Louisiana Mission Trip, Day 3

While Monday was marked by rain and Tuesday by overcast, today dawned bright and sunny. It was quite cool in the morning, but it warmed up quickly as the work teams scattered across Dulac. There is so much to do and so few of us to do it. We in California build our homes to last forever, building with care and perfect measurements and all sorts of building codes. The people of Dulac build their homes to last until the next hurricane. Elevating their homes on stilts helps; at least the water has to be over ten feet deep to flood them, but there is no protection against the wind. Yet the people survive, and they survive with cheerful hearts and generous spirits. We came down here with the idea that we would be giving to them, but we are finding ourselves on the receiving end as well---a bag of Mardi Gras beads, a pan of jambalaya, a cool drink, or just a warm smile---we have received so much.

One of the members of our team is having a lot of problems. She did not bring her medications with her, and she is on the verge of a psychotic breakdown. She will probably have to be taken to the hospital, for her own protection as well as that of the team. It is frightening and very unnerving, for we are feeling helpless. As the team leader said, "We know what to do with her in California, but we do not know about Louisiana. As the leadership of the team struggles with what to do, the rest of us can only pray that she can receive the help she so desperately needs, both from man and God.

So it is a time of mixed emotions. We are all getting tired, and the stress of the illness of our teammate and friend is adding to the exhaustion. We have one more full day of work, and after a half day on Friday, we will see some of the sights before leaving for home on Saturday. I want to do this again someday; the rewards have far exceeded the pain!