Blogger "error"?

Yes, last night I had "blogger error" show up at the end and was unable to publish anything. The blogger "monster" ate the whole thing! VERY aggravating!!

Our teams bundled up and went to work again today. The top 4 photos show the Wisconsin 3 -- plus Monty -- working away at finishing Willie's home. The base trim is all done and painted, the walls are painted, the doors are hung and only a few finishing touches remain. As you can see by the photos they are hard at work, and having fun! The joy of the Lord! You can also see by Diane's photo that there is an electrical "issue" that will be taken care of by our Illinois electrician tomorrow! :)

Speaking of the Illinois team, you can see the posture most of them had the entire day! They are spreading the glue to hold the flooring that will hold the ceramic tile Dane plans to install. Quite a messy and "hard on the ole' body" job. There was an added member to the team today! Rafe's brother from Alabama came over and joined the team. What an awesome act of kindness and service to the Lord! We also were told that this team plans on making monthly --- yes, every month --- trips to help us here on the coast! Now there are some obedient servants and people with hearts of compassion and giving! We are thrilled and look forward to making sure they enjoy each and every trip. Thanks Rockford, Illinois!

Today we received another extension and blessing in this rebuilding effort. Dave, the pastor of Church of Christ, has taken things to another level. He has managed to provide cabinets to anyone who needs them! He actually purchased a distributorship and will be able to provide them at an awesome savings! I already have quite a few homes in mind and will be going to check out things more tomorrow! Thanks Dave, you are awesome. Dave was telling me today that their effort has completely rebuilt 300 homes and assisted in the rebuilding of 6,000. And he has no intention of stopping! Blessings to you and your efforts!!

I must admit to you that I am getting really excited --- my parents are coming to visit us one week from today!!!! When you are so very far away from home like we are it can be painful at times. Both our families are back in Indiana and to have my Mom and Dad take time and come and see how things are here and what is happening is awesome! They will also be here for the Super Bowl and my Mom says she already has Colts shirts for us!!! GO MOM!!!!

For an update on Mike --- he had both of his heart stress tests today and also the leg vein mapping. He is to see the doctor on Friday and get the results on Monday. These results will let us know whether his heart can withstand the surgery to try and get some circulation into his leg. I would ask for added prayers this evening as when I visited with them today he was in extreme pain-- and I mean extreme! The pain medication wasn't working and he was in misery. Faye was going to call the doctor and let her know. She said he didn't sleep last night and if he remains in this pain he probably will not sleep again tonight. With tomorrow being his dialysis day he really needs to be able to get some sleep. I was able to take over the new house sketches for them to see and that brought a smile to Mike's face! Thanks, Joe!

We thank all of you for your continued prayers. You just have no idea how much they mean to us and everyone on the Gulf Coast!

Until tomorrow .... Blessings, Susan and Monty

"Showers" from the Lord

Yes, I have come to realize that it doesn't "shower" here like we are used to in the midwest. The only term is "downpour", and that's what it did ALL night long! When you live in a metal trailer you know when every drop falls!

The above photos show our teams all in action today. The top 4 are the Illinois team. They were all in Dane's house for the day. They were putting up door casing, tackling some of the electrical and preparing floors for ceramic tile. The one photo that looks so cloudy, it's not the camera lens, it's the atmosphere in the room when sanding the floors smooth for the tile!!! They also realized the added task of needing to carry every single thing up the long flight of stairs to get in to the house! Ceramic tile is not lightweight either. They all "rose" to the challenge and had a great day. Most of them will be returning to Dane's again tomorrow; all but the plumber in the bunch. He and one more will be going to Rosemary's to do some bathroom and kitchen work.

That brings us to the next 4 photos, the Wisconsin team in action. They were working at Rosemary's house with her brother, Maury. He has taken the week off work to help any team members who come to help. This team did a major cleanup in the house! And I do mean major! The electrician can now get to the areas he needs to finish up and then finish the couple of structural things. Our goal is to bring in our Indiana team next week to do the insulation and sheetrock. Maury promises to have the materials we need on site by that time. To update you on some prayers needed -- Rosemary's mother is hospitalized in Alabama with pneumonia. Now if you remember she has COPD, a terminal lung disease, so getting pneumonia on top of this is quite severe. So all this work is being done with Rosemary needing to stay with her mother. Hopefully she will be pleasantly surprised when she sees all of the progress made.

It's so awesome to see the teams back with us and getting so much accomplished. We missed them during the holidays. It also sounds like our Iowa team is making progress in their return plans.

Monty and I spent our morning do some more PR work in getting the word out about all the blessings the volunteers have spread across the coast. We were guests on the local television show and then went across the street and did a radio talk show. It was awesome! The host was the same for both, a very strong Christian which meant he understood our heart and the hearts of the volunteers. He asked us to come back and do the radio show every Monday. The show is designed to be positive and filled with hope. It was just that! We plan to return each week and hopefully bring a volunteer with us at times so they can share their own stories of blessings and thus bring even more hope to the coast.


We made some more strides forward with Mike and Faye's home. We had a plumbing company volunteer their time to get things unhooked and turned off at their old home before the deconstruction begins Monday. It's a combination of everyone and their special gifts -- all coming together to make this work! Be sure and stay tuned as I know you won't want to miss a thing!

As for Mike's doctor appointment today --- the test results showed no blood flow to his leg. The doctor would like to do surgery to attempt to make some connections with his veins and get some blood flow going but they must first make sure his heart can withstand the surgery. So -- tomorrow immediately following his 4 hours of kidney dialysis he will report to his heart specialist for some further testing. It is our prayer that the report will be a good one and the doctors can do this surgery and help Mike to keep his leg. We know you will all join with us in this prayer.

Until tomorrow ..... GO COLTS!!! Susan and Monty

GO COLTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, this evening is one of those evenings where we miss being at home. We are from Indiana and are more than a bit excited that the Colts will be in the SuperBowl. And to top it off, the quarterback of Chicago, Rex Grossman, is from our home town and grew up with my daughters! Now if we only had Colts shirts for the big game!

It was exciting to watch and like I said, makes us wish for the celebrations that are no doubt going on at home. I called my son in law (a HUGE Colts fan) and he said he nearly called 911 in the last few minutes of the game! I couldn't even get through to my sone (also a HUGE fan) as the lines were too busy!

Now, back to the south! Once again I ask for prayers for Mike and Faye. He has his appointment with the surgeon tomorrow in regard to his leg. They were at church this morning but it took all he had just to get there. He had been up sick all night with vomiting so we need some additional prayers going their way!

Joe, from West Virginia, who is going to head up the construction of their new home sent the blueprints yesterday. It's a wide open floor plan and just the modest size they need. All will be ADA handicapped accessible which also gives the feeling of wide open spaces. Mike and Faye will have something they have never had --- their own bathroom off of their bedroom! Just thinking about it brings a much needed smile to their faces and takes their minds off all the medical "stuff" for a few minutes.

