Despite the fact that it isn’t apparent that we have 2 different worksites based on this blog, my group has been working hard on helping to build a homeless shelter for men inside of a Pentecostal church. This is not a traditional shelter as it will house seventy men who have jobs but are unable to afford apartments.
On the inside our team of 9(Curt, Jill, Melissa, Becca, Brittni, Chelsea, Sarah, John, and myself) are currently working on framing the second level of the shelter. Our team has been diligently, working on framing and dry walling the building. On the first day we put up drywall in a first floor hallway. We then moved upstairs to help with the framing process. Our team is being assisted by 4 Mennonites who are volunteering their time to head the project! Everyone has pitched in and even though it may scare many of you reading this, everyone has used a nail gun, a power saw, and even I myself have climbed a ladder again (see stories from 2008)! All these tools have been used to put up studs, bridge the studs, patch the floor, brace the walls, and create ventilation holes along the walls. One project which I had a lot of fun with was putting trash into our dumpster. Opposed to the traditional lifting and dropping the trash in the dumpster, I added a new twist. I decided to do my best Hasheem Thabeet/ Lebron James impressions and performed 360 and reverse slam dunks into the dumpster.
Initially the team as a whole was disappointed not to be working on a house. This attitude has changed throughout the week however as we have heard the stories about the future use of the building and have realized that it is not just one person whom we will be touching, but 100s as it serves as a home to many men in need!
The progress has been incredible and our team works together like we have done it every day for the past year!
~Jason Gould
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Wow! Power tools in the hands of you all! I'm impressed. If when you get back to CT you are in tool withdrawal, come on Sunday to the Accessibility Bash. Two different sizes of sledge hammers have appeared. Paul is concerned that we not use the larger one for fear more than the spot identified by the contractor will be demollished! The church mouse is very excited and is looking forward to exploring new spaces as the demolition turns from ceremonial to actual on or about May 16th. Get ready to enter thru different door.
ReplyDeleteWe were so proud to see your trip as the LEAD article on the Connecticu UCC conference web site. Great article. GO UCC UCONN.
Well I suspect your are winding down and readying yourselves for the trip home. No snow on the ground. No snow in the forcast. Have a save trip and know that all of us (even if only a few of us got onto the blog) have been thinking about you with pride in the knowledge that we have helped you all make such a big different during your break. May both of your teams feel God's spirit and the spirit of the SCC church surround you and lift you up.
Pam
WHOOPS MARCH 16 not MAY 16. Sorry.
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