From Taylor

The final day was definitely the longest. There was a lot to be done in 711 but we were all prepared to get the job done. Even though we didn’t finish there was a lot to be said for the work we completed. It was a very long and tedious process but we managed to get the cabinets into the kitchen along with adding some trim and finishing up paint in the bedroom. We did however manage to complete 444 which was a great feeling to see everything we worked on come together! It was many long hours and by the time we finished we were all very tired but it was so worth it in the end.

                Being on this trip was such an awesome experience and I’m so glad I came! It was amazing to hear the owner’s stories and it really put everything in perspective. We are all so fortunate to have what we have and though we may not be able to give them back everything the least we can do is give them our time, not just by working but by listening. I’ve had a lot of great memories and learned a lot of new things that I will keep with me forever.

Thursday's build

Chris' blog

Day 4 of house building, we are running thin on supplies, lost several workers, and our water is scarce. Also, everything I just said is a complete lie!

Progress is the name of the game and has been for this whole week. We complete one section of a room only to find another doodad to re-adjust or replace.

Only one day remains but already we have seen a massive transformation from a house that was a stranger to us to a home that our hands and souls are now intertwined with. Every cut, every nail, every board is placed knowing that this home needs to look like a home, not just a house. More specifically, today involved a lot of molding and painting. We have gotten a start on the cabinets but the warped walls of the house create some challenge.

Day 3

Jamie's blog entry

                Today Holly, Chris, Jim, and I finished off the tiles on the bathroom floor.  It was a really cool experience to learn how to place, glue, and cut the tiles into the right kind of shape that the room needs.  It was scary at first, especially when we used the tile cutter saw all on our own.  Just like the rest of the work here, once you get the hang of it the task becomes really fun; I now like to think of myself as a tile expert, but that’s just me. 

                The really cool thing about the area we are working in is how frightening it is.  You don’ feel safe walking around here in any way possible, yet you see young children walking down the street alone coming home with grocery bags all by themselves.  These kids are so used to this being their everyday life.  It’s crazy to think that something we refer to as dangerous is completely normal to 5 year olds. 

                When you first see a large black man, bandana hanging from his sagging jean pocket, you instantly are a little freaked out about if he will say something, hit on you, just stare at you, or even hurt you.  We don’t know these people, their lifestyles, or what they’ll do.  The phenomenal thing is they all surprise you; they are as friendly as can be.  If they see you they’ll smile and say “Hey” or “Thanks for your service.”  They are so grateful we are here and helping out their area.  The cliché term is “You can’t judge a book by it’s cover,” and it’s true.  These are great people with tragic stories that are touched we are helping them, and if you listen to that tragic story of theirs, they might just touch your life as well.

-Jamie Donahue

First Work Day in AC New Jersey

Tonight's blog authors are Jack and Kyra.

             
              When we woke up, the New Jersey sun—well, it’s all ya’ll’s sun, too—was beating down, cutting through the windows, blinding us poor teenagers. I mean, we’re a week out of school, I thought sleeping in was an option. But, nonetheless, with thick, tar-like coffee coating our tongues and its caffeine invigorating our serving hearts, we set out.

              We were first at the site (and most defiantly first in humor, amazing awesomeness and general coolness). Most of the morning was spent sitting around, waiting. And waiting. And waiting to wait for instructions—and I assure you, nothing is worse than waiting to wait. In the heat. On the asphalt. In jeans.  When I go north, I expect the heat to diminish. Close to the coast, I expect the muggy, sticky, stagnant air to be cut with the breeze from the sea. If I learned anything today, it’s that neither is the truth.  

              Finally, after lunch, we set off working—kind of. Scott and I took off molding. Despite sweat dripping into my eyes, stinging my sight, I was glad for the work. My trusty co-pilot, Kyra Worm and others, at another house, were left stranded without supplies. They sought solace in a back room, where the lights were off and curtains drawn. Emmaleigh was the first to succumb to her drooping eyes and lack of work. Taylor fell next until the entire work site was slumbering in a home that needed major renovations and reeked of mildew. We were, quite obviously, exhausted.

