2007 Baptist Blitz Build: April 2007

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Saturday April 28, 2007

Saturday April 28, 2007- We're Half way there!

Things went a little slower today. Many volunteers started traveling home early Saturday morning, and even more knocked off after their last "free lunch" of the week.

The first week's volunteers were amazing! I couldn't have asked for a better crew of people to help us kick start the 2007 Baptist Blitz. It was sad to see this high-energy team leave Baton Rouge this afternoon, but luckily the next crew of Baptist volunteers will be arriving in just 24 hours.

Ode to the Week One Volunteer

(In Pictures, of course... please write your own verse to go with the pictures)

Friday, April 27, 2007

The Cast of Characters

The Cast of Characters

The Hawaii 5-O...

Christiaan Long, Construction Director

I sure am glad no one decided to wear a grass skirt, despite the Hawaiin theme on Tecumseh!

Smells like Team Spirit!

Can you spot the kitty?

Friday April 27, 2007

Day 5- Friday April 27

Done, Done, Done.

The 2007 Baptist Blitz volunteers are on fire! I dont know if it is the spicey Louisiana cusine, or the hot Southern sun, but this group of volunteers burned through today's task list.

They are awesome!

The walls are up, the roofs are blacked in and volunteers began hanging the vinyl siding.

The progress is amazing!

Thursday, April 26, 2007

April 26, 2007

Thursday April 26, 2007

Luckily the rain held off Wednesday while we worked; unfortunately strong storms plowed though the city late Wednesday night and early Thursday morning leaving each of our homesteads a muddy mess.

Despite the mud, and a dead camera battery, things went great today! All of our houses passed their inspections, and tomorrow we will start installing the insulation and eventually the drywall.

After last night's storm, there wasn't a cloud left in today's sky. It got up to about 85* with around 30% humidity. It was BEAUTIFUL day to be helping our neighbors!

Although the 2007 Baptist Blitz Build is well under way, each partner families' life transformation is just beginning. Each volunteer's time spent here in Baton Rouge is helping a wonderful family move one step closer to their dream of homeownership, and a brighter future for her children.

In what was today's muddy construction site, 12 families will find a garden, a playground and a place to call home in just a few more months.

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Reflections on day three from American Baptist volunteers

This is probably not the most romantic way to spend a honeymoon but we are glad we are here and we are having a great time! The people we are working with are so much fun. We will do this again.
-Ty and Becky Peace, Danville, IL

Reflections on day three from American Baptist volunteers from First Baptist Church, Chico, CA

It’s amazing how far we have come in less than 3 days! It’s incredible to go from nothing but the concrete foundation, to having all the walls up (both inside and outside), and the roofing nearly complete. I have never really done any construction work before, so I was a little bit hesitant to do this whole thing simply because I felt that I would not really know what to do, and would not be able to contribute as much as I would’ve liked. After being here to help, I have not only learned that I don’t have to know how to do everything (since there are plenty of people here who do happen to know what to do and are willing to tell me what to do next), but I have found that I have made many new friends, and have learned quite a few ‘tricks-of-the-trade.’ I am so thankful that I made the decision to come out here and take part in this wonderful activity. I will definitely take part in this again!

-Chris Herringer, age 20, First Baptist Church, Chico, California

Okay, so I’ll admit that I bludgeoned the alarm clock when it woke me at 6am (4am California time), but I really am finding myself looking forward to coming to work in the morning, and looking for my team–-people from all over the country. This is what I will be doing in MY retirement, too—great feeling, those blisters with a purpose!

-Terry Miller-Herringer, First Baptist Church, Chico, CA

Reflections on day three from American Baptist volunteers

The Baton Rouge Habitat House Blitz is the place to be. A time for everything, work, food, fellowship and sight seeing. Done it all – and enjoyed it all. A great experience!
I’d do it again. Looking forward to another mission encounter.

