Ocean Springs to Biloxi -- on foot!!

Yes, this morning Diane and I decided to make the walk from Ocean Springs to Biloxi courtesy of the brand new bridge that now has all 6 lanes open -- complete with a walking path all the way across! One lap is 2 miles and needless to say we realized that the second 2 miles was a bit longer than the first -- absolutely nothing to do with our ages either!!! It was an amazing view and with the winds at near 30 mph we looked so lovely when we arrived back to earth! But -- we did prove to the workers on the path that we could (and did) make it!

Meanwhile our California team are working away at Ms Darlene's. Her ceramic tile is incredible and they are doing a fantastic job. Some of them are remembering that on their last trip they were installing tile in Rosemary's house. God was setting them up for this job as they now know exactly what needs to be done. By this afternoon they will start the grouting process which tells you they are moving at a great speed along with great skill. They have also managed to remove all the old broken brick on the outside of her home. That was not an easy task but they got it done.

They have some new faces with them this trip and it's always wonderful for Monty and I to get new family. As with each team, we just wish they could stay longer than a week.

Speaking of which -- Diane will be leaving us (again) tomorrow morning. I can't believe over 3 weeks have gone by and once again don't know what I will do without her here! As she told me, "I always come back" but it still hurts to see her go. Please cover her with your prayers as the weather looks as though it could bring some challenges into her travel.

Until next time . . . Susan and Monty

Reflecting . . . into melt down

Melt down is something that happens after working as many hours as we did last week and then continuing right through the weekend! My hope is to take part of today and not have it as hectic as last week. One can always hope -- right??

We have spent nearly every minute reflecting on last week. There are so many things to reflect on, so many things to re-think or to think on for the first time. One thing stands out in my mind -- something I watched every single day and the same thing Pastor Lavoy preached on yesterday so I know it's a God-thing!

When Jesus gave the new commandment to His disciples He told them to "love one another as I have loved you." When we think about that it's a really !!! tall order. Jesus loved us with unconditional love, something this world is very unfamiliar with and something nearly extinct.

BUT. . . I saw this happening all last week on a daily basis. If you were to have walked onto the jobsite at any given moment, early in the morning or very late in the night you would not have been able to tell which team member was from where. Everyone was working together as if they had known each other their entire lives. You did not hear foul language, you did not hear anger, you did not hear anything but "how can I help" and "what do you need me to do?" The more experienced ones were taking the time to teach those less experienced. The leaders were praising the work of anyone and everyone. The smiles were constant and the laughter contagious. The joy inside each individual's hearts was as visible as the shirts on their backs. It didn't make any difference if they were walking around on the roof putting on shingles or if they were digging the ditch to bury the sewer lines. All were important and all were loving everything they were doing. No one was made to feel as though their part was less than someone elses.

I stood in amazement each day and yet knew this is the way it could be, the way it should be and the way it would be! When God annoints a project He doesn't just annoint the structure or the land. He annoints the people -- His people who are just there to allow Him to work through them to accomplish whatever needs to be done! And the people are willing "vessels" for Him to work through.

Age wasn't a factor. Physical ability or inability wasn't a factor. Gender wasn't a factor. Church denomination wasn't a factor. Love was THE factor! Working and building for the Lord was the driving force, the lifeline, the reason for it all.

My wish is that everyone could experience what that is like! Unless you were here, unless you felt it in your heart, in your mind, in your soul -- you can't feel it and for that I am sad! It is THE greatest blessing in this world! Of that I am certain! I pray Monty and I are able to continue working in this disaster ministry and thanks to all of you I know we will be.

Ms Ollie knows the feeling. She knows what it feels like to have the love of Jesus poured out all over you, covering everything about you - - - and the only words she could find to describe it was "I must be in heaven!"

If you would like to see the TV coverage you can go to www.wlox.com and look up anything having to do with Speed Build in Pascagoula, MS. There are 3 different spots and in the last one you will hear Ms Ollie herself trying to put her feelings and love into words.

Thank all of you for your prayers, for your love and for your support. YOU are the keys! YOU fulfilled your job and YOU were critical in this build -- even if you weren't here in the physical sense!

May God return His blessings to you one hundred fold.

Until next time . . . Susan and Monty

PS Our California team arrived safe and sound late last night and are working away in Ms Darlene's house so be sure and stay tuned for the miracles that will be happening there!

"Drenched" in Love

Well, here you have it!

This morning was the dedication and we had to make a few last minute changes! We had over 7 inches of rain last night, streets are flooded and we had to go to plan B. God had it all under control and it was awesome!

The banner you see was posted with all the names of those involved. Then you can also see the entire team composed of all the states! What a crew!

