Friday

Today might have been the most beautiful day weather-wise that we’ve had in six Mission Work Weeks. A great day to work hard and well. There was tinge of bitter sweetness though because it was also Seth’s last day with Habitat. It will be strange going to Ferry Place without him tomorrow. We celebrated him at lunch. Our superb chef Jim arrived with muffalettas for all. Along with Po’ Boys, Muffalettas are pure New Orleans. They are sandwiches. Kind of an Italian wedge with a layer of olive salad thrown into the mix. They are Seth’s favorite and so we benefited.





Our two Team Bloggers today are Isabel Clifton (Bobby Anderson’s sister who crossed the Atlantic to come to NOLA with us)



and Mary Thies.

First, Isabel. . .

The painters returned to Ferry Place slightly diminished in numbers (as some of our 27 strong team were back working at Fourth Street, Center City again) but no less enthusiastic. We deferred to our forewoman - Barbara Miller who keeps us in line. ( "My little painting crew" she calls us!!) We joined her in the bedrooms of the second house which she and some of the crew had prepared yesterday. There is no slacking and quality control is key, no half measures. We have high standards, filling in, rubbing down, damp dusting, taping the window frames to protect the plastic and two coats of paint. We even have to redo the caulking if it does not meet with approval! The paint dries really fast and the second coat can go on the same day. I like the idea of the same paint on the walls as on the woodwork, it does mean you see results very quickly. I am going to adopt this strategy when I return home to Newcastle-upon-Tyne too! We enjoyed having Phyllis' company again. She is working on her 250 "sweat equity" hours for Habitat before she can have a chance of applying for a house of her own. She is one of 8 brothers and sisters who were evacuated for Katrina and whose family is now broken up as several of them have decided not to return to New Orleans. Her 75-year old father is very sad about this and she was upset that her 'fix-everything brother' was no longer around to fix her car or the air conditioning when it went wrong. Lots of families are in the same position. It was nice comparing notes on children and pets!





Claudia and Jackie worked on the door handles and closet fittings, fixing them so house one (the bright lime green one) is now almost ready, apart from three window sills, for the flooring to go in. It looks great!



The rest of the crew worked on the siding for two houses. The teamwork was incredible. It is looking good though we may have to leave some of the fun for the relief crew next week.




√



We are back in the hotel to remove the day's construction grime before heading for dinner kindly hosted by a family from St Charles Presbyterian. Did someone mention crawfish? Unfortunately our vacation in New Orleans is almost over. We will have to wait for David to take us all again soon. God bless and thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

And Mary. . .

Some random thoughts and observations—

The first day we were here our morning watch meditation asked us to watch our feet as indications of how we are involved in God’s mission. We began this week with new work shoes, stiff and unsoiled. After four days at various work sites, our shoes are broken in, dusty and paint-stained. If our shoes are any indication, we have been busy in mission.

One of the most surprising things I have experienced here is the overwhelming gratitude that the people of New Orleans have expressed to us. This evening our four white vans pulled over to let us walk for a bit in a lovely park. As a couple of us strolled down the street, a car stopped and asked us what was going on. “What’s the story with all those vans?” he asked. When we explained who we were and why we were here, his mouth fell open and then he said, “Thank you. Thank you for coming. People like you are making the difference in our city. You are the only ones bringing us hope.” Time and again, we have heard similar comments. It was an aspect of our mission that I had not anticipated. What a joy and privilege to be given such a gift to bear, for surely hope is God’s gift.

Two days ago some of us worked with one of the future homeowners in her future home. Together we sanded and painted. Together we walked through her house as she pointed out this room where here granddaughters would like and another that would be for her grandson, children who had spent three days trapped on a bridge after Katrina until they could be airlifted out. The third bedroom will be hers. I will never forget standing in the doorway watching as she pointed and asked, “Do you think I should put the bed on this wall or that one?” Now with each paint stroke, I think of Gwen and imagine her and her three grandchildren living in this space.

The pastor of St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church told David and me that their Session had just decided to reach out to the people of Galveston by doing what we have been doing in New Orleans—sending mission teams to help rebuild. “We learned it from you,” he graciously said.

Enough for this night. Undoubtedly you will hear more in the days ahead. Thank you for your prayers for us and for the people of New Orleans. There is so much need still unmet here and after these three long years, the world is beginning to forget. Thank you for remembering.


As Isabel mentioned, we were the guests of Laura and Walter Becker in their lovely home. The food was delicious, the hospitality generous and their thankfulness for our work in New Orleans humbling.






It's hard to believe that tomorrow is our final work day. We need one last prayer push from "y'all."