-Janice Mott, First Baptist Vincennes, IN

Reflections on day three from American Baptist volunteers

Jesus is all about new beginnings. These homes are a new start for these families. It is an honor to be able to serve the Lord and others with this project. We Baptists are fat and overfed! What a great way to sweat and serve! May God bless this mission work herein Baton Rouge and may the name of Jesus be praised!

-Jon Lobos, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Paris, IL

Reflections on day three from American Baptist volunteers from Third Baptist Church, St. Louis, MO

I never knew I could swing a hammer so well!
—Candace Owen, Third Baptist Church St. Louis, MO.

This is awesome, everyone should do it!
-Clara Jackson, Third Baptist Church, St. Louis, MO

My wife Laura and I have met so many wonderful people, and have made some surprising re-connections with Baptist friends from our past who are also here serving. It has been a personally refreshing experience. What great things we can do together when our focus is service to Christ and others.
-Warren Hoffman, Pastor, Third Baptist Church, St. Louis, MO

What an experience with a great group of people from all over the USA and Canada!
-Bonnie McDaniel, 3rd Baptist, St. Louis, MO

Reflections on day three from American Baptist volunteers

ABC Friends: It is “hump day” Wednesday of the week I’ve obligated myself to be at this Baptist Blitz Build. I’ve met Baptists from all around the country and am working with a team of folk from Canada. The best part is the enthusiasm of the folk for whom the homes are being built. The home I’m working on will go to a woman who is raising 4 of her 13 grandchildren. She is so excited that they will have a place to live that is their own. Excited that they will have a safe yard to play in—right outside the back door. Doing a bit for others is primarily what this is all about, but in the evenings there is time to a see a little bit of Louisiana—I’ve been too tired to do a lot of that yet. I recommend coming with friends. I’ve met friends from First Baptist Church, Chico, California here and we’ve had a great time. Sharing stories of our work and enjoying our dinners together. I can’t believe how much we’ve accomplished in just 2 and ½ days…many hands do make much work—can’t call it light these days! Thanks for your prayers and encouragement.

-Marcia Patton, Executive Minister, Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches,

Reflections from students from Nashua High School South

Despite the grueling heat and joint pain from a few days of hard, manual labor, this trip to Baton Rouge is definitely one of the best ways I could have spent my spring break. Seeing the progress from the first few days is rewarding, since so much has happened! When we first showed up the houses were just slabs of concrete, but within the first hours of the day the walls were raised and the interior walls finished. Raising the roof and securing the walls was hard work, but with all the teamwork necessary and happening makes anything possible. It’s weird- working on a team with people you see every day but never really got to know and getting all sorts of jobs done just brings everyone so much closer together. It has been said many times on this trip: “I feel like I’ve known you forever.” The teamwork and good attitudes are what make everything possible. With the storm coming today, nobody lost hope but we all trudged through and supported each other and worked all the way through the heat and the rain. The homeowners came around and are good motivators and “water girls” as well as encouragers. Without them, things wouldn’t be possible.

Just seeing the look on the homeowners’ faces when we came to help and presented the gift cards to Home Depot a few days ago was inspiring. It reminded me why we came on this trip in the first place- not to hang out for spring break or eat alligator and experience southern culture or even to catch sun rays, but to change somebody’s life. Although these things happened anyway, we came here to help these people who had lost everything; every baby picture or prom picture taken, every last wedding present, and every single piece of china was smashed and mutilated beyond recognition. To be one of the people who helped reconstruct not only these people’s lives and homes but also their hope is simply amazing -there is just no other way to put it. When everyone looks back on Hurricane Katrina years from now, I will have the satisfaction of saying that I, a sixteen year old junior in high school helped changed somebody’s life and the world… I know it will be one of the greatest satisfactions ever. One measly high school student can help change the world! Who would have thought?
-Michelle, Junior, Nashua High School South

