Lyrical Laborers

Hark!  Is that singing I hear?  It is indeed- the sound of voices blasting out tunes while working hard on the job.  If we had to give a summary of this team from UCF Catholic Campus Ministries, we'd have to say they go about their work of serving others with an infectious joy.  This group of college students (many of them having graduated 2 days before leaving for New Orleans) continued work on Garden on Marais, as well as Albert Franklin's home.  As with previous teams who have worked on Mr. Franklin's home, these guys ended their week on a high note after spending time with Mr. Franklin and gleaning from his encouragement, gratitude, and life.

The crew that worked on Garden on Marais accomplished much to further the function and future role of the garden in the surrounding community.  We extend a thanks to all volunteers past and present that have poured their hard work into helping this garden take shape.  I'm proud to announce that we have beautiful tomatoes growing, as well as basil and arugula.  Tomatoes are especially hard to grow down here, so they seem to taste especially delicious.  Perhaps next time you are here you can feast on the fruits of your hard labor!

March Madness 2013

Way up in Indiana people identify March Madness as a month of competitive groups of athletes projecting a ball through a hoop… but in New Orleans it means a whirlwind month of volunteers flooding through the city, doing good and enjoying the sights.  This March HH2G hosted no less than 120 volunteers, and boy was it fun!  University of Central Florida, St. Louis University, University Baptist Church, Indiana University, and First Baptist Woodway joined forces to further the work on the homes of Mr. Albert Franklin, Mr. Earl, and Mr. Julius Sanchez.  These hard workers also conquered the job of tearing up the grass at Garden on Marais, which is another big step in restoring the grounds for growing food and educating folks.  These volunteer teams were comprised of junior high, senior high, and college students, all united with the purpose of serving and uplifting the residents of New Orleans.
Thanks to every volunteer that came to work with HH2G this March.  It was a pleasure hosting you all.

Nearly 8 years after Katrina there is still much to be done in the way of rebuilding homes, but there are plenty of new projects awaiting volunteers as well.  So HH2G veterans, don’t hesitate to come back soon!  And newbies, there are wonderful experiences awaiting you here in New Orleans, so come on down (or up, or over) for a service trip!
We look forward to seeing you all!

We're baaaaaaak!

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls,
we at HH2G hope this post finds you and yours happy, healthy, and enjoying the first few weeks of this new year! It's been a while since we've updated our blog- the Christmas season kept us busy, as I'm sure it did all you.  However, we are back on our game, ready to move forward in 2013. 
Before we move on though, I want to shout a thanks to the two UCF students (you know who you are) that spent their time here working hard, as well as the Indiana University team that was here the week before Christmas.  Thanks for all your hard work!  We hope to see you again this spring!  AND we hope to see every single person reading this note in New Orleans this year- and bring a friend (or 10)!

Giving Thanks

2 turkeys 
cornbread stuffing 
sweet potato casserole w/candied pecans 
garlic mashed potatoes w/gravy 
homemade dinner rolls 
gussied up green beans 
ham 
homemade pecan pie 
homemade pumpkin pie complete with whipped cream.... 

 these are a few of my favorite things! 

This year I paced myself.  Even in the midst of the young 17 yr. old seated to my right who heaped her plate high... TWICE!... and among gentlemen who went back for 4ths... I, Suzanne Duvall, defeated the gluttonous appeal of the Thanksgiving feast and paced myself.  My coveted reward was a full and not the least bit angry belly.  I added my full and happy belly to a list of what I am thankful for. 

Here are just a few of the items on my list (in no specific order):

A close family- of blood and of heart

My puppy dog Ginger and her frisbee ;) 

Modern bathroom facilities

Redemption and chances to move forward

Warmth

Thunderstorms

Soft green grass to lay in

Hilarious moments

Nieces and Nephews

Unspoiled food

Children and all their sillyness

Peaceful slumber

Music

Vacations

What are you thankful for this year?  

  

$$ Cha-Ching! $$

Roots:
* Post-Katrina, property was donated to Elan Ministries - a large gutted warehouse building and the land surrounding it.
* Just a few short years ago the staff of Elan Ministries dreamed about developing a garden in a neighborhood that was in need of access to fresh foods. 
* Around the time of dreaming of the garden, Kayla Miller returned from Germany and expressed the desire to grow foods... she jumped in on the dreaming phase.

Blossoms:
The Garden on Marais is now up and functioning- thanks to the hard work of gardener Kayla Miller, founder Teresa Reiger, Larry Swift, and the support of the rest of Elan staff and all of the volunteers that put their time and sweat into projects on the garden.
Last Friday, Kayla completed a milestone for her work at the garden- she made her first sale!  Three pounds of okra were planted, grown, harvested, and taken by Kayla herself to the Holleygrove Market and Farm, where they were sold to patrons of the market.
Congratulations Kayla!

