Working Together to Better the Community

This week I have learned to see. (Everyone has eyes, but not everyone can see). I learned to see I have more than I give credit for. Comparing my life to  the lives of the affected opened my vision of how great my life is. Also, I was able to see and understand, even though it seems like a little deal to me/we/and or you, it can be a big deal to the person effected. 

This week the team always had discussions. Sometimes we were confused, and together we discussed why things were and how much we were helping. We were able to learn to work together and find answer to our questions. Also I feel everyone expressed good collaboration. we all worked together and got the job done. Not only did we get the job done, but we made things easier for each other.  

Lastly, I was able to meet new friends. In just one week I became close to a group of people I had never seen before. Work week was a very successful week this year. 

 - Lakeia

Thanks!

We couldn't have made it through this week without the generosity and giving spirit of others.  We'd like to say thank you to the following:

Thank you so much to the Dorrisville Baptist Church for all the accommodations and meals.  And for putting up with having 16 teenagers all in one place.

Thanks to Project STORM and especially to Bosco for providing us with work for the week and keeping us hydrated.  We also thank Betty who not only provided us with a trailer containing 5 showers, but also baked brownies especially for the teens staying at Dorrisville Baptist Church.

A huge thank you to the St Stephens Episcopal Church for your hospitality and fabulous meals.  We thought we would be losing weight this week with all of our hard labor, but you all fed us so well that none of us think that this happened. In fact, we might have put on a pound or two.  It was fantastic!  Thank you Mrs. Denny and Lucas for driving down to Harrisburg from Springfield to work with the St Stephens family, hosting us every evening while we were in Harrisburg.

We thank the Illinois Volunteers for teaching us how to roof and use powertools, and for just being fun to be around.  Thanks also to the Iowa team who joined our fun at the church and taught us new construction skills at the site.

Thanks to Mrs Wakeland for donating spending money that we used to buy ice cream from the ice cream truck that just happened to drive by after we'd finished a hot day of work.

Thank you so much to the Vaughns for a GREAT pool party and awesome brownies with ice cream.  Also to the Maves family for providing the pizza for this pool party on Thursday.

Thanks to Mr Boschert for designing, ordering, and delivering  our shirts in time for Six Flags..  They are awesome!  We were the brightest in the park (along with Six Flags staff).  Many asked us to tell them about Harrisburg STORM when they read our shirts, and a staff person told us how she saw us riding rides from a distance and confused us with staff (who wear the same color and who are not allowed to ride the rides).

Thanks to Dad Joe, Linda, and Lara for being the adult leaders this week, and thanks to the Design Team for your thoughtful leadership and decision making.

Thanks to our family and friends for following our blog, sending us texts and emails, and saying prayers to keep us safe.  Thanks to our parents who allowed us to travel away from home and who made it possible for us to have this experience.

Thanks to our home churches for the funding and support that enabled us to go on this trip.

Thanks to Todd Hall for the excellent accommodations in a peaceful setting.

We thank one another for the friendship and welcome.

Most of all:

 Thank You God!

Work Week Reflection

Having heard of Work Week just last minute, I was immediately intrigued and found that it would be a wonderful opportunity to assist in Harrisburg's recovery after the destructive tornado (the idea of being able to avoid your typical case of summer boredom was also a bonus!). However, I had no idea of what to expect; completely oblivious, I imagined that Harrisburg would still be in ruins once we arrived. Although certain parts of Harrisburg were still damaged, I was surprised to find how much of the town had redeemed itself since the storm. I spent most of my days removing extra "scraps" (metal, glass, and wood pieces) from yards, and hauling old shingles into dumpsters. Overall, I was very impressed to see how much Harrisburg had improved in just a few months time, but also glad that our group was able to help! I was also inspired by all of the energetic youth who actively partook in these activities as well. Last but not least, I want to thank my parents and siblings for their constant support during my work here!

