More post-trip thoughts...

Last Easter Sunday, I talked to Tim Fuller '10 about why he came on Ole Spring Relief this year.

"I was on the fence about coming," Fuller said. "But I heard registration was filling up fast and would be closing, so I just did it. I feel like I have this obligation to do something. We just had a break at the end of Interim. We're so separated from these things. It's incredible to be able to come down here and realize how blessed we are up there [in Minnesota]."

I asked Fuller what he was looking forward to about OSR3.

"I'm excited to get working, actually," he said. "We've been on the bus for 24 hours. We spent a day in New Orleans, a day here in Biloxi and at the beach. I love to travel, and for cheap. New Orleans and the South is a different culture and to be able to experience that is pretty cool. I'm looking forward to interacting with folks, seeing firsthand Southern hospitality, hearing stories. I'm anxious to get to work; that's what we came down here for."

* * *

We've now been back "home" on campus for over 24 hours. Fuller sent me a post-trip e-mail about his experience on OSR3. Here it is:


One of the biggest differences between this year and last was the type of
work we were doing. Last year I spent much of the time doing demolition work and building the foundation of a new soup kitchen in Slidell[, Lousiana]; this year most of my time at work was spent sweeping and cleaning up the streets of Moss Point[, Mississippi].

At first I was a little dissapointed because I thought there would be less opportunity to talk with locals and also because I felt as though sweeping the streets wasn't as meaningful as some of the other work we could have been doing. Despite my initial apprehensions, the work turned out to be more fulfilling than expected and we encountered many locals in the neighborhoods in which we worked. People driving by were always honking and waving and many stopped to thank us and ask if we needed water, several businesses even offered us free refreshments to show their appreciation. One man walked with us as we picked up trash along the street and told us about his Katrina story and of the destruction the storm left in its wake.

Overall, I think our work was an important step in the reconstruction and revitalization of this town and it really did make a difference. Despite the differing circumstances, this year was just as fulfilling as last and once again it was the people we met and their stories that made it that way.