I have two collections of photos from our mission trip; one is of the group at travel and at work, the other is from the two days we spent in New Orleans for Mardi Gras.
Link to work photos
Link to Mardi Gras Photos
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
A week late, it is now time to update what happened the last three days of the Mision Trip. I have more pictures to post, and will do this later in the week and put the link in a subsequent entry at this location. Monday, February 19 was the last work day and for our crew it was a busy one. In the morning we went to the home of a client that I had never met and almost finished putting insulation in walls and ceilings. There was still a small portion of the ceiling that was not insulated, but we ran out of material and expected to complete the job after lunch. We also began hanging sheet rock, but made little progress because the drills we had with us were faulty. We were frustrated by the time we were set to leave for lunch, but expected to return with material and tools after lunch.
What happened instead was that several of the groups at the camp were scheduled to leave after lunch and almost everyone was reassigned. Our crew (which this afternoon was all people from First) stayed together wil Jim Bass as crew leader, but we went back to Isa's house where we had worked before. The task for the afternoon was to install cement board on Ida's floors in her sun room and a large hall way, another group at a later time would be installing ceramic tile over this sub floor. The work was very satisfying, particularly because in the course of the afternoon we were able to complete our task. Some sheets could go down intact, but the last pieces had to be cut to fit. We learned to measure very carefully to make these pieces fit, since the house was not exactly square. Keith proved himself quite talented with a skill saw, but the stars of the show were Stacy K and Sue C who had the task of nailing down the cement board with a nail gun. The two of them, the two smallest members of the team, were something else with a nail gun in their hands - BAMB - BAMB - BAMB. Stacy had at least seen her father use a nail gun while helping him remodel their home, but Sue was the most game to use a tool she had never experienced before. [I think both of them came to understand men's facination with power tools.]
I do want to say that we had a most impressive group. Every member of the team was a hard worker, and the teens were the hardest workers of all. There were other groups with teens in the camp with us who spent more time standing around (we saw a few adults with the same problem) than working. Every member of our group that I worked with was working hard, if someone was not busy it was because there were too many people for the job.
We came with different abilities, and many of us learned entirely new skills. Some of us used knowledge we thought we had forgotten; most of us knew our limits and followed the leaders' advice not to exceed our ability. I had to step aside one afternoon when the physical demands of carrying lumber caused me to be short of breath. One person seems to have exceeded his limits.
Sherry who I believe was our oldest team member found his place in the kitchen and his efforts were much appreciated by the cook as well as by all of us who ate at the camp. Those of us who want our coffee soon after rolling out of bed were most appreciative of his early rising to turn on the pots.
We all came to know one another much better for our week together, we learned who was a light sleeper and who was a loud snorer (guilty as charged, and I warned the light sleeper she was in too close proximity. I don't think she believed me, but during the night she picked up her bed and relocated.)
The last day we rose early and moved to New Orleans for Fat Tuesday, the last day of Mardi Gras. Several of us got to watch the Zulu parade, one of the largest and best with over 30 floats, others saw Rex and other of the finest Crewes. We continued to explore the french quarter, are wonderful food, and saw many amazing sights. Most of us were wise enough to get off the streets and into our hotels before things got their wildest in the last few hours before everything ends and lent begins at midnight.
We flew home virtually without incident and arrived at the airport at 3:05 PM, on schedule. We will not talk about who walked all over the third floor of the parking lot at Bradley airport before she found her car. Shirley and I were the only members of the mission trip to return to the Church for Ash Wednesday dinner and service; I probably would not have gone if I wasn't the pastor, and I think Shirley felt obligated since she invited Francis Acquah, our guest preacher.
When will be begin planning the next trip?
I do want to say that we are indebted to the youth of the Church who, along with their leaders, George and Carolyn Blick had worked at Camp Coast Care (http://www.campcoastcare.com/) last summer and challenged the adults to do a mission trip. We also owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to George Blick and other family members who made all the arrangements for travel and housing; all at very reasonable prices. We are thankful to the Presbytery of Southern New England (http://psne.org), the FPC Strawberry Festival, the girl scouts and others who contributed to make it possible for everyone who wanted to go to afford the trip.
