A Recap of our First Work Day!!

Beads- The beads were a job when we helped sort beads that had been donated after Mardi Gras so they did not end up being all over the place. It was very interesting because we had never seen so may beads before, there were over 150 thousand pounds of beads! We sorted the beads into 5 different categories: Long, Short, Pearlized, kid beads, and special beads for specific groups of people called Krewes, with their customized beads for their floats. The adults working there were special needs, and it was very fun talking to them and they were very cute. It was a really good experience and we would do it again some other time. 

House- The house was hit with the hurricane badly. We did sheet rocking all over the master bedroom. Half of the kids had to place mud all over the house in the cracks where the walls and the ceiling meet. Us freshmen were in charge of sheet rocking using power tools. The power tools were our favorite parts and we learned home renovating skills.

School - At the beginning of the day we didn’t think we were going to have a chance to interact with the children. We started the day off by sharpening test pencils and helping out in the library. After lunch, we decorated two bulletin boards in the hallway. They each had a theme that went along with the month. At the end of the day, a teacher stopped us in the hallway and asked us if we wanted to play outside with the kids. It was a first grade class and they were adorable. All the kids adored having us there, as we adored them. Interacting with the kids was the highlight of the day and seeing the smiles on their faces made it an amazing experience.

Audubon - At the New Orleans Audubon we were informed about the various wildlife there, as well as the amount of damage brought by Hurricane Katrina. A lot of the forest had been almost permanently damaged from the hurricane. We started out by removing an invasive species that had been damaging the forest for years. We would chop down any trees and plants affected by it, and then we planted trees in their places. It was fun to work with everyone and it was a good start to the trip.

So far on this trip we are all having a very fun time working, playing and especially getting to know one another. I hope this week continues to be as fun as the first few days has been!!

Today’s blog brought to you by the freshman class:

Jillian Nicole Charlie Hadley Maggie Ellie Ian Grace Meaghan Allie Graham 

SENIORS

Seniors: Ross Kellar, Matt Markella, Matt Dyroff, Cari Librett, Frances Anne McDonald, Christa West, and Ian Brown.

I spent my last week on missions tiling a house with my dad David (DKELL) all week. It's so crazy to think that it was my last year here, but I am thankful that I was given this opportunity. My group successfully finished tiling all the areas we were given at the beginning of the week. I couldn't be more thankful I was able to leave knowing I accomplished the task that was given to me. It was such an amazing year, wishing I could come for more, but this trip all four years has made me realize I want to keep doing community service at college, through Habitat for Humanity, or if the college goes on a mission trip somewhere. This trip has truly made a perfect ending to my soon to be finished senior year.
ROSS KELLAR

I'm not quite sure where to start with this week and the amazing journey that it has developed into. This week in New Orleans has been everything I wished for and more for my last high school mission trip with St. Johns. From playing bingo at the senior center, to mucking horse stalls at Lori's barn, to blessing a house on my last day, it has been an amazing experience to say the least. Four years ago I walked into the youth group room of our church not knowing a soul. I had just moved to Duxbury from Atlanta and was in the midst of figuring everything out. The kids in the room were so welcoming to me from the start. Little did I know, those kids would change my life. On my first trip to New Orleans I was not sure what to expect. I had heard of mission trips and St. Johns' active mission team was a huge part in my parents decision process to choose a church close to our new home. Being an only child, I did not know much of what to expect. The experiences that I made on that trip only led me to grasp for more experiences and developing friendships just like those that came out of my trip. Ever since, my experiences have only been better. This trip has introduced me to my best friends, my fondest memories, and so far the most faith-driven chapter of my life. Looking back on my last four years, I can truly say that I know that God led me to Duxbury to be a part of this trip. Thank you to the seniors throughout the years who set the example for me that I hope I presented this year, thank you to the chaperones who have been there for me every step of the way, thank you to the friends I have made through this trip, thank you to the parents and parishioners who make this trip happen for us, and most importantly thank you to my fellow seniors who have been there for me since day one making me laugh, cry, scream, and love passionately. I can't wait to continue mission work throughout my life. I am who I am today because of this trip.

