Tuesday!

Bl –Blo-Bloggin!!!!! Hello world and Welcome to Nawlins…it Courtney!! A city filled with nonstop parties, spicy food, friendly people and Mardi Gras. Today is day 4 of service and it has been such a unique experience. When I met everyone I didn’t know how well our group would mesh. We did not know each other from class or “extra currics”. After a few days we began to open up to each other more and our relationships became deeper than conversations about class, weather, and the souvenirs we were about to buy.

Luckily, instead of working at the nursery or nature center we got to help out at the church across the street. Apparently after Hurricane Katrina, once the water succeeded the congregation faithfully met where their church once stood. They have been meeting at the same spot 7 years after the storm on a concrete foundation. They have been collecting money and Common Ground is building the new church!!! Jenn and I adopted a small room in the front of the church, which will become a bathroom. We were taught how to measure, cut and hang drywall!! It was great fun and I thought I was actually a carpenter! Lol We finished the top ½ of the wall and in the midst had a mini-photo shoot. It was so satisfying to actually be able to see the progress and knowing that other people can see it as well. Time flew by so fast and before we knew it we were done for the day.

After dinner a older local, Smitty, came to talk to us about race and class in New Orleans. Although he primarily focused on his experience during the 50’s-mid 70’s, his story was compelling. One of the things that impacted me the most was him saying that “as long as you are making progress, you aren’t there yet”. He talked about the idea of social freedom and how we are still working towards it. Essentially we are living in the American Empire and have to fight against the norms in order to move forward. He was quite a character and had strong opinionated views but was insightful otherwise. He looks to write a book on existentialism, which explains his apprehension towards government and idea of control and empire.

This entire trip has been such an eye-opening experience for me. Rarely do you meet people who are genuinely thankful for the things that you do for them. The response that we have gotten back from the locals and people we have met along the way has been overwhelming positive and supportive. I have truly been humbled through this experience and have a better outlook on humanity and what is important in life. Life is not about selfish gain but the how we can uplift others hoping that those acts of kindness will be returned to us in the future. I feel blessed and appreciative to be apart of such an awesome group and would not want to spend my Winter break anywhere else with anyone else. Peace and Blessing <3

-Courtney B.