              But finally, after six hours of no work, and with only two hours left, work began in earnest. Because our serving hearts needed satisfaction and to rob them of that would be a sin most heinous.  

Day 1 - Atlantic City

Hey! This is Caroline and Rachel, This is our first day in New Jersey for the Sawdust and Sandals trip! After he church service we went to lunch at the Manassas Mall then we headed out to Jersey.

The trip was long but it went by faster while we talked with our friends! We stopped at a rest stop in Delaware that looked like an airport, it was huge and had lots of variety to buy what we needed for the trip. When we got back on the bus after having stretched our legs we weren’t too excited for the rest of the ride but we knew we were getting closer so the ride wasn’t as bad! After circling around Jersey looking for our destination we finally arrived.

When we arrived the Fuller Center staff talked to us about the work we would be doing and about the devastation that the residents of New Jersey had endured during Hurricane Sandy. After we were finished for the night at the Fuller Center we went to dinner and had a pretty long wait!! We were told “only 5 more min!” however 5 minutes turned into 28! The food was definitely worth the wait! All in all it was a good day and we hope the rest of the week will stay on this trend!

The Last Day....

The Last Day
Today was a little different regarding work. Yesterday afternoon, we noticed the majority of us were standing around with nothing left to do. So today, we split up into four different groups going to different paces. Staying at Queen E’s house was PJ, Sharon, Caroline, and Aly who finished painting (that’s the only thing they know how to do). Going to Ted’s house was Danny, Dave, and I (The Dream Team) to replace a window. On the road to Nash’s house was Emmaleigh, Kyra, and Art (God bless you Art) to dig a hole and make piping for the bathroom. Last, Ryan and Jim (The Leftovers) went next door to work on some roofing. However, there was a change of plans when we were in dire need of Art to work on a window with us. To add on, Dave went back to work with The Leftovers. Unfortunately, The Dream Team had to be split. Art’s surprising efficiency with the windows caused all five of us to be at Nash’s house. Me, Danny, and Kyra dug a large hole to put a bin in while Emmaleigh and Art put pipes in to connect with the bin. At around noon, we returned back to Queen E’s house with an amazing lunch staring us right in the face. This included her famous fried chicken, southern mac and cheese, jello, and watermelon. After lunch, the groups split back up to complete our jobs. After another two hours in the sweltering heat, we all took a dip in the pool compliments of Dave’s friend. It was very cool watching their dog head a ball into the pool so someone could catch it. A busy day we had wrapped up with packing and cleaning. I think we are all ready to go home.
~Steven

PAINT!

PAINT! We are finally putting the finishing touches on the house. It was hot, muggy and above all, GNATY! But our hours of hard work is finally paying off as Ryan, Steven, Jim, and Mr.Freas finish the attic, and painting finished off by Danny, Mrs.Freas, Emmaleigh, Ally, Kyra (THAT'S ME!) Caroline, and SUPA PJ TO THE RESCUE! (AKA Pastor Jeff :))

Every day when the heat gets to its peak, I sometimes think how much I don?t want to be in the heat, and all buggy, and would rather be in the nice, air conditioned room that we sleep in. But like my mom and PJama :) have said, just remember how much we are improving Ms.Queeny's home and life. And I've learned from being here how good we really have it. Also, I realized that I would rather be hot and sweaty, then be sitting at home watching T.V. or even hanging at the pool with my friends because I know that I am helping someone in need that needs our help.

But, there is a major upside to all of this. I made 12 new friends, (including Ms.Queeny's dogs) had an air conditioned room that complete strangers are lending to us, thousands of times we have laughed because of Steven and PJama Ramas :) odd addiction to the Ipod game called tiny wings that Steven (again) introduced to him, movie night, and my favorite, play hide-Steven's things-until he goes crazy :D With all that we have learned, we are going to go home exhausted yet satisfied with what we have done.

(Kyra and Emmaleigh)