We were 13 participants from 5 churches in the South Central Cluster of the Presbytery of Ohio Valley. We joined Presbyterians from around the country at Olive Tree Volunteer Village, which became our home for the week.

What We Did:

Our task was to help Gwen Larson and the four children under her care to get back into their home. Gwen and family were living behind the house above the garage.

In the week we served we did the following:
- Laid a tongue and groove bamboo floor
- Set and leveled the base for new countertops in the kitchen
- Tiled the bathroom floor and shower walls
- Framed out doors and windows

While We Were There...

We learned of what others are doing to assist the recovery by visiting Habitat for Humanity's Musicians Village, and Brad Pitt’s famous Make It Right project in the 9th Ward.

We learned about the wetlands, and visited the infamous Mississippi Gulf Outlet that has now been closed.

and we ate Barbeque at THE JOINT - where every work team visits!

How Can You Help?

- Pray for survivors and the work of both PDA and the Presbytery of South Louisiana
- Give to support the teams going down and the purchase of supplies
- Participate in the next trip!
- Buy bark mulch and save the wetlands. They are being destroyed in part to take cypress mulch to market. Think beyond your yard.

Looking To the Future

2009 Trip – 9 participants, 4 churches
2010 Trip – 13 participants, 5 churches

We would like to see 20 participants from 6 of our cluster churches in 2011.
Planning is for a mid-February 2011 trip
Please have your pastor contact the cluster communicator if you are interested.

Contact Information

South Central Cluster Communicator - Susan Ryan

susanryan94@yahoo.com