The whole Motley Crew!

Front Row: Stephanie;Dottie;Vicky;Carole;Tom A.;Liz;Skip;Jenny;Joanne;Susan

Back Row: Stacy;George;Rev. Tom;Ernie;Rob;Jim S.;Russel;Blogmaster Rick;Lee;Dan;Jim D.

The place we are staying used to be an African-American camp for Methodists. It was purchased illegally in the 20's by the first Methodist African-American bishop. Illegally because blacks were forbidden from owning land. During the civil rights era many prominent leaders of the movement met and stayed here to plan their strategy.

It is now Monday evening and we all seem to have had a very productive day. We are working on 4 different houses ranging from a 'new build'. That is the term used here for a site where the house was completely destroyed and the Methodist Church relief organization is building a family a home from the foundation up. (Sometimes that foundation is pilings that go up as much as 18' above ground because of the new building and zoning laws put in place after Katrina.)

Well, we're here!
The team arrived in New Orleans Saturday evening after a smooth, on-time flight. Several members of the team are still wandering aimlessly on Bourbon Street... (just kidding... we hopped in our rental vans and drove straight to Waveland, Mississippi.) This is Monday morning and I've got to go to work. More later today... (Barb, Liz said she hopes you and Penny and [her other dog] are doing well...)

mudding and sanding at one of our houses