Friday the crew was noticeably tired. I let them sleep in until 7:00am. I forgot to tell the girls and they got up at 6:30. I sent mental messages, but I guess they didn't go through the block wall. Kelly called me telepathetic. Good word. It was another cooker today. I can't imagine July and August.
We had everyone at the drywall house sanding and mudding in the morning. After an early lunch the sanders went to finish the sills at the other house. Our total buckets of mud was at least dozen. We got all the first coats done and the majority of the second coats. Not "Marv"elous like the Schauland Bros, but starting to improve.
The problem with volunteer labor here is that there is too much to get done. We picked up other groups' work and carried it farther, and another group will go the next leg. I included a picture of a typical house in the neighborhood gutted to the studs. He had mold behind the brick and had to tear it all out.
Tom, Logan, and Jake laid a few hundred square feet of vinyl squares in the church balcony. Jake's hands got to the point every tool he held, stuck. Tom sliced into his fingernail and left a few drops of blood but otherwise no serious injuries thus far. We have thanked God for this. I had a group that cleaned, organized and repacked the tools in the trailer. Jan and Kelly have been awesome at running errands, cooking, cleaning, and everything else that needs to be done. Michael H vacuumed and cleaned all three vehicles (gross job)
The group worked long and hard. Parents and church body, you can be proud of their efforts, attitude, and accomplishments.
We will be traveling to St. Louis tomorrow. This is good as we will be over halfway home. These are the hard miles for the adult leaders who have worked and led. Coffee time and power naps at stops.
While dinner was warming most of the group hung in the sanctuary singing praise and worship tunes with Kelly and Tyler. The group from NC hung and listened. Tonight we will have one more devo time and group pow wow. A great ending to the day.
Friday, June 23, 2006
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Thursday
Each day we have had a theme - "Reciprocity" "Civility" "Encouragement" etc.
Today had many names - Big Thursday, Make it look Good day, Git R Done, etc.
We laid down 4 rooms of mud plus closets - loads of sanding (evil!) We had no radio so there was lots of fun, spirited singing. The sanding crew had their version of Stomp going. It was pushing 100 degrees and humid - hottest day yet.
Sara, Jordan C, and Tom finished off installing the shower surrounds and were sniffin' the paint thinner. When Sara started seeing colors Tom pulled her.
We sent a group to another house to install a window and put in window frame treatment. To save the homeowner money we are making them with drywall. Tom, Sara, and AJ put in a vinyl replacement window.
A church working here threw a block party for the neighborhood music, food, face painting, snow cones. I brought my harmonicas and sat in on the jam - fun.
Jordan gave Erik a "Five Star" (a open hand slap on the back) by request. You could see that hand print for hours. This has triggered off a rash of "slap me" requests. Who won't flinch?
We have an increasing number of heroes and now a few champions. Jordan L, Tom (he replaced the 'Burbs alternator) Jordan C (Because he has been an excellent servant and he was left behind at the work site cleaning tools) and me (Mike) for doing 50 push ups. There is a secret handshake involved with becoming a champion.
Today had many names - Big Thursday, Make it look Good day, Git R Done, etc.
We laid down 4 rooms of mud plus closets - loads of sanding (evil!) We had no radio so there was lots of fun, spirited singing. The sanding crew had their version of Stomp going. It was pushing 100 degrees and humid - hottest day yet.
Sara, Jordan C, and Tom finished off installing the shower surrounds and were sniffin' the paint thinner. When Sara started seeing colors Tom pulled her.
We sent a group to another house to install a window and put in window frame treatment. To save the homeowner money we are making them with drywall. Tom, Sara, and AJ put in a vinyl replacement window.
A church working here threw a block party for the neighborhood music, food, face painting, snow cones. I brought my harmonicas and sat in on the jam - fun.
Jordan gave Erik a "Five Star" (a open hand slap on the back) by request. You could see that hand print for hours. This has triggered off a rash of "slap me" requests. Who won't flinch?
