Finally Settled in Texas City

After going to Slidell LA last spring break, I had my hopes set high for this trip. I'd had such an amazing experience, and I had only assumed the same of this trip. That's why I feel like I had gotten a little thrown off in the beginning when everything went differently. Things felt strange when we didn't know the exciting places to visit in downtown Houston like we did in New Orleans, or when we were split into four different groups as opposed to just two at the work sites. However, after the first couple of days, I feel that things have finally clicked.

For this trip, our group is working on a home for Brian and Carol. We are one of a few groups that have worked on the house, and are now helping with the finishing work. The good news is that the house should be able to be finished completely in the next couple of weeks and they can finally have their home back. While the finishing work is tedious at times, it is all still important. Our group has really meshed and have all begun to bond in various ways, which is awesome. Helping us with all of the this work and also keeping our spirits high are Sam and Ethel, a couple originally from New Orleans who have been staying at a church in Houston while on a three month mission in the Galveston area. After spending a few days with them, we learned that this is one of many mission trips that they have gone on, and they have devoted many months of their time helping out with relief in New Orleans, Iowa, and now Texas. Just seeing such devotion to serve and to help others is really very inspiring, moreso given the fact that they are both probably over that 70 years old and still have no intentions of slowing down. Spending time with them and seeing the house progress towards a home has made this experience very rewarding so far, and has really started to bring into perspective why we're here as well as what we're capable of on a many levels. I'm really bummed to see that this week is going by so fast, but I'm most certainly going to get the most out of the time that remains.

~ Alex T.