On Friday, July 9, at 9:30am we drove away from Mr. S's house on Eagle Street for the last working day. Karen, a short term volunteer and I spent Thursday and a couple of hours on Friday cleaning walls and floors and putting up towel racks and other miscellaneous things. The electricians were there to put up light fixtures, switches and outlets. It is starting to look like a home. The plumbers have to come and then I guess there will be an inspection. This process has been long and full of details but one step at a time and now we see the end. It is a satisfying feeling. I was very happy to meet the owner of the house this week for the first time. He seemed pleased with the progress, so I hope he can move in soon.
We joined Rich's crew at Mrs. B's house on Clouet St. All volunteers are there - short term and long term. Actually we have only 2 short termers, a mother and daughter from Manitoba here for 2 weeks and there are 12 others here considered long term. This coming week is the last week for the Hesston College and Canadian Mennonite University students. Nine of us go out on the jobs besides the project director. Two of the 12 are cooks, one is the office manager and the director's wife keeps the unit running smoothly.
At the house on Clouet St. Rich and one of the college girls cut the last piece of drywall to be put up. They won't put it up until they figure out how the moisture is getting in beside an old window. Other people have been painting, mudding drywall and sanding. Security bars have been installed on some of the windows and doors. Rich and another guy worked long hours Friday on installing a security door.
Thursday evening we had a guest for supper and she shared her story of involvement with MDS with us. They had a contractor who started building for them and then suddenly quit working on their house. They were discouraged but as they were driving in the city they saw a house being worked on with an MDS sign out front. They stopped and asked about getting help and MDS stepped right in and finished what the man had left. She was extremely grateful and overcome with emotion as she expressed her appreciation for all that was done.
We can not imagine what it is like to lose everything and then have some one help you with out taking advantage of you. She commented that Katrina was a bad thing but in a way it was a blessing. She is learning to not take anything for granted.