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

They're here and she's back ...

Our NC team just grew by 4 women as of this morning. Some had finals to complete, some had to get away from work but they all made it. Within an hour of arrival they were on the job working away at spreading hope and blessings. They are working at Melinda's helping her get her furniture and things cleaned -- 18 months after the storm! Ministry at its finest! Melinda was extra thrilled when she learned they would be here working through Saturday!

The work at Dane's and Rosemary's also continued at break neck speed. The tiling is completed at Dane's. They are working on finishing the grouting and sealing with 3 coats. It looks so nice, the shine looks like you are walking on water. At 10 feet in the air you just might be!

Rosemary should be primed and painted by the time this team leaves Sunday morning. Another amazing feat!

Diane also made it back this evening. Her trip was very long and not without incident. She was nearing Mobile, Alabama when they closed the interstate due to a fire in the median of the interstate. After being rerouted over 70 miles out of the way she finally made it back on her original route and here early evening. Please keep her in your prayers as she came back not feeling well. The cold, snowy wintery weather (along with a bunch of sick people) got to her and she needs some healing prayers.

Speaking of prayers, good news on the NC teams hometown. The little girl who was sick last night is doing much better, no contagious diseases! Thank you for your prayers.

Our friend Joe called this evening. It seems his mother is barely hanging on, still labored breathing. He had to end the call because she was having trouble. Please continue your prayers.

We also have another friend from home, Kevin. He is in a custody situation in regard to his young daughter and could also use some supportive prayers. He worships his little girl and everyone involved could use prayer.

I spent much of my days inside Lowes. We are getting things ready for the foundation work at Mike and Faye's next week. Trying to tie things together between here and WV can sure get interesting! To say the least!!!!

Thank you for the blessing of your prayers. Without them this mission could not happen!!

Until tomorrow .... Susan and Monty

Thank goodness for knee-pads

Yes, tiling is hard on the knees and the women are making good use of their knee pads! The tile in Dane's is looking awesome and they should've gotten done with laying all of it by this evening. The women were cleaning and sealing what had already been grouted. You can see in the bottom and top left photos where the line is just being started in the kitchen area. Dane was home sick today but felt much better when he saw the amazing progress.

When we stopped in at Rosemary's we came right at lunchtime. The finishing they have been doing on the sheetrock looks professional. Finding people who really know how to finish properly (or willing to learn) isn't easy but God always provides exactly who and what we need. They will be priming the walls and possibly painting some of the rooms before the end of the week.

Monty and I visited 2 more homes today. The first was Melinda's home. She works here at the daycare and lives directly on one of the bayous. Her house was not only flooded, it was knocked from the foundation causing the basement wall to crack. Amazingly enough the house isn't damaged as badly as we expected. We will plan to send our team in next week to do sheetrock patches and possibly tear out the tile in her bathroom. There is no need to gut the home, patching will work as the sheetrock is cracked and not molded or caved in. It is my hope to take the 4 women who are expected to arrive here tomorrow morning over to Melinda's to help her clean furniture and things which were nearly destroyed by the storm. Not only will this help Melinda in the physical sense, the ministry that will take place is the most needed right now.

The second home was Joseph. Joseph has lived in his little house since he came home from the Korean war in 1963. He had a team of volunteers who came in and did quite a bit of work. The one thing Joseph needs is a covering for his water heater. He is like alot of folks here, their water heaters are located outside their homes. Monty is working on a design that will work for him so he can then have some hot water. He has been living these past 18 months without hot water, taking baths at his friends home. Hopefully we will get that done either this week or the next. Joseph was another one who really enjoyed just having someone to talk with and someone who would listen to the stories of his life. Amazing man!

Mike and Faye had a newspaper interview this afternoon. One of the local papers is doing a "pre-story" about them. They will also do a story at the end of the build but this pre-story is to be about Mike and Faye's lives. It should be in tomorrow's paper. As Mike told their story the tears streamed down his face so hard that they stopped the interview a couple of times. He is still in so much pain due to the partial amputation but I think it's really starting to set in -- the idea that they really are going to have a new home! I don't know of anyone who deserves the blessing more than them! Isn't God good!!

We have a special prayer request for this team. Their church has a Christian school with grades kindergarten through 12th grade. One of their 5th grade girls became very ill and passed away just a couple of days ago. Now another girl the same age is also sick. We would ask for prayers of healing and a special comforting touch from God at this difficult time.

Until tomorrow ... God bless! Susan and Monty

Worker bees from NC

Here they are, day one. There are 10 of them now with 4 more due to arrive Wednesday morning. They are divided between Dane and Rosemary's homes.

The first 3 photos, minus the group shot, are taken at Dane's. They are continuing the floor tile installation and in the one you can see Monty and Frank trying to decide just what to do with the built in dishwasher. The counter tops will need to be raised a bit to allow for the tile to go in and have enough room for the dishwasher. Just one of the challenges that arrise while on the job! You can also see a great example of "girl power" in the installing of the tile. She is having a blast but we'll see how well she is walking later this evening! :)

The second half of the team is working in Rosemary's doing all sorts of things. They are working on closing in the cabinet that houses the HVAC system, wrapping the windows with sheetrock, general cleaning and tackling the bathroom necessities. Like I said, busy bees for sure.

