Day Three (3) ???? !!!!

Here they are, day 3 and they have all the outside done! The insulation is all in, the new handicapped shower is in, the electric is waiting for the inspector to sign off on tomorrow morning, the materials to build the front and side decks is on site, the carpet is on site and the night crew is finishing the sheetrock as I write this.

Their plan is to have the sheetrock completely finished by morning for the day crew to come in and prime and paint. They are working with 25 minute mudd and if you aren't familiar with it -- it dries in 25 minutes -- so you better know what you are doing and be very good at it! Monty and I went back tonight and watched --- they ARE good! After the finishing coats are complete they will be shooting a light texture on the walls and then they are ready for the prime and paint!

Amazing you think? Nearly impossible you think? Think again!!!!

I cannot begin to tell you about all the miracles that happen each day but here are ones that I remember from just today.

The lady who read the article in the newspaper came back this morning with breakfast rolls for the men. Tomorrow she will be returning with HOT breakfast casserole for them! She doesn't know Mike or Faye, she doesn't know any of us, but she does know Jesus and breaks down in tears each time she sees the blessings being poured out for this family.

The community continues to drive, walk and ride by. All are staring in disbelief. Most give the thumbs up as they go by, all are smiling and some even stop just to stare. We had another drive by this afternoon who handed some funds out his window "just to help a little bit". He had no idea that we had just written a check to cover the cost of getting the electric taken care of and what we wrote the check for is what this person gave out their window!!

This afternoon we also had a neighbor lady step over the fence and tell us that she finishes sheetrock for a living and would like to help out when we got to that point. She came back tonight and is working right along side the men --- and showing them she really does know what she is doing! Now I think it's them who are standing back in amazement!

A lady friend of Faye's showed up with fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and a cherry cake dessert (all homemade) and surprised all the men with more than enough to fill them up. Then the lunch that our church prepared also showed up and they feasted! But they also burned off every one of those calories during the rest of the day!

Our South Dakota volunteer, Greg, worked the 12 hour day, came home to eat and went back because he wanted to get in on the sheetrock and knew that by tomorrow morning it would be too late! He's still there as I write this and believe me --- it's very late!!

Once again the news crew showed up for a follow up interview. To see the video online go back to www.wlox.com and click on Patrice Clark Reports on Volunteer Build in 6 days and you can see it for yourself.

Monty and I continue to be blessed by being here, by being a small part in what is happening here and by seeing the hand of God touching lives all over this coast! The ministry that is happening within the team of volunteers is something that is banding them closer together than some families. The ministry to Mike Jr. by working on the job every day, being taught skills that he can take and put to good use, the ministry to the community (everywhere we go people have seen the news or read the paper). This type of ministry is something you have to experience to really understand. This type of ministry is priceless! This type of ministry is what changes the world!!

I think when we have the grand reveal on Saturday we just might have to close the street and use it for people to stand and wait to greet Mike and Faye and welcome them back home!

Be sure and stay tuned as tomorrow promises to be filled with new miracles! We would ask for prayers for good weather. The forecast isn't so great, possible strong storms. We all know God can calm the storms and we would ask for prayers to do just that! Pray for strength for the workers, for safety and for anything else you can think of!

We thank you for your prayers and support and for being a part of changing the world!

Until tomorrow .... Susan and Monty

Utter Amazement!!!!!

Well, we're only into day 2 and you can see for yourself what amazing things are taking place!

This truly is "faith ground" as Pastor Rick proclaimed it!

The teams are still working around the clock. The day team got some sleep last night and were ready to go this morning. The night team also got some sleep. I think they could have slept on cold, hard concrete and not known the difference!!!

Once again today we had people driving by, walking by, bicycling by, motorcycling by, anyway they could come by and see what is happening! They stop in amazement and want to talk and see if this really is happening!!! And they all have the same comment, "God is truly blessing this family and the entire neighborhood is being blessed with the overflow".