What happened instead was that several of the groups at the camp were scheduled to leave after lunch and almost everyone was reassigned. Our crew (which this afternoon was all people from First) stayed together wil Jim Bass as crew leader, but we went back to Isa's house where we had worked before. The task for the afternoon was to install cement board on Ida's floors in her sun room and a large hall way, another group at a later time would be installing ceramic tile over this sub floor. The work was very satisfying, particularly because in the course of the afternoon we were able to complete our task. Some sheets could go down intact, but the last pieces had to be cut to fit. We learned to measure very carefully to make these pieces fit, since the house was not exactly square. Keith proved himself quite talented with a skill saw, but the stars of the show were Stacy K and Sue C who had the task of nailing down the cement board with a nail gun. The two of them, the two smallest members of the team, were something else with a nail gun in their hands - BAMB - BAMB - BAMB. Stacy had at least seen her father use a nail gun while helping him remodel their home, but Sue was the most game to use a tool she had never experienced before. [I think both of them came to understand men's facination with power tools.]
I do want to say that we had a most impressive group. Every member of the team was a hard worker, and the teens were the hardest workers of all. There were other groups with teens in the camp with us who spent more time standing around (we saw a few adults with the same problem) than working. Every member of our group that I worked with was working hard, if someone was not busy it was because there were too many people for the job.
We came with different abilities, and many of us learned entirely new skills. Some of us used knowledge we thought we had forgotten; most of us knew our limits and followed the leaders' advice not to exceed our ability. I had to step aside one afternoon when the physical demands of carrying lumber caused me to be short of breath. One person seems to have exceeded his limits.
Sherry who I believe was our oldest team member found his place in the kitchen and his efforts were much appreciated by the cook as well as by all of us who ate at the camp. Those of us who want our coffee soon after rolling out of bed were most appreciative of his early rising to turn on the pots.
We all came to know one another much better for our week together, we learned who was a light sleeper and who was a loud snorer (guilty as charged, and I warned the light sleeper she was in too close proximity. I don't think she believed me, but during the night she picked up her bed and relocated.)
The last day we rose early and moved to New Orleans for Fat Tuesday, the last day of Mardi Gras. Several of us got to watch the Zulu parade, one of the largest and best with over 30 floats, others saw Rex and other of the finest Crewes. We continued to explore the french quarter, are wonderful food, and saw many amazing sights. Most of us were wise enough to get off the streets and into our hotels before things got their wildest in the last few hours before everything ends and lent begins at midnight.
We flew home virtually without incident and arrived at the airport at 3:05 PM, on schedule. We will not talk about who walked all over the third floor of the parking lot at Bradley airport before she found her car. Shirley and I were the only members of the mission trip to return to the Church for Ash Wednesday dinner and service; I probably would not have gone if I wasn't the pastor, and I think Shirley felt obligated since she invited Francis Acquah, our guest preacher.
When will be begin planning the next trip?
I do want to say that we are indebted to the youth of the Church who, along with their leaders, George and Carolyn Blick had worked at Camp Coast Care (http://www.campcoastcare.com/) last summer and challenged the adults to do a mission trip. We also owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to George Blick and other family members who made all the arrangements for travel and housing; all at very reasonable prices. We are thankful to the Presbytery of Southern New England (http://psne.org), the FPC Strawberry Festival, the girl scouts and others who contributed to make it possible for everyone who wanted to go to afford the trip.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Yesterday was a day of rest at Camp Coast Care so every one of the First Presbyterian/South Windsor Girl Scouts headed for New Orleans where Mardi Gras was going in full force. First thing we did was go to Café Du Monde
for coffee and beignets. After much waiting we saw the Okemos parade. We learned that all times are approximate. I lost track of how many floats were in that one, the theme was chilrden's stories and float after float went by (sometimes with large gaps in between). Interspersed were marching bands, high school dance teams, a mounted unit, Shriners and more. I think there were two or three more parades scheduled for Sunday, and of course more on Monday, and the biggest Krewes do their thing on Tuesday.
