Lewis and Sandra - Reconstruction

It began in early January when our first group of volunteers spent most of their week repairing and replacing shingles on the roof. It was the first step in restoring a home that was ready to be abandoned. Lewis had lived here all of his 49 years. It was comfortable but by no means luxurious.The original building was replaced by one that Lewis purchased for $400 and moved to the present location.

At the end of January some of the first group came back to finish the project. They tore up the floor, stregthened supporting beams, installed different windows, patched holes in the siding and hung and finished the drywall. It began to look like a real house. They also put in place the cabinets that Lewis purchased for a $100 at a demolition site. . . but they didn't quite get finished. At the end of each work session. Sandra and Lewis put on a feast of catfish and all the trimings. They also shed tears of appreciation each time a group left.

The next group that came along was blessed with several skilled plumbers. Lewis had spoken of not being able to sleep nights for fear that he would not be able to afford a plumber and construction would come to a halt. We all called it an answer to prayer. Lewis and Sandra's dream was getting closer to a reality.

Now things really started to happen. A Lewis size (Lewis is A BIG man) bathroom including a washer, dryer, tub enclosurer and new hot water heater were plumber and sucessful pressure tested. Lewis leaned into the window and said: "Mr. Don will you flush that toilet one more time . . I just love to hear the sound!" The cabinets and counter top were fastened in place and a used stove donated by the church was delivered. I brought in a paint crew . . . but we didn't quite make it.

This time the feast consisted of boiled crawfish, sweet corn and boiled potatoes. Lewis provided the following instructions for eating crawfish: Twist off the tail, squeeze up the good stuff from the bottom of the tail (tastes like shrimp to me) pull it the rest of the way out with your front teeth and enjoy. There is more . . . and this takes courage. Squeeze the head from the top forcing out the inards and whatever else is in there (tastes like raw sardines) and enjoy. Finally suck the remaining liquid from the head and dig in for more. After a few I abandoned the last two steps and concentrated on getting all of that delicious tail meat.

Tears were shared all around late Friday afternoon (Lewis had warned that watching a grown (big) man cry was not a pleasant sight). Appreciation comes from the heart with these people . . . maybe from the soul.

So now I wonder at 3:00 A.M. how we will get the job finished. A new crew has arrived but we have other jobs and other grateful people to help and more crews scheduled . I think we will find a way and maybe even a new way to make other grown men cry.