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Mission
Trip
New Orleans, July 2007
Wow, what to say about New Orleans? For the
most part it was a very wonderful experience, as is every mission trip. But
to me this trip was different. On the way down I rode with my best-friend
and the Kunkles (it wasn't as bad as you think). So of course the trip started
out great. I settled in and got ready for the very long trip ahead of us,
but luckily for me there was never a dull moment in the van, we thought
of fun games to play, weird songs to sing, eat of course and just look at
the beautiful country rolling by us.
The first night of our wonderful adventure we stayed at a church in
Bristol, Virginia (a very long way from home I might add). And the people
there were very nice to us and so very welcoming. And we also had a very
big gym to get all of our stored energy from the day out. Once the day was
over we laid our excited little heads down and went to sleep. We awoke early
the next morning and were on the road by 7am. We were on our way yet again.
Felisha and I had too much excitement we had no idea what to do with it so;
you guessed it we went to sleep. 13 hours later we were in New Orleans,
Louisiana. It was not what I expected, there was still so much damage, homes
that nobody had come back to, families that were still living in trailers
after two years, hard to believe right, try seeing it. It was heart breaking.
After unpacking, a shower and a night’s rest, we were ready for the
work to begin. I thought it was going to be the usual, people wanting to
be with certain people, people not wanting to do a certain job, but the
complaining never came. Everyone was just so eager to get to work they
didn't care what they were doing. Everyone was so loving and helpful. My
first house was gutting out a house, simply taking out everything and putting
it on the curb for the trash men to pick it up. Simple right, not, we were
moving clothes, furniture, stuff from the fridge, closets, and even tearing
the walls down. The temperature was unbelievable hot so the key was to drink
lots of water to keep hydrated. And when you are a stubborn old pastor, you
need to be told when to have water. Hem hem.
The second day I was stationed to tear down the camp that we were going
to stay at, it was a 4 day job but the crew took it down in one. Throwing
out old blankets, moving washers and dryers, and even taking down two big,
circus looking tents. The most fun of the day was taking sheets of wood
that were screwed to pallets, apart. Fun and easy right? Well add 2-4 inch
flying cicadas and you got yourself a blast, no thanks to Mr. McCabe for
ever so kindly letting me know that there was a friend on my leg. So far
this trip was going great no one was complaining, no problems, well maybe
with the showers but luckily it was worked out and everyone got a shower.
The third day I was really looking forward to because, I had heard stories
of how the people who owned the house came back and met some of the workers
from our group. I was really excited and looking forward to meeting the
family whose house I was working on, I wanted a cool story to share. So here
I am cheerful Brynee ready to go work and meet a family. But sadly I didn't
get to meet them however I did have a great time working. I ripped up tile,
took out installation, tore down dry wall and even helped remove a bathtub.
It was really amazing seeing a house all cleaned out and ready for rebuilding
to begin. That night we went on a boat tour in the bayou and it was just
so much fun. My tour guide told us how important the wet-lands were to the
people. He even showed us some pretty alligators, not crocodiles,
they live in Florida, and I had the chance to hold a baby egg. How neat.
On board with us he had a baby alligator and some of us got to hold him,
I'll never forget that look on Mrs. Cooks face when she did. Absolutely priceless.
The next day was our last workday. I got to put up drywall instead of
take it down, let me tell you, it was a very big change. I spackled and
had lots of fun doing it. I was working with the Queen of Measuring Drywall,
a.k.a. Mrs. Erdley, which was a chance not worth missing. It was really
amazing to finally see a finished project that could finally be painted and
the family could start to move back in. it meant so much to me to be a part
of something that seems so small but yet at the same time it is very big.
The only bad part of this trip was leaving when I knew that there was still
so much to be done. I only hope that I get another chance to make another
difference in some one's life.
- Brynee Murphy
If you were part of the Mission Trip and have a
story you'd like to share,
please e-mail Bonny McCabe.
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