Today started much quicker than yesterday. No more orientation. The camp is alive with 150 people. Today we split into three groups. My team of 8 (Andy, Josh, Gary, Robin, Alison, Lance, & Sid), headed back to our mudding job. Lots of ceiling work. This time we were better prepared with a couple of scaffolds and other tools that we did not have yesterday. We made a lot of progress, but will need a couple of more days of work. The team was cranking and we rewarded ourselves with lunch at "The Joint" - a famous BBQ place in the Lower 9th Ward. Really good lunch - we met a Presbyterian group from California who are working on a house nearby.
A second group of 10 - Dayle, Andrea, Jordan, Greg, Zach, Justin, Jeanine, Mark, Pastor Scott and Aila - worked at Mr. West's House. Mr. West is a 75 year old Korean War Vet. The team's task for today was to empty out one of these houses into a portable pod storage. Apparently Mr. West hoards quite a bit of stuff. The team successfully talked Mr. West into disposing some real old, stuff - some of it with mildew, but he really held on to most of it. Its very difficult for people to dispose of their damaged things that really need disposal, but sometimes that is what we are tasked with down here and it is as important to talk about these things with the people as it is to rebuild. The crew moved a LOT of stuff. The team arrived back in camp tired and very dirty, but they really enjoyed their time of helping Mr. West - and they may be returning later this week.
The third team of Jay, Charley, Evan, Pauline & Zev went to "Arc" which is center for Adults with special needs where these adults come to the center to recycle Mardi Gras beads - they sort them into different sizes and discard unusable ones. Did you know that there are over 100 Mardi Gras parades in the area each year? They also grow their own produce - they then sell the beads and the produce to help fund the center. The team today worked on the recycling of the beads. Our team found the experience very rewarding.
A return to camp found the team tired. Josh, Sid and Charley were all found on their bunks napping and I am sure there were others. Lance, Pastor Scott, Charley, Evan, Jay & Zev headed to the French Quarter to have dinner and do some touring. The rest of us hung back for Meat Loaf and Mashed potatoes at camp - not too bad. Andy led the camp in a Motzi as it was our turn to give a blessing (with some fascinated looks). The bonus was that Andy decided which tables ate in what order (buffet style) and he picked our table first. Andy then went table by table - and he ate last - thanks, Andy for 'taking one for the team'!
Traditionally, we celebrate our week on Thursday Night at The Shed - an awesome BBQ place as well as a trip to Blizzard Beach for Sno-cones - its a nice celebration of a job well done. But Pastor Scott flies back on Thursday - and Gary has to take him to the airport - so this year we will plan on going tomorrow. Except of course that the place is over an hour away! Doesn't matter - the kids won't have it any other way. So that's our plan for tomorrow night.
During the day tomorrow, all of us - as well as 50 others in camp - are all taking a break from our current assignment to head to the coastline to plant cypress trees wiped out by Katrina at the levees. Dayle is now doing a 'hat check' to make sure we are all covered tomorrow. High tomorrow is forecast for 79. We are going to roast! Dayle & Andrea are heading to the store for 9 hats in prep for tomorrow.
Tonight I will sleep well - that I am pretty certain of.
Till tomorrow...
No comments:
Post a Comment