Everyone is working hard and our teams are making progress.  Our teams are still working on the same tasks as when we last reported.  However, the visible changes and improvements are amazing!  The jobs at Whitey’s house are so big that they can’t be accomplished in just a few days.  But their efforts are making such a huge difference in getting Whitey and his wife into their new house.  Not only are they doing all those construction projects, but they find time to help get Whitey in and out of the truck so his wife can take him to the doctor.  The greatest Whitey story happened early in the week.  Several of the team went into the house to meet the Brignacs.  They noticed a TV in the corner, however, the picture didn’t change.  Upon closer inspection, they realized it was a view of the yard!  Whitey has his home under video surveillance!  He assured us that his surveillance equipment, and his trusty rifle, would keep all our tools and supplies safe over night!!
Greg H and his team continue to master the punch list.  Screen doors, storm doors, paint clean-up, plumbing, electrical, mudding/sanding, wall texturing, painting, trim work and anything else that could possibly be on a handymans list.  The great part of their work is that they get to meet most all of their homeowners!  You’ll want to hear their stories when they get home.
The Creative Arts Camp is going strong.  Day 2 almost doubled in enrollment!  There are lion masks, bird puppets, ballerinas, rhythm games and chime players galore!  The smiles, laughter and hugs are fabulous!  We’ve discovered that it’s real hard to play a cazoo when you’re laughing!!  Several of the students have brought their own personal instruments to share with everyone. 

Tuesday evening was the night for a much anticipated trip to the Grand Bayou.  We toured the Sylve’s new home.  (Jeanne Marie is the daughter who just visited HRBC.)  We all boarded a large shrimp boat and set out for a tour of the bayou.  One of the Sylve’s good friends, Bimbo, who we’ve met in the past, treated several of the college guys to a small, flat boat ride out ahead of the shrimp boat.  Bimbo took them to some smaller waterways and gave them the ride of their lives!  Upon their return it was time for the next few to experience the same.  If you’ve looked at our photos, you’ll know that their experience was much wetter!!  The fact that too many of them entered the front of the flat boat, and the timing of the side wake from the larger shrimp boat, was an instant recipe for disaster!  The flat boat took on LOTS of water, and in a few seconds began to capsize and sink!  There was hilarious laughter and screaming from everyone — everyone rushed to get out the cameras!  We soon learned that these kinds of antics and water play are common entertainment on the bayou!  It was an evening no one will soon forget!

We were treated to a superb shrimp boil on Wednesday night.  Bruce LePoint, the volunteer coordinator, got out the BIG pot and filled it will potatoes, corn, sausage, garlice, onions, celery and 32 lbs. of shrimp.  In a matter of minutes, it magically disappeared!!  Good eats!!