CROWLEY - Some of the residents of the Welcome House have been hard at work learning how to raise crops and livestock that are used to feed the residents of the shelter. Over the past few months, the size of Rev. Roy Kibodeaux’s farm has grown considerably as have the number of volunteers that work there.

Nash (No first name gien), who’s devotion to the shelter has kept him at The Welcome House for over two years despite receiving other job offers, proudly walked through the garden that seems to have almost doubled in size.

“We have eggplants, peppers, squash and plums,” he said. “And we have many more hogs, ducks and chickens.”

“I love working out here.”

Edna Credeur, Rev. Kibodeaux’s sister who was visiting the farm, wanted to be sure to emphasize just how hard the residents work to keep the farm going. Monday morning’s heat helped to prove her point.

“These people are out here every day working and increasing the size of this farm and it’s output of crops and meat,” she said. “It really makes me proud to watch them take pride in what they are doing.

Kibodeaux himself showed off some of the vegetables and pork chops (which are very large) that his farm had recently produced.

“The Lord has blessed us with these people who are willing to work to help to feed themselves and the other residents of the shelter,” he said. “It has grown so much that we’ve had to have more workers come out to help.”

During Monday’s visit, workers were busy washing off the hogs, digging in the gardens and cleaning out the chicken cages. None of them seemed to be the least bit frustrated about working outdoors in the south Louisiana heat.

Perhaps the help of a higher force helps to motivate them.

“It’s a lot of work but it’s well worth it,” said Nash as beads of sweat dripped down his forehead. “I feel as though God is working through us.