Jennings, LA – July 10-16

We were delighted to welcome another Goshen group from the Assembly Mennonite Church.  Our own Darin Bontrager and his wife Amy were sponsors for the group.  The group arrived Sunday evening and completed the orientation provided by Don, project director.

This week the Louisiana weather was a real challenge for our weekly volunteers.  Every day seemed to bring rain showers along with high humidity.  Outside the entrance door to the gym shoes were lined up covered in mud indicative of the mud fest the volunteers encountered throughout the day.  Work continues on the new build plus repairs on several other locations.

Phil Helmuth, project coordinator, spent the week in Jennings with the team.  He provided oversight on training for staff and participated in multiple meetings with various agencies related to the relief efforts in Lake Charles and Jennings.

Friday morning we were honored to host several officials from the surrounding relief agencies.  Colt Hagmaier from FEMA joined us for breakfast and offered comments to the group after breakfast.  The visitors agree Jennings is still in need of assistance.  They all offered their praise and appreciation to the weekly volunteers for their dedication to those in need.

We look forward to our next group from St. Louis, MO.

For the Jennings team,

Don, Ryan, Leonard, David, Duane, Jim, Marie & Nelson