Our team from Rockford, Illinois arrived very late last night, or early this morning. It was nearly 1:00 am when they "checked in" and looked a bit tired this morning. They were joined by some of their family today, a real treat for them. This evening they are sleeping away getting prepared for tomorrow. They will be working at Dane's with hanging doors, trimming out areas and preparing the floors for the ceramic tile which will hopefully be going down later in the week. We also hope to get some more painting done, as long as it stops raining and creates some better drying weather.

Our Wisconsin 3 will be going to Rosemary's to hopefully get some of her inside furnishings outside in her storage unit. The electrician has a couple more lights to prepare and is unable to reach them due to too many items stacked in the middle of the rooms. Her brother is coming to help which is nice because this brings another family member into the pool of blessing. Our goal is to have the electrician finish in the next couple of days, get the final inspection, her brother get the insulation and ceiling sheetrock to the house and we will be ready to start with both next Tuesday morning with our Indiana teams arrival. But as we well know, plans are always subject to change at the last minute with no notice. Flexibility is the key! As someone quoted, "blessed are the flexible for they shall bend and not be broken". Amen to that!

We are also happy to know that our Bettendorf, Iowa team is making plans to return the middle of April! It's always so great to have teams return to work with us. It's like having family back!

We thank all of the teams who have been here and those who are scheduled to come. Without you this effort would not be. YOU are the keys. YOU are the hope. YOU are the rebuilders. YOU are the hands, feet and heart of God. YOU ARE THE EFFORT!

Until tomorrow ..... Susan and Monty

Ministry

What comes to your mind when you hear the word "ministry"? Is it the pastor preaching from the pulpit in a church building? Is it the pastor preaching his message via the television? Or maybe you think of the missionaries overseas bringing the word of God to those who have never even heard His name?

All of those are ministry. But there is another kind.

Today was a day of the other kind. Monty spent most of the day with Dane. Yes, it's a Saturday and we are awaiting the arrival of our team from Illinois and he could have taken the "day off" but he made the choice to go and check on Dane. You all know the story of Dane, his wife dying of Alheimers Disease, him working full time and spending every minute when he isn't on the clock trying to get his house put back together. His house is the one that had to be raised nearly 10 feet in the air due to the new flood plain. Spending time with Dane, talking with him, letting him talk, letting him cry, allowing him to release alot of the emotion in his life, being there for him, caring enough to come over on a Saturday, just plain "loving on him" is the kind of ministry that I personally feel is more difficult than preaching to a crowd of people. THIS is one on one ministry, a bit scarey as you are opening yourself up to who knows what. But THIS is the kind of ministry that is desperately needed all along the Gulf Coast. EVERYONE is hurting, everyone is emotional, everyone wants someone to listen to their story of the storm, of their life, and everyone needs someone to just care enough to be here!

THIS is the kind of ministry God has lead us into. THIS is the core of the disaster relief effort. THIS doesn't take "skilled" people, it just takes people who have a heart, who know what Jesus has done for them and are obedient to turn around and do the best they can to be like Jesus to someone else.

Today it was Monty's turn to minister. Who will minister tomorrow?

Until then..... Susan and Monty

Scrambled Brains

Yes, I think my brain is scrambled this evening! It was one of those days where things are happening so fast it's hard to keep them all straight!

We started off the day with getting our WI team returning to Willie's. They are doing such a wonderful job on getting the doors cased out and the baseboard in. They also finished up the painting. We had to get more of the base and another door so they will be returning sometime next week to complete everything. We are so thankful for this team and for their willingness to take on any project we have for them and do such a great job!

From there we had a meeting with our Convoy leaders, Fory and Cindi. There are so many "behind the scenes" details that go on with this relief effort and sometimes so many unanswered questions. This morning was very productive and will lay even more groundwork for our effort in the future.

We also went to Operation TLC located in downtown Pascagoula. This is run by the AmeriCore and provides a huge facility where they house volunteers. They are complete with showers and a kitchen. They also provide 3 hot meals per day for the ridiculously low price of $6.00 --- for all 3 meals, not each!!!! We have a team of 150 volunteers coming for the first week of April and we will be housing them at TLC. We also will be housing a couple more teams there before the spring is over. It's exciting to team up with them and exciting for them to be able to use the facility for what they planned. Many thanks to Becky who took us all on a tour of the facility and was so gracious to meet all our needs.

It seems our West Virginia team, headed up by Joe, are really pouring the blessings out for Mike and Faye. Joe will be flying in next week to get the ball rolling with the rebuilding of their new home. He also called to let us know Mike and Faye have been touching the hearts of everyone in their area of WV and they are stepping up and providing some of the materials that will be needed for the project! When Monty and I hear of such warm hearted people, people who have the gift of mercy and giving, it touches our own hearts and energizes us even more! There is no way to thank everyone up there for all they are doing other than to tell you ---- YOU are rebuilding lives first --- and that will get the home rebuilt! May God bless each and every one of you!!!

Some rather upsetting news from Mike and Faye. Mike got the results of the testing that was done on his leg last week and things don't look favorable. He has another appointment with a surgeon on Monday and we ask you to join in prayers with us --- pray that he will not be faced with loosing his leg! This news has both of them understandably upset and concerned. They really need all of us to unite in prayer and hold them up in faith!

On the other side, Monty's step father came home from the hospital today! His kidney was removed in a 7 hour surgery on Tuesday and he is home 3 days later! Now that is from some powerful prayers --- we thank all of you!!!

Each day Monty and I are blessed to see the hand of God moving in so many ways. Today was one of those special days. One of those days that is impossible to put into words. One of those days where we truly realize just how blessed we are to be here, to see the miracles, to hear the miracles and to feel the miracles!

Thank you for coming along with us on this mission --- for being a real part in bringing the people on the Gulf Coast HOPE!!!!

Until tomorrow .... Susan and Monty

Willie's almost there

Welcome to Willie's house. As you can see he is coming along nicely and should be done before too long.

The Wisconsin three are working away with base trim, door casing and painting. Tony is excited to be using the new miter saw he received for Christmas, lazer light and all! Someone knew just what he would be needing!! :)

It was also good to talk with both a team from Iowa and from Pennsylvania who are making plans to return. This is exciting to us and helps us to know that the Gulf Coast has not been forgotten.

We also had the pleasure of seeing one of our Colorado teams back this week. They are working from our Escatawpa site and also enjoyed coming back for another week of blessing the people. There were new faces along with the "seasoned" ones and they also talked of a return trip.

Continued thanks for the prayers for Monty's family. I spoke with his mother and Tony is coming along fine. He has been up walking and eating and hopefully will be coming home as soon as possible. We are so grateful for your prayer support! It means so much to us and to the entire family.

Due to the fact that it is nearly midnight I will sign off until tomorrow .... Susan and Monty

One Goal -- Help the People

Our Wisconsin 3 started a "new" job today. Convoy had done some work at Willie's house some time ago and today we returned to get it wrapped up. There is priming, painting and installing base trim and Willie will be wrapped up except for his kitchen cabinets and bedroom carpeting. He was especially glad to have Diane returning as he remembered her from the last time and thought so highly of her. She had a special Christian CD that he remembered the 2 of them singing to! It's that awesome relationship connection that God always talks about!