Frances Anne McDonald


Missions week seems to go by faster and faster every year, but this past week went by in the blink of an eye. Whether I was mudding, sanding, painting, weeding, or grooming horses and mucking stalls, the work day seemed to have ended just as soon as it started.  I am able to say without doubt that time truly does fly when you are having fun.
As I look back through the years, I can remember being a freshman thinking of how much time I would have until my senior year. I never expected that my future would be handed to me so soon.  Just the fact alone that I will be boarding my final missions train home in less than 6 hours makes me wish that I could relive all my missions experiences over again.
The church community, missions trip, as well as the people involved in my experiences have shaped and molded me as a person and better prepared me for my future. The friendships and memories that have been made over the past four years are life long. Because of missions, I am growing into the best version of myself that I could hope to be, and for that I am eternally grateful.
- Christa West

For the last four years, this mission trip has been one of the most important parts of my life. Throughout the years, every senior has warned me of how fast time goes by and how bittersweet my last mission trip will be. Yet, until this week I never fully grasped the reality of how fast my last trip would go by. This year I was fortunate enough to work on a house completing tasks that I have done in previous years such as painting, sanding, and mudding. However, I still had a lot to learn and learned how to do flooring and priming and even got to wash and brush horses on a Rescue Ranch that we also went to last year. As much as I wish I could be boarding the train again next year to go on another missions trip, I am so incredibly grateful that I have experienced four trips and I am also thankful to those who have made it possible for us to go every year. St. John's, family, friends, and of course the missions team have impacted my life in ways that I can not even begin to describe. Missions and this missions family has changed me and helped me grow into the person I am today. I hope I can continue to grow in the next coming years through more mission work. Thank you to all of those who have supported us and made this trip possible!
- Cari Librett

Often times in our society people say that they have a "second family."  Their has never been a time in my life where I have felt so in touch with a group of people both emotionally and spiritually.  It is really crazy to me how 4 weeks total over the course of 4 years has such a profound impact on your life.  Sometimes it just takes time away from home and your regular routine to realize how much those back at home really mean to you.  Missions has taught me that love is the most important thing in your life and at the end of the day what you have and were you have been means nothing if you never were able to reach out and touch someone else's life.  Missions has given me the opportunity of a lifetime.  It allowed me to form a deep bond with the city of New Orleans and the people I have met.  Missions helped me realize my strengths and weaknesses both on and off the work cite. I have met some of my best friends on this trip.  I see God in every person involved in this week long journey and I think that speaks volumes to the kids we are working with.  To wrap this all up I want to leave you with one quote, in the words of Lee Brice, love like crazy.
-Matt Dyroff

This trip has shaped who I am today, it really has. From freshman year to today, my last night in New Orleans as a senior leader, it's all been a crazy rush, an incredible blur. The amount of good I've gotten out of coming to this incredible city home to incredibly inspiring people, it's been exhaustingly wonderful. The countless stories I've heard, the people I've met, I can't even start to list all the people who have touched me on my trips with their stories and their smiles. The opportunity to go to New Orleans during my April Vacation...  on a 36 hour train ride... for four years... I can't imagine what kind of person I would be if I hadn't wandered into this group freshman year. To come to a city that has been through a lot with people who have been devastated, deprived, hopeless, and revived. Through my four years, when I build a fence, sheet-rock a house, put up dry-wall, install a window, mud walls, tile floors, set up framing, landscape farms, volunteer at community centers, repair walls, prime ceilings, and countless other things I can't even remember, it's all for the people here. There is nothing like the former/future homeowner visiting the house you're working on and seeing a look of gratitude in their eyes, having them thank you and bless you for your dedication. People on the street have come up to me and have personally thanked me for just being here, too. They will see me on the streets of New Orleans, and will smile or say hello or thank you, because just the fact that we are there shows them that they matter. That this nation, no matter the distance, doesn't leave it's own kind to dry. With such a great group, in and out of Louisiana, I wish I could do this every year. The experience is like none other and the fact that we make the most out of every minute we are here makes this trip mean that much more. I wish I kept more pictures, maybe a journal of all the people I've met and things I have experienced going on these trips, because every single one has really hit me one way or another. And even though I haven't done that, I can confidently say that I have made the most out of every second for the past four years. And to whoever reads this, I want you to know that every year has been worth it.
-MATT MARKELLA

