Katrina still touching lives

Members of Campbell University School of Pharmacy’s Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International (CPFI) spent a week in New Orleans’ St. Bernard’s Parrish this Christmas helping to rebuild homes in connection with Samaritans Purse ministries. Many reported that the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with the residents was an experience that changed their lives forever. “Having been to New Orleans twice before Hurricane Katrina, I had many previously formed opinions about the city,” said Amanda Whiddon, fourth-year pharmacy student from Cary, N.C. “Yet five days changed everything I thought I knew.” Whiddon and a team of Campbell students worked on two homes, one less than a mile north of the levy that had been completely submerged during the storm. In an effort to repair the house for rebuilding, the students tore out every wall, ceiling and floor. They cleaned mold from under every surface and were informed by members of Samaritans Purse that everything from Aspergillus to Anthrax bacteria had been found in these houses, including two strains of mold that no lab could identify. “As we tore through the layers of this house, we saw neighbors up and down the street living in houses in the same condition,” Whiddon said. “They were living in these hazardous conditions due to a lack of alternatives.” Almost one and one-half years have passed since Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans and not even a Walmart is open in St. Bernard’s Parrish. On their way to one of the building sites, the students drove past the Chalmette Hospital which still bore signs of the brutality of the storm. Whole walls were missing and IV poles, drug carts and beds hung from the resulting holes. But interaction with residents gave students reason to hope. Reports from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association said residents of the city appeared more open than ever to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “An amazing Christian woman stopped during her walk down the street while we blessed our lunch,” Whiddon said. “We were able to let her tell her story and pray with her for wisdom about where to go and obedience to follow God’s will. Another person passing yelled from his vehicle that if he’d won the lottery, he would give all of the money to groups that came to help. Souls are ready to be harvested in New Orleans, just waiting for reapers to come.” Other Campbell students participating in the mission trip were second year students Justin Adams, of Fayetteville, N.C., Amber Johnson of Morristown, Tenn, Ellyn Smith of Kenansville, N.C., and Merideth Brown, of Lancaster, Pa.; third-year students Jennifer Cavenaugh, of Wallace, N.C., and Ryan Swanson, of Angier, N.C; first-year student Helen Stevens, of Hernando Miss; and Campbell alumnus Stephen Bazemore, of Lillington, N.C. Members of CPFI are hoping to return to New Orleans over spring break.Photo Copy: First Row, from left, Justin Adams, Amber Johnson, Amanda Whiddon, a volunteer from Tenn.; Second Row, from left, Ellyn Smith, Jennifer Cavenaugh, Merideth Brown, Helen Stevens, Ryan Swanson, another volunteer from Tenn., and Stephen Bazemore.