Service Trip 2011 7/27

Rain does not dampen spirit of workers

‘Tis the season. 

Locals say it rains for brief periods every day in July. So far the forecast has held true, but morning showers did not stop service trippers from planting their shovels in the ground.

“It was actually kind of fun,” said Heidi Hilton, 18, Rolling Hills youth volunteer. “It cooled things off.”

Heidi has participated on five service trips with the Rolling Hills youth group in Taos, New Mexico, Rapid City, South Dakota, Champaign, Illinois, and Moorehead, Kentucky and New Orleans, Louisiana. 

This morning she gave her arms a workout prying nails from metal stakes at a Habitat for Humanity construction site. Others in the group moved soil, pulled the stakes from the ground and pried wood forms from a newly-poured concrete foundation. Heidi said she has enjoyed the challenge of construction  through the years.

“I just love doing the work,” she said. “It’s really nice to help people out that need it and deserve it.”

Heidi said she has enjoyed the travel and variety of projects through the years.

“They’ve all been different and great in different ways,” she said.

Kathryn Martin, 16, youth volunteer, pulled stakes and loosened soil. Kathryn said she was astonished this morning when a stranger approached the group during their meditation and prayer time known as “morning watch.” 

“I was very surprised,” she said.

Kathryn said the stranger introduced himself as a neighbor who wanted to offer a blessing for the group. He told them how much he appreciated their service in the community. Later, the future homeowner rode by on his bike and stopped to the group how much he looks forward to moving into his new house and thanked them.

 “It makes you happy to work,” she  said. “It means a lot.”

Youth leader Laura Gray worked at the Habitat site removing nails. She said the team amazed her as they worked through several hours of rain.

“There wasn’t a single complaint,” she said. “People are still working joyfully. They’re learning new skills.”

Habitat on Hickory Street gets new floor

Several other teams erected a floor boards at another Habitat site, the house on Hickory Street.

The  team continued the work from yesterday’s group who laid floor joists. Volunteers measured, cut and installed the boards. Grant Grissom, youth leader said service trips provide serve as life-altering opportunities for the teens.

“It builds a strong foundation that is invaluable through life,” he said. “They’re provided knowledge and understanding outside their everyday life.”

Jamie McAdoo, adult leader, spent five years as a teen and six years as a young adult on Rolling Hills service trips. She had fun as a teen and especially enjoyed spending time with her father who cooked for the group for all five years.

“It was really fun,” she said. “I loved it. It brought us closer together.”

McAdoo said she is thrilled to spend time with youth whom she watched grow up. McAdoo, who lives in Chicago, said it is also a time to reunite with other young adults on the trip she knew as teens. McAdoo said spending a week volunteering with teens is a way to give back. In her career where she spends 90 percent of her time traveling, it leaves little time for her to volunteer.

“I got so much out of it as a youth,” she said. “I love volunteering.”

Robert Welch, neighbor and New Orleans native, watched the youth do their handy-work while sipping tea on his sister’s porch next door. Welch, a math teacher and high school coach, said porch-sitting is a traditional past-time in the region known as Carrolton and nicknamed Pension Town among the mostly retired community. He said he was impressed with the youth’s energy.

“It is a God-sent blessing,” said Welch.

Welch said he appreciates the fact that Habitat homes  blend in aesthetically with his neighborhood.

“I like that,” he said. “Habitat Homes are in keeping with the historical setting of neighborhoods.”

Welch said he is thankful for the nation’s response to New Orleans since the 2005 hurricane bore down on the city and its levee. He said it reflects the American spirit. Welch blames the devastating flood on human failure, rather than nature.

“The flood waters destroyed our city and it’s make-up,” he said.

Welch evacuated before the storm mixed wind and might six years ago. He waited seven weeks before returning home. Downed trees pierced through his roof, power lines lay limp in his yard and debris everywhere, damaged the side of his home. Welch said he couldn’t complain. There were others who fared far worse,  still trying to recover.

“We were blessed,” he said. “It’s hurting to see people not back.”

Still, it took eight months to repair the damage he said. A church from New York made several trips over a year, restoring his roof, electrical system and damaged wall.

Welch said without the help of the church, he would still be way behind.

“We come back,” he said. “We rebuild.”