They were all busy getting the last of the priming completed and then moved on to the painting. The walls are completely done, only a few touch ups tomorrow. Then comes the installation of the base trim. It was also painted today so it should go up nicely. They are doing such a great job and even though it's more than a bit chilly here they seem to think it's not that bad compared to home!!

Monty was at Dane's this afternoon working on getting more doors hung. Dane is getting so close. The flooring will take some time but Dane is committed to getting it done himself. As usual, we'll keep tabs on him periodically!

I attended another case management meeting this afternoon and God blessed us with an answer to our dumpster issue at Mike and Faye's. It's just amazing to be in a room filled with people whose only agenda is to help the people! Joining together with them really can get alot of "problems" turned into opportunities. When we get ready to demolish Mike and Faye's house we will need a dumpster on site. The help we needed with that came from this meeting so we are over one more small hurdle!!

If you remember I have been encouraging teams who are thinking of volunteering to get on the schedule ASAP. Today was a perfect example of what happens when that doesn't happen! We ended up with a "double" booking and disappointment. We do not want that to happen again so PLEASE contact either Monty and I or forycindi@gmail.com at Convoy to let us know when you are thinking about coming. You don't have to have the dates set in stone but atleast let us "pencil" you in for when you are thinking of coming. The people here are still in desperate need and we are dependent on YOU, the volunteers. We have room in April so get out your calendars and start planning.

Update on Monty's step father. He was in surgery for 7 hours yesterday for the removal of his kidney. Yes, it was cancer and although the pathology reports won't be back for about a week the doctors assured them that it was confined to the kidney and they got it all. We are so thankful to all of you who have been praying! THAT is what will heal him! He has been in quite a bit of pain but has been eating solid foods and did a bit of walking today. They hope to move him into another area of critical care tomorrow so keep up the prayers.

Until tomorrow..... Susan and Monty

"Winter"?

Yes, we awoke this morning to some "northerly" weather. Yesterday we were in the 70s and today in the low 40s, with rain on and off. The good thing is that it doesn't last long down here. In a couple of days it will be back in the 60s. Good thing the folks from Wisconsin brought jackets and sweatshirts!! Of course to them this isn't cold at all!!! :) But they do have "ice may form on bridges" warnings out for tonight!!

Our WI team of three, plus Monty, were hard at it again today at Dane's. Dane had to return to work and wasn't all that happy about doing so. He really enjoys working with the teams and making new life long friends. We were just talking in devotions this morning how they already bonded, and in only one day!

Monty and Tony were busy installing interior doors. These doors are solid wood and some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. They were donated to Convoy some months ago and we are so thankful to have them. Even though the jams must be cut to size. That's a small price to pay for such a wonderful and cost saving blessing.

Diane and Shirley were busy with painting and cleaning. They literally transformed the place in just cleaning up. Let's face it, that's not a strong point with construction and getting it done just makes everything look so much better. And remember, this house is nearly 10 feet off the ground in the air so cleaning and removing trash isn't quite as easy as it sounds.

I visited with Mike and Faye this afternoon and am busy getting the paperwork into the city for a permit to demolish their home. It should go through without a hitch. It also looks like we are going to once again be sent just the team we need when we need them. God has a way of doing that every single time! I spoke with Pastor Tim at Bethel church today and his team that is coming from Ohio in a couple of weeks (yes, Kurt, this is YOU) will be just what we need. We had the blessing of working with this team of highly skilled and even higher enthusiastic men last year when we were working from Pascagoula and they are awesome. Pastor Tim agreed to "loan" a part of their team to us to deconstruct Mike and Faye's house. Thanks Tim --- it will be an awesome week and we are so happy you will be a part of it!

I also stopped in and checked up on Harry and Ilone this afternoon. Harry is the wonderful man who works as the security guard at the college across the road where all our teams shower at the end of their work day. He and his wife live 2 blocks from the water and also lost everything. Looks like we will be sending a team in there in a couple of weeks to help tear out the rest of the damage done in the house. Harry was very excited and just knowing that gave him a sense of peace and the feeling that he doesn't have to do it all alone. He should be retired but continues to work. This storm damage has really taken an emotional toll on the both of them and we are happy to be able to get a team in there and help them.

Today was Monty's step fathers surgery. Right now all we know is that they successfully removed his kidney and said things went well. We are waiting to hear more from his mother but she has no cell phone service unless she steps outside the hospital, something I'm sure she isn't doing much of. Please continue to pray for them as the doctors did confirm that the kidney tumor was cancerous. We will let you know updates tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers. They are priceless.

Until tomorrow ... Blessings to all...... Susan and Monty

The three from Wisconsin

Here they are, working away and enjoying the sunny and warm day down in the south. Sure beats the snow and cold where they are from!

In the first photo you see Monty "striking a pose", complete with toolbelt on! He and Tony were working with Dane (holiday today so he was off work) on getting some interior doors hung. The doors require quite a bit of work in preparing them. The door itself is seperate from the jam and the jams must be cut to size. Once they got the hang of it they were ready to roll. No doubt tomorrow they will be master door hangers!

Shirley and Diane worked away at sanding! Finishing sheetrock with the mud and tape, more mud and then more mud, is an art. If you aren't really good at that art it will require alot of sanding and that is exactly what they were doing. What a difference it makes in the final look of the walls too! Even though the girls weren't up north in the snow they were still covered in white at the end of the day!

They will all be returning to Dane's again tomorrow but will be heading someplace else on Wednesday.

My afternoon was taken up with paper work and then some more paper work. It just seems to never get done!

I don't think I have told you about Monty and I returning to school??!! If I have, sorry for the repetition. If not, here goes. We have enrolled in International Gospel Outreach schooling. This will require us to drive to Mobile, Alabama one evening a week. The classes are quite intense but just the direction God has been leading us. We will be attending the classes for the next 6 months with our graduation at the end of June. Upon graduation we will be licensed missionaries. The next step that will hopefully also take place then will be our ordination into the ministry. Please keep us in your prayers as neither of us have had homework for more years than either of us want to admit! But we do know this is another "God thing" and are committed to what it takes to do it!

Speaking of prayers. We have an important request for one this evening. In the morning, at 6:30 am to be exact, Monty's step father, Tony, will be undergoing surgery back in Indiana. He will be having a kidney removed and the entire family would really appreciate your prayers. They know it is cancerous but we also know that God is bigger than any cancer or any disease! We thank you for praying for them, and for Monty. Being so far from home at times like this is very difficult! We will let you know how things go in tomorrow nights blog entry.

Until then, Tony --- we love you and will be praying for you. Susan and Monty

Welcome Home Diane

Yes, she managed to pull off a HUGE surprise and show up today!

