Today we woke and started moving, and it didn’t stop until evening. As I was looking back over the last month and talking with Sam about the work, I was blown away. I believe we got the building to a good point. Doors were hung, nail holes filled, sanded, and painted. Doors were painted, lights hung, switches wired, door knobs installed, heating supplied registers attached, bathroom windows “privatized”, and the building cleaned as it got darker outside. The congregation and New Orleans contractors have some things to finish up, but it will happen and the Christian Baptist Church will be enjoying their church building once again, and fill it with their wonderful lives and the Spirit. From what I could see, the contribution of every person was significant and timely. From what Sam had shared, it has been a very full month.

The last evening we were invited to Pastor Jones and First Lady Patricia’s house for a sensational meal: jambalaya, red beans and rice, catfish, potato salad…At one point my daughter Hannah leaned over and whispered to Susan, “I have never been so full, and its soo good.” I was struck how welcomed I felt by the whole family, the stories they were willing to share with us, and the hospitality they showed us amongst their very full lives. The evening was full of laughter and warmth, marching grandkids, and it was a fitting ending to our week. Most of the week was consumed by work. It wasn’t until this last evening that I fully saw the importance of relationships built. There were obvious connections between our group from Harrisonburg and New Orleans friends. I think both communities are strengthened by what was shared together, and we are bigger now. We caught a whole month of banter from Deacon Brooks, Pastor Jones, and Sam, extremely entertaining, make-your-gut-hurt kind of laughter. In addition, I found new relationships by spending time with friends from Parkview Mennonite Church in a different setting and in different ways.