Good-Bye

Today I said good-bye to some really great people... some of those good-byes might mean I never see them again, and some of those good-byes are more of see ya laters... The leader from my existing group (which was also the leader from last week's group) had to fly out today, with another leader for a wedding. She has been an amazing woman of God who has been a great mentor and leader in the two short weeks I've known her. We couldn't have asked for a better leader for our first two weeks on the job. She helped correct us when needed, she was super flexible when housing didn't work out as planned, and she encouraged us all along the way. I love how God chooses to put people in our lives just when we need them. Like I said, I may never see her again, but I'm priveleged to have been a part of her life, even if only for a couple of weeks.

My "see ya later" good-byes went to my teammates. They are flying off to Montana, while I kick it here in NOLA for one more week. They get to go off on their own adventure that doesn't include me, and I couldn't be more excited for them. They're gonna ROCK IT IN MONTANA!!! =)

I have the privilege of making a new friend to help lead the incoming group that will arrive sometime on Sunday. The existing group is still here with us for one more day so we're finishing up the week at the Lindy Boggs Hospital I mentioned before. And if my memory serves me right I owe you a story about this building.

The Lindy Boggs Memorial Hospital was a working hospital when Hurricane Katrina hit. The hospital itself encompassed two buildings, and then there was a building of doctor's offices also a part of this hospital. It is located on the bayou so when the flood waters rose, much of the hospital was affected by it. The two buildings that were the actual hospital were tested and found to house aesbestos so naturally, we aren't able to work in those buildings. We are working in the doctor's office building to help basically gut it to the studs so it can be remodeled and renovated to house St. Margaret's nursing home residents. St. Margaret's Nursing Home is a state run facility that serves people who have a net worth of $2500 and are on medicaid. But the unique thing about this facility is that the residents receive such an amazing level of quality care that exceeds most privately run facilities. So the fact that we get to be a part of something like this is absolutely amazing. What's more, is some of our students have had the privelege of going to the current, temporary housing site for St. Margaret's to allow them the opportunity to connect the faces with the work they are doing. It's been a great experience and everyone has met some really extraordinary people with some awesome stories to tell.