This whole trip has still not hit me yet. I cannot believe that I have been given the chance to help in the hurricane relief effort here in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. All the anticipation and fundraising has finally come to a point where it is now up to us to get the job done. I have no doubt in my mind that we are perfectly capable of doing this and as of now, our efforts as a team prove my thoughts. The most rewarding moment that I will never forget about this trip was seeing the faces of the families of whom we are building the houses for. I cannot imagine what they have been through in the past year, and I feel that building this house is the least I can do. Without the help of my team and house leaders, these houses would not be where they are at this point in time. It’s amazing to me how well we all are working together as a group; nothing has been able to stand in the way of our success thus far. I am appreciative of the respect and attention I have received from the adults on the site. They have given us, the students, the chance to prove that was are capable of building too. I now have stronger friendships with the students on this trip and have also been able to make new ones along the way. There is no place I’d rather be on my spring break than here. I could never go off on vacation when I know there are people left here without the support they deserve. I have had an amazing time here working with Habitat and cannot wait to work with them again.
-Corynne, Junior, Nashua High School

I am covered in sweat, sawdust, and Gatorade. I am sore throughout my entire body, and I’m sunburned in places that I didn’t know could burn. I am farther away from home than I’ve ever been with almost complete strangers. Yet somehow, I am having the time of my life. Most teenagers I know would groan at the thought of spending their Spring Break in such conditions, but for me and my 19 fellow students, this is one of the best vacations ever. We’re giving two well-deserving families a place to live, and having that sort of impact on somebody’s life is amazing. With every swing of my hammer, I think of the people who will one day be living in that home. Just as impressive is the way that everyone has come together. We’ve all really connected with each other, and it shows in the way we work. In just three days we have gone from a slab of concrete to a house with four walls, a partial roof, and even windows! I’ve met so many great people and done things I didn’t even know I could do – I’ve hammered walls, lifted tresses, and used a power saw (and managed to retain all four limbs!) Working with Habitat for Humanity has been a fantastic experience for me, and I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.
- Hilary, Senior, Nashua High School South

When talking about Habitat for Humanity most people think of long hard days that help extraordinary people but it is so much more than that. My school, Nashua High School South, first discussed going down to Baton Rouge about two months before the trip and I was excited then. I thought that it would be a great experience but I had no idea. When I first walked onto Lot #41 on Cypress Glenn Ave it was overwhelming. All that was there were a foundation and the rest was up to us. Of course I knew before hand that we would be building the house from the foundation up but when just seeing the house it hit me that it was up to my team and I to build this house. A few moments after seeing the lot for the first time I met the woman we were building the house for. Her name is Eunola Manison. She lost her house to Hurricane Katrina and was even in the Astrodome for 2 days. After meeting Eunola it made me want to work even harder on the house because she is the kindest and sweetest lady.

As the day got under way and the sun was beating down on us the house was actually coming together. By the end of the first day my team and I had put up the framing to the house. When the day was over I felt that I had accomplished a major task. Now that it is the 3rd day of building and the roof is going up I am still amazed that a hand full of people could do all of this. Besides the since of accomplishment working on a house is actually more fun than most people would suspect. I would give up every vacation to come down and help deserving people like Eunola Manison without any hesitation.
-Megan, Sophomore, Nashua High School South

Reflections from American Baptist Churches’ volunteers from The Hill School, Pottstown, PA

Coming to Baton Rouge has been an amazing experience for me. I have come to appreciate the hard work that it takes to build a house. I have learned valuable teamwork skills that I would not have been able to learn without coming on this Habitat for Humanity trip. I have really enjoyed this experience and look forward to doing it again in the future. I strongly recommend going on a Habitat for Humanity trip for anybody that is interested in doing so.
-James, Fifth Form (11th Grade), The Hill School

Being able to come to Baton Rouge and work on a Habitat for Humanity project has been such an amazing experience. I have learned so much about hard work and determination. It was so much fun to able to form new friendships and really see what it takes to build a house. It is extremely hard work, but the cause is amazing. Meeting the family that you are building the house for really encourages you to keep going and make it the best it can be. I would definitely do this trip again, and hope that I get the opportunity to next year. I would highly advise going on a habitat for humanity trip if it is something you are even remotely interested in.
-Huntley, Fifth Form (11th Grade), The Hill School

