Tuesday: Each of the 6 groups have now settled into the work of repairing the homes. Each group is a combination of both the Northern and Southern California people. We are all learning about our families and some of us are working along side them. Some families are living in the homes we are repairing and some groups may not ever meet the homeowners. Already there are many stories to tell, both about the work and the homeowners as well as the adventures of the day.

We have met homeowners who have suffered strokes since the flooding, are still suffering from post traumatic stress syndrone and those who have hired contractors who took the money and did not complete the work or did work so poorly that volulnteers are now "making it right". Mostly, we have been met with such gratitude for the work we are doing. Strangers passing by on the streets where we are working stop to give us thanks and say, "God Bless You!!" and to please let everyone know to not forget them.

We all have a new appreciation for the tedious work involed in rebuiding a home. When the repitious nature of the jobs we do become mundane, we remember that we are bringing a family closer to being back in their homes.

Along with our work, we have all gained a taste for the local cuisine. Capt'n Sal's is across the highway from the village, It definitely has a "local" flavor. Our group has become regulars for the crayfish. Down the road from there is "Po Boys We Never Close" where we had the most deliciously HUGE shrimp PoBoys...dressed and the best gumbo EVER! The worker there came and gave his heartfelt appreciation for coming and doing what we do.

Tomorrow brings more work, pictures and stories to tell....stay posted.

Wednesday: [This was written by Penny Newall.] Today, we were told was the "hump day," the half way point in our work.  It definitely feels that way:  tired, but finally knowing what we are doing and seeing improvement in our homes.  My work group is at a home in the Seventh Parish and we are building decks, steps and doing mudding and sanding.  What dirty work!  We come back covered in plaster dust and mud from head to toe.  Ann Powers even got mud in her ears!  The husband/father of the household works alongside us and that makes it even more special.  One of our members said she has never eaten so much fried food:  today was Po'Boy sandwiches for lunch.  And tonight is gumbo.

We come home very tired with lots of stories about the work we are doing and the homeowners' lives and Katrina journey.  Can't wait to tell you all about them.   

Thursday: As we approach the end of our work week, the urgency of completing our work projects sets in. The realization of what we can and cannot do weighs very heavy on our hearts and minds. In that effort, we are going to reschuffle our work groups to get as much work done on every house possible. Today we worked extra hard with the hope of completing everything we had wanted. Being sore and exhausted becomes less when the anticipation of finishing awaits our final day. We were all late coming in from our work sites as we attempted to do just one more thing. The stories from each group just flow of work done, new skills learned and stories from our homeowners evolve. 

Friday: Mission Accomplished-What a day!!! Explaining the range of emotions today is absolutely impossible. Fridays are the urge to work so intensly to finish everything possible. Fridays are saddness that our time here is done. Our time as a workgroup is over. Our time to make a difference is done. Some of our groups worked well past the normal quitting time just to make sure they had done everything possible to get that homeowner closer to moving back home. Some work groups drove around to other worksite to take in the experience the others had been having during the week. Saying  good byes to our work group supervisor, owners and the neighbors who fed us everyday was difficult for some groups. A week has created friendships and bonds with those who a few short days ago we never knew. When this group of 50 begins to desolve into different flights, an experience not just in rebuilding homes remains but also the unit we became.....a group with members from Arizona, Hawaii and California. We became one....a group with members from many churches, the Pacifica/Coastside community, Los Angeles....many churches and many other faiths. In an effort to get 6 families back in their homes in the Lower Ninth Ward, Upper Ninth Ward, St. Bernard Parish and beyond we traveled many miles, performed many, many tasks and hope and prayer that those families will be home soon.