We have an increasing number of heroes and now a few champions. Jordan L, Tom (he replaced the 'Burbs alternator) Jordan C (Because he has been an excellent servant and he was left behind at the work site cleaning tools) and me (Mike) for doing 50 push ups. There is a secret handshake involved with becoming a champion.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Tuesday & Wednesday
Tuesday we sent John's team back to do flooring. They laid vinyl squares throughout the house. He found and killed a water moccasin in the back yard. This is suburban, but bordered by woods and creeks. They did lots of cleaning and odd jobs as well. The drywall crew was laying down the mud tackling most of the first coat and some second coats plus lots of sanding. As our mudders are a bit green, there is extra mud to sand off. More and more learn how to lay it down. We keep spinning the mud to consistency and my old drill screams, smokes (literally) and overheats but continues to run. Tom had a crew dry walling the two shower areas and began hanging the tub surrounds. They are five pieces, lots of glue, and a buncha monkey bidness. Tom our brain trust rigged up the leaking pipe at another house. Here yard was full of standing water with a slow stream of water bubbling up for the last 6 months! He did some creative plumbing until it can be permanently fixed.
We worked till 6pm, showered, and did devos on the beach until sunset. We can't swim because the water is contaminated and full of debris, but the dry beach is okay and the sun still sets nicely on a warm Mississippi night. Wednesday we worked a half day. Slept in a little and went back to sanding, mudding, and working on the bathrooms. I took Dan, Michael, and Nate to move appliances from the church to Sister Watts house. She won a set in a most-needy lottery. Washer-dryer, fridge, hot water heater, and microwave. We loaded them in the trailer and had the boys hold them in place to the site. Good heavy work. We worked until 2pm then had a late lasagna lunch.
We worked till 6pm, showered, and did devos on the beach until sunset. We can't swim because the water is contaminated and full of debris, but the dry beach is okay and the sun still sets nicely on a warm Mississippi night. Wednesday we worked a half day. Slept in a little and went back to sanding, mudding, and working on the bathrooms. I took Dan, Michael, and Nate to move appliances from the church to Sister Watts house. She won a set in a most-needy lottery. Washer-dryer, fridge, hot water heater, and microwave. We loaded them in the trailer and had the boys hold them in place to the site. Good heavy work. We worked until 2pm then had a late lasagna lunch.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Monday
Monday was intense. Another group from NC is staying at the church. Its a small group of mostly older men. This is their 2nd or 3rd visit. They are eating and working with another organization. Kelly and Jan went to Wal-Mart to get food. After breakfast the group did devos while Tom and I ran the minivan to the Chrysler dealer.
We were on two sites. John, Jan, AJ, Holly, Sara, and Maddy went to the home of a 66 year-old woman on dialysis. Her son has been working on the home and is finishing up the drywall and painting. They began painting and were invited into other projects when their hard work and compassion was evident. They cleaned out a fridge full of things from before the storm. Most food became unidentifiable. The woman has resigned herself to dying. John spent an hour explaining about the kidney transplant process and she seems to be changing her thinking. Kids stopped in and helped work. Lots of people time.
The site the rest of the group is on the homeowner isn't present. Clarence is the neighbor to the west. We get additional power from his place. He said it cost him $18,000 to get his house fixed up. The interior still only looked semi-finished. The house had most of the drywall hung and little mud done. But they weren't real careful so we had to redo most of the seams and finish one closet. Its probably a 900 sq foot house that needs to be completely done. There was lots of sanding, taping, and mudding going on. Caleb and Rob kept the taping going. Dan, Nate, Kevin, and Michael were mud slingers. Tyler was putting in ceiling screws with no ladder. Clint worked on the closet. Kelly stapled insulation. Tom trained a crew to finish the windows. I went to Biloxi (to do boss stuff) to find an insulation blower and blow in material. After lunch (once the attic was preheated to 325 degrees) we had Jordan L, Logan, Erik, and Jordan C go up and blow in the attic in two-man shifts. Jordan L had a flashlight duct taped to his arm. Jake Z manned the machine and grew fuzzy as he put the bales in. In all a hot, dirty, dark job well done.
