"Tour of Duty" with Habitat for Humanity Helped Continue the Progress Being Made in Rebuilding The Coastal Community

On March 3rd, despite a day's delay due to a snowstorm, 12 people from the First Baptist Church of Hudson, NH boarded a plane for New Orleans to participate in a Habitat for Humanity project building houses in the gulf coast area of Mississippi. The team was comprised of: Craig Bailey, Ellie Cropley, Al Daigle, Bri Daigle, Torre Daigle, Pastor Jim Harrington, Clarice James, Mike Ledoux, Bruce Mostrom, Terry Mostrom, Tony Rice and Jessica Surro.

The team arrived at the worksite on March 4th eager to work alongside a team from Maryland, under the direction of Jamie Morton, the site foreman from Habitat for Humanity. The previous crew had framed and sheathed the house, which was now ready to receive a roof. The team of volunteers worked diligently throughout the week in great weather requiring sun block and bug spray. By the end of the day Friday, the house had a roof, a shed was erected and both were ready to be tar papered and shingled by the next crew.

Day 1 – Wednesday March 4, 2009

Day 3 – Friday March 6, 2009

The team's quick work put this build project ahead of schedule by 4 days! A key factor contributing to the team's productivity was the FANTASTIC leadership of Jamie Morton from Habitat for Humanity. Jamie had a great attitude, provided the direction needed and made sure that all the tools and materials were on the site in advance of when they were required.

The most rewarding part of the experience was meeting the Lyons family who is scheduled to move into the home in the July timeframe. The Lyons were forced from their home as a result of hurricane Katrina back in 2005. Until recently they had been living in FEMA provided housing but have since been vacated from that and are now living with relatives in the area.

The entire crew with Mrs. Lyons (in center of door)

Every person on the team recognized what an extremely rewarding experience this was. In addition, the local people were extremely appreciative of the efforts of volunteers who are continuing to stream into the area to help rebuild.

The team would like to thank a number of people, including: all those that donated funds for the trip completely covering all costs; Heather who hosted the team at Camp Victor, in Ocean Springs, MS; Loren Moylan, the Habitat for Humanity volunteer coordinator; and Jamie Morton.

If you haven't had the opportunity to do anything like this, it is highly recommended. Don't feel that you need to be a master carpenter to add value to these projects. There is quite literally something for everyone to do, from working in the kitchen feeding volunteers to swinging a hammer (which ANYONE CAN DO).

In closing, there is still much to do; the rebuild of the gulf coast area of Mississippi is ONLY 30% complete. As the team worked on the Lyons' new home, they could gaze around at the neighborhood and see boarded-up homes and inhabited homes that probably would be condemned if a strict inspection were conducted. Habitat for Humanity has a goal of building upwards of 800 more houses in the area in the next few years for people who are still without housing, as a result of hurricane Katrina.

The crew from First Baptist Church, Hudson, NH

Thanks for your support!