Before
After
Miss Mildred's neighbor
Our missionary neighbors
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
For Miss Mildred
Miss Mildred is living out of state with her daughter until her house is finished, today we did all her insulation.
Before
Before
Family
Welcome to Wednesday in Waveland! Today was certainly a treat as Rev. Bob Rambo, the District Superintendent from Starkville, MS, traveled 5 hrs early this morning to join in our rebuilding efforts, worked with us all day and then traveled back home. I met Bob and his lovely wife, Susie, when I attended the Katrina Conference for United Methodists held in New Orleans this past September. Bob said he was so impressed we were coming back for a second trip that he'd make every effort to add his support to our team. And he did! Bob is in the center of the pic with Jay Sowell, co-lay leader for Hollywood UMC next to him. Having Bob with us was really special for those working on Miss Mildred's house, as he gave folks another perspective plus a helping hand to our task of insulating the ceilings and walls. Bob also told us that while there are certainly homes and communities being resurrected, a harsh reality exists -- including increased suicidal rates, depression and folks burning out, as well as financial funds/grants drying up. Everyone is taking a hit and it is the churches (and their volunteers) that are providing hope. THANK YOU BOB for taking time out of your hectic schedule, honoring your commitment to share time with us and backing your talk with acts. Becky Stambaugh shared a moment with us during the devotion that was especially moving. She talked with a resident of Waveland who thanked her and our team for being here, and said that while only 2,000 citizens now reside in this community out of the original 8,000 before Hurricane Katrina, the surrounding cities of Waveland, Bay St. Louis and Diamondhead have become a very strong family by taking care of each other through the thick and the thin. They choose to overcome the odds and rise above all obstacles. What an example for all of us! Lastly...if you read blogs from last year or talked with our team members, you know that we found a few minutes each evening to go to Sonic. Well...tonight I decided to add a photo of our hang-out. :-) Blessings! -- Mark
Team Work
My team....'The Little Miss Sunshine Team' so named as we nearly left Bill behind running after the van one day due to enthusiasm to get working, consists of myself, Rick, Victoria, Johnny, Bill and Rev Dave...now known as The Vicar!!!! He can explain later.
We have had a difficult set of tasks as on Monday we arrived at a house that basically needed experts in carpentry, electrics, plumbing, building, painting, cleaning, garden work and organization. Now imagine the characters involved and you might think that was impossible. So did we on our first day...but guess what, with a little help from the 'Navy Seals' as we call them.....the wonderful, experienced team from Chico, patience, which was definitely God sent and team work we finished the house today...and by that I do not mean we finished it as in 'wrecked' it but we walked out knowing that the oven was working, the washing machine and dryer were fitted, the vanity top was installed, all the power was on, showers fixed, closets built, kitchen sink in, yard cleared, walls painted, doors caulked (not corked as I first thought everyone was saying,) shower doors up and working, interior fittings fitted, cabinets built, base boards and trim added, fridge working and we still had time for lunch and one sonic break.....(ice cream.)
And yes, we did have frustrations.....well it's difficult to use an electric saw when you are doing carpentry when those working on electricity have to turn off all the power, or, every time a new task begins you needed a completely different set of tools...which could only be found back at base or at Lowes (a drive away)......I didn't know our Vicar had such a passion for Lowes but I think he frequented it about six times today....or so he said:) So yes, we have frustrations as unskilled people, trying to do tasks often without the exact tools...but it's amazing how we laugh and scream from second to second together, still care for one another (and dare I say love each other as we get closer through our work and conversations) and somehow, perhaps as a rather disfunctional team.....we are achieving 'miracles.'
I am so proud of our team, so proud of our work, and so proud to be here learning new skills and drawing closer to the people I am working with. Yet another gift from God.
We have had a difficult set of tasks as on Monday we arrived at a house that basically needed experts in carpentry, electrics, plumbing, building, painting, cleaning, garden work and organization. Now imagine the characters involved and you might think that was impossible. So did we on our first day...but guess what, with a little help from the 'Navy Seals' as we call them.....the wonderful, experienced team from Chico, patience, which was definitely God sent and team work we finished the house today...and by that I do not mean we finished it as in 'wrecked' it but we walked out knowing that the oven was working, the washing machine and dryer were fitted, the vanity top was installed, all the power was on, showers fixed, closets built, kitchen sink in, yard cleared, walls painted, doors caulked (not corked as I first thought everyone was saying,) shower doors up and working, interior fittings fitted, cabinets built, base boards and trim added, fridge working and we still had time for lunch and one sonic break.....(ice cream.)