  

Holiday Helpers

In the past 7 years that HH2G has existed, I can recall only 2 or 3 of those Decembers where we hosted volunteers.  Christmas is such a busy time of the year in America and there's not always time to break away to serve in another state!  (The good news is, even though people are not coming to serve with HH2G during the Christmas season, many are serving in their own communities!)
THIS year, however, we've got some crazy college students coming to work during the 2 weeks prior to Christmas.  The University of Central Florida has graced us with their presence these last two years in March, and has scheduled their winter service trip to work again with HH2G.  As an observer of this team for two trips now, I can honestly say that they know how to have some fun!  I propose:  an  
UGLY Christmas Sweater Contest!!!

(no offense to the wearer of this terrible costume ;)

 Ken, Larry (HH2G Director), and I (Suzanne, Hospitality) will be the judges.  Home made ones get extra points in my vote :-D

And for their 3rd trip with HisHands2Go, we welcome the Y'all crew from Indiana University!  These folks are coming down from my neck of the woods... (where does that phrase come from anyways?).
This time of year they are enjoying the mid-western fall season with leaves changing into gorgeous colors.
Well, we ain't got none o' those changin colors here.  Green is our year-round color, and while green is beautiful, it sure doesn't compare to the collage of colors the mid-western states can produce in Autumn.

I seem to have gotten sidetracked....
Back on track!  I was in the middle of saying how much we look forward to Y'all coming down.  They are a large team on a mission to get some work done and touch the lives of those they are assisting.  So far they have accomplished that mission and more.  We look forward to seeing Y'all in just a few short months!!!

One last thought... we (as in the team leaders and myself), could create an initiation into the HH2G experience by involving cockroaches in some manner... talk amongst yourselves, let me know ;)

    

Family Life Assembly of God - September 2012

My oh my how the time does fly when you're having fun!  Family Life Assembly of God joined HH2G for their 6th trip to New Orleans to volunteer in September (2012).  The faithful few (Matt, Micky, and Ramesh) have returned year after year to bless various homeowners such as Brian Berteaux, Steamboat Willie,  and most recently Ron and Betty Dufour.  This year the trio brought some fresh faces to introduce to us and the city of New Orleans.

     

The first 4 days of work were spent working at Ron and Betty Dufour's home.  Let me give you a bit of background information on this project:  Ron and Betty Dufour have lived in their home located on the beautiful water of Chef Pass on the outskirts of New Orleans. (see pics of their location below)  The Dufours have lived in the home for over 30 years- they call it their Bayou Heaven (their son even wrote a song about it).  For the first 30(ish) years they did not have any flooding in their home.  Hurricane Katrina changed that record, flooding their home to the roof.  Aside from water damage, that hurricane left a few feet of mud in the home, critters (including snakes!!), mold, and total ruin of all furniture left in the home during the hurricane.  Volunteers from all over the country assisted in the rebuilding of the home.  It was a long process, but they were finally able to move back in the home after living in a Fema trailer for over a year. Next came Hurricane Gustav in summer 2008.  The house yet again received a few feet of water, and the back yard was coated with reeds and debris from the water that housed all kinds of critters and snakes.  This time around only the first four feet of drywall had to be replaced and pitchforks were used to clear the back yards- volunteers dominated the tasks relatively quickly.  Now... 4 years later... Hurricane Isaac decided to invite himself in without welcome.  I'm not sure what it is about these hurricanes, but they just don't seem to understand that house visits are not appropriate!  This time around the house suffered about 1 1/2 - 2ft of water.  The bottom half of the drywall was again ruined as well as most of the furniture and appliances.  They have been waiting on their home to be raised for the past 2 years, the work was finally scheduled to begin in August...  The Dufours are an inspiration in how they are handling the situation.  Their trust in the Lord's faithfulness and provision is evident as they navigate the rebuilding process this 3rd time around.

The Family Life crew spent the majority of the week strengthening the wall structures and replacing the insulation and drywall in the Dufour's home.  The last day of the week 3 members of the team spent the day framing walls for a ministry by the name of Amos 504.  The ministry formed a few years ago when a small group of folks relocated together to New Orleans in the Uptown district of the city.  After a few years of meeting for church in their homes, the ministry is renting a suite in a building in an Uptown neighborhood.  In order to suit the necessities of a church set up, renovations to the space were necessary.  HH2G staff assisted Amos 504 in tearing down some of the walls the first week of September, and the Family Life AG team put them right back up... but in new sections of the building.  The Amos 504 ministry is now working to finish up renovations and start functioning in their new home!