Hanna Hayes elatedly told us shortly after the Operations Communitas team returned to Michigan.

"You see, I am the only home owner on this block and after Katrina every door In my house was ruined. All I could do by myself was to just put up plywood over my Outside doors, and I could only do that poorly. I would cry almost every night as rain came in my makeshift doors and water flooded everything. Also, I was afraid of robbers because the plywood over the doors was only held together by bent nails... that simply was the best I could do alone."

A team of Operation Communitas workers appeared at Miss Hayes' home and before they left, three days later, every doorway in her house had a strong door installed correctly.

"They even put a door on my outside water heater shed," she added, "and all the doors lock. I can never thank them enough for giving me security and a feeling of safety while I am in my home. I had not had those feelings since that awful storm."

When asked if she could make any suggestions as how they might do better jobs when Operation Communitas workers are once again in New Orleans, she almost yelled: "God knows there is no way anyone could have done better, or been kinder and considerate of me."

Steve Bauer, Connexions Church Dexter, MI

"Joining the Operation Communitas team in New Orleans, I recently made my sixth visit to help, however I could, the citizens who lost most of their homes and possessions.

Each time an opportunity arose to go and work with those affected by the terrible storm, Katrina; I had the feeling that God was urging me to participate.

I can't describe adequately the feeling of thanks I had after each trip, and the joy of having established real relationships with those wonderful people. I'll be back."

Joe Duncan, Connexions Church Dexter, MI

"My Operation Communitas experience in New Orleans was positive. I feel we definitely helped provide a renewed feeling of security to the homeowner, Mrs. Hanna Hayes. With her help, we installed properly fitting doors to all doorframes in her home. Before we cooperatively worked there, every frame had been covered, as best she could, with cardboard and plywood. Yes, I look forward to going back to New Orleans with Communitas."

Drew Nelson, Connexions Church Dexter, MI

"I will never forget the very meaningful experiences that we of the Operation Communitas Team experienced when we were last working in New Orleans!

We worked hard along side local home owners trying to help restore what we could of their Hurricane Katrina-ravaged homes. By working so closely together we established relationships that probably could have come about no other way.

It was extremely rewarding to me to see how grateful those fine people were for whatever we could help them do. We didn't just do the work, but we tried to teach the home owners how do many things themselves.

It could be that I will never see any of them again, but I believe our long-distant relationships were God inspired and will remain with all of us."