Iona in Mission (IIM) New Orleans Day 3

Today was our official first day at work on our mission. We had the gratifying opportunity to help restore The Trinity Lutheran Church located in the Lower 9th Ward which was destroyed in Hurricane Katrina. Camp Restore set us up with Steve and his team to work this project that his team has been working on for two years. What is truly significant about our experience is that this is the final week that Steve and his team will be working on the church because it is opening on Easter for all the community to see.   How special that Iona's NOLA team gets to be a part of that!!!

 

After arriving on the work site at 8:00am our group was divided into teams to do various jobs including putting tape around the molding, painting, tiling, grouting, spackling, and cleaning. Our group all came together to help transport bricks from a truck to the front entrance which some of us had fun with it trying to make it a competition of who could carry the most bricks. I worked with Tyler and Jaclyn on painting  about 10 doors throughout the day which we also made fun by listening and singing to music and getting to know each other more. Sarah and Rina had fun painting the molding throughout the entire building and kept the entire teams spirits high with their jokes and laughter. Travis, Jaime, and PJ worked with one of Steve;s men  on grouting and tiling the kitchen area.

 

Moderators Jess and Luke worked together spackling the wood that will be used for the church aisle columns. Whether we were painting, moving bricks, or cleaning we knew that we were overall making a difference to restore this church for the Lower 9th Ward community. The fact that the building is not only used as a church but also as a food pantry for motivated us to work even harder!  We are looking forward to returning tomorrow! Tyler Conroy said “After only three days, the team already feels like a family.  I cannot wait to continue this week with them serving and working with the community of New Orleans”.


-Merissa Doyle ‘12