Love Carries A Shovel

Late in the day Thursday while Khosrow and I were sifting through the rubble of his home, the enormity of the task at hand became apparent, moving enough rubble to see what was there.

Doug sifting through the rubble

The bulk of the rubble is roof tiles, acompanied by stucco-coated chicken wire, really, really heavy stuff. The wood wasn't a problem because it was mostly gone.

Oven door with molten glass dripping from the front

We were approached by the pastor with Petra Church Rancho Bernardo offering to come the next morning and help dig.

Khosrow was reluctant to accept, but I stepped up and said yes, thank you, that's exactly what we need.

Of particular importance to Khosrow were nine Persian rugs, quite valuable but more than that some were family heirlooms of great value.

Doug and Khosrow

Looking at the rubble, it was pretty clear to us that the fire started upstairs on one side of the house. We hypothesized that it was possible that the collapsing second floor might have smothered the flames on the first floor before everything was burned, if so, it was possible that there might be enough left of two Persian rugs to recover.

Pastor Keck and his youth group

Friday morning Pastor Keck arrived accompanied by 16 young helpers equipped with shovels, rakes and sieves.

In the baking sun those young folks stood in mounds of soot wearing dust masks. They slung roof tile and sifted through debris and uncovered buried treasure--

A teapot, a teacup, a ceramic skull, a collection of hunting knives...

A decorative teapot, two teacups, a metal tray...

The damaged Persian rug from his family room...

Some tools...

A mason jar, the remains of his stereo speakers, melted layers of glass from his wine collection perched on what used to be the base of his dining room table.

A Movado watch...

A box of coins, many of them melted...

But the real find of the day was the Persian rug that used to be in his living room. A little scorched but we have some hope of cleaning and repairing it.

Many many thanks to Pastor Keck and his youth group, for their prayers and support, and for their willingness to get sweaty and dirty.

Friday's sunset

Full moon

- Kathleen