It is currently 2 am and in two hours we are to awake and leave New Orleans and get on a train, leaving behind a trail of hard work. I personally spent the entire time on a finishing project. At first it was two bathrooms and a series of little fixes that needed to be taken care of. Yet, today or should I say yesterday we met the owners and it was no longer a project. It was a single mother and her two kids just trying to move back into their home. My final year I was joined by my brother and sister. Much to the surprise of all involved there were no major battles and we all worked hard. As a family we grew closer together and with the all the connections made here in this city I have gained a larger extended family. NOW I NEED SLEEP! Good NIGHT!
IAN BROWN

Juniors Blog Post

Day three was absolutely amazing. Will, Ryan, and Remi spent the morning working at camp, helping paint Lorraine's (the chef here at Camp Restore) kitchen. After working on that, we went next door to the senior center and spent time with the people there. We talked to the residents, did crafts, and ended the afternoon by playing bingo with them. Everyone we met there was so grateful we dedicated our time to them, and it was so interesting getting to know them. Once we were done playing bingo, we drove down to the lower ninth ward, to visit a community center currently in foreclosure, run by Mack. Originally, Lil Wayne and Mountain Dew had funded the center as a skate park, but then had a falling out. Pre Katrina, Mack bought the warehouse to store his vintage cars. After the storm, he decided to make the space into a community center. He was truly inspiring, and told us that because of Hurricane Katrina, he found his purpose in life. He is going on a tour of the east coast in the next few weeks to raise money to prevent foreclosure. Mack will be at our very own St. John's this coming monday, April 28th, and will be talking from 6:30-8:30. Everyone bring a friend and come support Mack!!! By the way, shout out to big Sam Roberts. He's an awesome freshman (from Remi). Drew and Wyatt went to a house that is almost complete. We tiled the bathrooms so that the owner can move in. It took a long time because the people before us didn't tile right and we had to fix their mistakes with some precision cutting. Doug helped us a lot and answered many questions. It felt really good when we finished because it will allow the inspection to pass allowing people to live in the house. Tomorrow the house will be blessed and be presented to the owner. Olav finished the room he started to floorboard. Over the days we have worked and installed 3 rooms and a hallway with floorboards. It was very nice to see the homeowner and his wife stop by and just stop and smile on how much progress we achieved and thank us for our work! Jamie worked on a house with tiles today. A lot was accomplished and it was a very successful day. There were also TWO ice cream  trips during the day. There was one at lunch and one at the end of the day. The second trip was very special. Jamie and his group met one of the home owners, who's house had been worked on by our missions team. He expressed his thanks and payed for all of our ice cream. The kindness and generosity of this man signifies all that we are working for, here in Louisiana.

Sophomores

Great start to the trip. Had a great day at the ARC Community Farm. Lots of work done with the flooring and painting in the day 1 house as well. Had fun meeting all of the people working at the farm and it was great to hear a little bit about each of them. It was eye opening seeing how they were treated just the same as we were.
God Bless
Bobby Phinney, Jake Kent, Joe D., Meredythe Hanlon

Excited to be in NOLA for my second mission trip!  Both Monday and Tuesday I was the only sophomore to work at a house that needed paint on all the walls and wood laminate flooring in most of the house.  I will have to go back to finish the floor but overall it was a succesfull start to the week and I got a lot of useful knowledge.  One of my favorite parts of the trip today was when the home owner came to check on progress and he was so happy of what we did.  His happiness made me have that much more of an enjoyable day.
Mitch West


This is both of our second year on the trip. Today we hung sheetrock, sanded and mudded. All the tasks required a lot of patience and after the job was done we were really satisfied with our work. We had a small group, so working efficiently together was important. By the end of the day we had a lot of laughs and inside jokes and had a great time. Afterwards, we went to get snowballs and it made it all worth it. So glad to be here!
Dylan Simard and Lydia Brown

Even though this is my first time on this trip, I've heard such good things about it that I couldn't believe. Now two days in, I'm finding some truth in all the inspirational and positive things I've heard people say about Camp Restore. Today my group pulled weeds in a farm that sells produce to farmers markets around the city. All the workers at the farm had various developmental disabilities, but it was so inspirational how much they loved doing the work at the farm. All of the people there told us about their Katrina experiences and how they are still trying to come back to the city nine years later. Leaving the farm we drove by an abandoned Six Flags, and its sign said "closed for the storm". This really stuck out because it put the whole trip into perspective in that New Orleans still needs help even nine years after Katrina.
Cate Chase


