Thanks to Olympia Presbytery

Today with sadness we see the last of our twenty volunteers from Washington state leave. The group, sponsored by Olympia Presbytery, have been hard workers, but as importantly, tremendous spiritual refreshers for the Village. We appreciated some wonderful evening devotions culminating with Communion last Thursday night. Fellowship with staff and the Wisconsin team was very enjoyable.

This group was split into two groups for the week's work. About half led by Pastor Steve(1st hat from the left) worked on Joan's house. They painted, hung doors, layed vinyl tile, cleaned, patched, and generally brought this house along. The other half or so, led by Mike (2nd hat on the right)finished drywall on Ken's house. Mike was most gratious in patiently teaching others how to do some of what he does so well. The end result was a huge leap in the status of this house.

This was the second group to participate in the presbytery's cluster house in the lower Ninth Ward. On Saturday some eight or nine volunteers from Washington worked on this house filling in large holes in the floor, painting, caulking, and patching masonry. The rest stayed back at the village and helped clean and build boardwalks.

And it wasn't all work for the week. On Friday the entire group loaded up in three vans and toured the area. They enjoyed dinner out in-town.

Team Leader Steve in hat rear left.

Wisconsin on the way home

It was a week of being flexible. The team of six from Lake Geneva Wisconsin had to shift gears a few times during their time here. The initial assignment was to build a back porch and stairs for Robin's house. Unfortunately that first day was the day New Orleans saw rains and flooding and this outdoor work had to be cancelled. So this team moved to another, indoor job.

Mid-week they were back on the original assigment. In the remaining time they were able to build the porch and stairs. All that remains is to complete the railing.

A real bonus for this group was to meet an adjacent homeowner, Jack, on whose house Bill had worked just last April. Jack resides in the only house on the block that is occupied. We all hope Robin is the second!

Team Leader, Don holding branch on the right.
Don is bringing another team in March. Great!!!

Three Musketeers

Mark, Alex & Allen were here from Vasser Michigan for the week. We had a great week, but ate way too well.

This group was assigned to Joan's house. They installed window sills, finished drywall, and installed ceramic tile around the two bath tubs. Great progress was made during the week. It is amazing how far this home has come in just ten days with the combined efforts of the California and Michigan teams.

Team Leader Alex in middle.

California on my mind

Santa Ynez California sent us eight volunteers who started working last Wednesday. They worked on Joan's house for four days and made some real progress on the drywall and painting. They also hung cabinets in the laundry room.

A first for this village was participation in the presbytery's cluster home. The Presbytery of South Louisiana has taken on one home specifically so local church members can give back in appreciation for the volunteers coming from elsewhere. This home will be renovated primarily on Saturdays so that people living and working here can join in it's reconstruction. This team enjoyed meeting Annie Mae and working on her home.

Team Leader Carolyn front and center.
Just got word that Carolyn is bringing a team back in May. That's awesome!!!

This California team is the first volunteer group to stay at Olive Tree. We hope they will come back and bring others and that by the time that happens we have a real kitchen in operation.