Day 4; Wednesday: wake-up call and questions

Good evening!  As we wrap up Day 4/ Wednesday down here in New Orleans, I am reminded of our church's challenge to connect with and build relationships with young people. At lunch, we learned majority of Project Homecoming's site managers, our YAV and Americorp people are young people. Majority college-age but Eric, our YAV is a recent graduate of college. Here we interact with them, hear their story and of course, take orders.  And as we begin to transition out of mission work back to our homes and communities, we will hopefully think about what God is trying to communicate to us from this experience.

Today, as I am sure you are all in breathless waiting for are the much anticipated pictures from our Overton Dr. volunteers.  Just a quick reminder, they are working on a new construction on donated land which Project Homecoming is challenged to complete and sell to a much deserved family.
 This seems to be the new direction Project Homecoming is moving into, building new homes in communities still struggling to rebuild. They are hoping their impetitus to begin rebuilding life will be the spark to bring others back in areas where little to nothing has been done since Katrina. It will be a challenge as Project Homecoming keeps its base in the Presbytery of South Louisiana but moves into becoming its own  non-profits, seeking grants from organizations like Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Yet we are here, and what I am sure you all are waiting for is more pictures!
So here is Spike, Gleason, and Paul in action (though since Paul is the photographer, you'll have to envision him behind the camera...)

 They have been hard at work for two days in an area with little to no shade or protection from the sun. Also the rest of the team is from Atlanda and have yet to do work in New Orleans, so they took the afternoon to visit other Project Homecoming sites and see what still needs work around New Orleans. 

     












Out at Pauger, we arrived to find the attic stairs down and the back door open. It seems even as we begin to work on a home, it doesn't deter those who desire quick cash. During the night, a person or persons cut about $20 worth of copper piping from the air conditioner. It really shook the confidence of Eric, the YAV and we spent alot of the day preping the home for when we leave.

The rest of the day was pretty much the same, scrapping and sanding the exterior wooden areas (windows etc) for painting. It is quite a job! And for myself, an even more labor intensive job when the blade of your scrapper is on backwards, whoops. Jimmie continued to work on leveling the floor, he has been such an asset to this home and team! We also did enjoy a local fried chicken place, Mckenzie's Chicken in a Box.

Here are a few pictures of the team at work.

Colette slowly but steadily evening out the flooring in the half-bath. Such a hard worker!

 Though one great joy for our day was Edie asking a young man from down the street to quickly mow our lawn too. He did! God's grace in action!

 It seems our day ended on a bright note, even though we had to board up our windows to deter further break-ins.







We spent a meaningful evening in discussion with the team from Charlotte on the differences from last year and this as well as a connectional note to the Parable of the Mustard Seed. We are indeed only a small part of a greater picture; we closed our evening with the Song of Hope praying we will again heed God's call.   Blessings on you and thank you for checking in on us once again.

One more full work day to go, and our bodies are definitely feeling it!