Building a house under the hot sun gave me more than just a good tan. I learned how to work together as a team to achieve a common goal. Everyone that I worked with in Baton Rouge was kind and willing to help. I would go on a Habitat for Humanity trip again in a heartbeat. Being able to see the mighty Mississippi River and travel to a place I have never been to before was exciting and rewarding. In spite of the hard work and labor, I am still ecstatic that I was able to build a house for a deserving family and travel to a place I have never been to before.
-Olivia, Fifth Form (11th Grade), The Hill School

Baton Rouge has been a great experience for me. Before I came, I didn’t know many of the kids in our group from Hill, but the trip has given me the chance to get to know them better. Plus, I’ve met more kids and humorous adults at the job site. Before we began working, the group of us from Hill met the family that will be living in the house we are making. They are very kind people and are unbelievably joyful that they are getting a new house and I’m glad I am taking part in making it. Not only has building the house been gratifying, but seeing Louisiana has shown me how incredibly different Louisiana and the South are from the North.
-Jake, Fifth Form (11th Grade), The Hill School

I have really enjoyed myself down here in Baton Rouge. Being able to meet so many people and work with them has taught me a lot about people. Everyone here just wants to help these families and put in a good days work. To see a house being built this fast is incredible. This has also been a great experience being able to learn about building a house and to see all the effort in making a home. I would encourage anyone to join a Habitat build. My only regret is that I will not be able to see this one completed in person but will have to look at photos. I will definitely volunteer for another Build
-Matt, Sixth Form (12th Grade), The Hill School

The Blitz Build was a new and exciting experience for me. I was able to work side by side with all types of people. It was great to team up with my dad to anchor the walls, and to team up with friends and classmates to raise the roof tresses and walls. It was a great chance to meet all kinds of people from around the country and learn from them. Building the house reminded me of Extreme Makeover Home Edition, but in our case, the makeover was not only on the receiving family’s end but involved all of the volunteers and our families. We were able to donate the most valuable commodity, time and support, to touch the lives of the homeowners and members of their family, as well as our own lives. We learned from each other and really built a strong fellowship together to grow as a community.
-Vanessa, Sixth Form (12th grade), The Hill School

Enthusiasm can be found in the unlikeliest of places. In a country saturated with images of violence and despair it takes only the will to see things differently and the desire to approach a new situation with enthusiasm to find a bright spot in a very dark place. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans has become dark but out of the crucible of these terrible times has come the brightness of young people from across the nation to relight the candle of the Big Easy. For me this was a chance to return to the city of my birth, but the opportunity to bring with me five young students has been immeasurably valuable. We have all greatly enjoyed the opportunity to come here and look forward to coming back.
-Daniel, Faculty, The Hill School

Wednesday April 25, 2007

Wednesday April 25, 2007

Dorm life has left a little to be desired, but it looks like the ladies have settled in anyway.

By mid-morning the trusses were up, the hurricane strips nailed on and it was time to admire the view!

The Alcatel-Lucent crew was determined to build the whole house in one day, but fortunately, they left a little work for next week's volunteers!

The volunteers working on the Chuck III's house weren't letting any dust settle on their site either.

While other volunteers decided to relax on the roof in an effort to get suntan while on "vacation" in Baton Rouge...

Don't worry though, not all the volunteers spent the day napping on the roof. Pastor Bruce's team didn't waste any time blacking in the roofs and starting to shingle the Tecumseh houses when they heard their was a chance of rain!

We're having a blast, wish you were here!

Tuesday April 24, 2007

Tuesday April 24, 2007

Thanks to the Texas Baptist Men, no one will be losing weight on this mission trip...

(Thanks to a partnership between the Texas Baptist Men and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, volunteers recieve a hearty breakfast of eggs, bacon, ham, pancakes, etc. and a box lunch on-site that has ranged from veggie corn dogs- for happy vegetarians- to chicken breast and bannana pudding. Yum!)

And thanks to our newly trained crew of professional Hydration Specialists- volunteers won't know what it feels like to be thirsty in Baton Rouge either!