Before they started their day I think they were thoroughly convinced that they would run out of work before they ran out of week. After only a partial day they had changed their tune! It's the usual Monday with each new team. NOT getting done is one of the most difficult things for the teams to deal with. As a society, we are cultured to think we have not done our job successfully if it isn't completed. That is not the case here. But each of these homes gets closer each week and that is due to the love and hard work that each team does each week. One teams work sets the stage for the next and it just continues until the house is all done. Hearts of service and obedience and the wilingness to learn is all it takes to be successful.

We are thankful to every team who has come and volunteered their services and left a piece of their hearts with the people here!

Until tomorrow .... Susan and Monty

Late night blessing

Last night at 11:33 pm (to be exact) Faye's brother received a phone call telling him he had to get to the Mobile, Alabama hospital because his donated kidney was on its way. He had been on the donor listing for 3 years! We are happy to report he is doing very well today, doctors pumping him full of fluids and waiting on urination to pronounce it a success! Yes, both Faye's husband and brother have kidney failure. And her mother passes away from it! How much can one woman bear? With God holding her up you would be amazed! She was at church this morning and happy to come to the altar when Pastor Rick said God gave him a word that someone in the congregation needed prayer for kidneys. Another of those God-thing moments!

Our NC team took off after church for an afternoon of traveling along the coast, heading west. They will most likely be speechless when they return, just like the other thousands upon thousands that have made that same trip.

They are following in the footsteps of so many volunteers who come to help. They are antsy, anxious, filled with thousands of questions and ready to rebuild the coast in an afternoon. What they don't know is that by the end of their week here they will have changed lives forever, both those whom they have touched here and their own. It is our prayer that they take these "heart moments" back home with them, share them with their families, friends, neighbors, church members and everyone they meet. This is ministry. This is following Jesus!

Some of you have asked Monty and I if we are thinking of coming home since our year commitment has come and gone. You might wonder why we would still be here, why would we be agreeing to relocate into the heart of the 9th ward of New Orleans in a few months? Our answer is simple -- where else would we be? How could we sit at home in our recliners when there are so many people hurting and needing help? We are living a dream, following God's call on your life is exactly that -- living a dream. This calling has the ability to save lives -- both physically, emotionally and spiritually. It's NOT Monty and I that are doing this --- it's GOD and only GOD! It is He that is working through us, and through all the volunteers who come to help! This is real, this isn't something you see on TV, it's real life, it's real service, it's real miracles --- all on a daily basis. Once again we both would like to thank ALL who have come here to be God's hands and feet, all who have become an extension of our family, all who have followed Jesus and walked among the hurting as He did! May God bless all of you!

Until tomorrow -- where we have the chance to get up and do it all over again --- and change the world --- into a better place! Susan and Monty

Goodbye Indiana, Hello North Carolina

Hometown went home this morning - and left a big hole in our hearts! What an uplifting week for Monty and I and we thank all of them for everything they did! Our hope is that you all will return as soon as possible. And one thing we know -- it wasn't quite as warm when you got home as when you left here!! :)

We did have a few hours to get things arranged and take a break before our team from North Carolina arrived. There are 10 of them now with 4 more arriving Wednesday morning sometime. They are all very anxious to get to work. A few of them were in Slidell, Louisiana this time last year so they are "seasoned" to a certain extent. The others will be just that within a couple of days. The balance of this team swings more to women -- girl power at its finest! It will be a great week. They will be divided between Dane's and Rosemary's and by the end of the week both of these homes should be the next thing to done!

Monty got an update on our friend Joe at home. His mother is no better and is "hanging on" in his words. Once again, please continue your prayers for this entire family.

Mike was back in ER last night after I had already done the blog. His foot had started bleeding so they went back and they were going to rebandage it. I'm going on the no news is good news for today. I'm sure I'll see Faye at church in the morning. FYI to all who know her-----her birthday is this FRIDAY and she is quite excited! If you don't have her current address and would like it to send a card just give me a call and I'll be happy to share it with you. She would LOVE to hear from you!

Don't forget to thank God for all your blessings when you go to church tomorrow! He is amazing, isn't He.

Until tomorrow .... Susan and Monty

They're sunburned

Yes, there are a few of them coming home sunburned! And they are thrilled!

Today was one of those days with God moving in so many directions it was nearly impossible to keep up with Him.

Your top 2 photos show 2 pieces of equipment that were DONATED to clear the land at Mike and Faye's house to prepare for foundation work. Yes, you read right, they were given to us for the day. Monty is on a trackhoe which he used the entire day taking down trees and then digging to who knows how deep to get the stumps and roots out! Our fantastic electrician, Art, was responsible for the donation of it. It's been quite some time since Monty got to operate heavy equipment and he enjoyed every minute of it! Oh yes --- that is David, the mission director, suspended up in the tree. He is tying it off with rope so they can pull it down as it is being attacked with the chain saw. They kept it from falling into the power lines! I was told David loved to climb trees and spent much of his childhood doing so. There's still some of that kid inside him!!!! We all should be so blessed as to keep a part of our childlike faith inside us!!

