-alex anderson-

After our teams morning breakfast, our entire group was sent into the neighboring church to receive our projects. We were met by four other groups where everyone was anxiously awaiting to get started on the houses. I was in charge of three other group members which consisted of Kip Roozen, Cindy Larson and of course Kayla Wingen. Our group was lead by a older gentleman named Ozzie. Unlike the rest of the group, Ozzie personally drove us to our worksite in the project vehicle which was an interesting time with the jokester Kip sitting in the front. We actually began working in a nearby suburb called Jefferson which was located just outside of New Orleans. Although I was ready for just about anything, what I saw and experienced at this house was something I will never forget. As we pulled up next to the house we were met by the house owner named Thomas who was extremely happy and gratefull to see us. As he showed us his "house" I looked around at the other team members and I could tell they were in just as much shock and disbelief as me. The "house" was completely dismantled with scraps of wood, tarp, plastic and in some areas there was nothing at all, leaving unfixed holes. The inside was uneven with no doors, elictricity, plumbing, and garbage was scattered everywhere. The backyard was where all Thomas and his wife's remaining possesions layed scattered. Their closet was built next to their house with scrap pieces of wood. What made this experience unforgettable was the relationship formed with Thomas and his current fight for survival he expereinces on a daily basis. He currently lives in camper that is placed next to his house. Unfortunatly, FEMA will be coming on the following Tuesday to take the camper away. He will then be forced to live in his unfinished house where he informed me him and his wife will be sleeping on the floor in their bathroom, which was the only room in the house that was sided and some sheetrock up. He explained that sometimes you just have to do what you have to do to survive. Their is no furnature in the house and the only thing they had to hold onto was the thought of other volunteers coming to help them. We informed Thomas that we would do our best to help him and his struggling family. We didnt even know where to begin but after about three hours of work an electricain came and told us he plans to take down what little sheetrock they already had in order to finish the wiring process. At that time we were informed we had to pack our tools and head to the next house on the list. We walked over to Thomas and told him the bad news, however he was still happy we came and inspired that people still cared about him and his family. The home we provided him will hopefully last him until the next group comes. Before we left I told him this, although I come from across the country one thing remains the same, the God in Sioux Falls, South Dakota is the same God in New Orleans, Lousiana, and that no matter what if you hold on to Him everything will work out. At that time we left for the next house on the list. I will never forget my experience with Thomas and neither will the team members who joined me on this unforgettable experience.

Family, friends, and church I love you and goodnight!