The story of the Youth Group on Friday actually starts on Thursday. As I mentioned in yesterday's post, the Youth Group went back to work after eating dinner last night. They worked until around 10:15pm, which gave them about 13 1/2 hours of work on the day. They fell into bed last night, got up this morning, and hit it again. An interesting aside involves Sophomore, Josh Thomas. After working all day yesterday, Josh went right to bed after working and got up this morning with everyone else. Because they went right to work, he didn't have a chance to shower. On the way to the site he asked (in all seriousness), "Does anyone smell that...it smells like a wet dog." Apparently, HE was the wet dog. Susan and Laura told him that if he didn't shower tonight, they would scrub him down with sand.
As for the work of the day, there was a lot to report on. The group spent the day putting glass in panes, painting, and fixing french doors. The teens were once again affirmed for their work ethic. The local work organizer said that she is going to have to re-configure her work schedule because of how much our group accomplished. That woman, who is in Mississippi on a three year contract, said that when our group comes back, they are welcome to stay at her place if they have no where else to stay. She really things a lot of them. It sounds like EVERYONE thinks a lot of them.
They also continued to build a relationship with the homeowner, Kathy Rhoads. All week long they have been hearing stories of how the hurricane affected, not only her, but her community as well. She has told them stories of how both of her neighbors drowned and about the many other horrifying things that she had to witness because of Hurricane Katrina. They have all been personally touched by all that they have heard and seen.
As I've mentioned before, there might be a return trip to Mississippi sometime in the Fall or Spring. This would be good, not only for us as a parish, but for the city of Waveland as well. It turns out that the Federal Government pays the city if Waveland $18.75 for every hour of volunteer work that they receive. Our group has worked more than forty hours this week, but lets suppose that that is it. That means that our group, at a minimum, has earned Waveland a total $5,250. That's awesome. If we can bring more young people next time, who knows what we can do.
The Youth Group is really making us proud. Please continue to pray for them, especially as they begin their journey home tomorrow.
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