Happy Thursday!

WBA Camden says hello, and sends this shot of a beautiful mural in their service site neighborhood:

WBA Camden at work

Check out these shots of WBA Camden at the Philabundance Food Pantry, where they packaged over 700 lbs of food in one morning!

And here a bonus shot of the whole group at the Romero Center:

Mid-week Check Ins

Leaders from all our WBA trips called to check in yesterday with great news of the work they're doing, the people they are meetings, and their excitement for what remains of their trips!
WBA Camden: Leader Jacqui called as the group was headed out for their night off to explore nearby Philadelphia. She mentioned that the group was really looking forward to the evening together, as they are split into smaller groups during the day to attend various service sites. Jacqui also mentioned that the group is really loving the Romero Center staff and all the reflection opportunities they're facilitating, helping the group draw connections and begin discussions that are challenging and fruitful.

WBA New Orleans: Leaders Kristen and Steve called after another tiring but great day at the group's two work sites, helping repair homes that have Hurricane Katrina flood damage. During the day, the group is keeping busy doing demolition, putting up drywall, and insulating the homes, and in the evening they are cooking with other Operation Helping Hands volunteers before sitting down to reflect. In their time off, the group has had a chance to explore the city--they loved Sunday mass with jazz music, and have had more than a few beignets--and also to take in the still-apparent devastation from Hurricane Katrina in the lower ninth ward.

WBA DC: Having conquered the Metro, leaders Matt and Leanne and the WBA DC group have now hit their stride. They are really enjoying their work at various food distribution centers, particularly in light of the SNAP food stamp challenge the group completed yesterday, which, by the sounds of it, was difficult but eye-opening. The group is also taking advantage of evening hours to do sightseeing and is looking forward to hearing some wonderful speakers and finally making it to the White House later in the week to round out their stay at The Pilgrimage.

WBA Honduras: Leaders John and Mel called after waking from an unplanned two hour siesta--it seems that working all morning in the bean fields, school, or kitchen and trying to keep up with the boys of Amigos de Jesus on the soccer field all afternoon is exhausting! The group is navigating the language and cultural barriers well, making friends and learning a great deal. They especially enjoyed a reflection faciliated by Amy and Wilson, who run Amigos de Jesus, which put them in the shoes of the Honduran boys they are working with. Nursing majors will have a chance to visit a Honduran clinic and the whole group will take a day trip to nearby indigenous ruins, so there is still a great deal the group is looking forward to.

Please continue to keep our participants in your thoughts and prayers!

Pictures from Day Three

All our WBA participants are hard at work here at the half way point in their trips! Here are some shots from our WBA domestic trips:

The men of WBA Camden make sure to wear their protective eye gear, while leader Chris conquers the site roof:

WBA DC put their (hairnet-clad) heads together at the start of another day at the DC area food pantry:

WBA New Orleans is hard at work repairing homes with flood damage:

Amigos de Jesus children love Saint Anselm students!

 We are expecting to hear from all groups on the phone by this evening, but in the meantime, Honduras had an internet connection and was able to send some pictures from their adventures with the children of the Amigos de Jesus orphanage. Above you see Alex and John with one of the Amigos boys.

 Jaime Orrego, Spanish professor, takes a moment to hear stories from two of the Amigos boys. What a blessing to have a native speaker on the trip!

 Andraya found a friend and they went exploring on the Amigos grounds.

The infamous game at Saint Anselm ... NINJA! Goes International! Cathy, Kate, and Annah teach the boys some Ninja...looks like Cathy is dominating! At least we know one thing...Love, Service, and Ninja know no borders!

New Orleans works hard but still finds time for fun!

 Steve Moran, the groups fearless leader, doesn't waste any time jumping in with the street performers in downtown New Orleans last Sunday.

An updated picture of all the hard work the group is doing on a home in NoLa. Keep up the good work, friends!

Building Community in New Orleans

Check out WBA NOLA hard at work at one of the Operation Helping Hands work sites: