Saturday, February 9, 2008
On the road again.....
It's 7AM local and we're about to hit the road - please pray for us as we travel.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Quick 10PM update...
Just had a shrimp boil here at the home of the head of the volunteer section of the local government, and man was it ever good. Besides the camaraderie and fun, one of the benefits was that we got some really great quotes:
Conversation between Kevin and Don while driving:
Kevin: Big hole.
Van bounces
Don: Got it.
Kevin: Glad we could work together on that.
"And that is why kids don't drink." - Roth
See you soon!
Conversation between Kevin and Don while driving:
Kevin: Big hole.
Van bounces
Don: Got it.
Kevin: Glad we could work together on that.
"And that is why kids don't drink." - Roth
See you soon!
Days 4 and 5 over...
Quote of the day from day 4 and 5:
"It's not that bad for as bad as it is..." -Tom
Days 4 and 5 passed without much incident. The teams shifted to new locations on day 4, with Tom, Kevin, Kris, Jon and Jay moving to site 2 for wiring and trim work. Peter, Dan, Diane, Rick, Roth, Tom and Sue moved to a new site near Bay St. Louis to move another site even closer to completion.
Apparently teams that had been at both of those sites prior to our arrival didn't understand terms like "square" or "wiring", because we had to spend a good deal of time correcting problems. It was time well invested, because any team following us should no longer have any issues.
Day 4 saw site 2 getting some trim installed, wiring stripped and prepped for switches and outlets. Day 5 saw site 2's wiring completed and trim nearly finished with very little left to do except mount fixtures and put in flooring.
As I understand it, job site 3 saw it's share of problems with wiring and drywall corrected by Peter and Dan over the last 2 days. Also, just looking at the pictures will show you some of the problems we had to deal with - most especially when you look at the house from underneath. Even so, our folks persevered and got fixtures installed, painting done and a multitude of other finishing projects.
We've had another wonderful time here in Mississippi. A sense of frustration is tangible in the group, in that once again we've been unable to see a single home to completion. However, it's been a wonderful first time for about half of the team, and an awesome encore for the rest of us. We've again seen God's hand at work in us and others in the area. We've been able to fellowship and grow together through service, and once again shine God's light of hope into a dark and seemingly hopeless place.
We plan on resting well tonight for an early departure tomorrow morning for the long road home. Check out the pictures.
Father - guard our hearts and our bodies tonight. We honor and praise you for the opportunity to share your love through service to our brothers and sisters. We ask that you send us protectors tonight and throughout the weekend, and that you continue to keep us safe and rested for the drive home. Most importantly, please remain a source of hope and a beacon for those in this community that are still struggling with the lack of a proper home, and are beginning to give up. Also for Conrad, Lord - that he may persevere against the adversity in his life, and continue to provide for his family as well, and ask that you provide Conrad and his family a home fitting a man of his servant's heart.
Lord, we agree and ask these things in Your Son Jesus' name. Amen.
"It's not that bad for as bad as it is..." -Tom
Days 4 and 5 passed without much incident. The teams shifted to new locations on day 4, with Tom, Kevin, Kris, Jon and Jay moving to site 2 for wiring and trim work. Peter, Dan, Diane, Rick, Roth, Tom and Sue moved to a new site near Bay St. Louis to move another site even closer to completion.
Apparently teams that had been at both of those sites prior to our arrival didn't understand terms like "square" or "wiring", because we had to spend a good deal of time correcting problems. It was time well invested, because any team following us should no longer have any issues.
Day 4 saw site 2 getting some trim installed, wiring stripped and prepped for switches and outlets. Day 5 saw site 2's wiring completed and trim nearly finished with very little left to do except mount fixtures and put in flooring.
As I understand it, job site 3 saw it's share of problems with wiring and drywall corrected by Peter and Dan over the last 2 days. Also, just looking at the pictures will show you some of the problems we had to deal with - most especially when you look at the house from underneath. Even so, our folks persevered and got fixtures installed, painting done and a multitude of other finishing projects.
We've had another wonderful time here in Mississippi. A sense of frustration is tangible in the group, in that once again we've been unable to see a single home to completion. However, it's been a wonderful first time for about half of the team, and an awesome encore for the rest of us. We've again seen God's hand at work in us and others in the area. We've been able to fellowship and grow together through service, and once again shine God's light of hope into a dark and seemingly hopeless place.
