Friday, June 08, 2007
Last day here
Today was our last day here and we went to the house where Cindy, Xan, Sarah, and Vasati had been working at. It was a cute little house. I started to do some sanding and it was ok but not the best in the world then I started to do some mudding and that was a blast. I really like rebuilding houses and doing things for other people in need. We had a great day out there today. It was our last day and its very sad to go home but we will return and have more fun soon. I know that other people call it work that we have been doing but in my mind it has all been a little game of fun. I have told people that and they say thats fine, but they say that it is work. This kind of fun is more for us adults with the drywall and mudding and insulation and it was really fun to do. See you sometime in the future Slidell, Louisiana. We will return!!! I know that I will return since it was such fun. So bye for now. Loved it here but now we have to return to our old lives. Gods prayer and love, Kristina.
Kristina Durtsche
Today was the last day that we worked at the site across from the soup kitchen. Maggie and I were finishing putting insulation in the roof where the sun was showing through. It was fun doing that. We all finished up and we went with Jay one of the guys there to this girls and boys club and checked out what they had done to this place. It had been rebuilt all the way and it looked really nice and it was nice with the air on in there. Then we went to the rainbow child care center to drop off some books that we had brought with us for the kids at the daycare. Then we went back to Peace Church so we could get ready to go to New Orleans. When we got there we went and ate. It was nice. After we ate we went down to the gift shop and bought some stuff. Then we walked a little more and then Cindy said we could split up. So Carol, Barb, Xan, Sarah, Vesti, and I went down the street away from the others. We had so much fun in New Orleans we saw a parade and it was fun. I got a picture with this guy that was spray painted with silver pretending that he was a statue. Then we turned around and walked the other way and when it was almost 9 pm when we were suppose to meet everyone at one spot we were there. We stood by this cafe that was called 544 with music playing and they started playing "Respect" and I started to dance to it. I really like that song. And when the others came we were dancing to "Shout" it was so awesome. After a hard days work you can go and enjoy yourself sometimes when you are in another state and city. Thats all I have to say for now but this trip has been great for me. I love it down here in Louisiana. I will probably come back in November or something. Its fun down here in Louisiana. Next time more people should come. Your missing out on all the fun even if you do have to sweat a little. By for now see you soon Ohio. God bless everyone that came with and helped out. It is so nice just to do something for someone when they have lost everything in the world. Love being down here, Kristina.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Carol Bublitz
Hey All you Christians,
Having a wonderful time here in Slidell, this place ROCKS!
Today we finished the roof insulation (25 feet high), and it was plenty Hot. We almost completed the wall insulation also . Our two surprise volunteers, Tim and Will (12 & 14 yrs. old respectively), have been there this week to help us out and they are awesome workers, not to mention polite and cute. Our foreman Jay and Mike are so kind and patient with us. They just love having volunteers come down to work.
We eat at the soup kitchen across the street and the lovely ladies are cookin' us up some black-eyed peas tomorrow. They want us to experience the true Louisiana cookin' down here in the south. God Bless them they are awesome ladies and great cooks to boot.
We went to the beach tonight in Mississippi. Beautiful white sand and very warm soothing waves. We all loved it!
Love and Prayers, Carol Bublitz and the Insulation Team
Having a wonderful time here in Slidell, this place ROCKS!
Today we finished the roof insulation (25 feet high), and it was plenty Hot. We almost completed the wall insulation also . Our two surprise volunteers, Tim and Will (12 & 14 yrs. old respectively), have been there this week to help us out and they are awesome workers, not to mention polite and cute. Our foreman Jay and Mike are so kind and patient with us. They just love having volunteers come down to work.
We eat at the soup kitchen across the street and the lovely ladies are cookin' us up some black-eyed peas tomorrow. They want us to experience the true Louisiana cookin' down here in the south. God Bless them they are awesome ladies and great cooks to boot.
We went to the beach tonight in Mississippi. Beautiful white sand and very warm soothing waves. We all loved it!
Love and Prayers, Carol Bublitz and the Insulation Team
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
June 5th 2007--Maggie and Justin
We survived day two!! The eight of us that are working on the soup kitchen set the ambitious goal to finish hanging the insulation in the ceiling. It was at least ten degrees warmer up there in the rafters, but we steamed on ahead with the sweat in our eyes and almost completed our goal. At the end of the day we ran short on insulation--by only 8 pieces--but we will finish tomorrow!! Our next task is to insulate the walls in hopes that the drywall that was delivered today can be put up as soon as possible.
The current soup kitchen has set up across the street from the building we are working on, and the staff there is sweet enough to cook us lunch every day. They are so grateful and warm-hearted--willing to share everything that they have. All are so excited to move into their new building and be fully operational once again.
Our group of four that is working to finish drywalling a house had a lovely experience today. They were blessed enough to meet the homeowner and share in her stories. It is truely amazing how strong, positive, and hopeful these survivors are!