We knew Diane was coming back, and thought she was leaving Wisconsin right after attending her home church this morning. Little did we know that she left on Friday and had planned a "surprise" entry into church this morning! I cannot tell you how happy we are that she is back! And from the applause in church, so is the entire congregation here! We have missed her so much, not only on a personal level but on a working level also. Diane is our "right arm", our supervisor on the job and one we know comes in with ALL her heart of service and WILL get the job done right! She belongs here, right in the heart of it all, right where she can bless people with her love, her smile, her compassion and her skills. Monty and I would like to thank her church, Christ the Rock, (and especially John) for realizing her heart and allowing her to return and fulfill the calling God has placed on her heart!!!!!

After getting over the shock of Diane's return 2 days early we got into the business of getting her caught up on all that has been going on. She will be heading out to work right after devotions tomorrow morning with Tony and Shirley. They are going to be working at Dane's for the next couple of days. With Tony and Shirley here for the next month it will be an automatic team of 3 to work with themselves or within another team. Awesome!!

Be sure to stay tuned. This relief effort is forever changing and growing and evolving. We are all making history. This type of effort hasn't been done before, not in this capacity. Everyone of us is learning every single day. We have no book to go to if we wonder how to do something. The only book we rely on is the Bible! That has all the answers we need! Thanks be to God!

Until tomorrow ..... Susan and Monty

Telephone Ear?

The Mennonites singing at the grand opening of the house yesterday. It made the newspaper today (of course) AND the TV news last night!

Our day started off with a "meeting of the minds" with our Convoy of Hope leaders and two other coordinators who are stationed just to the northeast of us. We have a team of 150 -- yes, 150 volunteers coming from Illinois the last of March and we need to do some planning to prepare for their arrival. This team has been on mission trips in the past and consists of senior high students and leader adults. It takes some space to get everyone in housing, not to mention lining up the jobs for them. Lining up jobs ahead of time isn't the easiest thing in the world but all 3 of us coordinators have our heads together and plan to make it a wonderful week for all of them.

I need to mention something extremely important. To those of you who have said you are thinking about sending a team --- PLEASE --- let Convoy know asap! The weeks in February are full and March looks the same at this point. Some of you have been talking with Convoy and have said you are planning "sometime" in March. We need to know when that "sometime" is because we are getting full. Please email Convoy at forycindi@gmail.com or call them directly if you have their phone number. March and April are spring break months for what seems to be the entire United States. There are some "unskilled" teams being routed to some areas in Louisianna because so many "tear outs" need done there and the work we have here takes some minimal skills. We just want to make sure everyone that wants to come and volunteer gets on our schedule! As I have said probably a thousand times, and will continue to say it, this effort is dependant on the volunteers! These lives and homes cannot be rebuilt without the volunteers. To those of you who are already scheduled, we are excited to meet you and work with you and have you become an extension of our family. You will come to be a blessing, which you will be, and you will be the ones to be blessed!

Yesterday we also welcomed Tony and Shirley from Wisconsin. They are here to volunteer for the next month -- yes --- month! We are really excited to get them started on Monday. They will be joining the teams coming over the next month. It's just amazing when people take that much time out of their own lives, families and schedules to come and be a blessing. Be sure and stay tuned as Tony and Shirley will be doing all sorts of rebuilding while they are here!

You ask why the title of today is telephone ear? Well, from time to time I make call backs to those who have signed up for help. We aren't able to get to all of them as quickly as we would like. It's great when I call them back to see how they are progressing and they tell me they are either in their home or close to it. The wonderful responses about the "church people" who have come in to help them are such energizers for us. One lady told me that she "would go through Katrina again if it meant she could have all the blessings from the volunteers again!" That is really saying alot! So after literally hours of calling I think my ear is numb but also still ringing with the thanks and praises that were spoken about all the volunteers! Wish you could've heard them!

PS For those of you "up north" and enduring some not so pleasant weather --- today it was sunshine and 73 degrees here! Does that help in tempting you to head south?! :)

Until tomorrow .... God's blessings to all. Susan and Monty

Deepest sorrow to highest joy

On November 27th Mr. Leroy and his wife and family's world seem to come to an end. Not only had their house been nearly destroyed by Katrina, now it caught fire and their 2 young sons ages 2 and 3 years died in that fire! That kind of sorrow is something unimaginable, something so deep that it seems there is no bottom to hit!

Then came a man with a dream and a calling from God. Craig started the organization known as "Hope has a face". He brought much more than hope to this family. He "took the bull by the horns" and in 13 days he, along with countless volunteers and organizations and businesses, built this family a brand new home!!!!!!!! The highest joy, again beyond our imagination!

The photos tell the story. We have been watching the progress on a daily basis and have been moved and inspired also beyond our imagination. The first photos show the banner of appreciation and the completed house, with the neighboring house looking like sooooo many we see in Pascagoula = destroyed!

The following two photos show Craig on their porch, with Mr.Leroy and his wife, having the keys to their home presented to them. On that porch with him is the Mennonite disaster relief organizations volunteers. These people were sent directly from God! The women were outside, in their dresses, bent down painting the entire outside of the home. It made no difference to them that those dresses were being soaked in the mud, they were there to serve and nothing was going to stop them. They had been there the entire build and today they joined together on the porch to sing and praise God for all He had done! What an example for all of us. It brought many a spectator to tears. And you can see that the street was lined, on both sides, with those spectators! The local TV station based out of Biloxi was there along with more reporters than I could count. This brings hope to the entire Gulf Coast. This brings God and His miracles to the entire Gulf Coast!

In the next couple of photos you can see Mr. Leroy and his wife holding up the keys to the house. They tried to fight off the tears when it came to thanking everyone but it was a loosing battle. The tears won but they were such tears of joy! The photo to the right of that one is what you see when you first enter the home. This was a surprise to the family. It is a wall of family photos in beautiful frames. Parents, grandparents and the children. Amazing!

The last 2 photos are taken inside, the bathroom and the kitchen. The home is around 900 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath. It's a modest home and every square inch is built with love.

Today was one of those days where you just know God is looking down and saying, "Look at them. They finally got it! WOW!" There were no denominations, no colors, no economics, just one body serving one God with one heart and that heart filled with love! THIS is what it should be. THIS is what everyone should be doing! THIS is why we are here. This may not have been a direct result of the storm but that didn't matter today. That hasn't mattered for the last 13 days. What mattered is that this family needed help! The rest was a given!

To all those involved, we thank you and honor you for your sacrifical service, for your boundless love and most of all for your obedience to the Lord! You all have jewels in your crowns waiting for you in heaven!

To everyone else, I just wish you could have been here, standing on the street with us, feeling the love, feeling the hope, feeling God! PRICELESS!!

Until tomorrow ..... God bless Mr. Leroy and his family .... Susan and Monty

Please, no more meetings -- for now!

Yes, they are still coming down today. The water continues to pour over every bucket and the piles of debris climb higher and higher. Progress for sure.

Today was one of those days where we went from meeting to meeting to meeting and then another final meeting! I am just about meetinged out -- if that's a word! :)

This morning we were meeting with women from Katrina Aide. I am going to do the training required to become a licensed case manager. We are already doing the work but it seems that piece of paper can really open doors. Thank goodness it can be done online!

