As soon as we got there, it was very hot. We were all sweating within minutes but no matter what the weather conditions, we were all determined to finish as much as we could.
We worked as a team and when it got too hot for someone, we switched jobs with the other person. We finished painting the house, molding, and trim for both houses.
Two and a half more rooms of flooring were completed and we almost finished installing the kitchen cabinets.
After a long day, we did our best with everything and then it was time to clean up and present the houses to the homeowners.
They were extremely grateful and did not stop thanking us. We had a short time of reflection and devotion with the homeowners. Then we wrote our names on the kitchen floor that has yet to be finished as a reminder that our group will continue to lift the families up even after we leave.
Then we prayed for the houses and the future of the families before we left. We really enjoyed working here in Mississippi. Not only were we able to help others by doing mission work but we also met other youth and adults throughout our time here who are volunteering their time here as well. Whether it was the District Superintendents, Pam Easterly, or Smiley (our hostess at the Shed), we were affirmed by others that the work we have helped with is important and can profoundly impact others' lives as well as our own. I am amazed at all the youth mission teams that we have met by working here. We have met groups from Florida, Virginia, Minnesota, Georgia and Tennessee just in the week we have been here. It has truly been a blessing. After gathering all of our tools and saying goodbye to the families and neighbors, we returned home and started working on our progressive dinner.
Each family group was assigned to a specific dish that they had to prepare for the whole group. We all started working hard and in less than an hour we were all munching on a great array of appetizers, salads, an interesting main course of stuffed bell peppers and a magnificent dessert. We were all stuffed like the bell peppers we ate.
We had a rehearsal and afterward for devotion we had our traditional foot washing ceremony. We enjoyed a sense of unity as we prepare to leave Mississippi and get ready to return to Virginia for our tour.
Tonight we are all busy packing and are excited to go sight-seeing tomorrow in New Orleans.
Keeping you up-to-date,-David and Jordan, Voices of Youth Blogmasters
What an amazing amount of work that you have accomplished. You have no doubt made an impact ways that you will never know. The temps here in Virginia have been much cooler than you have experienced, so you will get some respite when you return for the tour. We're anxiously awaiting your work to begin here. Enjoy New Orleans and learn much there as well. Blessings and continued strength to each of you.
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