Do you know how to swing a hammer, hang Sheetrock or paint a house? Do you have other skills related to construction?
If so, then the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM) and Zone 6 in New Orleans need you.
In December 2006, Alabama Baptists began a partnership to help rebuild the lives of New Orleans residents in Zone 6, which was established by Operation New Orleans Area Homes (NOAH) Rebuild and is located on the western side of Orleans Parish. This zone saw some of the worst damage to homes and churches from Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
While opportunities for a wide variety of ministries in the zone are beginning to open up, construction is currently on the minds of partnership coordinators.
According to Tommy Puckett, SBOM director of disaster relief, teams will begin traveling to the area in March to work on assignments ranging from gutting out a house down to its frame to power washing the structure to rid it of mold to rebuilding it from the frame up. Volunteers skilled in carpentry, plumbing, electrical, insulation and Sheetrock installation and trim work are needed, as well as other skills such as installing doors and windows and painting.
By coordinating with Operation NOAH, Puckett will match teams with jobs based on skill level, number of volunteers and scheduling.
Initially construction will focus on areas where local Baptist congregations are meeting so that teams can connect homeowners with churches, he said.
This is in step with the purpose of Operation NOAH, which seeks to rehabilitate more than 1,000 homes and 20 churches.
The construction is a tool to share the gospel with homeowners, said Kirsten Agee, Operation NOAH volunteer coordinator. "It’s a short-term tool to usher people into the Kingdom or get them into a local church," she said.
Because some homeowners may live nearby while their house is being repaired, the work provides an opportunity to build relationships with them, noted Agee, a member of Pine Hill Baptist Church in Bethel Baptist Association. "They all have stories they all want to share," she said. "Teams should be open to that and praying for it."
Agee suggested that teams prepare spiritually by asking God to give them compassion for those they’ll meet, as well as ways to clearly communicate the gospel.
"If you come here, be ready because you’ll never have a better opportunity to share the gospel than right here," she said.
Teams also need to be ready to work and be flexible because work assignments can change based on the needs at the time of their arrival.
Puckett and Agee noted that teams should look at the following when considering participation in these trips:
– Decide what skills and skill levels team members have to offer. Any skill pertaining to construction is needed, but volunteers with no construction experience can also help with certain aspects of the cleanup.
– Choose a construction crew chief. This should be a highly skilled person who can lead the team and instruct lesser-skilled members in the work being done. Puckett also suggested choosing a leader to handle logisitics, devotions and activities unrelated to the job site.
– Choose someone who can serve as a runner for the team to pick up building supplies and go on errands. It is best if the team drives a pickup truck on the trip for the runner’s use. Bringing a trailer would add to the team’s hauling capacity, cutting down on the number of trips needed to move materials.
– Decide on the length of the trip and choose two to three alternatives for dates to allow coordinators to best match the team with jobs and housing.
Teams also need to be prepared to bring work gloves and as many tools as they can with them, especially tool belts and hand tools, Puckett noted.
Currently volunteers are being housed in the Volunteer Village in New Orleans’ World Trade Center. The cost of lodging covers housing, three meals a day (including a sack lunch for the work site) and parking at the nearby parking deck for the Hilton New Orleans Riverside hotel. Registration for lodging is handled when teams register for the trip, although Puckett is looking into housing alternatives so more volunteers may be able to participate at one time.
The housing at Volunteer Village is bunkhouse-style, so teams will need to bring sleeping bags or sheets and blankets, pillows, all toiletries, towels and washcloths. Agee also recommended shower shoes and noted that outlets for hairstyling accessories are scarce.
Other items she recommended that teams bring include a small first aid kit, any prescription or allergy medicine needed and bug spray for mosquitoes.
Although meals are provided, teams will need to take their own beverages and snacks for consumption at the work sites. Agee noted there are grocery stores nearby but teams may want to bring their own ice chests to transport items.
Volunteers also are encouraged to dress and act appropriately, she said.
"We expect them to promote the image of Christ," Agee noted. "Sometimes that’s done in appearance, actions or words."
Teams that want to participate should call Puckett’s office six weeks ahead of their first option for travel dates to allow time for scheduling. Once they are registered, they will receive more specific information based on the job they are assigned.
To register or for more information on construction jobs, call Puckett at 1-800-264-1225, Ext. 229.
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