Keeping with the weather theme, this morning we woke to thunder, lightening and rain, quite the change from the last couple of days. Luckily both our sites were indoors. A group returned to the home repair site to put a protective seal on the newly stripped floor. It was all completed expect for two places where the entertainment center and the piano were sitting. We moved them and then applied the stain. Tomorrow we will go back and seal those two final p!aces. We also spent some time out back fixing a leaking gutter. In the winter the gutter would drip and then freeze the chairlift that the mother uses to get her wheelchair bound son in and out of the house, not allowing the son to leave the house for days when this happens. Hopefully the little bit of adjustment of the gutters we keep this from happening this winter.

The other group worked at Hesed House again, but doing different tasks for yesterday. They finished painting the women’s shelter and cleaning the floors.  After eating lunch with the guests at HH, they moved across the street to help organize the area where they keep the supplies for those that are moving out of transitional housing into their own apartms. The starter kits, as they are called, are completed with housewears, cleaning supplies, bedding, etc. Anything one would need to start their new life. Because of the volunteers help, people will have everything they need!

For dinner tonight we were cooked traditional Peruvian food and let me tell you it was delicious! A squash stew over rice and a pasta chicken dish that was delicious. We waited on dessert and made a trip to the local creamery for ice cream after reflection.

The evenings reflection centered around the idea of service, obviously very fitting. After reading a volunteers reflection on her service experience, volunteers shared how they have been changed by doing service. Changing hearts and minds, one person at a time. Changing lives through volunteerism.