All Groups are having a great time...

In the last 12 hours or so I've heard from the following trips:

Manchester

New Orleans

Maryland

Fuller

Everyone seems to be having a wonderful time so far!

The Manchester group went to an African mass at St.Anne/St. Augustine Parish on Sunday, which was a great way to kick off their week getting to know the refugee families here in town. They began work yesterday at the Beech Street school, in classes with children new to this country who barely speak any English - and also at the International Institute helping greet new refugee families and get them settled here in Manchester. They sent me a text message just saying thank you for giving them the opportunity to get to know these people and hear there stories. Could we ask for anything better than that?

The New Orleans group (despite their flat tire this morning) has been having a great experience of Mardi Gras!! They had the opportunity to watch 3 parades on Sunday, only blocks from their Hostel. What a unique experience they have! They began yesterday serving at the St. Joan of Arc school, and look forward to going to the Hurricane Katrina museum this afternoon. I am sure they will learn a lot about the history of the children and their families whom they are serving this week. Tomorrow, the Principal, Ms. Frost will be taking them for a tour of the lower 9th ward.

The Maryland group has been having a powerful week at the Benedictine School for children with Autism and special needs. They are each helping in a classroom, doing everything from home-economics to gym class to writing essays. They told me they have learned a lot about how to communicate and a lot about how despite their differences they are having an amazingly fun time with the kids (such as bingo and evening swimming!).

Fuller sent me a brief text message just saying they were having an amazing trip. On Sunday they called me from an Alligator Farm, where they were about to see baby alligators up close, and they were so excited! I look forward to hearing more from them soon about the house they are building for a family in Minden, Louisiana!

I will be in touch when I hear more!

Joycelin