Redeemer Youth Mission Trip – Day 5

Please note…the battery on the camera is dead, and needs to be re-charged.  I will post the pics to go with these posts later today.  Diana

Colin

This morning was interesting as it rained pretty much non-stop as Hurricane Alex moved closer. We got onto the roof early this morning in an attempt to tarp the hole in the roof, which had not been tinned up yet. However, when a cross beam in the attic where we were working made a loud crack, Diana had us get off faster than you could blink. Went home, watched a movie. Overall, an interesting day so far.

Nataliya

Interesting night last night at Popeyes. Won’t go into what exactly happened, but let’s just say we will probably go down in Popeye’s history.  Today was pretty much a relaxing day. It was a half day, so we were planning to work until 12, but due to the rain we stopped at about 10:30. It was coming down hard the whole morning, but we all managed to push through and cover up the roof that hasn’t been tinned up yet. We watched a movie-gory, but very good. This trip has been going very good so far. We have lot of laughs and a lot of fun. I’m so happy that I got this opportunity. We’ve gotten a lot of work done, considering it rains about 2-3 times a day for about a half hour each time. It’s so rewarding and worth it to see how happy we can make this family. The watermelons that they gave us are delicious, and it truly is touching to see how appreciative the family is.

Jake

Had such an amazing day, cut short due the weather.  We were really glad when our friend Sophie felt better, and then we went into New Orleans and had a blast.  Now the only thing going through my mind is that I want to go to sleep. Which I’ll do right now. Goodnight!

Sophie

Hello everyone.  It is pretty late, so I can’t write my normal long blog, but, I can tell you a little bit about my day. After the funniest night ever at Popeyes, and a homesick night last night, today did not start out the best. I wasn’t feeling well, so I did not get to work.  I felt bad that I couldn’t help much, but I knew I needed to take care of myself so I can help the remainder of the week. Though we didn’t get to go to the water park that Melissa and Diana hoped to take us to, we just relaxed and went to New Orleans. It was so much fun! I was feeling so much better and I swear the car rides turn out to be even more fun then the place we’re heading to! We had so many laughs as we tryied to pull off Southern accents! Ha Ha!  Well, it’s late, and I need my sleep for a busy day of work tomorrow!  GOOD NIGHT Y’ALL!  Lots of love-Soph

Dear Friends,
As you can see, the second most important part of a mission trip is that the kids learn to live together in difficult conditions; and, these days in the rain and heat have been very challenging circumstances indeed. However, of all the groups here your children are the most mature, caring and cohesive group. Even when there is tension or problems they discuss and resolve them and manage to really enjoy one another’s company.

Today was great fun, but started out in an amazing rain storm with Diana and I up on the roof and the kids holding onto the tarp down below on the ground. We looked like something out of a disaster movie! Not a peep or complaint from any one of them, because they knew the tarp would protect the inside of what they feel is now “their house!”

There is so much to tell, but I am feeling my age, and 24/7 in this heat and humidity is tiring!  Suffice it to say we should probably bring the kids home now as they are all speaking in Southern accents!!

Thank you for allowing me this joyful experience with your youth!

Blessings,
Melissa

Hi Folks!

Well, another day has gone by, and I have to say that this has been one of the best (though I would not have guessed that when it started).  We began with leading morning  prayer, and the kids did a great job of it (combining again with St. Peter’s).  But, just afterward we were informed that the remnants of hurricane Alex would venture right over us most of the day, and would likely dump a lot of rain tomorrow.  We went right over to the work site and realized that we had to do something to protect the areas not covered in new tin.  Just as we started to work, the “perfect storm” hit!  Melissa and I put the kids in the car, and we worked together, as she designed a tarp securing system for the roof.  While we were out there working in the rain, Melissa had the right message when she said that we cannot ask of the youth what we are not willing to do ourselves.

Now, this is a very large tarp that can cover most of both sides of the roof, so getting it up there, laid out, and secured would not be easy under any circumstance, and certainly not in the middle of a storm.  Nevertheless, she and I climbed up the roof (Jake spotted us), tarp in hand, and worked feverishly, but systematically, to put it all down.  Just as we started, the winds did too, and Melissa called out for reinforcements.  See, with the wind blowing so hard, and Melissa and I were on top of the tarp, which was on top of the roof (but not yet secured).  As we perched on the apex of the roof, we were essentially about to become para-sailors, being lifted off the roof for a joy ride, and Melissa knew it.  But, did that deter us – no…we started singing (quite loudly) “Rise and shine and give God your glory, glory.  Rise and shine and give God your glory glory.  Rise and shine and – clap – give God your glory glory, children of the Lord.)  For whatever reason, we seemed to keep it all in good humor, even if we had to push through a bit nerves.

Well, back to the story… So, sliding down and across the opposite side of the roof, as the kids grabbed the tie lines we threw down, I then moved under the tarp, between it and the roof, and pushed it into place.  Then dropping down into the open area above the attic, and I could slide it over to cover the hole, while Melissa, who was now on the ground, led the tying down efforts.  Without Nataliya and Colin holding the tarp down, and Jake spotting on the other side, things might have been a lot different.  These kids are heros!!!  What a crazy moment, but we focused – all of us, particularly Melissa, who led us through the effort, and we managed to safely prevent any further water damage to the home.  Of course, it does make it a bit crazy when Melissa is trying to yell up to me to move in a certain direction, but being bad of hearing, and with all the wind and rain landing on the tarp over my head…well, you get the picture!  In the end, the roof was fully protected, and all is well.  Now next time, I want a fiddle to play up there!

After that eventful morning, it was time to quit work, as this is our half-day of rest and relaxation.  The kids rested, and Melissa and I did laundry.  While sitting on the porch waiting for a load to finish, we saw an alligator swimming in the bayou.  Melissa named him Lloyd, and I think it was a fitting name, and we decided that Lloyd was swimming up the bayou on his way to a date (don’t ask us why we thought that, we just did – it must be the heat…seriously).

After chores, and rest for the weary youth, off we went to New Orleans to shop on Bourbon Street.  We then finished the day with a delicious cup of cafe au lait and beignets at Cafe du Monde!  But, the best part of the day was the car ride back with the kids.  I laughed so hard that I felt I would cough up a lung (I have had a cold the whole trip, which is getting better).  One of the kids wanted to know if Melissa should call 911, but of course she said this in one of those newly acquired Southern accents, so that just sent me and Melissa into laughing fits that produced tears in our eyes.  We love these kids, and I am so blessed to have this chance to spend with them.

Now, off to bed for me, as we have our regular 6am wakeup call ahead for tomorrow.

Peace,
Diana