We all got so many beads thrown from parade floats and from balconies that we were weighted down. Both Carl and I bought Jester's hats, as well as getting Mardi Gras caps for donating to a charity for kids. We started out with Shirley and Carl and I, George and Carolyn and Sue C., and then the Dudley's and I split to do our own thing. We sat in Jackson Square and enjoyed the sun and the craziness, including a demonstration and street theater proclaiming that God was unfair, heard lots of preachers decrying the sins going on on the street (little wonder people have issues with the God they were proclaiming), lots of bands everywhere, some very good.
We had a great meal, I ate Gumbo, Shrimp Po Boy, and heped Carl with his 1/2 pound of boiled shrimp. They has Pecan Pie for desert. I was full at that point. We walked most of the length of Bourbon Street, and found out way back to the car about 10 minutes before we were schedued to leave, and 10 minutes after the other half of our crew got there. We saw many sights along the way, lots of partying, but unlike some other festivals I did not se people passed out or puking in the street. Of course we left at 7 PM, there was still plenty of time for that. (although I remember seeing that in Savanah well before afternoon was over.)
Some of the other groups got separated from one another by the parade and couldn't cross and join up for a while. They arrived after lights out at 10 PM.
Today is a work day, then off to New Orleans for a hotel stay on Fat Tuesday, fly home early on Wednesday.
for coffee and beignets. After much waiting we saw the Okemos parade. We learned that all times are approximate. I lost track of how many floats were in that one, the theme was chilrden's stories and float after float went by (sometimes with large gaps in between). Interspersed were marching bands, high school dance teams, a mounted unit, Shriners and more. I think there were two or three more parades scheduled for Sunday, and of course more on Monday, and the biggest Krewes do their thing on Tuesday.
We all got so many beads thrown from parade floats and from balconies that we were weighted down. Both Carl and I bought Jester's hats, as well as getting Mardi Gras caps for donating to a charity for kids. We started out with Shirley and Carl and I, George and Carolyn and Sue C., and then the Dudley's and I split to do our own thing. We sat in Jackson Square and enjoyed the sun and the craziness, including a demonstration and street theater proclaiming that God was unfair, heard lots of preachers decrying the sins going on on the street (little wonder people have issues with the God they were proclaiming), lots of bands everywhere, some very good.
We had a great meal, I ate Gumbo, Shrimp Po Boy, and heped Carl with his 1/2 pound of boiled shrimp. They has Pecan Pie for desert. I was full at that point. We walked most of the length of Bourbon Street, and found out way back to the car about 10 minutes before we were schedued to leave, and 10 minutes after the other half of our crew got there. We saw many sights along the way, lots of partying, but unlike some other festivals I did not se people passed out or puking in the street. Of course we left at 7 PM, there was still plenty of time for that. (although I remember seeing that in Savanah well before afternoon was over.)
Some of the other groups got separated from one another by the parade and couldn't cross and join up for a while. They arrived after lights out at 10 PM.
Today is a work day, then off to New Orleans for a hotel stay on Fat Tuesday, fly home early on Wednesday.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Yesterday we were one of two crews Willie was supervising. Now Willie is an interesting staff member. He grew up in Pas Christian and knows just about everyone in the community. Appearently the long timers are a tight community with many intermariages. Sedona, the lady whose's house we worked on much of the day, has a relative related to Willie. He first came to Camp Coast Care as a client, then when his house was repaired took a position helping others.
Unfortunately with two crews he was spread thin and we spent a long time waiting to get to the house we were working on, and then the cabnits we supposed to be installing were not ready to be installed. While he went to straighten that our we found our own work, there were doors that needed to be put on their hinges, miniblinds to be hung, and all the door hardware to be installed. George took on the miniblinds, but found it frustrating without a drill for pilot holes to put screws into the metal frames around the windows. He really got rolling on that task after lunch when we returned with the power tools we needed.
I had hung doors (pre hung doors, all that needed to be done was to line up the hinges and force in the pins) and installed hardware, so I got started on that and taught the rest of the crew how to handle that task. When we got finished Willie took several of us back to the first house and we learned a little and did some dry wall hanging and mudding. The girl scouts had been working on that project and made major progress and were really good at the task.