If you would like to see the TV interview from last nights broadcast please do the following:

Go to www.wlox.com and in the upper right hand corner you can search. Search for Convoy of Hope speed build. It should pull up around 50 possibilities. Go to number 2 where it has a very small RED camera drawing. Click on that headline and it should pull the video. There will be a short commercial first and then the story will be told.

There was another station show up on the site today. As of this evening all you can see is the printed version of the story. I don't know if you can get the video tomorrow or not ... give it a try. Go to www.fox10tv.com and you should be able to read it directly.

PLEASE let me repeat something ... This is NOT, I repeat NOT, about Monty and I, this is NOT about Convoy of Hope, this is NOT about the team. This IS about the "Body of Christ coming together" to be obedient to His calling and following the example He Himself layed out for us! There are no denominations here, there are no culture dividers, there are no color barriers, there is only unity, everyone coming together to help a family desperately in need! We are NOT special, we are just people, like yourselves.... we are just the ones blessed to be here!!

Until tomorrow ... continue to pray for us ... continue to believe ... continue to thank God!

Susan and Monty

GOOOOO --- Speechless!

Here it is, from starting with pylons yesterday morning and when I left this evening and half the sheeting on the roof and shingles will be on by the morning!!!!

Pastor Rick opened the build this morning at 7AM with the following words: "I proclaim this ground to be faith ground. For all of you who do not believe God can work through these people and build this house in 5 days, please leave the property now!" Harsh you might think? NO WAY!! Don't EVER think something cannot be done when it is annointed by God!

The night shift has just left the building to start working until 7am tomorrow morning!

There just aren't words to fully relay what is happening here, hopefully I will find them as time goes by this week!

THANK YOU for your prayers! "To God be the glory!"

Until tomorrow .... Susan and Monty

Get Ready ... Get Set ...

Mike and Faye's home:

After 12 hours of work we have the pylons cemented in place.

The floor joists are up, the next is floor decking ... tomorrow!

Our Grand Opening Dedication Blessing will be tomorrow morning at 7AM.

The rest of the West Virginia team is on their way, should be a few more hours.

God is amazing!!!

We loose an hour tonight, clocks go forward!

Stay tuned for photos tomorrow ... And be sure and pray!!!

"The body of Christ comes together".

Until tomorrow... Susan and Monty

Delores and Faye

Yes, here you see more of the final results in Delores's home! Both she and her husband, Tom, are on their way to Colorado via Missouri for a vacation. They are going to see family but they are also going to see "extended" family! They are making special trips to visit with teams that came and helped rebuild their home! Now THAT is what this "service and blessings" thing is all about! She wanted me to come and take photos so the teams could see the end results of her home. The top ones are her 2 bathroom floors - absolutely beautiful! The next are her new family room and new bedroom! Again, beautiful! Please keep them in your prayers for safe travel! It's still amazing to me to go in their home now and see the end while still carrying the first sight in my mind! God working at His best!

Today we broke ground for Mike and Faye's home. The "official" start of the build will be Sunday morning at 7am but we need to get the pylons and foundation work taken care of before then. The general contractor, Joe, and his father - Joe also - finally arrived this evening and we all went straight to work. We will be digging 18 holes for the pylons and soon realized we will need to rent a larger auger bit. That is what's happening in the 2 photos above. Another "Joe" once again volunteered not only his time and his tractor, but his son, but the bit just needs to be larger. We will all be heading out before 7am tomorrow to be at the rental store when it opens. It will be a long day of work but should be a wonderful day in the sunshine and warmer temps also. These men left snow in West Virginia and are more than ready for some sun! As always, please keep all of our workers in your prayers. This week will be flying fast and furious and we don't need anyone getting hurt! The rest of the team will be arriving after midnight tomorrow night and they need prayer for safe travel also!

