Those of you who know me must be shocked to see that but I started on Friday. Even more shocking, I think I’m good at it! Let’s recap.
Since I arrived in New Orleans on September 4, I’ve been in various states of orientation here. First in our community, then in the Project Homecoming office where I’ll be working. All eight of us flew to New Mexico on Sunday for a five-day long orientation with all of the Young Adult Volunteers from around the country. There were volunteers serving in Alaska, Seattle, Tucson, Hollywood, Nashville, Miami and us. The theme of the week was “Pack nothing for the journey and listen along the way.” Part of the program is vocational discernment, which is church talk for “What on Earth am I going to do with my life?” The two big questions asked were, “What are you doing here?” and “Where are you going?” Loaded question.
All of this took place in the friendly confines of the desert; all around us were beautiful mesas, canyons and rock formations. I went on at least a hike a day. It was a great introduction to the southwest. Additionally, meeting the other YAVs from around the country was interesting. Everyone brought different perspectives, from fairly conservative to committed relativism. But they’re all admirable people, people I’m really thrilled to have in our widespread YAV community.
Another focus of the trip in Ghost Ranch was made very clear to me on Friday, the day after we got back: One’s YAV year is not a year out of one’s life, it’s very much a part of one’s life. I showed up to work on Friday thinking it’d be a breeze, do some work for two hours or so and then get sent home. Nope! We drove around and saw the houses we’ll be working on and then worked with some volunteers on one of my colleague John’s houses.
Maybe I should explain this possession of houses thing. There are five construction assistants working with Project Homecoming, four from Americorps and me. Each of us has been assigned a specific task and the oversight of two homes each. My specific task is to work with volunteer groups that come stay at the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance village in Luling, Louisiana and I’m in charge of a house in New Orleans East and somewhere downtown.
So the volunteers we worked with were on one of John’s houses in New Orleans East. They were doing some finishing work and John and I worked on some electrical stuff. Then we went to a house in the Lower Ninth that’s in a way sponsored by locals who work on it in their free time and on Saturdays.
All told, I’m very glad for the trip to New Mexico and to finally be starting work. All that orientation was starting to get to me. Being in creation and in the company of God and really fascinating people was a great segue into the tough but rewarding year ahead.