Last night we went to The Shed and listened to music and ate Barbecue at one of the 25 best barbecue restruants int he south. It was falling off the bone tender and tasty. A little more heat in the sauce would have been alright with me, but I am not complaining. Corrigan and I split a whole rack of Baby Back Ribs and a pint of slaw and were filled. Carl had a slab to himself and ate most of it.
They gave a shout out to all the volunteers who had come to help out Mississippi rebuild. The owners wife came and talked to us for a long time and again expressed appreciation, said Misissippi would be no better now than it was a year ago if it was not for the volunteers. It dows feel good to hear that kind of appreciation and realize what we are doing makes a difference in people's lives. She also talked about how many tons of meat they now sell every week, when they really did start a few years ago as a tiny take out shed.
Unfortunately with two crews he was spread thin and we spent a long time waiting to get to the house we were working on, and then the cabnits we supposed to be installing were not ready to be installed. While he went to straighten that our we found our own work, there were doors that needed to be put on their hinges, miniblinds to be hung, and all the door hardware to be installed. George took on the miniblinds, but found it frustrating without a drill for pilot holes to put screws into the metal frames around the windows. He really got rolling on that task after lunch when we returned with the power tools we needed.
I had hung doors (pre hung doors, all that needed to be done was to line up the hinges and force in the pins) and installed hardware, so I got started on that and taught the rest of the crew how to handle that task. When we got finished Willie took several of us back to the first house and we learned a little and did some dry wall hanging and mudding. The girl scouts had been working on that project and made major progress and were really good at the task.
Last night we went to The Shed and listened to music and ate Barbecue at one of the 25 best barbecue restruants int he south. It was falling off the bone tender and tasty. A little more heat in the sauce would have been alright with me, but I am not complaining. Corrigan and I split a whole rack of Baby Back Ribs and a pint of slaw and were filled. Carl had a slab to himself and ate most of it.
They gave a shout out to all the volunteers who had come to help out Mississippi rebuild. The owners wife came and talked to us for a long time and again expressed appreciation, said Misissippi would be no better now than it was a year ago if it was not for the volunteers. It dows feel good to hear that kind of appreciation and realize what we are doing makes a difference in people's lives. She also talked about how many tons of meat they now sell every week, when they really did start a few years ago as a tiny take out shed.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Yesterday our crew worked on Ida's house. Sue and Sarah Labins and I, along with three women from Arlington, Va were a painting crew, between us we painted one small room with two coats of blue, and another larger room that was painted yesterday with a first coat got a second coat. Meanwhile Keith and Jim, our crew leader, were taking out windows and installing new windows.
Ida lives in a home that her father built, and Jim says he built it well, that is why it survived the flood. She was born in the house when it was smaller, as the family grew to five children her father added on to the house. Her father was bed ridden during Katrina and died last December 17. She said the house was all decorated for Christmas, but it wasn't a very happy time as the family gathered from all over for his funeral.
They were in the house when Katrina came, they were high enough that the flood waters stopped a few inches below the first floor, but the tin roof blew off and the water poured in through the ceiling.
She did inherit some money when her father died and invested in a down payment on an 18 wheeler she has out on the road making her money. She doesn't drive, but has a family member who is her driver. She is quite an entrepreneur!
Keith and Holly and I led worship last night. On Thursday when it was mostly us Presbyterians we did Compline from the Episcopal Prayer book, not the camp is full of Episcopalians we had more of a free church service.
I think they are calling for morning meeting so I need to go.
Ida lives in a home that her father built, and Jim says he built it well, that is why it survived the flood. She was born in the house when it was smaller, as the family grew to five children her father added on to the house. Her father was bed ridden during Katrina and died last December 17. She said the house was all decorated for Christmas, but it wasn't a very happy time as the family gathered from all over for his funeral.
They were in the house when Katrina came, they were high enough that the flood waters stopped a few inches below the first floor, but the tin roof blew off and the water poured in through the ceiling.
She did inherit some money when her father died and invested in a down payment on an 18 wheeler she has out on the road making her money. She doesn't drive, but has a family member who is her driver. She is quite an entrepreneur!