At last report from Faye, Mike was resting as comfortable as could be expected after that kind of surgery. The doctors are hopeful this is the last surgery --- not nearly as hopeful as Mike! We thank all of you for the wonderful prayers of healing - he needs every one of them.

Also, for our soon to be returning New Jersey team --- Yea God! Boo devil!!

Until tomorrow ... Susan and Monty

Extremes

Yes, our team of volunteers coming from West Virginia called today and they are under a HUGE snowstorm! Hard to even imagine such a thing when we are here in some of the brightest sunshine and temps in the 70s!!! They are more than ready to head south!

The contractor, Joe, and his father will be leaving WV tomorrow and are to arrive here Friday morning. They are bringing all the tools for the building of Mike and Faye's house and are most likely going to be coming in a UHaul truck! Bringing all those tools AND supplies isn't an easy task. Be sure and keep them in your prayers, safe travel is a must!

Mike's surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. I don't know the time at this point but it is tomorrow. Please pray for him, for Faye and for the doctors and nurses who are caring for him.

Our "northern" team are doing their best to also soak up some of the warmth down here! Even if they were inside Rosemary's house all day. Rosemary is over in Mobile with her mother who is hospitalized. As usual, Rosemary's brother, Maury, is handling things with the house. Diane, Greg and Pam were busy with touch up painting today, doing some work on doors and whatever needed to be wrapped up. Maury has completed paperwork for a grant and hopefully that will be coming through any day now. Since Greg is experienced in installing ceramic tile flooring and that is what Maury wants all throughout the house, now would be a good time for that grant to come through so he could purchase the tile. Then all that is needed is the kitchen cabinets and the trim and we are ready to move Rosemary and her mother HOME!!!!! Isn't God absolutely amazing!

Be sure and stay tuned as I know God has even more amazing blessings about to pour forth all along the Gulf Coast and you don't want to miss a one of them!

Until tomorrow .... Susan and Monty

Melinda is done

Here they are, just as promised! Working away and finishing Melinda's house today.

Above is Diane caulking the bathtub. The force of the home falling 18" in the back caused the tile surrounding the tub to separate. Diane took care of the problem and it looks much better. Notice the complete concentration --- never underestimate a woman in construction!

Next you see Pam removing the plastic covering they used to block the areas on the ceilings that needed retexturing. The damaged areas now blend right in with the rest of the ceilings. And Greg is cleaning the texture hopper. The did a wonderful job and Melinda no longer feels as though she is living in a damaged home. There are still issues but they will need to be addressed by a contractor. She also has an appointment with a case manager tomorrow who will be able to connect her with all the resources she needs. Like I have said before, every organization jumping in and doing a small part leads to big results and homeowners who feel as though they can get a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel.

Tomorrow this team of 3 will return to Rosemary's and finish the painting touchups that are needed. Maury is on his way to get the paint they need and very thrilled that they are returning, even if it is just for one day. All those "one days" add up to completion of a home!

My phone call this morning from Faye was a shocker -- they delayed Mike's amputation --- his blood was still too thin! They will wait 1 or 2 days and check it again to see if he is ready. He has to be on blood thinners due to so many of his health conditions and you cannot operate if it is still too thin. Faye said he was resting as today he did not have the 4 to 5 hours of dialysis. So as you can see, the prayers are still needed.

I am also excited as I heard from a team member from Missouri who says she and her husband are planning on a return trip this July. It's always such a blessing to us to hear from those who have been here in the past and are wanting to come back! It's like seeing family again!

For all of you who have been here in the past, thank you! You ARE family and we send our love.

Until tomorrow .... Susan and Monty

Monday at Melinda's

Sorry there are no photos for this evening. Time just didn't allow for them today. Be sure and stay tuned tomorrow - they'll be some then.

Pam, Greg and Diane spent the day at Melinda's. During the storm her home "fell" in the back, nearly 18". This caused alot of cracking of sheetrock, nearly every room. The tile floor in her bathroom also cracked as did the tile around the bathtub. It's a miracle the house was able to be repaired but it was. I was actually surprised that she didn't have more damage.

