A father, who is an insurance agent from New York, joined his son. Other college students with majors in business, religion, pre-law, history, and psychology were part of the Americorps team who directed the rebuilding group. Then our corps had an architect, a dentist, a film student, two high school students, a law student, and a friend who works for Sony Records. We ranged in age from 15 to over 50. There were 11 men and eight women. Construction experience ranged from none to a lot.

The weather was hot (around 90 degrees), humid and smelly due to an unclean port-o-potty. The roof was so hot that it warped a volunteer's shoe.

Despite the diversity, unfamiliarity with one another, and an uncomfortable environment, we all worked together to help rebuild a house for an elderly couple.

When we left, the roof was complete and the exterior siding was over 80 percent done. Although we were exhausted, sunburned and sore, we felt satisfied we helped in the rebuilding of New Orleans. Although we started out as strangers, we later felt we were like a family. Although we were diverse, we worked together toward one goal.

The body of Christ should be like the New Orleans group. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 says, "The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into Christ's body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit."

As we work on the building of our own corps, let's all work together as one body with our various parts, helping one another, and working through difficulties.