Ms Ollie came in blindfolded and the rains stopped long enough for her to get out of the car and go around front to see her home. Her shrieks could be heard around the block!

We then seated her underneath her home. There are advantages of being 9 foot in the air! Everyone had gathered underneath awaiting her arrival. It was the only place to be dry. She was given a seat and throughout the dedication there were thanks and blessings mixed with tears of joy and the sounds of Ms Ollie thanking and praising God. Pastor Lavoy gave an outstanding dedication and prayer. He spoke from his heart and from experience as his church was destroyed in the storm and he held services in a tent for months and months before receiving a new church built by mostly volunteers!

After the dedication Ms Ollie was escorted upstairs to see the inside of her new home. Once again the tears flowed and the shrieks were most audible when she saw her side by side refrigerator/freezer -- the only thing she had ever asked for! There was a second shriek when she saw her bathroom -- one for herself -- no need to share!!

While being interviewed by the local TV reporter she asked if someone could pinch her to see if this was real or not! She continued to thank everyone but always thanking God first. She had thank you cards all ready for the teams.

As she traveled from one room to another and then back through again and again she was trying to take it all in. She won't feel the reality for quite some time. Ms Faye came in and it was so good for them to meet because Ms Faye was able to bring some reality to the morning as she has been in Ms Ollie's shoes.

Throughout the rest of the morning the hugs were shared, the tears of joy continued to flow and the smiles grew larger and larger. The rains even stopped long enough for her to travel down the tiered deck!

As we left her she was thinking about sitting on her new white rocking chair on her front porch but also thinking about going back inside and seeing if it really is real!!

Ms Ollie's life wasn't the only one changed with this build. Every single person working on the job spoke of how their lives had been changed and how they want to be a part of the next one!

Next one?? Right now Monty and I would just like to take a breather -- but -- we will be in a meeting with Joe tonight to evaluate the entire project and see where we can make it better the next time!!!! I think it has something to do with that "working in the joy of the Lord thing"!!

To all the teams -- thank you doesn't begin to say it but it's all we have! We love all of you and pray for your safe travel home!

To all of you who support Monty and I and therefore make it possible for us to be here, to be doing what we are doing -- THANK YOU!!!! We love you and are so very grateful! We are living the dream of being able to follow God's call on our lives!! Bless all of you!

Until next time . . . Welcome Home Ms Ollie!!!! Susan and Monty

Comin down the home stretch

Yes, we are heading into the home stretch! And yet the energy levels remain high and the laughter continues and those who came in as strangers are becoming family!

The kitchen cabinets are done, complete with crown at the tops. The light fixtures and ceiling fans are in. The window screens are in. The outside siding, trim and porch areas are done and touch up painting also done. The added side steps are in process and will be complete tomorrow morning. The driveway is prepared for the cement pour tomorrow afternoon. The electric has been brought to the house. The sewer line is dug and awaiting an inspection tomorrow morning. Cleaning inside has begun. Doors are all painted. Shelving is being hung in the kitchen pantry and closets. Towel bars and paper holders are also hung. The last of the deck spindles will be done tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow the dumpster, equipment and portable toilet will be removed. Now THAT tells you how near we are to being DONE completely! Those don't go until the workers go!

The people continue to drive by in utter amazement. Now more of them stop, say thank you and ask when the dedication will be. Who knows how many will actually be there at 9AM on Saturday morning!?

It's still amazing to me to watch people build relationships, build life long bonds and become family in less than a calendar week! If you stopped by this property now you would think everyone came from the same city, the same church! No one would be able to convince you that they came in as total strangers! A true God-thing!

Ms Faye stopped by this morning and lit the place up with her smile and continued thanks to those who built her home a little over a year ago. She said she knew Mike Sr was smiling from heaven seeing the work and blessings continue!

When we read our Bibles we read about all the miracles Jesus performed while He was here on earth. It saddens me to hear people talk about miracles and not realize that they are happening every day -- all around us! If you are looking for one or don't believe they happen anymore I challenge you to stop by the job or better yet -- come to the dedication this Saturday and I absolutely guarantee you will see many miracles -- right before your eyes!!

Until next time . . . Lord, Monty and I thank You for your divine appointment in our lives!

Susan and Monty

Angels??: Day 4

Allow the pictures to let you experience some of our day today!

From Mike Jr with Monty, true brothers and one who came to give back in a small way!

Then there's Diane "in the wind" of the huge fans we had drying the primer and paint! No matter how much work there is -- laughter abounds! It's that "joy of the Lord" thing again!

And then there is a sneak peek at the deck!!! What an amazing thing that is! The UMCOR team from NC have been life savers with that thing this week. They came into the job thinking they were mostly unskilled (a word that shouldn't exist) and have learned so much and been amazing to the entire group of people working on this job. They have already said they want to be a part of the next one! Yes -- the next one!!