Four days into the trip, and we have already accomplished so much!  The train ride up was very long, yet filled with joy.  On Monday, we worked on taking out bad sheet rock and putting waterproof sheet rock up on the walls around two baths.  Then, we tiled one of the walls on top of the waterproofed sheet rock on Tuesday.  Aside from the work, camp has been a blast.  Many good times have been experienced both on the basketball court and around the lounges.  The time not spent working has been used to bond and become better acquainted with those on the trip.  Hopefully everyone will remain close even after this trip is just a distant memory.
Hayden Kimbro & Thomas O'Hare


The first two days are always the most interesting because you get to learn new things at a worksite that is unfamiliar to us. These first two days we spent time tiling a house quite close to the camp. When we got there, only a few rooms had ben done by groups before us. All the people in my group were really helpful and helped teach some of us how to use the wet saw to cut tile with. In two days of work, we finished a living room space, a hallway, two bathrooms, and half of a smaller room in the back of the house. We all worked together as a group and got along really well. Days like these are the ones to cherish the time that you get to spend helping people in need, and seeing the progress and hope in the homes and people is a really amazing feeling.
Jennah Muller and Kevin Corcoran


Today I worked at the ARC Community Farm. This organization allows people with developmental disabilities who are employed and paid to work around the farm. They perform many duties such as gardening, tilling, and weeding. Watching them work beside us today was a moment I will always remember. I had the chance to talk with one of the employees named Davarian who had been working there for a little over two years. I hung on to every word he said and can remember our conversation to the first hello to our parting. The one thing he said to me that stuck out the most was "Many people don't think of us as one of them and many don't think we are capable of the work someone with the correct mindset can do. But let me tell you something, these two years have been the best I have ever had because they teach many people that we are capable of the challenge, and love it."
Catherine Jordan

Freshman Mission Experience

           So far the trip has been exciting. We have learned many thing about construction that we would have never known before. We have also met many kids we have rarely seen before, like Big Daddy Dyroff AKA Muncher (stud), Downtown, Mcsheff (legend), Joey D, Kev Cork, Kent, B Phin Squad, Qwista, Remi Demos (ish...), and many more. We had a great time shopping in the French Quarter. We feel comfortable with this group of people and we feel welcomed. We enjoyed helping the community of New Orleans, and made great friendships along the way. The train ride was surprisingly good, and we have had a great time so far. Mcsheff's promposal cake was niiiiiiiice.

          -Devin Badeau, Sam Roberts, Chris Roberts, Chris Kalous, Colin Brown, Luke Prime, Wesley Pattinson, Zach Prime, Jackson Simard, and Austin Dixon.

Seniors: Matt Griffin, Becca Hanlon, James Mattes, Mia Pattison and Mckenzie Walker

Today was my last day working alongside the St. John's Mission Team. Along with most of the team, I went to a farm to work at replanting wetlands. We had to sort out the dead cyprus trees from the live ones, then put them on wooden pallets (all while avoiding fire ants and Black Widow spiders). It was great to work with most of the team, especially seeing as it was my last day.
I have mixed emotions about the trip ending: I'm excited for the next chapter of my life, but I'm also sad that leaving high school means leaving the mission team. This has by far been the greatest experience of my high school career, and will be the thing I miss most next year (and yes, that includes the train ride).
Wherever I go, I know that I'll always have my missions experiences with me. The people I've met along the way will always be the most important aspect of the trip. From Bob Flowers to Wanda, to mission team members both older and younger than me, to Kathy here at Camp Restore. I've learned from these people, I've grown because of these people, and I've become a better human being thanks to these people.
Four years flew by, and I thank God for the opportunity to work as a part of this team. I'm honored to be able to lead this group, and I'm excited to see the younger members take over in the years to come.
The mission trips will always be the best experiences of my life, and I couldn't finish this blog without thanking the fearless, crazy, and loving chaperones I've had the chance to work with. 41 kids are not easy to maneuver around a city (especially after a 37-hour train ride). Yet they--the chaperons--are the ones who give up a week of their lives, year after year, to somehow manage to pull off the greatest week many of us have ever had. They're the ones who teach us more than any classroom ever could. They're the ones who we are more thankful for than they (or we) may ever know.
"Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:4-5
-Matt Griffin

