The week went well;  the experiences were similar to our previous work in Birmingham and Oklahoma City.  Everything was run very well. Nathan noted that the Little Rock site was specifically arranged to be run by younger staff members.  Although in his twenties, Nathan performed in a professional manner, certainly holding his own against the leaders of the previous two sites at which we have worked.

We primarily worked on one house; applying drywall cement, i.e., “mudding”, sanding the dried drywall cement and painting. On Monday and Tuesday the entire group worked on the drywall finishing.  On Tuesday evening, three staffers left for R&R; the fourth left on Friday morning.  On Friday, it was just our group working!  We finished the mudding work on Wed/Thurs and began painting.  We finished the painting on Friday.

Nathan was very satisfied with our work.

Our group interacted well with the Mennonite group. We participated in all of their prayer services and led two services.  The week experience had a definite spiritual flavor as we have experienced in previous MDS volunteer missions.  The young Mennonite people are very dedicated to their work, to their clients and to their faith.  We had several interactive after dinner discussions on Catholic/Mennonite theology and beliefs

We did not do much sightseeing -- save for a couple of trips to downtown Little Rock.  We saw the Governor’s mansion (from outside the surrounding iron fence).We were quite near downtown; about a 20 min walk.  Michael figured out the bus system and we rode back to the MDS house one evening.  Yes, it was a house that we stayed in.  It belongs to a group of buildings owned by the Bill Gaither Ministry and they are allowing MDS to use it as long as needed.  There is an abandoned VA hospital also included that is being renovated.

We arrived home around 5 pm Saturday 27 May.