And yes, we did have frustrations.....well it's difficult to use an electric saw when you are doing carpentry when those working on electricity have to turn off all the power, or, every time a new task begins you needed a completely different set of tools...which could only be found back at base or at Lowes (a drive away)......I didn't know our Vicar had such a passion for Lowes but I think he frequented it about six times today....or so he said:) So yes, we have frustrations as unskilled people, trying to do tasks often without the exact tools...but it's amazing how we laugh and scream from second to second together, still care for one another (and dare I say love each other as we get closer through our work and conversations) and somehow, perhaps as a rather disfunctional team.....we are achieving 'miracles.'
I am so proud of our team, so proud of our work, and so proud to be here learning new skills and drawing closer to the people I am working with. Yet another gift from God.
WWJE
I'm sitting in the rec room with Norma, Betty, Becky and RevDave just relaxing. A major contingent of folks have gone off to Sonic for LimeAdes. Linda just walked in. She's clearly picked up a bleach contact high from cleaning the bathroom. Becky just broke out the chocolate. Some group left 3 boxes of Ghiradelli Chocolate. RevDave is not being shy about digging right in. I'll be sure to check the bottom of any chocolate I pick up. Did I say 3 boxes... make that 2 boxes now.
This is where the magic happens. Hard to believe the major topic is what to feed the troops Friday night. There have been some rumors/concerns about the amount of cheese in the meals. Also, the word "surprise" often appears in the title of said meals. There have been requests for the Wal-Mart shoppers to pickup all-bran and prune juice. So we're taking an online poll to see what we should have for dinner. This is not limited to Mississippi Missionaries. If you'd like to play the home version of our Friday Night Dinner Poll please post your comments and suggestions. but do it soon because the kitchen crew is anxiously awaiting your responses.
What would you like us to eat? And remember ... WWJE
The above has been a group blog provided by Becky, Betty, Norma, RevDave & Chuck
This is where the magic happens. Hard to believe the major topic is what to feed the troops Friday night. There have been some rumors/concerns about the amount of cheese in the meals. Also, the word "surprise" often appears in the title of said meals. There have been requests for the Wal-Mart shoppers to pickup all-bran and prune juice. So we're taking an online poll to see what we should have for dinner. This is not limited to Mississippi Missionaries. If you'd like to play the home version of our Friday Night Dinner Poll please post your comments and suggestions. but do it soon because the kitchen crew is anxiously awaiting your responses.
What would you like us to eat? And remember ... WWJE
The above has been a group blog provided by Becky, Betty, Norma, RevDave & Chuck
Time to go?
First, last night's blog about gifts left out one critical one. John has once again provided comfort in the form of the tube of cortisone cream he gave me last year for all of my bug bites, which has returned to Mississippi with me this year and is seeing service. So he's helping without even being here.
Okay. I'm exhausted. We installed insulation today, and I worked on the ceiling. It was hot, humid, hard, and insulation is nasty stuff to handle and inhale. Stephanie says I probably have "the black lung". And this was on top of the heavy lifting yesterday, and the chronic lack of sleep.
I miss my wife (Hi, Rae, I miss you!)
I just prefer being home, really.
We only have two days of work left, then we head home on Saturday. I should be looking forward to it. And I am looking forward to being home. But I'm not looking forward to leaving.
I remember this feeling from last year. We're not done. The houses we're working in aren't ready to be moved into yet. There are many other people whose homes are still in process. And there are people who've been out of their homes for 2 and a half years whose new homes haven't even been started. I know we can't put everyone back into their homes before we go, but it doesn't help.
We'll do all we can the next two days. And then what?
Okay. I'm exhausted. We installed insulation today, and I worked on the ceiling. It was hot, humid, hard, and insulation is nasty stuff to handle and inhale. Stephanie says I probably have "the black lung". And this was on top of the heavy lifting yesterday, and the chronic lack of sleep.
I miss my wife (Hi, Rae, I miss you!)
I just prefer being home, really.
We only have two days of work left, then we head home on Saturday. I should be looking forward to it. And I am looking forward to being home. But I'm not looking forward to leaving.
I remember this feeling from last year. We're not done. The houses we're working in aren't ready to be moved into yet. There are many other people whose homes are still in process. And there are people who've been out of their homes for 2 and a half years whose new homes haven't even been started. I know we can't put everyone back into their homes before we go, but it doesn't help.
We'll do all we can the next two days. And then what?
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Random Snaps
New life is everywhere.
This building (a school I think) is 3 miles inland.
Debris still in the trees... 2 and a half years later.
Mennonite missionaries taking a stroll.
That ain't rain on Jay's shirt... It's hard work.
RevDave in action.
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