Louisiana 4 - Tuesday

5:30 a.m. did arrive early! We were off to the work site by 6:50. Ferry Place is just a few blocks from the Mississippi in the very south west corner of New Orleans proper. Of the seven initial homes to be built, two have the foundations and cement block pilings complete. The cement block raises the first floor about five feet off the ground. One of the houses has the flooring system in place. The other is just about ready for that step. After orientation,



our first mission of the morning was to carry the tools and lumber we needed from the storage trailer which is on the other end of the street – probably 3 to 4 hundred yards.






We were then divided into different groups, each with its own assignments. Like first floor “components” – which meant cutting and fabricating window and door framing. Then everything ground to a halt when the generator shut down and refused to be coaxed back to life. Nothing worked and they were actually talking about sending us home because there would be no way to keep us occupied. But most fortuitously, David Martinez came to the rescue. He removed the spark plug, cleaned the gap, reinstalled it and accepted the accolades as the engine roared into action.



Soon saws were whirring and hammers pounding. It’s exciting to be joining the rebuilding phase of post-Katrina New Orleans. The two Habitat supervisors are great. They break everything down into manageable pieces, teach us what we need to know to accomplish the task and then set us loose.





It was brutal hot today. Thank goodness there is an empty house next to our houses that has a front porch to provide shade. But other than that porch shade is none existent. We made a trip to Walmart this evening and hats were on high on the shopping list.

We went through 4 five gallon coolers of water today. (We bought two more tonight.)

Sarah told us about a “Snowball” shop not too far from where we were working and so we took a detour on the way home. The hardest part was deciding among the numerous flavor choices for our snow cones. When the owner found out that we were down working for the week, she would only take $1 per snowball. (And she let David into the back so he could take pictures of the machine.)




And now a word from Chris. . .


Hey mom, tuesday morning was really grand, since we got up bright and early after an intense monopoly game. Yawning and chowing down on various breakfast items, we readied ourselves for the rough day ahead. We were put to work on the houses that we’ll be building for the rest of the week, building the framing for the floors on foundations of one and laying out the studs for the other house. It is hot. Very hot….. Way hotter than anyone should ever do construction in. Our Habitat for Humanity supervisor Seth showed us many new things about building, and we are watching these two houses grow before
our eyes. We’re considering buying sombreros for the work-site, because the sun is really intense. After a water shortage, we decided to call it a day around 1:30, and on the way home we stopped at a little shop called “Snowballs” where delicious snow-cones were served. Showers and a stroll to the park are leading up to a dinner of lasagna and a trip to Walmart for things that we’ve forgotten, like my towel.

We continue to marvel at the destruction that has ravaged this city, and how much of the city is still demolished. We hope that our meager contribution will help this still recovering region.

-- Chris Stone



Tomorrow is "hump day," so pray hard!