We plan on resting well tonight for an early departure tomorrow morning for the long road home. Check out the pictures.
 |
| Job Site 2 - Day 5 |
 |
| Job Site 3 - Day 5 |
Father - guard our hearts and our bodies tonight. We honor and praise you for the opportunity to share your love through service to our brothers and sisters. We ask that you send us protectors tonight and throughout the weekend, and that you continue to keep us safe and rested for the drive home. Most importantly, please remain a source of hope and a beacon for those in this community that are still struggling with the lack of a proper home, and are beginning to give up. Also for Conrad, Lord - that he may persevere against the adversity in his life, and continue to provide for his family as well, and ask that you provide Conrad and his family a home fitting a man of his servant's heart.
Lord, we agree and ask these things in Your Son Jesus' name. Amen.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Day three, check!
Quote of the day:
"Hey, that looks like an old chimney..." Kevin
"Sure does, captain obvious" Jon
So, day 3 is over.
Kevin got the center wired again, but only one of the 2 computers is operational because the 2nd monitor he brought doesn't work. :( He'll be shipping another one down next week; fortunately the 1st monitor does, so the office computer that was donated works beautifully.
The 1st job site is all but done. Just a few fine points to touch on at a later time, but right now the wiring rough in is done, and Tom completed the plumbing today. Kris finished off the insulation while Jay and Jon put the finishing touches on the fascia and siding.
The 2nd job site was on hold, waiting for trim which arrived today so we'll be heading there tomorrow.
The 3rd job site, well underway, had some outstanding electrical work as well as painting and trim which at this point has been completed with a few finishing points that need completion.
Today, we got the chance to visit with the Barbosian family, who's house we worked on the last time and was finished by the group from California that followed us. Margie and Bo, and their kids are enjoying their new home. 6 months later and Margie still has the home absolutely spotless and is just still overjoyed with everything that has happened. Margie and Bo greeted all of us with hugs as we reminisced with them of our time here back in August of last year. I personally was nearly brought to tears by one of the stories told by their daugter, Alexa, most of who's friends were all killed by the hurricane in 2005. I had not heard that from her before, and it was gut wrenching to think of the feelings that must have dredged up.
I asked Margie about all of her possessions, mostly family memories and pictures, which had been stored in a uhaul trailer that had not been opened since the hurricane. She stated that she had been too afraid to open the trailer for fear of what she would find, mostly destroyed memories and keepsakes. She reveled in telling me that only 1 picture out of hundreds was lost and that none of the things in the trailer were ruined in the least.
Having spent a good deal of time talking to the family on the last trip, it was beyond a blessing to hear how their lives have not only changed, but have been restored so fully. The joy in their eyes at being able to share those few moments this evening with us was overwhelming.
See some pictures of their new, beautiful home by clicking below.
The last time we were there it looked like this.
And here are some of the 3rd job site:
"Hey, that looks like an old chimney..." Kevin
"Sure does, captain obvious" Jon
So, day 3 is over.
Kevin got the center wired again, but only one of the 2 computers is operational because the 2nd monitor he brought doesn't work. :( He'll be shipping another one down next week; fortunately the 1st monitor does, so the office computer that was donated works beautifully.
The 1st job site is all but done. Just a few fine points to touch on at a later time, but right now the wiring rough in is done, and Tom completed the plumbing today. Kris finished off the insulation while Jay and Jon put the finishing touches on the fascia and siding.
The 2nd job site was on hold, waiting for trim which arrived today so we'll be heading there tomorrow.
The 3rd job site, well underway, had some outstanding electrical work as well as painting and trim which at this point has been completed with a few finishing points that need completion.
Today, we got the chance to visit with the Barbosian family, who's house we worked on the last time and was finished by the group from California that followed us. Margie and Bo, and their kids are enjoying their new home. 6 months later and Margie still has the home absolutely spotless and is just still overjoyed with everything that has happened. Margie and Bo greeted all of us with hugs as we reminisced with them of our time here back in August of last year. I personally was nearly brought to tears by one of the stories told by their daugter, Alexa, most of who's friends were all killed by the hurricane in 2005. I had not heard that from her before, and it was gut wrenching to think of the feelings that must have dredged up.
I asked Margie about all of her possessions, mostly family memories and pictures, which had been stored in a uhaul trailer that had not been opened since the hurricane. She stated that she had been too afraid to open the trailer for fear of what she would find, mostly destroyed memories and keepsakes. She reveled in telling me that only 1 picture out of hundreds was lost and that none of the things in the trailer were ruined in the least.
