muscles, monkeys, and meatballs galore!

On the 4^th day of August, in the year 2013, Benjamin Duvall arrived in New Orleans with a crew of folks from Gospel Community Church in Fort Wayne, IN.  This just so happens to be where Suzanne Duvall, HH2G hospitality coordinator, is from, and Ben just so happens to be her brother!  In addition, included in this bunch of arrival was a big surprise in the form of her parents and niece.  The week was off to an awesome start!  

 

If you note the title to this page, you’ll notice three words.  Let’s begin with “muscle”.  Now, ‘round these parts Mid-westerners are known for their hard work and big hearts.  Of course it was no surprise to find that this team possessed those traits as well, and exhibited them on and off the job.  The team was split into three groups.  One group went to work alongside Pastor Jose at Philippi Evangelical Church of God in Christ, located in the lower 9^th ward (by the homes developed by Brad Pitt).   They worked on the children’s building, strengthening the frame and working to repair and reconstruct the inside of the building.  They had the privilege of working with several members of the congregation, who joined us for dinner one evening.  They brought gumbo to share, beautiful voices to sing with, and lots of laughter and good conversation.    

 

The second group worked hard at Garden on Marais, even in spite of the record highs in temperatures that week!  Nut sage has been a serious nuisance this year at the garden, so a few people went to battle with it, while a group of guys led by Ron Duvall began prepping the hoop house for shade cloth.  Once the hoop house is set up with the shade cloth it will be functional year-round.         

 

The third group spent their days doing some much needed painting and St. Luke AG.  Bathroom doors, closet doors, the stairwell, and an entire brown wall were painted beautifully.

  

When the team wasn’t eating, sleeping, or working, they were playing spoons (a dangerous game I might add J), or exploring the city, especially the live oak trees in City Park!  This is where the word “monkey” comes in.  I’ve never seen so many people climb 1 tree before!  They were all over it, and some people climbed up to higher limbs.  Seriously, they looked like monkeys.   

And last but not least, let me explain the inclusion of the word “meatballs”.  We have a tradition at HisHands2Go that on spaghetti and meatballs night you can have as many meatballs as you want.  This practice, of course, inspires competition amongst team members.  Prior to this team’s arrival, the record of 55 meatballs consumed in 1 sitting was held by a college student from Florida.  Well, allow me to present Rachel, the new record holder of the most meatballs eaten in 1 sitting… 60.  That’s right, folks…60!!!