Almost at the end of a very busy week.... cooking for 30+ hungry, hard-working volunteers! I've learned some new tricks of the trade this week, especially about getting everything out at the right time at the right degree of doneness, and about how much food is the right amount. Deb, who arrived last weekend, has been head cook here before and has been generously sharing her skills and experience.
Every morning the volunteers have been getting up before the sun to pack their lunches, eating an early breakfast (which means the cooks have been up even earlier), and heading out to the job sites in order to get a lot of work done before the hottest part of the day. People have been drywalling, tiling, painting, installing doors and windows, putting in insulation, and just about anything else related to repairing a house. At supper time each work crew reports on the day's work, then the whole group plays a game where people have a chance to nominate others who they've observed working extra hard, being especially helpful, or going above and beyond the ordinary in any way. This game, suggested by one of the group leaders, has set a very positive tone for the week.
On two of the evenings this week we've had guest speakers -- local residents who were here during Hurricane Katrina.. Listening to their stories of surviving the storm and of their work to assist others in the aftermath, I am amazed, both by what people had to go through and by the strength of the human spirit. Over and over I hear stories about people whose first impulse is to help others.
I have changed my plans somewhat. Even while enjoying the time here, I had been experiencing a strong desire to go home early so that I could spend more time with family and friends before leaving for Tanzania in early August -- and also so I could join Brian and Marlee for a quick trip to Massachusetts next weekend. Deb's arriving and graciously agreeing to step into the role of head cook a week early has made it possible for me to head home at the end of this week. So things could not have worked out better!
Tomorrow, Friday, is my last day of work. Saturday I am planning to go on a swamp tour, and Sunday I will head home.
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