From there we learned that Project Recovery will be having their weekly meetings here at The Refuge. This is a great bonus for us. We have worked so closely with them and also consider most of them to be our friends. Remember, they are trained counselors who literally walk the streets going door to door to see how people are doing! What angels!

This afternoon continued with "tapping resources" for Mike and Faye's speed build. We got some great leads. Also an update with them. Mike was to have gone into the hospital yesterday to have the dye run through his leg to locate the blockage and hopefully save his leg. Even though he had been off of his blood thinning medicine his blood was still too thin so he is rescheduled for tomorrow --- his birthday!!!!! And today was the first anniversary of Faye's mother's death! Like I said, PRAY for them!

This evening we attended our first "class". I don't think I have mentioned that Monty and I are going to school, one night a week for the next 6 months, to become licensed missionaries. You can check out the whole thing at www.igoministries.org and see what it's all about. God lead us right to this school and of course, it was perfect for us. The orientation was this evening and it was full of power and enthusiasm. Monty is especially glad that he and I can work on the homework together and he won't have to do the typing!!! :) Please pray for us as this will help us continue the calling God has placed on our lives.

The only disappointing thing of the day was that we missed seeing our Convoy of Hope directors who flew in from headquarters in Missouri. We were on our way to class and weren't able to see them as they were headed back north. To Paul and Carey, sorry we missed you. Come back soon and thanks for ALL you do to keep this rebuilding of lives going!!!

Oh --- to my mom --- thanks for the box!! And yes, it's tough to realize I am not 20 years old anymore and have the achey bones and joints! I love you all!!!!

To Joyce --- THANK YOU for sharing your testimony! Come back and see us when you can!

Until tomorrow ..... Susan and Monty

Destruction 101

Some pieces of Pascagoula history are in the process of being demolished this week. This used to be an apartment complex with 16 buildings that people called home. After Katrina those people had no homes. And now --- you can see for yourselves, down they come. They were not structurally sound enough to rebuild. The city is taking them down, reducing them to the pile of rubble you see in the top right photo, and will make room for new construction. There were signs up all over the place warning of asbestos pollution, thus the reason the fire departments were there, constantly spraying huge streams of water at the same time the demolition was happening. The spray of water you see is mixed with asbestos dust. This is making headlines in the local newspaper.

Everyone that lived in these apartments were moved into FEMA trailers but will not be able to use them as permanent housing. In fact, the 18 month time period has now come and those who are not actively pursuing permanent housing will be asked to leave their FEMA trailers and live "someplace". Needless to say, finding an apartment anywhere in the area is next to impossible. Those you can locate have raised the rent to the next thing to impossible. Many of the residents moved away and might never return. It's a tough situation any way you look at it.

THIS is the reality of living here. THIS is the reality of surviving the storm. THIS is the reality of trying to rebuild your life!

Until tomorrow .... thank God for your home this evening ..... Susan and Monty

And now ... a testimony from a volunteer ...

This is how Joyce spent nearly all her week of volunteering. She was grouting the tile flooring in Barbara's house --- on her hands and knees MUCH longer than she had planned.

Her testimony follows. I pray it touches your heart as it did ours!

"Finding My Comfort Zone Through Jesus Christ

A few months back I wrote a story for my son, Steven. It was about how sometimes the way he was during birth he is in life. He likes to be comfortable. The story started out with how the OB needed to use forceps to bring Steven, reluctantly, into this world. I am pushing and saying, "come on, let's go" and he is hiding in the upper right quesrand of my womb and won't come out. And who could blame him; nobody wants to leave where they feel comfortable.

I thought about that story alot on my trip. In fact, within the first 5 hours of the trip I test messaged my best friend "I am so out of my comfort zone". I sent that message because I was traveling with 10 people who I did not know to a place I have never been.

Last year when the Bayshore Christian Fellowship went to Russia I was moved and inspired by the presentation they showed. I knew I was going this year and it did not matter where the mission would take place. I just needed to go.

Pastor Mike (who was a great spiritual leader) reminded us that this was a spiritual mission, not just a humanitarian effort. We were also give rules (or let's say commandments) ; no complaining, be on time, no drinking, be humble, etc. I focused on those in particular because I struggle with all of them from time to time. For the most part I successfully followed the commandments without much difficulty, which surprised me.

The week before we left the BCF came to our service and all the mission participants came up front. Jack, the mission leader, asked the congregation to pray for us -- he challenged our members, "if you are willing to pray for someone on this team, please stand". I was overwhelmed that everyone, every single person at the service, without hesitation, stood up. At the BCF service Pastor Mike asked us to talk about what we hoped to get from this mission. I said, "for me it is a mission of love and grace and what I had hoped for was a closer relationship with Jesus Christ".

My "email away" message at work said I would be out from August 7 and returning ??? I even told people that I was not coming back. And I was not sure why I made those statements.

I understand now why I made those statements. I received everything I wanted out of this mission. I am forever changed in my heart and mind from this trip. I am not the same person who left here on August 5th.

We were a group of 11 and were joined by Stephen, a 21 year old from Mississippi. Convoy of Hope helped to rebuild his home. He was so grateful that he devoted 3 days a week throughout the summer for mission work. Now, together we were a team of 12 working for Christ. 12 --- that number rings a bell somewhere. Everyone on this trip was there for a reason. many overcame obstacles to be there and that, in and of itself, is significant. A few had shut down their businesses in order to go on this mission. Some of us overcame the fear of motion sickness and flying, others gave up (for the most part) smoking. Some overcame great pain. (When you see someone with scars up and down their body, on their kneew for several hours a day, just to complete a task -- that is truly inspirational). We all have our God given gifts. I was humbled and amazed to see how the Lord worked through all of us for those 7 days.

This trip could have gone bad in so many ways. Up until a month or so before we left we didn't even know where we were going, we only knew it would be to the Gulf Coast. The reality of traveling with 10 strangers was weighing on my mind. As well as the thought of working in the Mississippi heat in August. I had to put these things out of my mind and keep faith. After all, I was called to serve.

We were blessed in so many ways on the trip. The group attended Sunday morning service at The Refuge church. At first i was a little uncomfortable. This is not my style of worship. There was a full band playing and a femal singer with 3 back up singers. People were clapping, jumping with joy and totally caught up in the Spirit. I just opened my heart and mind and I found much inspiration in the service that was really, truly moving. I felt myself being pulled closer the Christ with how jubilant the congregation was over an outreach program they ran the day before.

