Coney Island

Today Peter, George, and I did a Bulk Distribution run to a school on Coney Island.  The images of Coney Island that we all know are of happy days filled with roller coaster rides and Nathan’s hot dog stands.  Coney Island post Hurricane Sandy is a little bit more depressing.  As everywhere else, there is a lot of damage and a lot of sad stories of struggling families.

Ready, Set, Go

All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go!

Disaster Speak

I’m quickly starting to become fluent in “Disaster Speak”. It’s an almost laughable set of acronyms, abbreviations, codes, and other generally funny talk. Disaster speak goes something like this:

“DSHR #76311 MC/BD/SA has been approved for assignment to DR 145-13. Hardship codes C1, C2, C3, C5, C6, C7, C8, C9, C10, C11, C12. Approved for air travel to New York LaGuardia or JFK.  Assignment length: 14 day minimum deployment required. 21 day deployment preferred. Upon arrival at destination city call DR Info line for further instructions and in-processing procedures designated by Staff Services. If no answer, call the 24hr Staffing #. If no answer or in case of emergency during travel, call the Staff Deployment Center. DSCs are used on DROs for approved expenses. POVs may never be used for DROs. Members must discuss their transportation with Logistics upon arrival. Member must call to book their return flight back to their Home of Record as soon as they are notified by their supervisor on the job that they are being released and out-processed.”

LOL.  I can’t wait to see what other kind of funny talk I’m going to start speaking over the next two weeks.

Lay Aside All Earthly Cares

I spent last night tossing and turning in bed, thinking about the challenges ahead. It feels like I’m at the top of the first drop of a roller coaster. You want to back out, but it’s too late, you are locked in. At this point there is no turing back. I read up on my assigned activity, Bulk Distribution. Forklifts, Semi trucks, and heavy lifting are all in the job description. Ummm…..yeah, about that.  I’m not sure they fully thought through their decision to assign me here. Unless they plan on giving pip-squeak me packs of bubble gum to distribute in bulk on a little red Radio Flyer wagon tied to a tricycle, I’m not exactly sure how this is all going to go down.  And if they give me a forklift, I might end up like this poor Russian guy.

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I have a feeling my time in “Bulk Distribution” is going to be a rather hilarious hulabaloo.  I read up on the “hardship codes” that more or less briefly details some of the obstacles for this disaster. They include: water disruption, power outages, limited food availability, extreme cold, housing shortages, difficult working conditions, limited health care access, extreme emotional stress, difficult travel conditions, limited transportation, and poor air quality.  Processing the fact that I am actually going, along with all of the potential difficulties was running through my mind all night. At one point in the night, while drifting in and out of sleep as I listened to Ancient Faith Radio, the phrase “faith without works is dead,” popped out at me. That’s one of my favorite verses and it seems so appropriate for this point in time. In the morning I went to Liturgy. As we sang the words: “lay aside all earthly cares,” I started to feel better about my situation. Lay aside all earthly cares. It is so simple, so poignant. Give your worries to God and let Him take care of them as He sees fit. That’s all you have to do. There is no need to worry about things of which you have no control. After Liturgy, Father and I said the Prayer before a Journey. It’s a beautiful prayer. Here are some of my favorite words:

Lord Jesus Christ my God, be my Companion, guide and protector during my journey. Keep me from all danger, misfortune and temptation….During my journey surround me with Your holy angels and keep me safe from seen and unseen dangers. Grant that I may carry out my plans and fulfill my expectations according to Your will. Help me to see the beauty of creation and to comprehend the wonder of Your truth in all things. For You are the way, the truth and the life, and to You I give thanks, praise and glory forever. Amen

Logistics

Today was a whirlwind of a day. Within about 10 minutes of accepting my disaster assignment, everything was in place and ready for me to head out. The logistics of coordinating thousands of volunteers from all across the country for a disaster on such a scale as this one is just mind boggling.  I signed a few papers, was given a few instructions and advice. I was warned that New York is a very tough first assignment and a wide range of emotions is to be expected. Tempers are starting to flare and people aren’t always getting along. Some parts of NY are still flooded, so bring your best rain boots. Power outages are still occurring, so bring your flashlight.  Some things are not very organized, others are. Things are changing hourly. Be flexible, be flexible, be flexible. I got my assignment of Bulk Distribution and cringed with fear. Sheltering is what I’ve done before on the local level and is what I’m comfortable with, but Bulk Distribution?!?! That just sounds scary. Oh, well, nothing I can do about it now.  With that I was waved off and told to “have fun!” Back at work, although they were really understanding of me taking off on such short notice, I scrambled to make sure everything got done before I left.