Day 7 - Sunday & Beyond

We arrived home safe - though a couple of hours late.  Tired, but satisfied and deeply thankful.  

NOLA 12 was a week filled with hard work, laughter, honest sharing, good food, Southern hospitality, deepening friendship, new skills learned, singing, flexibility, respect, growth and a very real sense of God's love and grace.

And it couldn't have happened without the prayers of a whole lot of folk at the Fish and other places near and far.

Here's a wrap up for the week from the Team.


Morgan Cappetta:

This Second trip to New Orleans was a welcome reminder of what truly matters in life.  The first trip undoubtedly changed me for the better, but I must admit I fell back into my previous patterns and forgot to appreciate the little things.  This time around, I made sure to take in every moment and learn each lesson therein.  I am grateful for the second opportunity, for it has changed my perception of what it means to be happy, and what it means to make a difference.

Cailin Byrne:

I can’t believe that this week has come to a close.  Last year’s trip was amazing, but this year was even better.  I actually really enjoyed working on three different houses.  It was neat to see the different stages of the houses.  My favorite house was the one where we put in their sidewalk and front lawn.  It was such an amazing thing to know that the family moves in next week and will see that lawn everyday.  We not only helped build houses, but gave people homes where they will feel safe and build their lives.  I also grew so close with my friends, who not only taught me about themselves, but about me and the type of person I want to be.  Although I won’t be able to return next year, I definitely plan to return later in life because God’s work is never fully finished.

Hannah Dougherty:

This week has been quite an experience for me.  I didn’t exactly know what to expect – so the entire trip started off as a blank page.  Over the course of these five days, this blank page has been filled – with sticky glue and stubborn boards, messy hotel rooms and bubbling hot tubs, spicy Cajun food and sweeeeeet tea, and most importantly, with fine company in the form of eleven other amazing individiauls.  This page in my life will stay with me always.

Matt Crohan:

Over the course of this week I have had some of the most interesting and exciting experiences of my life.  I could not have asked for a better group to come with.  At the beginning of the week I was extremely nervous about how the trip would go but now I am ver satisfied with how it turned out.  The work I did was new to me and at times challenging, but regardless, I never quit.  I came here with the idea of doing God’s work and what he tells us to do and that’s exactly what happened.  Thank you for keeping this NOLA 12 team in your prayers.

Kyle Hair:

This, being my second trip, I was expecting the same thing as last year.  BOY was I wrong.  This year was absolutely incredible.  The food was better.  I became closer with each and every person here, and most importantly, I feel a sense of accomplishment.  Almost finishing the insides of the house we were working on made me feel like I actually gave someone a home.  It’s the floors they’ll be walking on, the walls they’ll hang pictures on or stub their toes into.  I felt great about the work I did.  I don’t know if it’s because I’m older, but I’ve learned to appreciate what I have more.  I’ve learned to appreciate the city of New Orleans more.  If you love the people you’re with and the work you’ve done well – it’s like you not even working at all.

New Orleans. . . may we meet again.

 George Nemtsev:

I like. . . no, I loved this trip.  Since it was my first trip to New Orleans, I had absolutely no idea what I was in for – except for building a house.  Kyle told me about last year’s trip and I thought it would be awesome.  Plus, I could’ve used a break from the cold weather.  So when I finally got to the house, I was surprised to see how far the previous workers had gotten.  This house was nearly finished.  All it needed was flooring, plumbing and a few exterior things.  Unfortunately, I didn’t realize how much work flooring would be.  But on the bright side, Geralyn and I managed to get quite a lot done and I’m very pleased with that.  I’m also very pleased with the bonds that I’ve built and strengthened over this week.  It’s been a great ride and I hope to make it again soon.

Hailey Parry:

This past week has been amazing.  I can’t believe how much I learned about myself.  I reconnected with my friends and most importantly with myself.  This week has reassured me that I can make a difference.  Putting some of the final touches on a house in which someone will continue their life, touches deep inside.  I was working on a home, a place of comfort, a place of memories.  Working with everyone reminded me how much I love being a part of this church.  Everyone is so kind, and respectful and I wouldn’t want to spend it with anyone else.  Thanks to this incredible experience I’ve had this week, I have given myself a new goal: Spend at least one week out of each year helping Habitat build houses.  I am already counting down the days until I can do it again.

Kelsey Parry:

These past five days have truly been an incredible experience.  I have been a part of changing someone’s life forever and I am so grateful to have been able to do so.  It truly has made me more aware of how blessed I am.  I thank everyone involved in this trip for allowing me to be a part of this incredible experience.  The eleven people I share these days with are so wonderfully kind and caring and I am so glad I was able to get to know everyone as well as I have.  I look forward to more trips in the future, where I might continue the beautiful journey that began this week.

Tim Walsh:

This has been an amazing week.  The thing I believe that I will take away from this week more than anything else is the feeling of how we gave to all of the people we interacted with.  While we did not get to work with any of the homeowners, everyone was so appreciative and happy to see us.  I came into this week wanting to get a new perspective on life and I’m happy to say that I did.

Geralyn Plomitallo:

Mission Work Week 12 was a week full of growth, fun, accomp- lishment, friendship, laughter and team work.

I have been to NOLA 5 times and each week has been different and special.  This experience was, in part, wonderful because of Hannah, Kyle, Hailey, Kelsey, Cailin, Tim, George, Matt, Morgan, Mike and David.  I will always cherish and never forget NOLA 12.

Mike Parry:

Spending a week away from work is always rejuvenating, but spending a week with 9 young adults who are giving the week of their spring break to mission work was very special.  They learned new skills, got up early every day, and showed enthusiasm all week long.

So I got a kick out of just being here and giving my guidance when necessary.  New Orleans is a beautiful city, but still needs a lot of help providing housing to a population still feeling the effects of Katrina.

While the tasks we did may in themselves seem small and trivial, they are all part of a larger effort that makes a big difference, year after year.

That's a wrap from NOLA Team 12  Next up - NOLA 13 - February 17-23, 2014.

Until then, please keep the people of New Orleans & and the Rhino ministry of St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church in your prayers!