Weekly Report from Diamond

Last Sunday, we were pleased to have two groups with us for the week. The first group came from Lititz Mennonite Church in Pennsylvania, and the second group from Young Memorial Presbyterian in South Carolina. We also had Corry, from Kansas, who is with the Pastors-to-Project program. The Pastors-to-Project program sponsors a pastor to go to a project and learn about MDS then return home and tell their congregation about MDS. Josh, who is a long-termer that will be working in the office, came in on Monday and will be here until the close of the project. With all of the long-term staff, we had 34 people working this week in the hot Louisiana sun!

At Mr. Ron’s house, we had anywhere from two to three crews working at that house at the same time. A lot got accomplished on his house this week! All of the siding, soffit and facia are now on the house, and crews were working on priming and painting the siding. We had a few crews working on finishing up some of the electrical wiring and plumbing so the house can get a rough-in inspection next week. Mr. Ron is really looking forward to living in his new house! 

At Odeal’s house volunteer crews worked on painting the deck and touch-up paint on the inside of the house. 

At Dwight and Theresa’s house crews worked on installing kitchen cabinets, hanging doors, window jams, installing countertops, and touch-up work around the trim.

At Rosina’s house, there was touch-up work that needed to be done. Crews worked on touch-up painting, cleaning, washing windows, installing a top bar, window trim and cleaning the floors.

On Wednesday, all of the crews were able to have lunch on the Bayou. Not everyone was able to work on the Bayou, so it was a special experience for everyone to have a boat ride out to one of the houses, and for everyone to have lunch together. Wednesday night, the volunteers were blessed to have a homeowner that came in and shared her experience with MDS and talk about her life before, during, and after Katrina. 

Thanks for the groups who came down to rebuild, and restore hope to the homeowners. Many thanks to God to protecting us as we worked in the heat.

Aaron, Andy, Hope, Jordan, Josh, Martha M., Maureen, Ray and Martha, and Rudy