Thanksgiving at Olive Tree 2007

There were two teams from Atlanta, GA & Durham, NC.,Rick, myself(Charles) and Virginia and here mom Marion. We had a great day with our turkey done in a roasting pan and everything else on the BBQ. Marion brought some buttermilk cake and pecan pie for dessert, while Lisa and Jeff brought in some cheese, dips and crackers. Karen decorated the dining room with pvc/duck tape candle holders and some tableclothes she brought with her. She also provided some excellent dinner music. Everyone had some in put into the meal and when we sat down to eat it was fabulous.

As it was very aptly put it was a "precious and unifying event full of deliscious food, pvc candlelight, endless stories, where defenses dropped and people came to see and know and enjoy each other".

They arrived Monday in time for supper and got settled in for the night. The ladies did not have many trades skills for their tasks but, were very willing and capable workers who learned and accomplished a lot of work. Conscientious to a fault in that they returned to their two worksites on the days they were leaving to clean up what they thought they should have done. That's dedication, bravo...
It wasn't until the end of the week that I found out/realized they found my orientation and all the rules a bit overwhelming. However, I either mellowed by mid week or they just accepted me for me, not certain. At any rate their leader, Jill was smiling by Thanksgiving, so not all was lost.
An excellent group with Karen who brought us home made bread and decorated with PVC and duck tape for Thanksgiving, Kay the story teller, Sally who wasn't in the team pic but, has her very own and Debora who was nervous about food being out dated. Jeff & Lisa, Jill's sister & brother-in-law flew from CA to join the team. A great couple who, I believe enjoyed their time here.
As they left on Saturday, we said our good byes. Around 1 P.M. I get a call from Jill, Karen, Kay and Debora; can we stay another night. They came back with all supper food and we had some very good fellowship once more.
Thank You Ladies...

Team leader, Jill second from left

Sally has a very special talent. Since she left early on Friday to visit family she was not in the team pic, but as you can see was enjoying Thanksgiving. I asked before I put this in!!!

The Boomerrangs

Tyler Momsen-Hudson on his 5th mission to the Gulf Coast (4th with PDA). A very energetic group who accomplished a lot in a short time. Elizabeth returned and his wife Deborah came on this mission. Mel & Carl were first timers who enjoyed the experience of New Orlean. Hanging all the doors in the Painter house was in itself quite the accomplishment. A very good week.

Team Leader, Tyler in front.

Another status report

The second month of operation is almost upon us and we have no volunteers in the Village this week. As I (Rick) am preparing to leave I thought I would let you know where each of the projects stands that our folks have worked on.

Joan: Front doors installed, rear french doors installed. Everything painted. Vanities installed in both baths. Only floor covering still to be installed is the carpeting in bedrooms, living and dining areas. Still to go are countertop for kitchen, finish work on kitchen cabinets, and trim around exterior doors. Electricians and plumbers are mostly done. Joan should have Christmas in her home.

Annie Mae: Exterior walls and trim painted. Interior ready for insulation and drywall. There may be a little more elapsed time on this house because much of the work has been done by Saturday volunteers only.

Robin: Rear porch and stairs complete. Kitchen cabinets finished. Touch up and punch list complete. Power is on. Looks like once the AC work is completed she should be able to move in.

Feltus: All floor tile is in. Kitchen cabinets are in. Venetian plastering done (and that was an education in patience). Toilets set. Vanities installed. Wood flooring complete in bedrooms and started in living and dining areas. Electricians are mostly done and very little remains to complete plumbing hookups. Feltus also might be in by Christmas.

Painters: I never got to meet the owner and never heard her name, but several groups have worked at this address. The Durham, NC folks installed base board thoughout both units, excluding kitchens and baths. They also installed all of the interior doors which was a major project due to settling, non-square openings, and openings too short for the jambs. But, most electrical is complete, floor tile complete throughout, and walls painted.

Lakeview Presbyterian Pre-School: The teachers liked the color in the room our folks completed and as a result the church has a couple of workdays planned to get all of the painting complete. They hope to open the school in January.

Olive Tree Village: Nothing has changed since you were here. But, the contractor is supposed to be on the premises tomorrow, Tuesday, November 27. By early 2008 all of the work should be complete and we should have first class accomodations ready for occupancy. You might want to go ahead and make reservations. We need you here.

Update November 21, 07

Hi Y'all,

First, we'd like to wish one and all a very Happy Thanks giving. Eat lots of Turkey and enjoy the many blessings we have to be thankful each and every day. Tomorrow we are having a 15 lb turkey, sweet potato, scalloped corn, peacn pie and lots more.

