A final day....the end of a very good week...

Our day started with a farewell to our working partners, the Alliance Church from Waco, Texas

Then, we were off with more painting crews, a shed finishing crew, a house siding crew, and Steve finished installing Butch's shower.

Drew, Nate and Sam painting with the neighbor boy

The girls and Isaiah finished painting the inside of a house....this is the END of the day, and they were HOT and EXHAUSTED again!

This evening the students planned and worked the church's Game Night. They did a great job setting up a fun event and loving on the kids in the neighborhood. The kids have come in and out of the church all week, excited to have another team here. We are the last team to come for the summer, and I think the neighborhood kids will surely miss them!!!

One of the students most favorite parts of the week has been coming back to the church after a hard days work and being greeted by Troy and his puppies!!! They have "pottied" on this floor more times than we can keep track of....but THEY ARE CUTE!!!! (Last chance, parents, to call your children and give permission to bring one home!!! My own daughter has been texting me all day begging me to change my mind and pack one in my bag!)



The kids have really reached out and accepted Troy this week. He is a 17 year old school drop-out, who apparently has not felt loved or accepted by anyone for a very long time. He has left notes for our kids (taping them to the walls!) telling them how much he appreciates their accepting him. He told them he is trying to change his life and is beginning to realize there is hope for his future. The alcohol and drug use started when he was 5. (**He's sitting across the table from me right now, telling Steve he's never been to this church before...didn't even know the church was here)...I'm praying and typing as I listen to Steve encourage and witness to him. This boy is so personable and has so much potental....He needs Jesus and has sat with us every night as the kids shared their devotions w/the group. He is SO curious...listening So closely to what Steve is saying.

("Oh, God, this young man who is still partly boy needs what you offer...needs to know that you love him for who he is - past and all. Needs to know that you don't pick favorites based on how we perform...or don't. Grab hold...gently tug his heart...break the walls that are still standing...clean what can be cleaned by nothing other than your blood. Bring new life to this young boy, that tomorrow may be a new start to his future....")

There are so many great things to say about this week of serving in Louisiana. Again, I'll tell you how proud I am of your kids!!! They are the BEST group of kids!!! They are hard working... respectful...full of life...and HYSTERICAL! I think all the leaders would agree with me that the students have worked harder than we expected they could and stepped up continually to volunteer for WHATEVER was needed. It has been a privilege to serve with each and every one of these team members!