IOCC / Habitat for Humanity Louisiana Project - Concluding Musings

May 17, 2010 by Fr Luke Palumbis

Unfortunately, our internet capabilities were compromised, and as a result, blog entries and pictures have been limited; however, as I am sitting on the plane headed to Sacramento—I will offer a few reflections and thoughts, from the substantive to the trivial…

Feast of the Ascension: it was quite strange waking up on the Thursday of the Ascension and preparing to go off to a job site, instead of preparing to celebrate the Divine Liturgy.  I was somber through out the early morning until I reflected on the Ascension itself, and Christ’s resonating words as He was lifted into the Heavens.  In Matthew 28, as Jesus in Ascending to the Father, He tells His disciples to go out to all peoples and to teach the Gospel—the Love of God.  I remember the words of our Patron, as he tells us to preach the Gospel message of Love through daily application… only when necessary, using words!  We were building a home for a family in need.  Although there is no replacement for the Divine Liturgy, we celebrated the Lord’s Ascension gloriously!


Servant-Leadership: our Habitat for Humanity supervisor was a wonderful, mild-mannered Southerner named Craig.  Leading random volunteer work crews each week is a trying venture.  Not all volunteers had even pounded a nail in their pasts, let alone worked construction! Craig served as a servant-leader; pounding nails along side the most novice volunteer, and listening to the ideas of those volunteers who had professional knowledge, like our Rick.  Due to our supervisor’s demeanor and presence, we all felt led in a common direction that made us feel good about the work we were offering, and motivated us to do our very best.  We were told that our work crew accomplished more work in a one week period than any other crew in the entire Habitat development! Christ was a servant-leader, the Apostles were servant-leaders, and the Church serves as It leads the faithful toward salvation. At the job site, we were ‘in Church’ every day. Thank you Craig.

Hospitality: The hospitality of the South is well recognized, and for very good reason. It was amazing how the people of the neighborhood we were working in would drop by to say hello, and thank us for the work we were doing.  No one brought by gumbo or biscuits, but passersby would wave, stop to say hello, and smile.  We felt invited, well-received, and appreciated.  It was amazing how those simple acts of hospitality motivated us to do the very best we could to help the people of Albita Springs, Louisiana.  It should not be a secret why hospitality is a virtue valued by God!

Gospel Music: The final day of work, we met multiple work crews from various projects, all at a different location, where a family that was to live in a Habitat Home was present for the raising of the first wall.  Multiple local church leaders were present, and offered messages of hope and appreciation.  After the closing prayer was offered, a lady from the crowd began to sing, in southern gospel style, the words. “Glory, glory, glory to the Lord, who is due all glory!”  This beautiful prayer was heart-felt and resonated in the hearts, minds, and souls of all those present.  I can still picture her, sitting on the pile of plywood, offering this praise to our Lord, may she be blessed for her faith in, and love for the Lord.

Here are 25 observations, from hundreds, that I took away from our week in Louisiana:

1) alligators: they are scary.

2) gumbo is delicious, and it does not help anyone loose weight.

3) there really is no substitute for good jazz.

4) at 6’9” you really do need an exit row on an airplane.

5) stockton does have a dry heat.

6) Southerners do understand hospitality.

7) if sleeping in an RV, the entire dwelling will shake if you roll over.

8) some people really do snore.

9) it hurts if you miss the nail and hit your thumb.

10) you will never see a live armadillo… only dead on a road side.

11) it is possible to sweat while taking a shower.

12) there is good and bad everywhere.

13) it is a good thing when neighbors greet one another

14) we all have the ability to help, not by mandate, but by choice.

15) people in Louisiana smile or laugh if you tell them you are from California (in a good way)

16) oil is messy

17) good music is unifying

18) we need ‘smoked flavor’ tabasco sauce in California.

19) sweet tea is more than sweet.

20) mosquito repellant is a good thing.

21) you can find Napa wines anywhere; even in Slidell, LA.
22) oysters are better raw.
23) surprisingly, not all Louisianians dislike Coach Nick Saban.
24) the Garden District of New Orleans has very small gardens, if any.
25) Who Dat?