Everyone on the trip is a warrior. The attic blow in earned them hero status. If they accumulate 3 hero point they can become champion. Two champion points and you can become a legend.
We wrapped up work at 6 for dinner. Pizza night. Its about a 1/4 mile to the sites, so we can walk to and from church for bathroom stops or meals. John worked on sore bones and muscles on his treatment table and we celebrated Logan's 16th birthday at our evening group meeting.
We were on two sites. John, Jan, AJ, Holly, Sara, and Maddy went to the home of a 66 year-old woman on dialysis. Her son has been working on the home and is finishing up the drywall and painting. They began painting and were invited into other projects when their hard work and compassion was evident. They cleaned out a fridge full of things from before the storm. Most food became unidentifiable. The woman has resigned herself to dying. John spent an hour explaining about the kidney transplant process and she seems to be changing her thinking. Kids stopped in and helped work. Lots of people time.
The site the rest of the group is on the homeowner isn't present. Clarence is the neighbor to the west. We get additional power from his place. He said it cost him $18,000 to get his house fixed up. The interior still only looked semi-finished. The house had most of the drywall hung and little mud done. But they weren't real careful so we had to redo most of the seams and finish one closet. Its probably a 900 sq foot house that needs to be completely done. There was lots of sanding, taping, and mudding going on. Caleb and Rob kept the taping going. Dan, Nate, Kevin, and Michael were mud slingers. Tyler was putting in ceiling screws with no ladder. Clint worked on the closet. Kelly stapled insulation. Tom trained a crew to finish the windows. I went to Biloxi (to do boss stuff) to find an insulation blower and blow in material. After lunch (once the attic was preheated to 325 degrees) we had Jordan L, Logan, Erik, and Jordan C go up and blow in the attic in two-man shifts. Jordan L had a flashlight duct taped to his arm. Jake Z manned the machine and grew fuzzy as he put the bales in. In all a hot, dirty, dark job well done.
Everyone on the trip is a warrior. The attic blow in earned them hero status. If they accumulate 3 hero point they can become champion. Two champion points and you can become a legend.
We wrapped up work at 6 for dinner. Pizza night. Its about a 1/4 mile to the sites, so we can walk to and from church for bathroom stops or meals. John worked on sore bones and muscles on his treatment table and we celebrated Logan's 16th birthday at our evening group meeting.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Sunday Night
We slept great but short as we had to set up for church. The 8am service was excellent. It was a true "Amen" experience. There was a small choir, drums, and a great gospel pianist. It was lively, inviting, and wonderfully multi-colored. We exchanged hugs during the meet and greet time.
We didn't fix the car, but the church loaned us their van which worked well. We went to New Orleans for lunch. The signs of the destruction have lessened over the months, but there is still countless homes and businesses destroyed, damaged, being rebuilt, or moved. It is sobering to see thousands of damaged cars parked under mile after mile of freeway.
We walked around the French Quarter and were again reminded of the pure hedonism of Bourbon St. Our lunch was at a delightful authentic Cajun/seafood restaurant. We had shrimp, alligator sausage, jambalaya and the like. Tasty and fun. We did a little dancing in the streets complete with West Side story reenactments.
Bay of St. Louis (on the way back to Gulfport) was hit hard, mile after mile of homes were literally wiped into the bay. Back at the church we walked through the houses we will work on. Each of them (and most in the neighborhood) had 3-8 feet of water go through them. They have been gutted and are being completely rebuilt on the inside. Most of the roofs have been repaired, but a good majority of the people are still living in FEMA trailers while working on their homes. The work to be done and the loss is beyond comprehension.
We hit the local IHOP for supper and did a late devos. We are reading The PAPA Prayer by Larry Crabb and working on prayer exercises from sacredspace.ie. Good stuff.
