1st PC Hickery, NC- March 30-April 4

Residents and neighbors of Hickory, North Carolina proved themselves to be hardy, committed, and kind in their mission work. I don't recall ever seeing so many genuine smiles in one group before. Hickery is certainly salt of the earth.

Brownstone PC, IN- March 24-28

Thirteen is a lucky number in volunteer groups. Indiana took on two projects on opposite ends of New Orleans. One in Violet, southeast of New Orleans, the other near city park on the west end of downtown. Whether drywalling or installing cabinets, they all worked tirlessly to meet the ambitious goals set by the construction managers that week.

Southwest Partners, IA- March 24-28

A mixture of members from different churches come together under Iowa's banner to put the finishing polish on the Lurline house. Tim Maxa leads this team of rebel rousers to victory on Lurline Street.

This home was just dedicated on July 10, 2008 and the entire family has come home. They still enjoy the picture of the group hanging on the wall in their livingroom.

Warner Pacific College, Portland, OR... and United PC, Randolph, NY

The east coast and the west coast joined forces the week of March 24-28 to work on one home. Who'd have thought that people from such diverse backgrounds, locations, age groups, and traditions could become a family in just one week? And they don't mess around.

Brava Oregon and New York.

University of Minnesota- March 16-21

No less than 90 students from the University of Minnesota in Duluth "flooded" Olive Tree the week of their Spring Break. New Orleans rather enjoyed having such a fantastic flood. These students collectively worked on 9 homes, the volunteer village, and a Berean Church in Central City, and contributed over 4,400 hours of labor. With costs of labor being valued at $18/hour in New Orleans, this one team of students gave New Orleans homeowners a gift of $79,380.00.

One might say that the size of their hearts was even bigger than the size of their group. That is proven when you consider how difficult it is to do simple things like sleep, eat, and shower when the volunteer village is at capacity.

Dunn's Corner PC, Westerly, RI

Mark Doescher et al. collaborated in a multi-church and family work trip. Working on two homes in New Orleans proper and the volunteer village itself, they all saw their share of drywall mud and dust, tiling, and the beautiful New Orleans evenings in March.

They were joined by Iowa, North Carolina, and Virginia from March 9- 15, 2008.

Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA

Twenty college students, led by a long-time mission advocate, Kristen Hutson jumped at the opportunity to work in New Orleans on their Spring Break! The other volunteers that stayed at the village that week said they really enjoyed seeing such bright hope for the future. One that can now install tongue and groove floating floors, paint bathrooms, and tile shower walls.

They left a hard hat attached to our sign post signed by the team... yeah, they were a lot of fun. Go Coe!

1st PC Norfolk, VA

You can tell these four came with pleanty of energy and a willingness to try anything. It's one efficient trip when you have two backseat drivers.;)

St Andrew's PC, Raleigh, NC

These professional guys spiced up the week in St. Bernard parish. Working down in Violet and Chalmette, Dan Dye and his crew made a lot of progress with tub-surround tiling, door installation, painting, caulking, and cabinet installation. And all with a 3-year-old running around them the whole time.

Definately a charismatic, friendly group of guys!

Linn Presbyterian Church, Lake Geneva, WI- March 2-7, 2008

This dynamite team of painters has worked their backs to the bone completing some of the final labor for the home.

Incidentally, the home they worked on is scheduled to be dedicated this Friday, August 1st. Thanks "Team Wisconsin!"