So, now I was really psyched for the mission work to begin. We met with Susan and Monty, the mission leaders, officially on Monday morning. (This couple left their Indiana home months ago to head up this mission for Convoy of Hope --- talk about faith). We were told for our mission we were going to work on a house that, back in May, was down to the studs. The owner, Barbara, was an elderly woman whose husband passed away a year before Katrina. This woman watched as the water rushed into her home and just kept rising. (there was no 2nd floor) She did not think she would live through the storm. She grabbed what few possessions she could, only saving the things that meant the most to her. Those items included 3 family Bibles. She rode out the storm on the highest thing she could find, her barstools. The water rose 4 feet high and then stopped rising. When it receded it took most of Barbara's possessions, things that took a lifetime to acquire. Picture it, you are in your mid 60s and everything you own is gone in a matter of hours. The home you lived in for most of your life is destroyed. There was no flood insurance (she did not live in a flood zone, she could not buy flood insurance)

We wer the 9th mission group to work on Barbara's house. We learned that we would be working in air conditioning. (it was installed the week before) There was much to do at the house and the main task was grouting the floating ceramic tile floor. The grout was extremely "user un-friendly" and there were no alternatives. We wound up grouting the entire house with this silicone based grout that squirted out of a can. We came to thing of it as "cheese whizzing" the floor. The grout was so hard to work with that it needed to be reapplied the next day.

A day or so into the mission Susan said that she felt our team was "the" team that was going to complete Barbara's house. And that is just what we did --- finish her house. We were so blessed to be able to watch this woman, who lost so much, cut the ribbon and open the door to her renovated home. A home she never thought she would live in again. She had no furniture in the house except a bedroom set. At the last minute sheets were being put on the bed and the sight of her seeing her bedroom furniture intact was overwhelming to Barbara. She had decided then and there that she was going to sleep in her home that night! This was a beautiful and awesome thing.

I met many dedicated Christians on this trip. Starting with my new found friends at BCF. 10 strangers became 10 friends. Then there was Diane, from Wisconsin, our mission work leader. She had been down in Mississippi right after Katrina hit as a first responder. When Diane went home a month before she paced the floor and decided she needed to go back. She has been there for over 6 months. I met another woman, Patricia who was in her 60s and ministers to prisoners. "Wow, how long have you been doing that?" I asked. She said around 31 years! I asked her "how's that working out for you?" She went on to tell me her services are packed to the rafters. She told me her home was completely destroyed by the storm. She also told me it was prisoners, who were grateful to her for bringing the Lord into their lives, that both raised money and rebuilt her home.

On this trip I surrendered to God. I was successful in remembering that it's now about me, it is about other who need help. I opened my heart, mind and soul to what it really means to be a Christian. Not by using power over people but by using power under people, people who need you, as Jesus did. And evangelical minister in the Midwest pointed that out in his sermons. I have come to realize that when you use your power under people --- you lift them up. You lift them up with love and grace and in turn you become closer to Christ. Closer to how Christ lived His life.

I am humbled and grateful that I found my "comfort in life" through my "uncomfortable mission." I think about how I ended my son's story. I ended with this statement: Sometimes, Steven, it is the "uncomfortable" that makes this life wonderful."

I hope all of you were touched by Joyce's testimony! Thank you, Joyce, for sharing with all of us! We love you and pray God's blessing on you and your family!

Until tomorrow ..... Susan and Monty

Like minds

There is a house behind the black "curtain". That is black plastic trying to protect what is left of the house until someone, somehow comes along to rebuild it. Just a reminder of what things still look like down here.

This morning we did something we have tried to do for months and months. We were able to attend the monthly "Rebuild Jackson County" meeting and the "Case Management" meeting following. The room was packed with people from all over the area who are just trying to help the people in any way possible. There were representatives from FEMA, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Project Recovery, the Methodist volunteers, the Catholic volunteers, the Presbyterian volunteers, ECD Hope financial services, pastors, sheriff's department and many more. The new executive director started her position today so it was sort of a kick off meeting. They meet at the same time we start devotions with teams so we have never been able to attend. Today we could. It was amazing to sit in a room filled with that many people who have the same goal in mind -- to help the people who suffered from the storm! No hidden agendas, no politics, just helping. The Case Management meeting following was where people bring in special hardship cases and case managers from any of the agencies decide to "adopt" the family and do what they can to help them. It was such a blessing to sit and listen to all that goes on and to see just how the agencies have grown and learned and adopted what they have learned over the past year plus. I plan to attend each one from now on. Monty will get to do a devotion once a month now! :)

We are scheduled to take a look at more homes tomorrow. The calls continue to come in and we continue to try and reach as many as possible. It's never ending.... We pray we will be able to continue, that the volunteers continue to come and the effort continues to flourish. Like we always say, we rebuild homes by rebuilding lives.

Don't forget, if you would like a FREE copy of the Convoy of Hope DVD showing the need for volunteers just email forycindi@gmail.com and they will send one (or however many you want) out to you asap.

Until tomorrow ... God Bless! Susan and Monty

Relationships

See this group of awesome men? This is the team from West Virginia who are planning a return trip just to build a new house for Mike and Faye! Can you believe that? We have been working on plans for months now and the man on the very far right of the photo, Joe, is the one doing all the organizing! He called today to let us know he will be flying in for a day this coming week to go over some things! What an amazing build this will be! He plans on having everything in place to completely build the house in one week! Yes --- I said one week! Be sure and stay tuned as things are starting to happen and you won't want to miss one thing!

Speaking of building a house in a week -- it's being done in Pascagoula. Tragedy strikes all around all the time and sometimes repeatedly. A family here lost not only their home to fire but 2 of their young children. Through the efforts of alot of organizations they organized a speed build and are in the 7th day of building them a brand new home. I stopped by to see them today and was truly touched. They plan on moving the family in on Thursday, landscaping done and all! It's an amazing thing to see so many efforts combined, all coming together for one cause -- to bless a family! To God be all the glory!! I didn't have my camera with me or you would see photos. I hope to get some in the next day or two.

I was treated to a special lunch today. Faye's sister, Joyce, treated both Faye and myself! Joyce has been off work for the holidays and this was something she wanted to do before going back to work. We had such a nice time, laughing and sharing life stories. Faye had thank you cards for the both of us! It was a special time for me to share with 2 women who have become very close friends! Mike had his dialysis this morning and wasn't feeling well when we returned this afternoon so be sure and keep him in your prayers. Faye's back was doing okay today. She's trying her best to follow the doctor's orders.

This entire day was wrapped up in relationships of all kinds. All people from all walks of life, all denominations, all colors and all areas combined for one cause -- to help the people recover from the storm. Nothing else mattered. Wouldn't it be wonderful if that could flow out from here and pour over the entire world? Think about it and then, as they say, let it begin with me!

Until tomorrow .... Susan and Monty

Planning ...

A "behind the scenes" sort of day today!

We spent the morning looking at 2 more homes needing help with their rebuilding. The first one is located 2 blocks from the coast in Pascagoula. Harry and his wife, both past retirement age wondering what in the world they are going to do for a home. Although structurally speaking the home seems sound we have asked a city inspector to come in and make sure. Harry has been slowing doing some of the tear out himself. The water reached over 4' high inside the house and ruined nearly everything. Going through everything has really taken its toll on his wife. Today she broke down when she was telling me how they lost their wedding photos, one of her special Bibles and on and on and on. Their house is the old fashioned hardwood floors which have now buckled and must be torn out. The shingles on the roof are blown off in so many places that we won't know what we are looking at until we get up there and look at it. They are both exhausted and wondering if they should rebuild or push it over. The inspector will be the one to determine the answer. We assured them we would get a couple of people over there in another week to help them go through the rest of the household things and take some of the burden off of them. That brought a smile to both of them.