The town of Slidell has really come a long way back to being "normal" again. There are still a lot of businesses not open and houses not finished, but, things are really looking up for these people compared to a year ago. Later this week we will take a tour of areas that have not yet begun to recover--places that were flooded with 7 or more feet of water and oil combined. It is hard to believe that after all this time, the work is not finished, but it is a reminder that we still need to support these people with our time, sweat, prayers, and thoughts.
We would like to thank all of the families from our group that have supported us and allowed us to come down here to make a difference in the lives those who really need it. We would not be down here without your help!! Our support will be needed for years to come in this area. Being here really makes you think. It has helped us realize that we must give thanks for all that we have been given. Peace, love, and many thanks! Justin and Maggie
The current soup kitchen has set up across the street from the building we are working on, and the staff there is sweet enough to cook us lunch every day. They are so grateful and warm-hearted--willing to share everything that they have. All are so excited to move into their new building and be fully operational once again.
Our group of four that is working to finish drywalling a house had a lovely experience today. They were blessed enough to meet the homeowner and share in her stories. It is truely amazing how strong, positive, and hopeful these survivors are!
The town of Slidell has really come a long way back to being "normal" again. There are still a lot of businesses not open and houses not finished, but, things are really looking up for these people compared to a year ago. Later this week we will take a tour of areas that have not yet begun to recover--places that were flooded with 7 or more feet of water and oil combined. It is hard to believe that after all this time, the work is not finished, but it is a reminder that we still need to support these people with our time, sweat, prayers, and thoughts.
We would like to thank all of the families from our group that have supported us and allowed us to come down here to make a difference in the lives those who really need it. We would not be down here without your help!! Our support will be needed for years to come in this area. Being here really makes you think. It has helped us realize that we must give thanks for all that we have been given. Peace, love, and many thanks! Justin and Maggie
Monday, June 04, 2007
Slidell- Day 1- June 3,2007
Our twelve member team arrived safely at Peace Lutheran Church, Slidell, LA Sunday evening. After a good night of sleep, we arose at 6:30 a.m. to begin our work here. As you wait to be assigned your work site there is a certain amount of excitement, nervousness and anticipation. Our group was sent to two sites, the first a food pantry where our team hung ceiling insulation inside a 20-30 foot ceiling. The second group went to a nearby home to finish drywall installation and taping and mudding. I'm happy to report the temperature this June is literally some 15-20 degrees cooler than last year. While it is warm while you work, the heat is not unbearable. Both groups made great progress on day one.
This evening we went to Gethsemane Lutheran in Chalmette for dinner. This is the church we worked at during our November trip. I was excited to see the progress the church has made. All the rooms we worked on are now functioning in some sort of capacity. They were able to host their first group of volunteers last week! We ate our dinner in the fellowhip hall, it sure looked a lot different than last fall when we arrived. We shared our DVD from the trip and the members were very appreciative of viewing it and thankful for our mission trips to Louisiana. It was very emotional to be there, but joyous to see Gethsemanes progress
Our dinner was authentic Chicken Andouille Gumbo, with bread pudding for dessert. Everything was delicious and our time of dinner and fellowship was awesome. One comment that was shared by all the Gethsemane people was thank you for coming here and please continue to tell the people back home thanks. Also, please don't forget about us- they call it Katrina Burnout! It's been 21 months since Katrina and alot of people have forgotten about the needs down here. While so much has improved on the north shore of Lake Ponchatrain, the south shore is still in much need.
Thanks to everyone who has supported this trip financially and especially with your prayers.
We were able to present Peace and Gethsemane with a check as well as help out some individuals because of your generousity. Please know your donations are aiding in some wonderful ministries. Its neat to see it unfold!
I'm thankful to be here. - Cindy
This evening we went to Gethsemane Lutheran in Chalmette for dinner. This is the church we worked at during our November trip. I was excited to see the progress the church has made. All the rooms we worked on are now functioning in some sort of capacity. They were able to host their first group of volunteers last week! We ate our dinner in the fellowhip hall, it sure looked a lot different than last fall when we arrived. We shared our DVD from the trip and the members were very appreciative of viewing it and thankful for our mission trips to Louisiana. It was very emotional to be there, but joyous to see Gethsemanes progress
Our dinner was authentic Chicken Andouille Gumbo, with bread pudding for dessert. Everything was delicious and our time of dinner and fellowship was awesome. One comment that was shared by all the Gethsemane people was thank you for coming here and please continue to tell the people back home thanks. Also, please don't forget about us- they call it Katrina Burnout! It's been 21 months since Katrina and alot of people have forgotten about the needs down here. While so much has improved on the north shore of Lake Ponchatrain, the south shore is still in much need.
Thanks to everyone who has supported this trip financially and especially with your prayers.
We were able to present Peace and Gethsemane with a check as well as help out some individuals because of your generousity. Please know your donations are aiding in some wonderful ministries. Its neat to see it unfold!
I'm thankful to be here. - Cindy
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