Today is our last day doing missions in the city of New Orleans, so we had to cap it off with a bang.  Starting from the beeping of Rev. Williams phone at 7: 30, to the never ending frustration of Ms. Jamie wanting us to go to sleep, we went hard. We completed painting Ms. Solomon’s home and got a new assignment.  We arrived at Ms. Baker’s crib not knowing what we were getting into -our minds were set on completing the task at hand.   Helping and moving most of the stuff in Ms. Baker’s house was real overwhelming. We did and observed things we weren’t accustomed to. Ms. Baker explained to us how she lived in a camper and also hadn’t taken a bath in her bathroom in five years.   Despite these conditions, Ms. Baker surprised us with a display of her son’s LSU Jerseys and championship rings.  Having the chance to put the jerseys and the rings on and  take pictures (YES THE AUTHENTIC’S-THE REAL ONE’S) we were geeked.  We did a lot of work on Ms. Baker’s house but there is still so much more to do. What we did for her, she says,  “was a BLESSING!!!!” She explained to us how our work brought her another step closer to moving back into her house.  This is especially interesting because most of the house had no drywall,  just insulation and there was even a rotting wall.   We wish that we could stay and do more for Ms. Baker. 

The low point of the day was missing two of our team members.  But God is ever faithful . . . so even though someone got sick (and yes there was an emergency surgery) . . . we thank God that it is as good as it is.  This is what we are learning from the survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.   Walking to the levee and learning from Rev. and Mrs. Duplessis, residents of the lower ninth ward, was invaluable.  It is hard to believe that this new levee which is 12 feet tall, 2 feet wide and made of concrete replaced a 6 feet tall, 9 inch wide levee made of dirt, sand, and newspaper.  Even though we were able to see a positive change in the lower ninth ward from last year the amount of work left to do is staggering considering that the storms were in 2005.

We leave New Orleans changed for the better, more appreciative of what we have, and more aware of God’s goodness. We also realize that one week a year isn’t enough.  If it is to be  . . . it’s up to me.  We are determined to keep New Orleans in the forefront of our  minds and yours. 

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