L3 - Day 5

Since we were only going to work the morning, we decided to leave camp even earlier today – 7 a.m. Both work teams noticed the same thing - they work well to deadlines. Both manage to get an amazing amount done in only 3½ hours. The reality that our time here is quickly winding toward a conclusion seemed to spur the intensity.

The kitchen is almost finished and Bob and Charlie knocked out most of the ceiling in the second bedroom.



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Greetings to the Saints back in Stamford from New Orleans. This is Frank Matsuda contributing to this blog.
I’ve been blessed with a last minute opportunity to accompany our intrepid team on this wonderful mission in an area that will need continuing help for years to come. The scope of the devastation was reinforced on Sunday’s tour of the city. I am encouraged by all the hard work and teamwork of everyone not only on our team, but the fellow Presbyterians we have met from Maryland, North Carolina, Minnesota and the staff here at Fish Camp in Luling, Louisiana. It is rewarding to feel we are contributing to the hope in this part of the country.

We were up early this morning and on the road by 7:05am and were at our work site on Roberts Road in about 40 minutes. The demolition team has made good progress on this house. Mike Naumann and I donned the Tyvek suits and ventured up into the attic and were able to kick, knock and brush out the ceiling and abundant insulation of three of the rear rooms. Peter Yanicky was a one man demolition crew on the rearmost room. Caryl Castellion and Kim Hart were diligently pulling out exposed nails. Doug Edwards, Jeff Doody, John Harter and Karen Peebles were bringing 3 feet of accumulated insulation on the floor in garbage barrels to the street and Elaine “Elaine-o-lux” was sweeping up all the debris. Whew! We were determined to finish by 11am in order to get back to camp and get cleaned up and back on the road by 1pm.





“Hurricane on the Bayou” at the Imax at the Audubon Aquarium was our destination for 2 p.m. Then a leisurely walk down Riverfront Plaza to Jackson Square. Some of us did a mule carriage ride tour around the French Quarter before a 5:30 p.m. dinner with everyone from our group at the Gumbo Shop and wonderful New Orleans cuisine. Finally a brief walk down a surprisingly lively Bourbon Street for a weeknight before heading back to Fish Camp to finish some chores before some much needed rest. What a day!

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We had a wonderful time in the Quarter tonight. IMAX, leisure time, the Gumbo Shop, beignets & café au lait, and a stroll down neon lit Bourbon Street.



Then on back to camp to top of the night cleaning showers and the outdoor sinks. Nothing like communal living!

It is hard to believe that Friday is just an hour and a half away. Our last day of work. Time flies when you are having fun – especially doing God’s work with sisters and brothers in Christ.

Pray hard that we’ll stay strong through tomorrow!