We are around the corner from a Krispy Kreme and celebrated Father's Day with 6 dozen glazed - hot!
On our way back from New Orleans we stopped in Kiln (pronounced kill). The boyhood town of Ole Number 4. It is a small forgettable town with a county-wide high school. Two years ago they put up a bronze statue at the high school football field. We stopped for pix and to bow low to the mighty one. Our hearts were strangely warmed. We didn't have time to find his house or his mom's restaurant.
We didn't fix the car, but the church loaned us their van which worked well. We went to New Orleans for lunch. The signs of the destruction have lessened over the months, but there is still countless homes and businesses destroyed, damaged, being rebuilt, or moved. It is sobering to see thousands of damaged cars parked under mile after mile of freeway.
We walked around the French Quarter and were again reminded of the pure hedonism of Bourbon St. Our lunch was at a delightful authentic Cajun/seafood restaurant. We had shrimp, alligator sausage, jambalaya and the like. Tasty and fun. We did a little dancing in the streets complete with West Side story reenactments.
Bay of St. Louis (on the way back to Gulfport) was hit hard, mile after mile of homes were literally wiped into the bay. Back at the church we walked through the houses we will work on. Each of them (and most in the neighborhood) had 3-8 feet of water go through them. They have been gutted and are being completely rebuilt on the inside. Most of the roofs have been repaired, but a good majority of the people are still living in FEMA trailers while working on their homes. The work to be done and the loss is beyond comprehension.
We hit the local IHOP for supper and did a late devos. We are reading The PAPA Prayer by Larry Crabb and working on prayer exercises from sacredspace.ie. Good stuff.
We are around the corner from a Krispy Kreme and celebrated Father's Day with 6 dozen glazed - hot!
On our way back from New Orleans we stopped in Kiln (pronounced kill). The boyhood town of Ole Number 4. It is a small forgettable town with a county-wide high school. Two years ago they put up a bronze statue at the high school football field. We stopped for pix and to bow low to the mighty one. Our hearts were strangely warmed. We didn't have time to find his house or his mom's restaurant.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Saturday Night
We made it to Gulfport. Friday was a long day complete with a few detours in Chicagoland that cost us time. We arrived in Memphis just before midnight. Our host church was sweet. We had AC, lots of room, couches, showers, pool table, ping-pong, and a cappuccino machine. Very upscale neighborhood and a large church. Good night sleep. We slept in a bit, breakfasted and stopped at Graceland for pix on our way out of town.
The Philip's mini-van overheated and we will look into why the aux fans aren't running. Hopefully just a relay. On the open road its fine, but stop and start traffic heats it up. The 'Burb tire has a staple in it, but isn't leaking. We'll have to check it out Monday. Lotsa laughter, music, games, conversations, and yes even movies (those darn portable DVD players - kids today!)
We arrived around 7:30 at our host church, got set up, and went out for dinner at Chick-fil-A. We have great showers here thanks to Calvary Bible building them. The building is air-conditioned but the ladies spotted cockroaches (a Southern reality) in the room that they were going to sleep in. It had food and clothes stored in it. They changed rooms to a bare Sunday School room.
Good two days driving. Looking forward to meeting our host congregation.
Mike
The Philip's mini-van overheated and we will look into why the aux fans aren't running. Hopefully just a relay. On the open road its fine, but stop and start traffic heats it up. The 'Burb tire has a staple in it, but isn't leaking. We'll have to check it out Monday. Lotsa laughter, music, games, conversations, and yes even movies (those darn portable DVD players - kids today!)
We arrived around 7:30 at our host church, got set up, and went out for dinner at Chick-fil-A. We have great showers here thanks to Calvary Bible building them. The building is air-conditioned but the ladies spotted cockroaches (a Southern reality) in the room that they were going to sleep in. It had food and clothes stored in it. They changed rooms to a bare Sunday School room.
Good two days driving. Looking forward to meeting our host congregation.
Mike
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