Having spent a good deal of time talking to the family on the last trip, it was beyond a blessing to hear how their lives have not only changed, but have been restored so fully. The joy in their eyes at being able to share those few moments this evening with us was overwhelming.
See some pictures of their new, beautiful home by clicking below.
 |
| Barbosian House |
The last time we were there it looked like this.
And here are some of the 3rd job site:
 |
| Job Site 3 - February 08 |
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Day two down!
Today's quotes:
When asked "where are the alligators?", one of the regular volunteers replied, "where you least expect them..."
"The later it gets, the less early it is." - Pete Fisher
Hello all - one more day down. Wheee!
Today was Mardi Gras, "Fat Tuesday", and in due turn some of us worked a half day and then proceeded to go to New Orleans to see the parades.
Today we split up into the same groups. At the first site, we continued with plumbing and electrical, as well as siding and trim. Some of the electrical conduit that was run previously needed to be replaced due to poor installation, so Jon and Kevin lit into that. as well as adding another bit of conduit for an exter Pete finished wiring up the new panel, and Kris got most of the insulation installed. Tom continued on with the plumbing.
At the end of the day at this job site, the electrical was pretty well ready for inspection with some minor fixes here and there, the drain pipes for the plumbing were all but installed, and the insulation and siding were just about done.
Meanwhile, back at the other site...they're still waiting for the trim so Conrad took them to another house today that needed painting and some other finish work. At the end of the day, the trim and paint were done.
Some of us ate in New Orleans, and some at locally at a nearby restaurant. We're all pretty beat, so we're hitting the sack. Tomorrow, the weather will be cooling down, but it should still be pretty nice.
God Bless and we'll see you tomorrow! Click on the photo below to view a small photo album that includes maps of where the pictures were taken.
When asked "where are the alligators?", one of the regular volunteers replied, "where you least expect them..."
"The later it gets, the less early it is." - Pete Fisher
Hello all - one more day down. Wheee!
Today was Mardi Gras, "Fat Tuesday", and in due turn some of us worked a half day and then proceeded to go to New Orleans to see the parades.
Today we split up into the same groups. At the first site, we continued with plumbing and electrical, as well as siding and trim. Some of the electrical conduit that was run previously needed to be replaced due to poor installation, so Jon and Kevin lit into that. as well as adding another bit of conduit for an exter Pete finished wiring up the new panel, and Kris got most of the insulation installed. Tom continued on with the plumbing.
At the end of the day at this job site, the electrical was pretty well ready for inspection with some minor fixes here and there, the drain pipes for the plumbing were all but installed, and the insulation and siding were just about done.
Meanwhile, back at the other site...they're still waiting for the trim so Conrad took them to another house today that needed painting and some other finish work. At the end of the day, the trim and paint were done.
Some of us ate in New Orleans, and some at locally at a nearby restaurant. We're all pretty beat, so we're hitting the sack. Tomorrow, the weather will be cooling down, but it should still be pretty nice.
God Bless and we'll see you tomorrow! Click on the photo below to view a small photo album that includes maps of where the pictures were taken.
 |
| Nehemiah2 |
Monday, February 4, 2008
Day one down!
Monday came and went, and it was absolute torture. We had to spend all day working in balmy breezes in a sweltering 75 degree heat. It was just unbearable.
We started on both of our job sites today. Pete, Kris, Jay, Jon, Kevin and Tom split off and went to the house that needed all of the electrical and plumbing connected. By the end of the day Pete had replaced the breaker panel, which was too small, Kevin had prepped all of the outlet boxes and switchplates, Tom got a good bit of the bathroom plumbing in place, Kris got a lot of the insulation placed into the exterior walls, and Jay and Jon had most of the soffit up and had completely prepped the area under the house for the concrete pad that should be getting poured on Wednesday. Making good progress.
At the other site where the group left Dan, Rich, Roth, Diane, Don, and Sue and Tom Wilson, the group manages to finish the cleanup of the site, paint the interior of the house, build a platform for the AC unit, but were delayed by interior trim not being delivered although it was supposed to show up by 10AM.
We're about to eat dinner. Kevin zipped up the sauce a little bit with some garlic, parsley and some secret ingredients (muahahahhahha). After which, we might head up to sonic to sit outside and enjoy some ice cream in this insane heat.
