Making a Difference

March 21

            In the transcripts that I have reviewed thus far the volunteers were asked what their motivation was to go to New Orleans and help. The answers ranged from “I don’t know, I thought it would be fun to see, well not fun but an adventure,” to people who believed it was their Christian duty to help those in need. What began as a one week volunteer trip for many ended up becoming a desire to re-evaluate their own life. What they wanted not only for themselves but for those strangers who were struggling to keep their families together amid terrible circumstances had become an important priority in their life.

            The volunteers describe the kind of work they were doing in some detail. The work ranged from dry walling, gutting, painting, mudding and framing new homes. The work was hard and at times methodical but rewarding. During the volunteers’ time working on the homes they were also able to interact with some of the homeowners who were also there rebuilding their homes. This slight interaction with the people of New Orleans helped the volunteers see firsthand the work they were doing was not just needed but appreciated.