The next house we visited is shot! There's just no other way to describe it. There is nothing we can do. It is off what foundation is has, ready to fall in at any minute. Absolutely nothing has been cleaned up or removed since the storm. It has been left open and a haven for any critter who would like to come in. The floors weren't even strong enough for us to walk through without some danger to ourselves. The owner is an elderly woman who is in a FEMA trailer and caring full time for her mentally handicapped daughter. She has no one to help her and no funds to do anything. These kind of cases are the ones that really get to me. Having to make that call and let them know that there is nothing we can do is a call not easily made. It hurts my heart!

Monty was busy all afternoon with Dane. They were measuring for his doors and then headed to the warehouse where they picked them up, took them back to the house and then had the job of carrying them up to the house. Remember that this house is the one raised high into the air with the new flood zones! They got it done but were wiped out in the end! Dane plans on cutting the door frames to make them work to the proper sizes and will be staining them. They are beautiful solid wood doors and he was so pleased and thankful to receive them. Now if we could just come up with some awesome deal on flooring for him he would be set. God will provide at the proper time, He always does.

Now a not so pleasant update with Bruce and Linda. We ran into them this evening and they were telling of the disaster with their kitchen cabinets. The company who made them seemed to make what they wanted and not at all what Bruce and Linda wanted. And then they didn't even make them the proper measurements and used whatever kind of wood variations they could find to build them! It is just so upsetting to see people getting burned all over the place! Having those kinds of things happen on top of Katrina is enough to send some over the edge! We hope to get over to their house tomorrow and see for ourselves and if nothing else, offer some sympathy! Sometimes that's all one can do but it really seems to help!

On a good note, Mike and Faye. Faye went to the ortho doctor this morning and her vertebrae is broken but should heal on its own in around 8 to 12 weeks. She is in alot of pain but hopefully the medication will help that. Mike had his appointment for his leg and foot this afternoon. I don't know the results of that at this time. But ... we did find out that their house elevation is fine. In order to build a brand new home on their existing site we had to find out if their flood plain had changed. If so, their home would have to be lifted up who knows how high off the ground. As it is now the existing home is 20 - 24 inches off the ground. That same elevation will be fine for the new one. That was good news, especially for Joe who is orchestrating the entire process from West Virginia!

We also met with Jim and Cindy and all they are doing is waiting on an electrical inspection and we are good to go with insulation and sheetrock in their home. Great news!

Rosemary's electrical and HVAC man is nearly done and it also looks like we will be able to get in and insulate and hang sheetrock within the next few weeks.

As I said, a day of planning. It takes time and looking and driving and talking and planning long before the teams arrive to make sure all systems flow as smoothly as possible when they are here. We have more than enough work and it's just trying to get it all lined out that takes time. Today allowed us that time and we are thankful that things seem to be coming together.

For those of you who are coming with a team soon and wondering what you will be doing --- keep an eye on the blog and call me about a week before you are scheduled to leave and we should have a pretty good idea where you will be.

Until tomorrow .... Blessings, Susan and Monty

Yea Teams

Sunsets around here are beautiful.

Yes, the teams are coming back. I spoke with two more today. It seems everyone wants February but it is now full. And the midwest is making a good showing, Illinois, Indiana (2 teams), and Wisconsin. Thanks to all of you. We look forward to meeting and working with all of you.

Some more great news! Diane is coming back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, her church realized where her heart is and she will be returning in a couple of weeks. We are so excited! Diane adds so much to this entire relief effort; the relationships she develops with the homeowners and also with the teams is unmatched! Not to mention that I have missed her something terrible! Having a fellow female here is such a blessing! Please keep her in your prayers as she will be driving (alone) all the way from Wisconsin -- in January!!

After spending nearly all of the past 2 days on the phone with incoming teams and answering their questions I thought I would try and tell you about "things" here, in case you are already coming with a team or thinking about it. Hopefully this might answer some things for you.

First, you stay right here inside the church in rooms set aside for Convoy of Hope volunteers. The church is completely done, carpeted floors and bathroom facilities. There is a room for men and one for women. If you come as a couple ... you won't be that week! :)

Next, there are no cooking facilities on site. There is a refrigerator in the back area where we work. Most teams make their own breakfasts with cereal or breakfast bars each morning. There is a McDonald's within walking distance. While eating breakfast they are also busy making sandwiches for lunch. It's much easier to do this and eat at the site than try and go to a fast food place. "Fast" here means more than an hour! Alot of people working in the area and a shortage of employees!

The only time schedule is each morning at 8AM with devotions. From there we take the teams to their prospective jobsites. They know ahead of time what needs to be done and get started right away. Monty and I are on and off the sites throughout the day. We are never farther than a phone call away. The teams work for as long as they wish. There is no work time schedule, only the one they make for themselves.

When they leave for the site each morning they also take their shower items with them and a change of clothes. The shower facilities are at the community college directly across the street from the church. They have been kind enough to open the aquatic center for all of our volunteers. The women's showers offer the stall type and the open concept. The men's is only the open concept.

After working and showering the teams head out for their evening dinner. Most all places are open and you can spend as little or as much as you have budgeted for yourself. No change of clothing is needed as everyone!!!! down here has been working. Even if you decide to skip the shower and go straight to dinner you are dressed fine.

After dinner they usually return to the church ready for some team fellowship time. And then you have those who are ready to do nothing except head to their beds. Speaking of that, it is necessary to bring a sleeping back or air mattress to sleep on. And don't forget your pillow!

Hopefully this has explained some things for you and answered any questions you might have about how things work down here. It's all alot of fun -- yes, fun! Whenever we are working for the Lord He expects us to be filled with joy!

We thank all of you who have already been here and also those who are scheduled. If you are thinking about coming please notify us asap!!! This entire relief effort rests soley in the hands of God and the volunteers! For any more info you can email our Convoy leaders who take care of all the scheduling at: forycindi@gmail.com

Until tomorrow .... Susan and Monty

Important Family Update

This is a very special update on Mike and Faye. If you are a new reader you will see their photo. If you have been following along over the past months you know the story. For those "newbies" I will back track.

We met Mike and Faye this past summer. They were living in conditions that most of us wouldn't put our pets in. A contractor stole their life savings from them in return for his promise of adding an addition on to their home. The only problem was that the existing home was in shambles from the storm and he didn't bother to make any repairs before starting the new addition. The result was a roof that literally poured rain into the home each time it rained. Faye would spend all her time emptying pots and buckets trying to keep things dry. It was impossible.

On top of that, as if it wasn't enough, Mike is diabetic, had kidney failure which requires dialysis every other day and congestive heart failure. (he's only 47!!!)

Faye is legally blind and also has numerous medical problems.