Keith and Holly and I led worship last night. On Thursday when it was mostly us Presbyterians we did Compline from the Episcopal Prayer book, not the camp is full of Episcopalians we had more of a free church service.
I think they are calling for morning meeting so I need to go.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Camp Coast Care, Long Beach, MS
Yesterday a crew of 11 of us from Hartford spent the morning doing finishing painting on Bernadet's house in Pas Christian which was totally flooded by Katrina. She and her children are living in a FEMA trailer on her property (I think there are 3 of them in 200 square feet.) Everything has been taken out of her home, walls, wiring, insulation, everything, including most of her personal belongings, totally ruined by the flood, mud and mold. After the house was down to the studs it was pressure washed, trated for mold, and then wiring, insulation, siding and dry wall goes back in. Finally done the house is being painted, baseboards and moulding are being put in (some of our people helped with that). She should be in the house soon. We met her very briefly.
Most of the group returned in the afternoon. Sue from P-town and I finished the bedroom we were painting (two coats) and were taken to a new home job site. This house will be 8 feet off the ground, the 8X8s had been set in cement. Willie took down the 2X4s that steadied the beams while the concrete set, and sue and I pulled out nails so the lumber coule be reused. Betwen us we cleaned 64 boards, she figured 400 construction nails.
Then we were joined by others from our group to unload a truck, carrying siding from the truck to the remains of another house on stilts that has been gutted, cleaned and is ready for construction to begin. A crew will put on the siding, we constructed the scaffolding and moved the siding. By the time that was done we were done for the day.
By the way, Bernadette's house was within a few blocks of the Roberts house in Pas Christian where Robin spent many summers. We were going to see that house and get pictures, but have not got a chance yet.
Another group arrived just as dinner was served last night, and a third group arrived after lights out. They were quiet, some people heard them, I never did. The camp is almost full, only a few of the 75 cots were unoccupied this morning.
If you are reading post your comments (just sign as an anoymous commenter) and keep us in your prayers. Include prayers for warmer weather.
Yesterday a crew of 11 of us from Hartford spent the morning doing finishing painting on Bernadet's house in Pas Christian which was totally flooded by Katrina. She and her children are living in a FEMA trailer on her property (I think there are 3 of them in 200 square feet.) Everything has been taken out of her home, walls, wiring, insulation, everything, including most of her personal belongings, totally ruined by the flood, mud and mold. After the house was down to the studs it was pressure washed, trated for mold, and then wiring, insulation, siding and dry wall goes back in. Finally done the house is being painted, baseboards and moulding are being put in (some of our people helped with that). She should be in the house soon. We met her very briefly.
Most of the group returned in the afternoon. Sue from P-town and I finished the bedroom we were painting (two coats) and were taken to a new home job site. This house will be 8 feet off the ground, the 8X8s had been set in cement. Willie took down the 2X4s that steadied the beams while the concrete set, and sue and I pulled out nails so the lumber coule be reused. Betwen us we cleaned 64 boards, she figured 400 construction nails.
Then we were joined by others from our group to unload a truck, carrying siding from the truck to the remains of another house on stilts that has been gutted, cleaned and is ready for construction to begin. A crew will put on the siding, we constructed the scaffolding and moved the siding. By the time that was done we were done for the day.
By the way, Bernadette's house was within a few blocks of the Roberts house in Pas Christian where Robin spent many summers. We were going to see that house and get pictures, but have not got a chance yet.
Another group arrived just as dinner was served last night, and a third group arrived after lights out. They were quiet, some people heard them, I never did. The camp is almost full, only a few of the 75 cots were unoccupied this morning.
If you are reading post your comments (just sign as an anoymous commenter) and keep us in your prayers. Include prayers for warmer weather.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
To see photos I took yesterday and today follow this link. Many of them are dark, sorry, it is a new camera. I have adjusted the exposure, hopefully others will be better. I will continue to post new Photos to this Album as often as I can so check back often. I will try to write about today either later tonight or tomorrow morning. We are about to watch a Katrina Video now, and I am rather tired.
