Weekly Report for New Orleans

Two teams (all first time MDS volunteers) worked at five homes during the week while humidity averaged 75 percent, and the temperature climbed into the 90’s. Nineteen young people and six adults from “City Mission Society of Boston” joined the New Orleans MDS family providing four days of impressive accomplishment and dedication. The Boston area team was housed at The Peoples Methodist Church, and guests of New Orleans “Crescent Alliance Recovery Effort” (CARE).

The Stewart family (Steve, Jan, and sons Brett, Garret, Derek) traveled from Eureka, Illinois (Metamora Mennonite) and combined good skills and high energy during five hot and muggy days. Jan made sure the family maintained a good mixture of fun, laughter, work, and early morning wake-up calls. What a blessing to see a family make adjustments to their busy schedules, come together, and volunteer with MDS.

The Boston team was divided into three homes. Jeff, Tim, Stephen, John, Samantha, Kerry, and Alie used their time painting the exterior of the home belonging to Mr. Milton. After completing the exterior, the team moved inside, and painted the ceilings and walls with primer. Humorous music coming from the ice cream truck was always a welcomed sound during the hot afternoon. Gage, Lisa, Julia, Brittany, Dan, Ross, Roger, Wil, and Barbara worked at the home belonging to Ms. Agnes. Laminate flooring was installed on the upper and lower floors in the home. Carl, Bob, Rhett, David, James, Jonathan, Matt and Chris worked at the home belonging to Mr. Dwight. This team also installed a respectable amount of laminate flooring. A joy filled thank-you goes out to the hard working team from Boston.

Steve, Jan, and Garret spent their time working in the home belonging to Ms. Marie. Tile backing and tiles were installed on the walls in the two bathrooms. A new gas hot water tank and new roof vent were installed along with a new dryer vent, shower heads, valves, and bathtub/shower fittings. All walls received touch-up paint. The list is endless of what was finished in Ms. Marie’s home during the week. Derek and Brett worked in the home belonging to Ms. Juanita. Sub-flooring and laminate flooring was completed. Concrete board was laid and is ready for new tile flooring. The Stewart family came together on Friday to assist with the work at Ms. Juanita’s home. Home owner Ms. Juanita was able to visit with the Stewart family providing jubilant words of praise, thanks, and snacks. New storage shelves were built at the MDS Hayne Building by the skillful Stewart family. A good Cajun meal was enjoyed on Friday night in downtown New Orleans, and the Stewart family had their first (and last) taste of fried alligator meat.

Supervision support for the Boston team was provided by Leonard Penner (New Orleans MDS Coordinator), and Pastor Marvin Turner (local Baptist Minister).

“So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof:  for the people had a mind to work.” Nehemiah 4:6