After the girls got the furniture cleaned last week it was time to get some of the repair work done this week. With the progress they made today they might have everything done by tomorrow noon, including a new bathroom floor. Like I said, I'll have some photos tomorrow.

Monty spent the day working on the Teen Challenge building for Pastor Steve. They had some damaged soffet areas on the building so he went over, removed the old and replaced it with new. Pastor Steve was thrilled and it was a joy for Monty to help them. He, his wife and the girls who live there have always been such a help to us whenever we asked. They run an increcible organization there and we pray God will continue to provide for all their needs.

I am working on detail after detail in the preparation for the building of Mike and Faye's house next week. Things are coming together, today I was working on the flooring and hopefully touched someone's heart to "donate"?

Speaking of them, as I write this Mike is in surgery. The doctors plan is to amputate below his knee. Please keep him in your prayers! Emotionally he is spent and needs for this to be over and to be able to heal properly. Continuous pain wears on ones mind and he needs the rest!

Glad to know our NC team made it back safe and sound! Thanks again to each and every one of you! We hope you will make plans to return soon.

Judging from an email I received from our incoming WV team they are busy with last minute plans. They will be heading this way come Saturday morning. Please remember them in your prayers, traveling that far is a risk in itself!

Until tomorrow .... God Bless! Susan and Monty

Goodbye North Carolina

Very early this morning the rest of the North Carolina team headed home. They should be there by now, relaxing and telling family of all their adventures and of the work they accomplished.

Hey girls -- thanks for the personal note! It really meant alot to find it this morning! :)

We were pleasantly surprised to see not only Faye and Mike Jr in church this morning but also her daughter Keesha. Having her here made my day! I have been waiting and today she came! I pray God touched her while she was here and that she will be back! Faye said they increased the pain medications for Mike (again) and the doctors are to confer tomorrow and hopefully come to a decision. As always, keep them all in your prayers!

While at lunch today Monty and I seem to run into all sorts of people we know. We also got one of our homeowners taken care of at the same time. Some of the MAPS gentlemen are going to build the box needed to house the water heater for Joseph. We got a donation of the heater itself but since it will sit outside (as many of them do here) he needs a box around it and to have it hooked up. These men will be glad to take on the project and very soon Joseph will finally have hot water, after 18 months! Just as I've said before, all of us working together to rebuild the lives of those who have lost so much.

We had a special visit from our family who lives in the "Spanish Village" this evening. Jose, Anita, Louis and Nayalee came to see Greg and Pam. Greg and Pam (along with Diane) worked in their trailer for quite a few weeks last summer. They grew to love each other and were excited to see each other after all these months. One of those awesome relationship things God talks to us about! Priceless!!

I would ask for prayer for Monty as it seems he has another intestinal "bug". Those things can be treacherous here as we both have had our bouts with them. He hasn't been feeling well for a few days and we both would really appreciate your prayers for healing and strength.

We pray you will all have a blessed Monday and that you were refueled through your worship this morning. Be safe and until tomorrow .... Susan and Monty

Houses into Homes

Yes, this team managed to take 2 houses and turn them into homes before leaving for home late this afternoon. Most of them, that is, are on their way. The 4 girls who arrived Wednesday morning decided to stay until tomorrow morning. They completed the painting at Rosemary's house and yes, it is now a home! There is a big difference in a house and a home. To accomplish what this team did - in a week - is a real miracle! Their attention to detail, their ability to work together, their willingness to teach others, their smiles, their laughter and their love for the Lord all combined to create miracles. We are so thankful to them for everything! It was very difficult to see them go but yet it was awesome to see the fulfillment inside each of them! That is just a small portion of the blessings God will have in store for them!

This evening we enjoyed dinner with the 4 girls who stayed. We even got to celebrate another birthday, complete with the Mexican hat and Happy Birthday in Spanish! They told us how much they enjoyed their time here and want to return when it is at all possible. The door is always open!!!

