Getting Started

In the past, GODsquad has always rested a day or so before getting into the tedious work. This year, we dove in, getting to work the day after we arrived, having traveled for twelve hours. We woke at around six o' clock, which in California is chronologically equivalent to three in the morning. You can imagine that we felt pretty pooped; it was only too fitting that a line from the morning worship said:

Sleeper awake! Rise from the dead...

That morning, as we left in the minivans, I anticipated a slogging day. The day found me dripping in sweat as the humidity assaulted my mood. When we arrived at the warehouse, we received assignments from the director. Not registering what I was doing, I slinked into the nearest departing group. We arrived at a house we needed to paint and met the owner, a kindly old woman who had lost everything in the storm. Her son had had to be evacuated from her house at gunpoint, because he was agoraphobic, and was currently hospitalized. She was lonely and needed help, and was thrilled to be getting it from the Episcopal diocese in the area. They had practically rebuilt her house, and when we arrived, she was taping plastic to her windows for painting. She welcomed us with open arms and made us feel great. That day, we heard stories of the people's struggles from a neighbor across the street, and it hit me again that I was truly glad to be doing this. Also, the company of Greg, Shanna, Sam F., Sam V., Kyle, and the college kids who were also helping made the day all the more enjoyable. I feel ready to drive forward on tomorrow's work.

Adrian Guerrero