May the Wind Always Be At Your Back

Gentle breezes made the heat of the day bearable on this our 3rd day of work in New Orleans. This was our warmest day so far, around 80.  The bright sun and warm air felt good to these West Virginians, but the end of the day showed many red faces, arms and legs.

We begin each day with a gathering in the hotel atrium before we leave for the worksite.

We read a reflection written by previous RHINO participants, we share how things are going and encounters we had the previous day.  One of the most meaningful parts of the work is to meet and work alongside future homeowners.  Sometimes we meet the person or family who will be living in the house we are working on.  We also get to meet those who are working on the hours Habitat requires as the Sweat Equity every homeowner must "pay" to Habitat.  We also enjoy getting to know the college students we are working with this week. There are hundreds of college students spending their spring break in NOLA, not for Mardi Gras but to help rebuild the city.

Today most of us worked at 9320 Olive Street.

 The first day five of our team had worked preparing the foundation at this site.  Today we built up the concrete block pilings that will put this house above storm water level.  This was heavy, hot work--  lifting blocks up an onto pilings; mortaring; mixing cement; filling the blocks with cement.

Someone was constantly checking that all the pilings would come out straight and the same height.  At the front of the house a block wall was built in the same manner.  There were some moments of taking two steps back just when we thought we had gone a step forward but by the end of the afternoon this part of the building was complete and we heard the Mountaineers had prevailed over Clemson.  (Let's Go--Mountaineers)

Todd, Ron and Jim Carrano were at the other site.  They got all the trusses put up so roofing work will begin tomorrow (I think).
Tonight we had dinner at the home of WV native John Martin and his wife Chickie.  They are members of St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church.  We were blessed with a delightful evening and great food topped off with singing around the piano, enjoying the musical talents of Daniel Heidt.

Today was Rick Cook's 55th Birthday.  HBTY, HBTY, HBDR, HBTY!