Day 5: Finishing Strong

The last day of work and we are filled with mixed emotions. We feel very excited about all that we have accomplished, yet sad to be leaving this place. We finished our projects (bringing in lots and lots of sheet rock, moving lawns and building bunk beds) today. One of the lawns we mowed today was for a lady and her sister Bonnie. Both of them could not have been younger than eighty years old. They told us their story and how they evacuated because of the hurricane. Ms. Bonnie fell trying to get up the stairs while trying to evade rising water. After hearing their story, it was unbelievable to see how great their attitudes were post Katrina. They told us that all the work that was being done to their homes were from the volunteers because they could not afford to have professional help. The unfortunate reality is, because of their age and economic status, they may never get to be in their homes again. It is these types of stories that make us want to stay and continue to help. We know we have been a light to these hurricane victims, and pray God will continue to redeem and rebuild the city of Pascagoula.
We will be leaving early in the morning, and should return home before 8:00pm. We love you all. Thank you for the encouraging posts, and we will see you soon.- WHY

Day 4: A Hard Day's Night

We finished yesterday down at the beach. We gathered around a bon fire and worshiped with an other group. Several of our kids got up and talked about what this trip has meant to them. William Weems spoke about how neat it was to see all the different groups of volunteers coming together to serve for the same cause. He spoke of unity and team work. Michelle Maloney shared how emotional it was for her to see the devistation in her own country. She talked about how blessed we are and how "things like this don't happen in the United States." It was amazing to hear how this trip has touched the lives of our teenagers.
Today's work was much of the same. Our kids have worked so hard. You should be proud. We are starting to get that sence of accomplishment as we start finishing our group's projects. There is so much that is left to do, but we trust god is using us to restore Pascagoula. One of our groups met a lady today who rode out the storm in her house. She tells how the water was up to her shoulder; she is about 5'4"! The stories keep coming. Keep us in your prayers, especially as fatigue starts to kick in. Pray that we have the energy to perseverance and strength to finish the week strong. We love you and will see you Saturday!- WHY

Day 3- Sheet Rockin'

The work keeps coming!!! Today, our crews did much of the same work as we did yesterday. (Bunk beds, lawn mowing, sheet rocking) We met a lady today who's house was right on the coast. We went into her house to deliver sheet rock and the house was bare bones. No walls, no furniture, nothing. The house was just studs and a roof. When we got done, she was so kind and grateful. It is amazing that delivering sheet rock is an important step in helping someone get their life together. Delivering sheet rock gives hope. Delivering sheet rock can make someone emotional. Delivering sheet rock IS being the hands and feet of Jesus. Thank you for all the encouragement. Keep posting. Your words help keep us going. We miss you all.

Keep praying for us!-WHY

When We See As God Sees; We Will Do As God Says!

The Past Two Days

God is Good! He blessed us with safe travel and he keeps hearing our prayers for opportunities to serve. Today, we have done everything from mow lawns, build bunk beds, distribute clothes, unload beds, and tear down cabinets all in the name of Jesus. You should be proud of all of our teenagers. They are working hard. We had a unique story given to us today by a security guard at Lowes. He was telling us his story and as he left his house (95 yards for the beach) he was chest deep in water holding his most prized possessions above his head. He told us he ended up in the second story of an apartment building and the only things that were not destroyed were the possessions he managed to save. Keep praying for us as we come into contact with people like this, that they may see the Son of God through us. Blessings. - WHY

Katrina Relief

We leave tomorrow to go to a place that was annihilated by Hurricane Katrina. We are going to Pascagoula, Mississippi. We want God to work on us as well as through us. We want to be restored as God uses us to help restore Pascagoula. We need your prayers!!! Please, be praying for us this week. If you would like to post any words of encouragement or special prayers please do. We love you and we can not wait to share with you what God is doing through us.