The women were painting like machines this morning and finished the job 15 minutes ahead of the time Joe had told them he would like to have it done! They rolled ceilings without a complaint of hurting shoulders and ran rollers over the walls like this is what they had done since birth!

The siding crews were also like machines. This siding is hardiplank and not at all easy to work with. Because Ms Ollie is so close to the water we are not allowed (by city code) to use vinyl siding. The teams worked all day and it looks amazing. The yellow house you see in the background of one photo is the neighbors and gives a great shot of how high these homes are being lifted.

Kitchen cabinets are completely installed along with the counter tops and sink. The appliances will arrive tomorrow and that will be the final items for the kitchen.

You can also see the teams working on this deck and then a great view of the front of the house. Since we are making this a handicapped accessible deck it has many turns and landings. Someone was trying to count the spindles today but I never did hear a final count! I don't think I really want to know.

The final photo is Bob from the WV team and Ms Ollie. He wanted to take some time and visit with her this afternoon. She was waiting with open arms and although she is soooo curious as to what her home looks like she also knows that God has placed each and every volunteer here to be her special "angels" and knows the house is beautiful. She said God gave her a vision of what it looks like, especially the kitchen. She said she has cried tears of sadness and pain since the storm but all this week she has cried tears of joy! Just wait until the dedication Saturday morning! Bob told her we might need to dig a trench for the tears to flow through as there won't be a dry eye on the place and he is right! She also shared with him her story of the day of the storm. She rode it out and was rescued by boat! She feared for her life and also watched her home being destroyed! No matter how many times I hear people tell their stories of that day I don't think I will ever stop listening in amazement!

All these photos and all these words and yet you really have no idea how awesome the day was! The heavy fog of the morning lifted and gave way to sunshine and warmth. But no matter how warm it feels to the skin there is nothing to compare to the warm feeling inside each and every volunteer working on this job!

That warmth is beginning to be felt by others in the city because the "drive-bys" are increasing daily and now they are stopping and thanking whoever they can see -- thanking them for coming and thanking them for making a difference in the community and in the world!

Tomorrow is a new day! We are already a whole day ahead of the original schedule and Joe has some outside surprises up his sleeve for the next couple of days left. Be sure and stay tuned.

To all the families who sent their loved ones here to be with us this week ---THANK YOU!!! from the bottom of our hearts. They WILL come home tired, sore, sunburned, bruised and yet they will be filled with something that we only dream about -- the love that comes from following the example of service set for us by Jesus!! Welcome them home, thank them, listen to their stories, look at their photos and be blessed for it!

Until next time . . . Susan and Monty

Let the pictures speak

We are nearing the end of Day 3 and we are 16 - 18 hours ahead of schedule!

It's nearly impossible to believe or take in.

The sheetrock is hung and the first coat of finish is on. By tomorrow morning it will be completely finished and ready for priming and painting.

The shingles are on the entire roof, including the overhanging porch on the front.

The electric and plumbing are 98% complete.

The outside siding is starting as I write.

Father working along side of son, husband working along side wife, Methodist working with Amish with Assembly of God with every other denomination you can think of, laughter rings from the roof top (literally) and the joy of the Lord abounds throughout not only the property but to the surrounding city.

This morning 2 gentlemen who didn't mind telling me they were both 83 years young stopped by to just look in amazement and to thank everyone for what they are doing. With tears streaming down their faces they told how their homes had been damaged and how volunteers had come and helped them rebuild. They plan on being at the dedication ceremony on Saturday!

One gentleman from WV (who I won't give away his age but he's a bit past his youth) is on his very first mission trip. He is so excited that he told me today that "next time" his wife will be with him and they will bring their camper so they can stay awhile! The light that beams from his face could light up a city block! Just for note, he's the less than tall gentleman helping hold up the portion of deck platform in the one photo above! (white Tshirt)

We have a couple who are living near Monty and I in the park here. They are from Arkansas and when they visited with us a few days ago they asked if sometime they could volunteer somewhere. We told them to just come to the job and we would have something for them. They came yesterday morning and were still there at 10pm last night installing insulation. They are back today and also working in amazement and running on adrenalin!

I could go on and on with stories. And each individual here could add their own until the point of eternity. There's nothing like it! No comparison! No paycheck! Nothing! They just come to do whatever needs done and to do it with their whole heart!

Please continue to pray for all who are involved in this project. We desperately need those prayers!!!!! YOU are are defense from the attacks of satan (and oh yes, he has also been quite busy) so we thank you and ask you to continue to hold us up!

Until next time . . . God bless! Susan and Monty