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/album?c=revtdavis@sbcglobal.net&aid=576460762389858149&pid=&wtok=DERRdK5VYcv3swCgHESScg--&ts=1171588718&.src=ph
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/album?c=revtdavis@sbcglobal.net&aid=576460762389858149&pid=&wtok=DERRdK5VYcv3swCgHESScg--&ts=1171588718&.src=ph
Our mission trip got off to an inauspicious start when winter storm Agatha blew into the Northeast closing airports across the area. American Airlines kept saying our flight was on an on time status so 27 of us got checked in at Bradley Field, all without great hopes of leaving yesterday. Actually we were one of the few (someone said 5) flights that left Bradley. We boarded 1/2 hour late, then sat for another 90 minutes as the Pilot kept explaining the delay. He said that rain was OK, snow was OK, but the ice pellets that had been coming down off and on all day made take off impossible, he was hopeful that the weather would change soon, and finally it did, we got deiced once near the gate and again just before take off, and finally at 6 PM our 4:05 flight got into the air.
We arrived in Chicago just a few minutes before out flight to New Orleans was to leave, but it also was delayed (they said it landed at the same time as we did). We went from one end of the airport to the other (one of the group had to get wheelcahir transportation). They were already boarding, but this was a long line and several of us got McDonalds to take on the plane.
By the time we got our luggage (all of it arrived, suprisingly, they had told us they might leave some to catch up with up to reduce the load on the Hartford - Chicago flight), got into vans, and got to Camp Coast Care it was 1:15 AM this morning. There were only about three others here last night, others will be arriving today and tomorrow. They pushed wake up time until later (usually 6:30 AM and Breakfast is still to come at 8:30). New Orleans is on Central Time.
So we are here, we were all so tired we slept well on our camp cots, and are ready to go to work. Hopefully you will hear more from me tonight or tomorrow.
We arrived in Chicago just a few minutes before out flight to New Orleans was to leave, but it also was delayed (they said it landed at the same time as we did). We went from one end of the airport to the other (one of the group had to get wheelcahir transportation). They were already boarding, but this was a long line and several of us got McDonalds to take on the plane.
By the time we got our luggage (all of it arrived, suprisingly, they had told us they might leave some to catch up with up to reduce the load on the Hartford - Chicago flight), got into vans, and got to Camp Coast Care it was 1:15 AM this morning. There were only about three others here last night, others will be arriving today and tomorrow. They pushed wake up time until later (usually 6:30 AM and Breakfast is still to come at 8:30). New Orleans is on Central Time.
So we are here, we were all so tired we slept well on our camp cots, and are ready to go to work. Hopefully you will hear more from me tonight or tomorrow.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
On Valentines Day 27 members and friends of First Presbyterian Church will take off from Bradley Field to travel to New Orleans and then on to Camp Coast Care (http://www.campcoastcare.com/) located in Long Beach, Mississippi. While staying there we will be engaged in a variety of tasks to help nearby residents recover from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina nearly a year and a half ago.
I am part of this team, and if possible I will be providing daily updates from this camp, although there is some question about computer availability from this location.
We will be there through February 19, and on the 20th we will leave for New Orleans where we will be staying at a hotel near the French Quarter. The 20th, or course is Fat Tuesday, the last day of Mardi Gras. On Ash Wednesday early in the morning we will leave to return to Hartford, and some of us will be part of Ash Wednesday worship at First Presbyterian Church. (Service and dinner begin at 6:30 PM with a special message from Francis Acquah, a Methodist minister from Ghana.
Check back at this location for as many updates as I am able to post.
I am part of this team, and if possible I will be providing daily updates from this camp, although there is some question about computer availability from this location.
We will be there through February 19, and on the 20th we will leave for New Orleans where we will be staying at a hotel near the French Quarter. The 20th, or course is Fat Tuesday, the last day of Mardi Gras. On Ash Wednesday early in the morning we will leave to return to Hartford, and some of us will be part of Ash Wednesday worship at First Presbyterian Church. (Service and dinner begin at 6:30 PM with a special message from Francis Acquah, a Methodist minister from Ghana.
Check back at this location for as many updates as I am able to post.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
