roofing rememberences

This is the type of trip where even if you are unskilled, there's a place for you. I love that about these mission trips to Louisiana. This is my fourth. By no means am I a person who is well versed in the ins and outs of construction. Still, there is a place for me here amongst all the handy people. You know the ones. The ones whose idea of a fun weekend is to build a shed or refoof their house. These are the kind of people who run power tools and don't quiver in fear for their digits. Those kind of people. There is a place for everyone here. Yesterday, I helped put in cross braces so that the houses don't become unstable and sway. Today, after caulking with fire stop, a magical ingredient that keeps fire from running through walls, I ended up roofing. I was two stories up wielding a roofing gun and yes, that was a little frightening. But I did it.

Every trip I learn how to do new things and I learn things about myself. It is truly amazing to be working on a place that a family is going to live in. Those shingles I put up today will keep the rain off someone, someone whose already seen enough water to last a lifetime. Those pieces of wood that I helped bolt into place will make the house a place where the family doesn't have to cringe with each whip of the wind.

This is gratifying work, no matter what your skill level. New Orleans is still a city that needs a helping hand. And how many times in your life can you say that you're part of jump-starting a city? So I would say to the people who thought they didn't have a place here, whose hands treat a hammer as an alien object, just come. Four years after the storm, there is still much to do here. There are so many people who are still waiting for a decent place to live. So come.

-- Scheffie Lindquist