Monty and I visited with Mike in the hospital today. It seems there are now 3 doctors involved in his case and their consensus thus far is that he needs an amputation just below the knee. It is their hope to save his knee but no one will know the final decision until probably Monday. The pain has been nearly unbearable but Mike has persevered and is so thankful for all those who are praying for him. He said that without the prayers he isn't sure he could hold on. We thank you and hope you will continue.

Until tomorrow ... give God all the praise in your local church tomorrow! Susan and Monty

Happy Birthday Ms. Faye

Yes, today was Ms. Faye's birthday!!! We had the pleasure of taking her, her daughter and grandson to dinner this evening. The pictures are pretty self explanatory -- she had a great time! She told me that in all her 49 birthdays this was the FIRST one with a party!!

The plan was for both she and Mike to join us. That plan changed yesterday. Mike was re-admitted into the hospital (yes, for the 4th time in 5 weeks) and after a second opinion this evening they will now be amputating his entire leg!! I don't need to tell you just how upset Mike is and thus Faye. Not how she planned on spending a birthday and definitely not how Mike planned on spending the next few days and weeks and the rest of his life! I also don't need to tell you just how important your prayers are now! Monty and I will be heading to the hospital tomorrow. Faye asked Monty if he could speak some words of encouragement to Mike! Your prayers will speak louder than any verbal words!

I spoke with Joe, their upcoming builder and the plan is to keep Mike and Faye from seeing any part of the home while it is being built! Sort of like "move that bus" on the TV show Extreme Makeover? I wasn't sure how Faye would take to that idea but she agreed that it would make it more exciting for them. Joe said all workers would know what her car looked like and would be "watching" for "drive - bys"! :)

Our church here, The Refuge, will be cooking and providing 2 meals per shift for all of the workers every day!!!! What an amazing way to show God's love in a practical way! Good Southern cooking for each meal? You know what they say about the way to a man's heart.....

Our NC team was busy as usual today. The second row of photos are taken at Rosemary's. They are nearly completed with painting (the whole house) and will be done tomorrow. The girls that had been helping Melinda got finished and so they will be picking up with the painting tomorrow. I don't know if you can tell in these photos but the color is beautiful, a light sage green. Diane got to see it for the first time in a couple of weeks and was really happy with it! It is awesome and this team has been a stickler for details and it shows!

The next row of photos is the group that has been tiling at Dane's. The floors are complete, only the sealer being finished up now. The photo you see is the awesome craftsmanship of a father and son team on Dane's tub area in his master bath. These two men took the idea and plan that Dane gave them and turned it into a masterpiece! This type of work was much more difficult and tedious than doing the floors and it is amazing! They said Dane made 4 - 5 trips back to the house (from work) just to keep up with the progress! Once again, their attention to details has multiplied a blessing!

The bottom row is our girls who arrived Wednesday morning and who have been working at Melinda's. You can see the furniture in the background. This is what they have been cleaning. The furniture came from her father and has quite a fantastic history to it. It was so important to her to save and these girls made that possible! They put on their masks, goggles and gloves and did amazing work!

I have a special note about Harry and Ilone's house. It's GONE!!! Yes, it has been torn down and the plans are in the works for the style of the new one they will be building! As I drove by and noticed it was gone Ilone saw me outside (that happens when you have Convoy on your truck) and insisted I come in for a visit. This has not been easy for her as her life was in that house and she needs time to grieve for her loss. She cried a bucket of tears while I was there but also knows they will be getting something even better. She was so thankful to the Bedford, Indiana team for all the help they gave them and sends their love to each of you -- you know who you are!

We thank each and every member of each and every team who have come here, who have served, who have loved others, who have been "stretched", who have blessed others, who have been blessed, who have CHANGED LIVES!!!!!

Until tomorrow..... Susan and Monty