A day in the life

In our daily lives, our work schedule sometimes varies. Most members of our Mission Team work day time hours. Others, like me, work nights. So, I’ve had to adjust my body’s time clock.

Our day here usually starts with a 7:15 a.m. wake up call. However, some members of our team are usually up before that time since they’re used to getting up early.

See photos from Ken's trip!

Since we’re sharing the dorm with another Mission Team from Michigan with the same amount of members, the kitchen can resemble a "Breakfast Waltz." At times, four or five people are turning around in the kitchen; some already know what they’re fixing for breakfast; others are contemplating what they have a taste for at this hour.

Food choices aren’t usually a problem since the pantries, cabinets and three refrigerators are fully stocked. Some of the food is left over from previous volunteers. The rest of the food was purchased by us and the Michigan Mission team.

After wrapping up breakfast and fixing our small lunches, we head for a warehouse set up on the Heritage UMC property. It’s like a mini Lowe’s or Home Depot stocked with building supplies that are free to the volunteers working on their home building or repair projects.

We’re on the job site by 9 a.m. and work until about 4:30-5 p.m.

The last couple of days, we’ve had company. Two electricians, Frank Mickel and William Lawry, are donating their time and reducing their fee by nearly 50 percent to wire the 2,500 square-foot. house.

We’ve strictly focused on the finishing work. So, with all the mudding and sanding we’ve done over the last four days, by the end of each day, we’re all exhausted, but it’s a good tired. That euphoric feeling that accompanies the tired, aching muscles, comes from a sense that we are helping Ms. Cheryl and her cousin Julie who lives with her, realize their hope of rebuilding their home after Hurricane Katrina.

Both Ms. Cheryl and Julie said Thursday, that seeing the house nearing completion is like waking up from a dream.