Devastation!

Monday June 6
Breakfast was provided for us this morning by the Trustee who welcomed us yesterday evening, and his wife, then we got on the road to Mayfield. Today we were working at a new house build for an elderly couple who had no insurance, and had lost everything. When we arrived we found there was another group, from Maryland, already at work. We were initially set to work in the garage, staining the rough wood paneling which was lining it. However, we soon got through the stainer, as the wood was just soaking it up, so we had to wait until someone went out to buy some more. Other people were painting doors and baseboards/ skirting boards, and various other jobs. Late morning, however, it began to rain and there was thunder and occasional lightening, and members of the other group who had been doing jobs outside on the covered porch, had to retreat inside as well, so basically by early afternoon there were too many people and too few jobs. It was a shame, as there was another house being built on a nearby lot, but they were waiting on the electrical inspection before they could continue with other work. So we ended up leaving about 2.30 and returning to our host church, taking a detour on the way to take a look at downtown Mayfield, which bore the brunt of the damage. The thumbnail picture shows the Post Office building. The Court House, another fine brick building was also largely destroyed, along with three major churches, and several other smaller ones, the Fire Station, Police station, many businesses, amongst others. Entire blocks have been flattened. So many people not only lost their homes but their place of work. We had som quiet time back at the church, and time for a shower, before returning to the Methodist Church in Mayfield, where we were being fed, along with the other group from Maryland. After the meal, we were talking with one of the ladies who was serving the food. She had been in her house with her dog when the storm hit, and she took shelter in the centre of the house, and fortunately survived, but the house was destroyed around her, alofg with her car. She was fortunate, as she had insurance, and her son was with her by 2 am., and basically took over dealing with the insurance etc, who fortunately responded very quickly, and she has now bought another house, and is doing OK, though her dog is taking several anxiety type drugs, as he was so traumatized. Many other people however were less fortunate. Some apartment blocks were destroyed, and the building owners aren’t going to rebuild, they’re just going to take the insurance money and get out. When we got back to our base, we played some games, before turning in.