A Purpose Driven Life
I sit a bit blurry eyed staring out my main cabin window. The 747 I’m aboard has just taken off and is now climbing higher and higher into the sky above New Orleans. I can’t keep my eyes off of the wet swampy lands below. My mind is a bit overwhelmed by the experiences that I’ve just had. My trip with One Brick has truly been amazing. Multiple emotions course through me as I try to sum up my one week here. From the moment I had stepped off the plane I knew this was going to be an unparalleled experience. I was immediately met by a fellow volunteer who had graciously offered to give me a ride to the Mustard Seed House where all the volunteers would stay for the week. From that point, everyone I met was just as kind, gracious, and driven to help where ever they could as the person before. The experience of seeing and meeting so many individuals who were willing to postpone the needs and wants of their own life for something greater than that can justly shake someone to their very core. I am a different person for having experienced it; a better person. I believe every volunteer in the house felt the same way.
Before coming on the trip, I was hesitant. I thought about how intimidating and awkward it could be to not only meet for the first time but work and live with complete strangers. In hindsight, I can’t recall one time where I didn’t feel comfortable and at ease with everyone. I attribute this to the great leadership of One Brick NOLA veterans Kate and Kelly and our awesome event manager for the trip, Melissa. They ensured each and every opportunity was taken to promote getting to know one another. This included organizing group dinners, ice-breaker games, and being personal tour guides for our shared interests. I felt that they genuinely cared about each and every one of us and whether we were enjoying ourselves or not.
The week honestly flew by so quickly it’s hard to organize all of the sights, sounds, and emotions I felt in what now seems like such a brief passage of time. From every waking moment we were working and playing hard. The people would often make work seem like the playing part as well; so the line was sometimes blurred. The house that we had the opportunity to work on was just in its early stages of build. For many of us volunteers this was the first time we had experienced placing drywall and insulation. For a few, this may have been the first time one had ever even picked up a drill. This experience definitely taught many of us new skills. Thanks to the patience, enthusiasm, and guidance of each of our house supervisors we were able to overcome our lack of experience and help rebuild a home. Our days were filled with lots of drywall cutting and placing which taught us a great deal about ourselves and working together as a team. Even though it was labor intensive it was quite rewarding to see the progress of our work. You really leave with a bit more appreciation for the construction work that goes into building a home. I know for myself, I’ll never look at my walls and ceilings the same ever again.
Our evenings were spent exploring New Orleans, building up new friendships, and celebrating the accomplishments of the day. Since this was my first time in this region of the world I spent much of it enjoying the French quarter and all of the foods it had to offer. During the week, we had the opportunity to take a group tour together around New Orleans to learn more about the impact that Katrina had on the region and what our purpose was here. A sobering view of the destruction of the homes, natural waterways, and the levies were balanced only by the hope that was felt from the number of projects that were in place to help rebuild the community. Little by little, people are helping where they can. I’d have to say one of my most memorable moments of the week was at the end when we were visited by the very individual that we were rebuilding a home for. Her kind words of gratefulness and advice to each of us volunteers was all the compensation I needed for my help. Her words filled my heart and I will never forget them.
My trip with One Brick NOLA has truly been both awe-inspiring and humbling. The relationships that were built alongside the homes over the course of a week will far outlast our handiwork. The experience itself reminds me that compassion and serving others is something that can truly give one’s life purpose. My experience with One Brick has given me the opportunity to fulfill my need to help others. Not just in my hometown but where it is most needed. St Bernard’s Project takes on the immense task of undoing the damage caused by hurricane Katrina one home at a time. It is their calling to serve. To remind others that New Orleans still suffers. Although the storm that brought so much heart ache was nearly ten years ago the ripple of its wake can still be felt through the hearts of this resilient community. One Brick volunteers and St. Bernard’s Project work towards the goal of putting a community back together one helping hand at a time.
Benna
