Destroyed homes in the 9th Ward of New Orleans along Elysian Fields Ave.

Amor Viviente church member Janice Rodriguez at her home on 4118 W. Louisiana State Street. She stands in the hallway of the home where most of the lower dry wall had been taken off due to water damage. The ceiling had to be taken off also due to water damage from the roof. She and her husband Eduardo had just purchased the home two months before Hurricane Katrina hit. The house sustained flood and roof damage.

Destroyed homes in the 9th Ward of New Orleans near St. Claude, Rt. 49

Amor Viviente church member Janice Rodriguez at her home on 4118 W. Louisiana State Street gets help from Blanca Mackay, who is also a church member, to moved some of the dry wall closer to the trash can. Rodriguez currently is staying with Mackay. The house sustained 2 feet of water damage and roof damage. She bags pieces of dry wall that had to be taken out of the house due to the water damage. She and her husband Eduardo had just purchased the home two months before Hurricane Katrina hit. The house sustained flood and roof damage.

Destroyed home in the 9th Ward of New Orleans along St. Claude with signs that say "No Bulldozing, Save Our Neighborhood."

Bethel AME Church in the 9th Ward of New Orleans near St. Claude, Rt. 49, destroyed.

Destroyed homes in the 9th Ward of New Orleans along St. Claude.

CCI church member Nelby Gomez stands in her son's room, where a tree from her neighbor's backyard came crashing through the corner of the house during Hurricane Katrina. The house sustained roof and water damage. They have had to take portions of the walls out due to water damage. Her husband, Leo Alcerro, works during the day, so Nelby goes to the house during the day to clean. Her family, including 2 sons and 1 daughter, is living at the church.

This home, in Lakeview a suburb of New Orleans, was under water after Hurricane Katrina hit and the steel door has rusted from the water.

CCI members Leo Alcerro and his wife Nelby Gomez and their dog Neptune, a 9 month-old pitbull. On the back pew is Rene' Maradiaga who is living in Houston, but came back to help repair the church. They sit in the sanctuary of the church, which also serves as bedrooms for the two families staying at the church. MORE STORY INFO: Two families are now living at Comunidad Cristiana Internacional (CCI) because the members have major damage to their homes. The church sanctuary has been turned into sleeping quarters during the week and changed again for worship service.

People look through boxes of free items in front of Amor Viviente church. Members from the church were on hand to help people find the items they needed. Most people wanted bleach and other items for cleaning their homes. The give-away began Saturday October 29th. The church was even able to give away dog food and other personal items like soap.

Hosefina Gomez (green shirt, arms raised) praises God during worship service at Amor Viviente. Amor Viviente means "Living Love." Instead of Sunday service they have Saturday evening service to attract the younger generation and people who work on Sundays. The service is always spoken in English and Spanish.

Members at Amor Viviente pray together towards the end of service. Instead of Sunday service they have Saturday evening service to attract the younger generation and people who work on Sundays. The service is always spoken in English and Spanish.

Members of Amor Viviente pray together. Instead of Sunday service they have Saturday evening service to attract the younger generation and people who work on Sundays. The service is always spoken in English and Spanish.

MDS site coordinators Werner and Sue Froeses at the home of Amor Viviente church member Mario Bravo on 34th and California Ave in Metairie, La Friday afternoon Oct. 28th. Bravo and his family stayed in their home during Hurricane Katrina and water reached about 3 feet inside the house. A large tree in the front yard was blown over and the roots pulled up the concrete sidewalk that leads to the Bravo family's front door.