Day 5 - pictures

Our group at Michelle's house

Dipping toes into the bay on the walk back from a bathroom break.

Day 5 - Ashlyn Doner

Today was our final day working on Michelle and Summer’s house, we finished painting, sanding, and finishing up of final touches of our work that we did throughout the week. After we finished up our work at the house we went over to a “surprise” dinner at Bel and Jims house. Yesterday little Bel showed us some pictures of their house after the storm hit, everything in their house had to be redone, the house had to be lifted, and a lot of money had to be put in to rebuilding a house that they just fixed a few months earlier because of a fire. But today we saw the final product and it was a very beautiful house that they redid. Before the food came out Bel, Grace, Karin, and Emma made people started jumping into the pool after the hot day we spent working. The food was delicious and the trip to New Jersey was a great way to start my mission trip experience. 

Day 5 - Rachel Newton

Our last day of our mission trip 2016 has come to an end and as a group we have accomplished so many great things. Today we finished up the house we have been working on for most of the week, and it was a great feeling to see the projects we finished.  We painted the entire first floor, and at the end of the day we pulled up all the paper off the floor. When the floors were uncovered, it not only symbolized the hard work that we have achieved but also the relationships we have made throughout the trip. Bel and her family, who worked with us throughout the week, invited our whole group into her home for dinner. To see how much her family opened up to us and connected with our group was amazing. All in all, this mission trip was great!:)

-Rachel Newton

Day 5 - Karina Moore

This week has been so much fun. I have learned so much, and I am sad it has to be over. Today, we woke up and got breakfast, then headed to Michelle and Summer’s house for our final work day. I have been working in the master bedroom this week, and we were so close to finishing. I helped put grout in between tiles in the bathroom, paint the walls, and mudded the closet.. After lunch today, a bunch of us went to the little beach area down the road and went in the water to cool off. Then we headed back and painted over the walls again, and at the end of the day painted the rest of the closet. When the work day was over, Bel and Jim invited everyone over for dinner at their house. They welcomed us into their home and gave us a delicious dinner. Afterwards, there was a sort of water fight that ended with me being soaked. We all said goodbye to Bel, Jim, and the kids and came back to pack.

- Karina Moore

Day 5 - Matt Jones

Today was a great day because we were able to finish Michelle and Summer’s house as best we could.  I was able to use the nail gun to nail base boards to walls and finish the trim on the windows.  We were also invited to our new friend Bel’s house, she and her husband made us dinner.  We had pasta with sausage and they cooked the crabs we caught at Michelle’s house.  I was having a great time until my friend Sam dumped a bucket of water on me, but I was able to get him back so it’s all good.  To end the day off we gave Bel’s three children gifts; a bracelet making kit for “little” Bel, a fishing rod for Vinnie and a tool kit for James.

- Matt Jones 

Day 5 - Valerie McIlvaine

The last day of work was amazing!  The utility room is FINALLY finished!  Today my day consisted of sanding, painting, putting up trim and installing baseboards in the laundry room.  Although this list may seem short, it was anything but that.    Even though the work seemed never-ending, it was so rewarding to see the results of hours and hours of hard work.  Throughout the week we were able to meet and work with a family that had help from PDA last year and are now choosing to repay the organization by helping rebuild others’ houses.  Getting to know Bel and her family was definitely my favorite part of the week.  The connections we made with this family were just as meaningful as the work we put into the house.  We were so lucky to enjoy an amazing dinner with their family tonight and further our relationships and learn more about their story.  Overall, this experience has brought me so much closer to God and has really made me hopeful for the future.

- Valeria McIlvaine