Travel Log

A few weeks ago Jonathan and I were asked to chaperone an alternative spring break trip for University students to travel to Galveston, TX to serve the town in hurricane relief efforts. Hurricane Ike hit the island this last September and there is still much work that needs to be done in rebuilding the community. After returning from Seattle, WA last week in our trip to attend the national conference for student affairs professionals, we turned around and left Fayetteville once more for an 11 hour drive to south Texas. Jonathan and I tag teamed driving the "Manz van" (hopefully not a foreshadowing of life ahead). There were 6 staff members and 16 students- most of who were international students serving our country on their break from school. It was an amazing trip to serve together and see hope return to the people of south Texas. Here are a few pictures from the trip!

Jonathan attacked this oven hood with a sledgehammer alongside these guys.

A wider look at the planting that we accomplished to rebuild the dunes.

There was a great system of the digger, the fertilizer, the water and then the planter. This is Lyndsy's team of four- I was the fertilizer!

We went to help at Head Start but the kids were on spring break so they found other odd end jobs for us to do. This shows the filing system we created for their office- it was a mess. And yes- I did bring back the overalls for that day!

Here is a great group shot on the last work day in Galveston. We filled the dumpster behind us with the broken down mobile home that existed beside it before the hurricane winds.

Jonathan bagging up some trash for the dumpster.

Half of the site was picked up at this point, we were making our way to the back. That's Lyndsy in the left in the hat.

Jonathan stacking the wood remnants in the dumpster.

A clean group shot post showers one night as we enjoyed a meal out!