We're back

Well I'm back in New Orleans for my 7th trip in 3 years. What a difference this trip is from my first trip. I remember being so anxious and nervous before leaving back in Feb. 2007. I had NO idea what I would be doing, who I would be doing it with or if I would make any type of impact. Little did I know that would be the trip that totally changed my life! It sounds strange, but the people I met and the experiences that I had that week transformed my life. I have made friends that I will have for the rest of my life! In preparing for this trip there was none of the anxiety or nervousness that I felt back in 2007, there was only excitement to be spending a week in fellowship with a group of close friends! And excitement to reconnect to those we have met over the years here in New Orleans! I am also very thankful to all of my friends back at home who support me and the work that we do down in New Orleans. I am truly blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life!

Today (Sunday, Jan. 31st) was very different from every other Sunday here. We didn't worship formally with any congregation. Betsy went to worship at Good Shepherd to represent our group. The rest of the group got up somewhat early and headed over to Miss Cely's house (via Home Depot) to work on a workshop that is being built for her in her backyard. Carolyn Mains has spearheaded that project for her, helping to get materials and people to work on the structure for her. Our task was to put shingles on the roof - which Wally and Chip did with great speed and expertise!! George, Caleb, Steve, and I worked on putting up cross beams on the ceiling and then we stapled up all of the insulation. Sue and Tammy tacked a HUGE pile of twigs and branches - bundling them up and taking them to the curb for the trash man to take away. We finished all of these tasks in a little over 3 hours and we were all amazed at how much we accomplished and how quickly we were able to get it all done. I guess that says something about us as a group! The best part of the morning was having Miss Cely come into the workshop when we were done and tell us about her vision for the space. She described how she was going to put shelving here, tables for sewing machines there, a black fabric to hang up her in process quilts. She talked about how she wanted to do workshops there for kids and how having that space is just a dream come true for her. Prior to Katrina she was spread out in her house. Since the storm both her mom and son have moved in with her making space very tight!

Every time Miss Cely looked like she was about to cry she would mention that "God is good!" Indeed God is Good and very much a presence with this group this year.

Tomorrow we start work with the St. Bernard Project. I'm looking forward to learning a new construction skill and seeing what kind of work we will be doing!!

Here are some pics from Miss Cely's work today: Cely pics