Our first day of work

We arrived at Adelynrood at 10PM last night. Traffic in NYC held us up. Sleep did not come until 1 or so so today was a very tiring day. Three of the crew made it to chapel this AM at 7 to pray with the Companions of the Holy Cross who are hosting us. They keep the prayers several times a day and we are invited to join them.

This morning we arrived at Esperanza for the first time. Much of today was spent reconoitering and gathering supplies. We met with the student first and shared Katrina stories. Then the 5th grade class took us on a walking tour of their neighborhood and to see the Textile museum. Finally we were together enough to begin some work. We have 70 plants to put in the ground and a lpicnic table to build. We are also repairing flooring and ceiling and ripping our old stuff for new to go in. Planting 70 bushes in 4 days may not eem like very much but digging in NE is not like digging in Mississippi mud. There are ROCKS! We have a long metal pipe that we drive into the hole and loosen the rocksso that they can be lifted with a shovel. It takes two - working as a team - to dig the hole.

Please know that we are VERY aware of God's action in our lives on this pilgrimage. Everyday I am more and more amazed.

Tomorrow kids write - I promise!
Jane+