Lourdes University Campus Ministry

04/25/2026

Some of the LU Campus Ministry alumni that gathered today for our reunion. So glad to see everyone!

03/14/2026

Day 5 Reflection:

Today was our final day in North Carolina, and it carried a feeling none of us were quite ready for. We started the morning a little later than usual, almost as if we were trying to slow time down. At the work site we said goodbye to our advisors and to our friends Braulio and David (“Joe”), realizing that the place where we had spent the week working, laughing, and growing together was now somewhere we had to leave behind. Later we shared a meal together at El Zarape, where the food was great but the laughter around the table made it special. Every joke, story, and smile felt a little more meaningful knowing the end of the trip was getting close.

In the afternoon we headed to Atlantic Beach, where the wind was strong, the sand warm, and the water freezing but refreshing. We played volleyball, spike ball, and soccer, and swam in the ocean, enjoying the kind of moments that make time feel like it isn’t running out. That evening we shared seafood at the Red Fish Bar with friends from Piedmont, and the atmosphere around the table was bittersweet. Over this week we didn’t just build houses—we built friendships, memories, and a sense of community that will stay with us long after we leave. While this was our last day in North Carolina and the final Lourdes Habitat trip, the impact of this experience is something we will all carry with us wherever we go. 🧡🤍🐺

Written by Angel and Brodey

03/13/2026

Day 4 Reflection:

Today was cut short due to an impending storm. The team worked hard the first half of the day in order to get as much done as we could. New Stoney Hill Church provided lunch for the entire squad. We were able to meet one of the homeowners and she helped out for a couple hours. Everyone joined together to say a prayer over the house. After lunch, the storm blew in and it was a struggle to get everything cleaned up in the wind and rain.

For dinner, Darin, Connor, and Jay cooked curry chicken and rice. We all sat down to have reflection while we ate. We walked about what we learned while we were here and what we are going to take away from the trip. Afterwards, we split up some stayed at the church to play games and some met up with the other group to hang out.

Written by Bruno and Olivia

03/12/2026

Day 3 Reflection:

Last night brought an unexpected challenge for our team that required us to pause and support one another. Moments like these remind us that mission trips are not just about the work we do on the build site, but also about caring for one another as a community. We are grateful for the support, prayer, and resilience of the group late into the night. As we approached the starting work hour this morning, our group sleepily pulled themselves together to continue their hard work on the build site. A crane was brought in today to lift trusses onto the second house where a few daring students worked high up fitting the trusses into place. The other group placed insulation boards and hung plywood on the first house.

After the work day, everyone split up to help prepare dinner. Some went out to pick up groceries, others went directly to the community center to start prepping food. Tonight’s dinner was a team effort, everyone had a part in making a delicious meal of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Overall, today was a testament to the community that we have built this week. Between the brightly burning servant’s hearts and the diligent work ethic of the people that make up this group, it is evident that God called together a special group of people for this mission trip.

Written by Nick and Heathyr

03/11/2026

Day 2 Reflection:

Today, after arriving at the work site, we continued the tasks from the prior day, and made huge strides in building the two homes we are working on. We nailed in panels and got to climb high on scaffolding. We got to grow closer to each other and learn about one another and the other team we are working with.

Afterwards, some of us cooled down at the river while others had fun at the community center. Nick and Heather cooked us delicious tacos for dinner. After dinner some of us visited our new friends from the other team, while some of us stayed back to get some well deserved rest for tomorrow’s work.

Written by Darin, Jay, and Connor

03/10/2026

Day 1 Reflection:

Today we started our day early, leaving the church we are staying at, First African Baptist Church, and walking to the worksite. Along the way we met students from Piedmont Virginia Community College and quickly began building new friendships. At the site, there were three houses in progress—two with second stories framed and one with a brick foundation ready to be built on. We split into mixed groups with both colleges and spent the day working with power tools, building scaffolding, climbing ladders, and drilling trusses for the roofs. Lunch was provided by two wonderful volunteers before we finished the afternoon’s work.

After the workday, we stopped by the community center where we will be cooking our meals each night. Angel and Brodey made Chipotle-style bowls for dinner that everyone enjoyed. We invited our new friends to join us at the community center and spent the evening getting to know them over food and games. Our nightly reflection focused on our personal “framing” and how our support systems help us. We’re looking forward to getting some rest tonight as we prepare to continue working on the houses tomorrow.

Sarah Turner and Mikayla Duschl

03/07/2026

It’s SPRING BREAK!! 5 AM, Saturday, March 7 - the 30th Anniversary Lourdes Habitat Team gathered to start the journey to Goldsboro, NC.

Lourdes Habitat Alumni - which trip(s) were you on?

This year’s adventures in the coming week will be posted here. [Darin Briscoe, Heathyr Clifton (staff), Nickolas Dietrich (staff), Mikayla Duschl, Connor Hatgas, Angel Litomisky, Brodey Roth, Sarah Turner, Bruno Verdunk, Olivia Waterstradt, Jayvionce Winston]

01/17/2026

We’ve been working since Friday at 3 PM to Fill the Freezer with casseroles to support our Toledo Labre project! As of 1 AM we’re at 83 casseroles. Our goal is 180 casseroles by 3 PM on Saturday. Do you think we can make it?


01/13/2026

Volunteers are still needed for tomorrow’s Labre!

01/09/2026