We're back....

Yes, we are back in Mississippi as of this evening!

We needed to make a return trip home for less than a week and although we made the 13 hour drive in driving rain nearly the entire way we are here! The time spent at home seemed so short and even though our dearest friend, Joe, had a great picinic over the holiday we still missed seeing people. It is so hard to fit everyone in over the short time but yet it was so refreshing and refilling for us to be home! We are so blessed to have our church friends be our true family and spending time with them is exactly what God wanted us to do. Thanks to all of you and thank you for your prayers and support, without you we could not do this mission!

This weekend will be spent preparing for our incoming team from Iowa who are scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning. They will need the rest of the day to rest as they are driving all night. They plan on attending church services Sunday morning and then touring the area the rest of the day. They will be raring to go to work on Monday morning. We are excited to have them and pray for a safe trip this evening.

There is something I feel I must talk about this evening and hope you will take the time and take this blog to heart after reading it.

When Monty and I made the one year commitment to come here and work the relief effort we left our home and both of our jobs behind. No, they are not holding our jobs for when we return, we had to quit! We knew this was an enormous leap of faith and that God would not call us into something without providing for us. For the entire time we have been here we have been supported by only our families and church families. We never expected them to carry this load entirely by themselves but it seems that is the way it has been thus far.

These families are just like the rest of us, they have more than enough of their own bills to pay. They have dug way deep to do what they have done for us and they need help! Our funding has slowed to the point of nearly zero and without something happening real soon this mission will be in trouble! To be absolute honest, it is already in trouble and is to the point of only being able to keep us here about another 6 weeks. To have this mission end due to the lack of funding would be horrible, I can think of no other word other than heart breaking (and that's 2 words)!

We are averaging anywhere from 20 to 40 people each WEEK requesting help in rebuilding! The volunteers are still coming and we are scheduled through the end of July with some already requesting time in August!

I know, without a shadow of doubt and know clear to the depths of my soul that God directly called us for this mission. He has continually shown us that we are following His plan and we see miracles each and every day! If you have been reading this blog at all you have also seen them through photos and our words! This mission MUST be able to continue! These people MUST get their lives and homes rebuilt! Hurricane season started yesterday and there is not one person down here who isn't totally aware of that --- and is terrified! We must be able to do what we can to get them out of these FEMA trailers and into their homes!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!!

There is no fancy way, no "beat around the bush" way, no "gentle" way other than telling you the truth!

Monty and I would like for any and all of you reading this blog and coming along with us on this mission to please take our plea to prayer and listen for the answer God will give you. Then reach out, take that step of faith and do whatever it is He directs you to do!

"In as much as you have done for the least of these you have done for Me."

We thank you in advance and pray God to return blessings to you in abundance!

If you feel you want, and can be, more of a part of this mission you can send your tax deductible gifts to us through our home church, Vineyard Community Church at PO Box 3277 in Bloomington, Indiana 47402. There is no amount too small. You can do a one time gift or pledge a monthly amount. We, and the people of the coast of Mississippi are forever grateful!

May God bless you as you take this to prayer.....

Until tomorrow...... Susan and Monty