Today I worked at a local farm planting trees. Our job was to pick the trees off the ground and place them on pallets so the roots can grow out. The job sounded so easy until the man said "There are a few things you guys have to watch out for". He said there are massive wolf spiders, red ants that will swarm your whole body, and giant black widow spiders that if bitten, you will have to go straight to the hospital. I was so nervous picking up every plant because I thought there would be a black widow spider. The job ended fine and no one was harmed. The great thing about the last two mission trips is that the group has always done their best work. The task is done to the best of their abilities and not one person complains. Every member of the group tries their hardest and never gives up. The Mission Trip has taught every member of the team how to work hard and be proud of the goals they accomplish.
-James Mattes

Today along with almost all of the Missions Team, we headed off to our final worksite. Working with everyone was the best way to end our trip regardless of the situation. Upon arrival we were informed that we were not going to be headed to the worksite we had originally thought we were going to. The Wetland farm was "too hot" and was "infested with water moccassins". I do not know animals well but I was grateful that the Farm had opted out of giving us that job. Quickly the mood changed from relief to nerves when the guy giving us our job told us we had to call him over when we saw a black widow spider. However I couldn't have been more proud then the team that was around me working. Everyone handled themselves amazingly with every black widow we saw! Today was the best day I could've asked for as my last! As the last night starts to come to an end all I can do is think about all four trips and how different each of them has been. I'm sad that this chapter in my life is over I've loved every volunteer hour spent at home, every lock in, every fundraiser, and every person I've gotten to spend the last four spring breaks with! In all the reflecting and no matter how sad I am that this is my last trip, I couldn't be happier I am leaving my favorite group of people knowing how hard they work and the amazing experiences they still have coming for them!
-Becca Hanlon

As you have read from above, I, along with the rest of the missions team headed out together for the last worksite of the week. It was a bittersweet morning as everyone kept claiming how shocked they were by today being the last day, I would shoo away their comments by plugging my ears and chanting "No, No, NO!!". But at the same time I was so incredibly happy and impressed by how amazing of a week I had just experienced, a third week in my life I've spent at Camp Restore and fourth on this missions trip, none of them being comparable to the other. I could not have asked for a better day, as the missions team was all together with smiles on their faces. As we ate our lunch, in a giant circle in the farm's barn, I was able to look around at each face and be grateful for this week in allowing me to befriend them all and create memories I will always cherish. Despite the fact the day encompassed a few dangerous encounters with Black Widows...separating the trees and placing them on their pallets was a day full of pure laughter and happiness with some of my favorite people. Thank you to all, St. John's, our incredible chaperones, and my missions family for changing my life and the lives of the people in New Orleans.
-McKenzie Walker

Today was the last day I will spend working with the Saint John's mission team. This week came and went so fast I haven't really had a chance to wrap my head around the idea that it's over. Today I worked on by far the most interesting worksite I've been on in my two years with the team. As mentioned above, we faced fire ants (which are the single most terrifying animals on the face of the earth) and black widow spiders. As we worked, despite the threat of huge, poison spiders, I felt so incredibly proud of the group. These people are inspiring, and I couldn't be happier to have spent my spring break with them.
Although this is only my second year going on the trip, I love Saint Johns like home. This team is the reason I love Duxbury. When you come down here, you're just blown away by what you see, who you meet and mostly by the sense of community you feel in this group. The opportunities I've been given by all of you at Saint Johns, by the chaperones and by everyone on this trip have shaped me into who I am today, and I cannot thank you all enough. When I move onto whatever I'll end up doing next year, I'll always  remember my Saint Johns family, and the lessons they taught me.
-Mia Pattison

JUNIORS -
Matt Markella, Matt Dyroff, Ross Kellar, Christa West, Frances Anne McDonald, Cari Librett, Ian Brown.

Matt Markella - Today, I was put in a group that went to a former Senators house, most likely mentioned in previous blogs, and he wanted to make a doorway through a brick wall to have a second exit to his soon-to-be finished house. So me, Bobby Phinney, Mason Kramer, and Will Kalous (chaperoned by Chris Popoloski) cut a hole in the brick wall and demolished it nearly perfectly with hammers. Along with that we set up the owners water pipe feeding through the new fixtures in the house. Peace.

