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Thirty-five Broadstreeters of all ages left Columbus for New Orleans in five vans early Saturday morning. They will join the thousands of volunteers who have made the trip to the Big Easy since hurricane Katrina to show they care about what happens to the citizens of New Orleans.
Just Arrived in Louisiana on Sunday
Friday, June 29 - The Last Big Push
Friday came quickly. We started early because we wanted to get some jobs done. Site #2 put up a lot of walls and a gutted house was beginning to look like a home. At site #1, we finished painting the entire house and even had sometime to go down the street and "denailed" the entire thing. Boy, was that hard. We head home early tomorrow. We'll see you all when we return.
Thursday, June 28 - Painting and More Painting
We have spent the week working at two sites. One house we have pretty much completed the walls--texturized, primed and painted. The ceilings were a bit of a challenge, but we got the job done. When we arrived in New Orleans, the second site was not as far along as the first. Those that are working there are beginning to see progress as the ceiling is almost in and the walls are beginning to appear as the drywall goes up. There will be pictures of that site tomorrow. Things are slowing down here--only one work day left and we travel home. Grace and Peace to you all!
Wednesday, June 27 - Playing Hard
Wednesday was a short day. We quit early and took the afternoon to explore the French Quarter in New Orleans. We saw an IMAX film on the environmental effects of Hurricane Katrina. We also explored the Aquarium. Dinner was served at Mulate's--a Cajun restaurant that had live music. It was a ton of fun.
Tuesday, June 26 - Working Hard
Today we worked long and hard. Starting again at 6am, we scraped, dry walled, texturized, sanded, primed and played with lizards. The local donut shop provided us with a sweet morning snack and the daily drive-by of the ice cream truck helped get us through the afternoon. The local pool at Tulane University cooled us off in the afternoon and an easy grilled dinner fed our hungry tummies. God is present here in New Orleans and during our devotions tonight we debriefed how we have seen God at work in this place. We have seen God in each other, sharing our skills and knowledge, in the families we are serving--who are really serving us, in the youth who are reminding us of the joys of life and many more... Tomorrow we will only be working a half day and then heading into the city for some fun.
Blessings to you all! - Jessie
Monday, June 25 - The Work Starts Dear Friends- It has been a great first work day here in New Orleans! Really hot, but busy too. See below a ton of pictures as well as a few highs and lows given by some participants during our devotional time. Highs of the day:
the Lows:
Peace - Jessie
Sunday, June 24 - Safely Arrive in New Orleans
We don't have any pictures yet, but we have arrived to New Orleans safely. Our journey was full of rest areas, laughter and even a few pictures of rockets (U.S. Space center is in Alabama). We spent our first night in Faith Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama and were blown away by their hospitality and care. They fed us, twice--and hot meals at that! Awesome southern Presbyterian hospitality! We worshiped with them in the morning. I think praying with them offered us a great focus to the day and the closer we got to New Orleans, the quieter we became with more reflection occurring within our 5 vans. Tomorrow we will awake at 6:00am, and head out the doors by 7:00am. Patience will be needed by all, so keep us in your prayers. It is breathtaking and overwhelming to see with your eyes and feel in your hearts the destruction for the first time. Peace - Jessie
Monday's Pictures - The Work Starts
Tuesday's Pictures - Working Hard
Wednesday's Pictures - Playing Hard
Thursday's Pictures - Painting and More Painting
Friday's Pictures - The Last Big Push
The crew from Loretta's house before leaving on Friday
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