Congratulations to all of the 2012 Project STORM participants, we had a very successful week! Thank you for an amazing opportunity to help, I had a fantastic time and was glad to make new friends (see picture)!
Hope to join in and see you all at the next Work Week,
Hildegard Luijten

Lending a Humble Helping Hand

Arriving eager to help, I was unsure of what to expect from the week. Today, I got an abrupt lesson on exactly what service is. The team I was on got sent to a house for a roofing job. They needed help transporting bundles of shingles to the rooftop. Kaleb, a member of my group, had worked on the site the day before. He was the only one able to lift the forty pound bundles of shingles up the ladder on one shoulder and onto the roof. The job seemed rather strenuous, so I thought I would be able to help Kaleb. A group of volunteers ( primarily 65-70 year old able bodied men) were on the site as well. They were incredibly fond of Kaleb and his ability. As I observed Kaleb lift his first slab of the day up the ladder, I was taunted by the older men. The thought of a teenage girl doing the job certainly caused eyebrows to be lifted. Regardless, I hoisted a bundle over my shoulder and steadily walked to the ladder. With about seven men skeptically observing me I started up the ladder. Numerous directions were being shouted at me as I tried to hold onto the bundle. Some stated to climb two rungs at once, some said to step up one at a time, one gentleman told me to go at my own pace ( the best advice received yet). I was nervous and to be honest a little bit scared, but I had something to prove, and I wanted to help. Trying my best to ignore the men I continued up the ladder. I made it up and placed the bundle down. No more than five seconds after I laid the bundle down a gentleman said, "I don't want her doing that". Another man seconded the notion and added, "I don't believe that women should lift more than five pounds". The statement struck me numb. I just did something that only one person on the site could do. There were at least sixteen more bundles needed to be moved. Frustrated and confused I started down the ladder. Another volunteer mentioned I could help pick up scrap pieces and throw them down. I was too angry to accept the demotion and continued down the ladder after saying no thank you. My group chaperon had a much milder but similar reaction. She calmed me with her words and I tried to switched my focus to another job. My attempt to readjust my focus was failed. I was frustrated. I took a quick second to step aside and say a quick prayer. I asked for help letting go of the situation and strength to remember to respect my elders. The day got much better, and my anger eased. I continued to work where my help was needed and WANTED.

Often times we want to help, but do we ever truly wish to serve? Though service and help are closely related, service goes above and beyond.  For true service, we must put our own wants/needs aside and consider others to be more important.  We assist others without any hope of recognition.  To provide service one must be humble.  Service is an expression of love, respect, and kindness.  Service is our expression of Christ.  It requires effort, will power, and stamina.  Service is selfless.  Service can be hard or it can be easy.  Service is always rewarding and service is always needed.  

May my heart beat with humility, my mind run on love, and my body to operate on your Word.

Yours,

Toya

Good News!

Our Iowa friends from down the hall found their travel money last night.  It was tangled in one of their own shirts to the point that they missed it on their multiple searches through all of their belongings.  At one point yesterday morning, our trip down the hall was obstructed by 8 stacked air mattresses as they emptied everything out for the search.  Just wanted to share this good news with everyone.

Tiring Tuesday

After a morning of waiting, we were able to begin work around 10:00am.

We broke into three work groups.

The first group was delayed the longest - Finally we got to help move furniture from a warehouse to an apartment. Then we went back to the amazingly fun and easy chore of cleaning up roof shingles #sarcasm. 

The second group went to Ms. Sanders' home and helped her with her closet.  We took out the mold. We got to talk to Ms. Sanders about her experience and how devastating the storm was.  And the challenges she had to face like the storm taking apart her whole apartment building.  She was lifted into the air and had to have surgery on her foot because of it.   

The second job we did was to continue picking up shingles and helping on the roof. Caleb became king roofer.

The third group raked all of the leftover construction scraps (nails,glass,wood,tar,shingles) from a local resident's backyard. Afterwards, we also used the magnet roller (pictured to the left) to gather any remaining nails or excess metals. Despite the bees, we were able to have fun and accomplish a lot!

After an amazing spaghetti dinner thanks to St Stephen's Episcopal Church and the best bread pudding in the whole world, we returned to homebase for an evening of volleyball--only to get the ball stuck in the ceiling beams.  We ended the evening with a rowdy game of Sardines.

Aargh! Waiting Game!

We have been waiting to leave for the work sites for 2 hours.  First the coordinator needed to connect with his contacts at the sites and round up tools.  Then it was discovered that a group from Iowa, also staying in this church, had a significant amount of money stolen.  We're now waiting for the police to arrive and take reports.  An exercise in patience.

PLEASE...WE WANT TO WORK! 

We are sad for our neighbors and pray that it turns out OK. 

We could definitely use your prayers--grant us patience and serenity.