God bless - catch you later, and we'll have some pictures of the job site as well as some additional photos and information about the area.
We started on both of our job sites today. Pete, Kris, Jay, Jon, Kevin and Tom split off and went to the house that needed all of the electrical and plumbing connected. By the end of the day Pete had replaced the breaker panel, which was too small, Kevin had prepped all of the outlet boxes and switchplates, Tom got a good bit of the bathroom plumbing in place, Kris got a lot of the insulation placed into the exterior walls, and Jay and Jon had most of the soffit up and had completely prepped the area under the house for the concrete pad that should be getting poured on Wednesday. Making good progress.
At the other site where the group left Dan, Rich, Roth, Diane, Don, and Sue and Tom Wilson, the group manages to finish the cleanup of the site, paint the interior of the house, build a platform for the AC unit, but were delayed by interior trim not being delivered although it was supposed to show up by 10AM.
We're about to eat dinner. Kevin zipped up the sauce a little bit with some garlic, parsley and some secret ingredients (muahahahhahha). After which, we might head up to sonic to sit outside and enjoy some ice cream in this insane heat.
God bless - catch you later, and we'll have some pictures of the job site as well as some additional photos and information about the area.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
We're heeeaaaaaaaaaaaarrrr!!!!
We arrived at Camp Salvage at around 4:30-5PM local time (CST). Just in time to throw the stuff through the door then plop down to watch the game. Talk about the SuperBoring. The game did not get anywhere near exciting until the last 5 minutes. Anyway...
We would have gotten here earlier today but for a few bumps in the road. More police than I've seen having people pulled over for speeding. Mississippi's welcome center consisted of the backseat of a Ford Crown Victoria from what I could tell.
While we were still in Alabama, we stopped to get some fuel and managed to lock the keys in the van. Yep, that's right, we needed AAA and Jesus really bad. Fortunately, a really handy guy showed up with a wire hanger and a screwdriver (not the AAA guys) and managed to get the door open in a few minutes. We added some air to Tom's truck tires as well and then headed on down the highway.
After arrival, we met up with Conrad who gave us a rundown on what we'll be doing this week. Rather than starting the construction like last time, we'll primarily doing finish work like paint, trim, or even electrical and plumbing connections. One of the ladies waiting for a finished home is apparently 92 years old.
It's an early morning tomorrow, but we'll be meeting up with some of the families we helped the last time. Oh - I'm turning off moderation to make it easier for people to post questions or comments.
God Bless!
We would have gotten here earlier today but for a few bumps in the road. More police than I've seen having people pulled over for speeding. Mississippi's welcome center consisted of the backseat of a Ford Crown Victoria from what I could tell.
While we were still in Alabama, we stopped to get some fuel and managed to lock the keys in the van. Yep, that's right, we needed AAA and Jesus really bad. Fortunately, a really handy guy showed up with a wire hanger and a screwdriver (not the AAA guys) and managed to get the door open in a few minutes. We added some air to Tom's truck tires as well and then headed on down the highway.
After arrival, we met up with Conrad who gave us a rundown on what we'll be doing this week. Rather than starting the construction like last time, we'll primarily doing finish work like paint, trim, or even electrical and plumbing connections. One of the ladies waiting for a finished home is apparently 92 years old.
It's an early morning tomorrow, but we'll be meeting up with some of the families we helped the last time. Oh - I'm turning off moderation to make it easier for people to post questions or comments.
God Bless!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Hello again our old friends...
Hello from Chattanooga, TN at the lovely Days Inn. It was a long day of sunny, beautiful driving capped by an evening of sleeping about 5 to a room. :)
We're pumped for a week of work and building houses. Be prepared for as many messages as we can cram on this site again. Feel free to leave comments and ask questions as we go about the Lord's work down in Waveland.
My knee (Kevin) hurts, Tom's finger hurts and is tired from moving this week, but everybody is in good spirits. Please pray for us as we keep a chooglin' on down to New Orleans...
Phone's will be on in the morning, so if you want to try and give us a call please do!
We're pumped for a week of work and building houses. Be prepared for as many messages as we can cram on this site again. Feel free to leave comments and ask questions as we go about the Lord's work down in Waveland.
My knee (Kevin) hurts, Tom's finger hurts and is tired from moving this week, but everybody is in good spirits. Please pray for us as we keep a chooglin' on down to New Orleans...
Phone's will be on in the morning, so if you want to try and give us a call please do!
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