Monday a.m. 1-7-08

Hi Everyone,

It's been an exciting time so far here in Pearlington, MS. Believe it or not - people from home (in Phillie) still think we are in New Orleans despite the fact that I am trying very hard to remind everyone that New Orleans is in Louisiana and Pearlington is in Mississippi - two different states!

This weekend we worked on Saturday morning and then we had some down time for the students. We went in to Long Beach and had dinner and bonfire on the beach hosted by my sister (who owns a condominium on the beach). On Sunday we went to a very interesting, non-traditional Catholic church which was very multi-cultural. As a practicing Catholic, it had a bit of the African American evangelical Baptist perspective to it - with the choir singing glorious African American music embedded in a traditional Catholic mass. It was absolutely wonderful. And the congregation was from a wide variety of cultures. I believe that after the hurricane, many churches were destroyed and this church was open to everyone who wished to attend a church. It has incorporated values from all of it's members - thereby providing a very unique and distinctive perspective. One of the students said it was the best church service she had ever been too. The people are just amazing and have transferred their loss into goodness.

I am going to add some pictures that we have taken since we have been here....I hope you enjoy them and more are coming. This experience has been wonderful for the students. It would be fabulous for us to continue to incorporate this service learning experience, multicultural experience in our curriculum.

Hope all is well in Phillie - the weather here is gorgeous - in the 70s (after a very cold first couple of days).

Norma