The box truck was loaded as well as the vans and we traveled a whopping 1.5 miles to the BP station to fill up. The real reason was to see if the BP station really did have a DVD about Katrina and a final search for souvenirs.

 

Then we were on our way to Farragut and we had those few people who would ask "are we there yet?"

 

Around 7:30 PM we pulled into the parking lot at the Farragut Presbyterian Church. We have been spoiled by the good folks of the congregation. Great food was served and most importantly of all, hot showers and a real bed.
 

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Work was completed in most of the sites. What a sense of accomplishment!

 

Two separate groups of returnees (those who went in November) went to D'Iberville to see what progress had been made on places where we worked. Sadly, two of the places were where we left them. The organization of work teams is not as efficient as in D'Iberville.

 

Meanwhile back at the camps, Roger Noel co-ordinated and cooked a southern seafood feats of crawfish, alligator, Cajon steak, candied yams, mixed greens, and a great dessert.

 

After the 8:00 AM devotions, the Cincinnati group put on a roast for the site director Colonel Dick Raunsville and the organizational work which he has done to make everyone's stay more efficient.
 

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The roofers were finishing up the roof and starting on the front porch floor. All other teams continued to work toward completion. The group that put in the kitchen counter and bathroom moved to put in a bathroom and kitchen counters in a mobile home.

 

Projects are nearing completion and we are beginning to see that what we are doing is making a difference.

 

Tonight, the Cincinnati group and Lehigh Presbytery group went out to dinner. We split up into four different groups to different restaurants in the area.
 

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Work progresses. We begin to see results of our efforts. The drywallers are getting adept at hanging the drywall, spackling, and sanding.

 

One large painting crew has finished one house and is moving on to another house. We also have a group known as the "Mud Hens" who have become the authorities on mudding (i.e., spackling).

 

The tile countertops has been completed with the plumbing  and painting the kitchen to be finished.

 

We are working well with the Ohio delegation and some of the teams have become mixed with Cincinnati and Lehigh folks.

 

Master Chef and Quartermaster Ted Lee provided a fantastic meal of chicken, stuffing, candied yams, and a plethora of desserts.

 

Those of us who were there in November wanted to return to the Gautier Presbyterian Church for Vespers. It was a moving service of prayer and hymns of sharing of stories. Restoration of the church is nearly finished. The day ended with the nightly Uno game and a new game from the Cincinnati group.

 

A couple whose house we worked on in November came from D'Iberville to join us at the Vespers. It was good to see old friends.
 

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A storm rolled through last night which brought beautiful weather. A clear, sunny, warm day.  Essie, the owner, fixed the crew a Thanksgiving type dinner.

 

Dry walling, mudding, painting, electrical, and plumbing work continued.

 

If you thought that I was jesting about sharing a pastures with horses and cows, think again. Our big excitement for the day was trying to round up the three horses and one cow that escaped from their part of the pasture. A woman from the Cincinnati group grabbed the bridle by the lead horse to herd them back towards the fences.

 

Chuck Bennicoff from Catasauqua stood in the road to keep them from getting out in the compound. The farmer was called and eventually the animals were returned to their side of the pasture. All's well that ends well, but whoever thought that cow chasing could be a part of a Katrina work relief effort.

 

Who knows what tomorrow will bring!
 

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We started the day with devotions followed by an orientation into camp life and community living.

 

We received our work assignments and were under way by 11:00 AM. A majority of the group did dry walling. A group led by Jonathan Ensmenger began a roofing project. The highlight was Phil Clauser falling through the roof. He is fine but a little sore.

 

Another group went to Hannah's house. She is a 71 year old woman raising a grandnephew and a neighbor boy. What an interesting person she is. There were three groups at Hannah's: one painting, one bathroom plumbing, and one putting in kitchen countertops.

 

By the way, I forgot to mention that we're sharing the same field with three horses and a bunch of cows.

 

Ted Fee and John Dudding prepared a fantastic roast beef dinner.

 

A rousing game of Uno provided entertainment for quite a few members of the group.

 

This experience of working with people who have lost so much is very humbling.

 

We all wish to thank members of our congregations and friends who have supported by donating money for construction materials. Unlike D'Iberville, there is not a city organization who provided a majority of the materials. Thanks to all for your prayers and support.
 

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