New Orleans Adventure: Day 7

Our last day of work is finished and we have made a decision to alter our original plans and begin home. As I type this last blog the cars are being loaded and last minute packing is being done. We will drive until about 9:30 or 10:00. It will help our day tomorrow and perhaps you will have a more coherent pastor on Sunday morning. I actually was handed the theme for my sermon last night as several homeowners came to have dinner with the teams that are working on their homes. Unfortunately our homeowner, Darlene and her daughters were unable to stay for dinner.

Today we were able to begin doing the siding that we expected to do as we headed south. It was a change of plans that we hadn't anticipated that forced us to do other type of work, but it was OK. It all needs done. We got one section of the house sided and the beginning boards and corner pieces put on 3 other segments. In addition another window was installed and the work continued on taping and mudding dry wall. Before we left we cleaned up and had a prayer of blessing upon the house. We prayed that the family would be able to return home soon and that they would find happiness and blessing within these walls.

Mark, the work coordinator here said that it would probably be Easter time before they get to move home. Part of that is that the holidays are pretty slow with workers and there will still need to be some finances arranged, especially at the end when things are getting finished up. They have to have a working bathroom and countertops to get a permit to re-enter the house. That means that most of the work has to be done before moving in.

We also got the word that the tables that we assembled earlier in the week will be distributed on
Saturday. The homeowners will come to the warehouse and get their tables. They are quite excited to finally have the tables and benches.

There is a dedication of a home this afternoon. We had talked of going to it, but with leaving, it is not to be. It is also not working to meet Melissa. She was having difficulty at the last minute finding a restaurant that could handle our group, even with breaking us into smaller segments. There is a music festival in town this weekend and it is especially busy. I regret not calling her before we left. She tried to offer us this gift and we were not able to receive it. We're hoping for next time.

Yes, we do hope there will be a next time. The need here is great and the blessing for us to be here is just a great.

Time for me to close. I will see you all on Sunday morning. I have so much to tell you, even if I have shared much during these last several days.

Blessings,

Joyce