Some good news, the contractors are supposed to be here next week. Their first priority is the parking lot so that we can pull our trailers here, huuurah!!!

Not much else has changed but, I did get the drop ceiling down in the main entry area. For those of you who met or heard me talk about Pastor Billie Zachary and his wife Pamela, they did get a place to worship and it's ot too far from here. I spent a couple of hours on Saturday evening helping them get ready for their first service this past Sunday They are very nice and I'm sure will do very well with their min istry.

Alas, as we have our last two teams until 27th December, I also lose Rick next week. It seems as if he just got here and now will be leaving. I think that he really enjoyed his time here at Olive Tree but, is probably excited to get home to Wendy and his real life. For me, it has been a very uplifting experience to have Rick and all his talents, especially keeping me on track.

Above is a picture of our new totem pole!!

Remember, trust in Him.

Charles

Mariners in Mission

The Mariners are a Presbyterian Group who have been together for many years. For some they have made as many as 35 mission trips all over. They came from 9 different states, arriving by car/plane. The group of 17 had a core of around with some being newcomers. Some of those who arrived by car brought a supply of snacks which lasted most of the week. They worked on a few houses while here and managed to accomplish some really good work as well as meet some home owners and neighbors.
The Group started an OT tradition with our first totem pole with a crosss on top which they had given to Rick & I. We had them mount it on the top of the pole with their plaque below. We had a good week and everyone ate very well. They even left with my candy jar....

Team Leader, Verda, center row second from right.

The Hopefuls

They blew in on the 4th and out again on the 7th. While here we got to know each other and had some very meaningful discussions.

Their work was at Lakeview PC on Canal Blvd where they did some patching, priming and finish painting. Not quite what they had anticipated, but a rewarding experience.

The girls put together a stew that was great and Rick and I just finished yesterday. Maybe you could come back and put together another batch!!!

As you can see from their picture, they had an attachment to the showers. Delene even had a shower with her pet frog.

Team Leader, Nancy, far left

They dribbled in and dribbled out

This morning the last of the Charlotte NC/Leesburg FL group left; happens that he was the first to arrive two weeks ago. In the meantime we had four in and at one time actually had all five working on one house.

This group worked on Joan's, Feltus's, and Annie Mae's houses. They tiled, grouted, painted, cleaned, installed cabinets, and repaired. Much was accomplished particularly on Joan's house.

We really appreciated the dedication and energy this team brought to the village. The Charlotte contingent were young adults -the first for this village - and left fired up for the job yet to be done here.

This group helped us realize the capabilities of our primative kitchen facility. We enjoyed a dinner of baked spaghetti that was as good as one might get in a restaurant.

Status report

Here it is, just one month after this village opened for volunteers. So that all who have been here can appreciate what has been accomplished we are summarizing where each project stands.

Joan's house: All rooms have been painted, with the exception of the bathrooms. Vinyl floor tile has been installed in the living and kitchen areas. Bathrooms have been tiled, tub surrounds and floor. All missing or broken glass has been replaced. Windows and window trim has been painted. Window sills are installed and painted. Kitchen and laundry room cabinets have been installed. The electricians have installed the fixtures, recepticles, and switches. This house is close to being finished; remaining to be completed are counter tops, bathroom fixtures, baseboard, back (french) doors, and appliances.

Annie Mae's house: The windows are all installed, with the exception of the bathroom window. Caulking and priming have been completed. The plumbing and AC rough-ins have been completed by contractors. The electrical rough in is mostly complete. Facia boards have been installed around some 60% of the house. Volunteer participation seems to have been fairly slim and thus progress is slow.

Robin's house: We are down to a short list of work to be done on this house. The porch railings still need to be installed. Kitchen counters have been installed, but some finish work still needs to be done on the cabinets. There are some "punch list" type of items that need to be taken care of. We hope to complete this house by mid-November.

Ken's house: The last visit to this house was just this past Monday. Another group was continuing to finish some of the drywall. The construction manager indicated they hoped to prime the walls and ceiling before the week was over.

Hickory, dickory, dock

Arriving Sunday morning, these three guys from Hickory North Carolina joined the village manager for church; what a great way to start the week .

These volunteers spent the entire week working on Feltus's home here in east New Orleans. With help from a few members of another group they managed to tile and grout two bath tubs, trim some twenty windows - several with very complicated trapezoidal shapes - and paint a couple of rooms. They also scraped the floors in preparation of flooring installation. One of the real joys this group had was regular and frequent interaction with the homeowner and his family.

One of the guys, Zeke, was a resident of nearby Chalmette when Katrina struck. Zeke added some understanding to the politics of this area. We really appreciate all this group was able to accomplish here.

Team Leader, Rick on the right.