When we met them they were at the end of their rope. We were blessed with a wonderful team of volunteers from Pennsylvania who took it upon themselves to tear out the home and see what we could do to get it rebuilt. They spent a week doing just that, and in the process became a part of Mike and Faye's family for life! At the end of the week it became evident that the home was not structurally sould and could not be rebuilt. Plan B had to be implimented and we didn't even have a Plan B at the time! We did manage to get them into a FEMA trailer where they have been safe and dry since one week after meeting them!

After some months of "behind the scenes" plans we are on our way to getting them a new home. I won't let the cat out of the bag but be sure and stay tuned as history is definitely in the making!

This brings us to now! I paid a visit to them this afternoon. We also had a wonderful team from California who are sending a team sometime in April who "adopted" Mike and Faye also. They sent a Christmas gift to them and allowed me to have the blessing of giving it to them. (Note to the CA team --- your timing was divine).

Within the past week there have been some major changes with Mike and Faye and prayers are in DESPERATE need! It started with Faye somehow loosing her purse, complete with her disability money inside - to be used for Christmas- at the mall. They searched and called and went to the mall for the next 4 days hoping someone would atleast return her identification. Not a chance!

Next comes the news from Mike. With his diabetes things just don't heal as they should. What he thought was just a sore on his foot has now taken a turn where he will be undergoing some tests this week and next and is in danger of loosing his leg! This on top of everything else!

And back to Faye. This past Saturday, as she sat in her car at a stoplight, another vehicle rearended her hard enough to break one of her vertebrae in her back! She will be going to an orthopedic specialist tomorrow, but in the meantime didn't have the money to fill the prescription the doctor had written for her on Saturday at the time of the accident! Remember the lost purse???

And now we throw in the final "nail" as they say ---- on January 11th it will be the first anniversary of Faye's mother's death!

Now I don't know about you but we might want to be praying some extra powerful prayers of healing right about now! I spent over 2 hours with them and wish I could have done so much more! They know God is caring for them ... but ...

I just felt it was absolutely necessary to let all of you know what is going on with them. They have touched the hearts of so many people and by looking at their photo above you can see why.

I want to send a VERY special thank you to the PA team who called them on Christmas Eve day, a call with so many people there to cheer them up and wish them well! If only you could see the smiles that I did when they talked about that call!

And to the CA team whose card and gift was divinely appointed and perfectly timed! Once again, I only regret that you couldn't see their faces!

Thanks to everyone who has been, and will continue to, hold this family up in prayer. For those of you who are just "meeting" them, thank you for adding them to your prayers. I will do the best I can to keep you updated as to their progress.

May God watch over all of us ..... and all of you ..... Until tomorrow ... Susan and Monty

It's January???

Like I said, I love these critters!!

We were back at it today. It felt good to get back into the swing of things, even if the schools and city buildings were still closed. People are still here who still need help and they aren't running on school or city schedules!

I started the day by emailing all past teams and their leaders seeing who is interested in returning and when. The response was awesome, and fast! I already heard from a couple of them, both of which are trying to get a schedule pinned down. Like I have said so many times before, we can say we are going to stay here for as long as it takes but the real truth is that we will stay here as long as the volunteers continue to come! Without them -- without YOU -- the relief effort will stop and those still needing help will not receive it!

Monty has been busy working inside the church most of the day. There is always work to be done. I'm not supposed to let the word out but he has been working on electrical issues and doing quite well (he really!!! doesn't like electrical issues) :)

This afternoon we headed out to check on some of our "works in progress". We stopped by the warehouse to check on the furniture situation and pick up reports that need to be sent in. The place has been busy, that's evident.

We also stopped by to check on Dane and found him off work today. He has really been busy, working every single day during what was supposed to be his holiday. He has most of the priming done and we took measurements for his interior doors, which will be the next step. Although Dane himself is doing well, his wife (Etta) isn't doing so well. Her health is declining and both of them could surely use your prayers.

Speaking of prayers, our Convoy leader (Cindi) could also use some extra prayers right about now. A few weeks ago she injured her shoulder moving some things and was told by her doctor that she needs "agressive therapy" to correct the problem. They just aren't in one location long enough for this to happen so she got some at home exercises to try. Before she could see if that was going to work she fell and has now cracked some ribs -- same side as her shoulder!!!! So you see why she would really appreciate some added prayer for healing. This couple does so much for us and the people all along the coast, from Florida to Texas, and she needs to be in tip top shape for everything! Her doctor appointment is tomorrow so please remember them in your prayers. Thank you --- we know just how powerful your prayers are!!!!

Until tomorrow .... take care of yourselves..... Susan and Monty

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

Yes, another great holiday spent on Billy Joe's houseboat on the Pascagoula river! This is getting to be a tradition for us, one we are so thankful for. Holidays are days usually spent with family and our family has grown and grown and spending our holidays on this houseboat is such a blessing! Thanks Billy Joe and Brenda for such warm hospitality!!!

The first photo on the left is the Teen Challenge girls heading out on a pontoon boat trip on the river. The lady in the blue denim jacket is taking the very FIRST boat ride of her life! And -- even more special -- she will be graduating from the program next month! LaTanya --- you have worked so hard and we have enjoyed watching the Lord work in your life!!! Go Girl!!!

The top right photo is me with our new "parking lot" neighbors here at The Refuge. Don and Jean (and Don's guide dog Dusty) joined us out back yesterday. They will be working with Habitat for Humanity and are parking their fifth wheel camper out back with us. We took them with us today and I know they had a New Years Day they will not forget. They are all the way from Wisconsin. They were here last year, also volunteering, and worked in Slidell, Louisianna. They will be here with us for the next 2 weeks and we are so glad that they also took time from their lives and families to come and bless those who so desperately need it here on the coast! Not to mention that our dogs, Bitty and Samson now have someone to play with also! :)

The group photo is taken on Billy Joe's houseboat. You can see that they had quite a crowd today! What you should have been able to see was the spread of food that fed all us people - with enough left over for another army!

The next right and final left photos were taken in route to their houseboat. The long horned cattle really caught my eye, being raised on a farm like I was. Only thing is that you just don't see this kind of cow up north! There is an entire field of them and I think they realized we were from the north when we stopped to take their photos!

The tree is one you see quite a bit of here, although most of them sufferred tremendous damage in the storm, they are still standing! Their beauty and size is difficult to capture with a camera. This one is one of the less damaged ones and so beautiful!

As this new year rolled around Monty and I were talking about how January is the only month in the calendar that we have not been here. We arrived the first part of February last year. The time has flown by so quickly and we have been so blessed to be here and to be doing the work God called us to do. Going to Billy Joe's today, seeing so many people that we see each holiday, really getting to know them more and more, having them know us ... all such priceless blessings. We don't know how long we will be here in this location; it doesn't matter. We will be here as long as God says we should. He will let us know if something should change. Trusting in Him is the key!

The message on the front of our church bulletin yesterday morning stated it quite well:

"Let us not love with words...but with actions and in truth."

Let that be our goal for 2007 --- and for the rest of our lives!

Until tomorrow .... Blessed 2007 to all from Monty and Susan