Matt Dyroff - Today, I was put into a group that went to an extremely nice ladies house to build a fence to enclose her backyard.  At the beginning of this project we had to dig up holes for the fence posts to go into.  Prior to our fence there was a fence built in that place before and the builder left large concrete blocks in the ground so when we dug the holes we had to remove these concrete blocks.  Removing the blocks was tedious but after we got them out it went smoothly.  Everyone did a real good job and I knew it was not what some of the underclassmen wanted to do in the hot sun but they stuck with it and the fence turned out great.

Ross Kellar-Today, and Monday and Tuesday I have gotten the honor to work with my dad, David. All three days I have been dry walling, nothing else. It went smoothly all week with the help of my dad, Doug, and Matt Griffin. I started my day dry walling around a door, then around a breaker box, which was a challenge. Near the end of today, my dad put the pressure on me to mud a corner. This was a long process of which I couldn't succeed. It was stressful as can be, but with others to calm me down, it was okay. I come here each year to accomplish the goals given to us, but that doesn't mean i'll always be successful at what I do here. It was a great learning experience after dry walling so well the three days. The room was hot, making it harder to work, but all of us there pushed thru it. So thankful to spend my April vacation here.

Christa West- Today I worked on the same sight as I did the previous day.  I continued to work on mudding the walls.  Not many could say that they enjoy that type of work, but I didn't mind it. I worked with Mr. Kellar as well as Sue, who are both great work leaders. They are so helpful and are enthusiastic about helping me learn about different types of jobs on site. So far, the week has been flying by because of the people and positive energy I have been surrounded by.  There is no other way I'd want to spend my vacation.

Frances Anne McDonald- Hey everyone! So far we have had a great experience here in New Orleans! Today, I got the opportunity to help work on landscaping a convent that I actually demolished my freshman year, two years ago. We picked up debris and planted some flowers around the complex. I was really excited to be able to go back and see the convent since the last time that I had been there. I still can't get over how much the building has improved. It was also really cool to get to meet some of the nuns that now live in the convent. We met a woman walking down past the complex, and as we got talking to her, we actually found out that she used to live in the convent (once an orphanage) long ago. Long story short, the lady shared a lesson of forgiveness and trust in the Lord and his plan that he holds for us and I feel so blessed to have been able to learn the deeper meaning in that today. I have been having the best time in New Orleans and I thank everyone back home who has sent letters and been praying for us down here. The power of your prayers is definitely shining through the spirit of the whole trip.

Cari Librett- Hello everyone! Today I had the privilege to return the house I was at Monday. On Monday I was dry walling for the whole day with the help of Ross Kellar and Remi Demos, but today I mostly mudded and sanded which I have been doing since my freshman year! It was a lot of hard work because at the end of the day the whole entire house was completely transformed from how it looked only three days ago. The whole experience was even more meaningful because of the story of the owners of the house. The family that we were building for lost their whole entire house in Katrina. However, instead of trying to restore their own house first, they worked endlessly trying to get other families back on their feet. Because of their sacrifice and commitment, they unforunately have not been able to fully restore their own house yet. Their story motivated me and the rest of the group to work even harder this week and I am so thankful to have helped them! As always this trip has been one of the best weeks of my life and we are all so thankful for the letters and prayers all of you have been sending!

IAN BROWN- HEY! This is a day to remember. Today we built a fence for a woman who takes in special children. The fence was needed to insure that the kids would not wonder off. The woman had lost quite a bit in the floods her shed, her fence her furniture washed away. She was welcoming and glowing as she watched us work. She truly was grateful and gave us homemade fried chicken, which was the best I have ever had. As the oldest person there I had to lead by example but with the help of the great and wise Doug we were able to accomplish the entire task with an hour to spare. We actually nearly ran out of supplies. With our time to spare we cleaned up the yard better than we left it. Afterwards we took a tour of some of the less lucky neighborhoods that were ripe with poverty. I realized that I am a lucky person that my life is truly blessed to live where I do. The quote of the day came from Rev. Roy "In hell its not the heat that gets you, its the humidity." which describes todays weather. Wish you all the best.