The gentleman on the John Deere ( Joe) donated not only his tractor with bucket and yard box but he donated himself right along with it! It was a team effort of equipment and one very full day that got the job done!

It just never ceases to amaze us as to how generous and wonderful God is when He puts His hand to something!

I spent part of the afternoon, along with Art, in a meeting with the building department of Pascagoula. We were on conference call with the builder (Joe) out in West Virginia making sure we are following all the rules and regulations of building their home. Even the building department head (Steve) is in amazement at God's working in this whole thing! Things are right on schedule and should be in complete compliance with the city.

Our 2 other teams of this team were still working away at Dane's and Rosemary's. You can see the amazing cross that they put in the hallway at Dane's. That is ceramic tile and will be a forever reminder of the love of God each time he walks down his hallway! What an amazing job these men did this week. Dane is nearly speechless, and if you knew Dane you would see how amazing that is! :) They also continued the mudding and sanding at Rosemary's. The entire house is ready for the incoming team from NC next week! It may take awhile some time in the shower this evening for one of the gentleman -- he had a "small" bit of sheetrock sanding dust sort of "adhered" to his face! :)

Another part of my afternoon was spent at the hospital. I received a call from Faye saying they were taking Mike into emergency surgery and planned to amputate even more of his foot! He has been is such severe pain the past couple of days, unable to eat and then vomiting. We immediately got the news out over different prayer chains and God once again reached in with His hand of healing. Mike is out of the hospital and feeling better. When they got him into surgery they discovered infection in his foot so they removed the packing and cleaned the area, closed it back up and sent him home! He will continue the hyperbaric treatments 5 days a week and hopefully the healing will now begin. Being a severe diabetic doesn't speed things but atleast now the infection has been removed. We thank you for all your prayers and ask that they continue.

As you can see, it was quite the busy day. The sun shone all day. The temps were back in the 70s and God was shining in all His glory! I've said it before and will continue to say it: Monty and I are so blessed to be here, to be working for our Lord, and to be working with all YOUR family members who you so generously share with us week by week! We thank you and pray God returns blessings to you and yours in ten and one hundred fold!

This hometown team will be heading home at 4:00am tomorrow. Needless to say we will be saying our goodbyes tonight! It will be most difficult. Having "home" here ministers to Monty and I even more than to the families where they have worked so diligently! We will miss them and we pray they will all return for another week whenever they are able! Please pray for their safety as they travel. It's nearly 14 hours on the road and we need to cover their vehicles with protection.

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

We tied the record high temp

Yes, the northern guys would really like to find a way to take some of this warmth back to Indiana when they leave Saturday morning. But it also sounds like some rather rough weather will be coming in here about the time they return home. You just never know how things will go when you are this close to the gulf.

Today we topped the record high at 75 degrees and full sunshine! It was awesome!

The entire team was up and having devotions before 7:00 am this morning. They wanted to get an early start as they were working till 1:00 pm and then heading to New Orleans for the afternoon and evening. We always encourage teams to do some traveling to our west to really get a full sense of the damage that was done by the storm. Even after nearly 18 months to the day it will still leave you speechless. I have not seen the men since they returned but Monty is in with them now and I can only imagine their versions of what they experienced!

The crew in Jim and Cindy's house finished hanging the sheetrock today. There are still some structural changes that Jim wants to make so we could only do so much until they are ready for us again. They did a wonderful job, some of the best sheetrock hanging we have seen!

The men laying floor tile at Dane's are now grouting what they had already put down. They cross they put in the hallway is stunning! They will be returning tomorrow to clean the grout and get the first coat of sealer on what is already down. The incoming team from NC who will be here next week will be picking up where these men left off.

At Rosemary's they are nearly complete with the finishing of the sheetrock. They still have work for tomorrow and the NC team will also be going in and following up with priming, painting and hanging of doors. And just like the rest of the team, this work is great! Too bad we can't keep this entire team for awhile longer --- I think I say that each week and God always sends us another great team and the process repeats itself! One of those "God things" for certain!

Our builder for Mike and Faye's house, Joe, was going to fly in tomorrow for some preliminary ground work but had a change of plans. He is changing the way the foundation will be done and didn't need to make the trip. Instead of pouring for footers he will be making pylons from treated lumber. It's alot more cost effective and takes less time. Monty will be at the site tomorrow doing some tree removal and ground clean up. Our electrician, Art, has been kind enough to find someone to donate a trackhoe for our use tomorrow so alot will get done. Monty is an equipment operator and is really looking forward to "working" (playing??) :)
Everything else for their home is coming together. We have a meeting with the city building official tomorrow and Joe will join us via speaker phone. Isn't technology wonderful when you need it!

Monty and I attended our mission class this evening and as always, we had the pleasure of listening to a couple who spent 20 years in the mission field and shared some of their knowledge. Even though we drive an hour each way to attend these classes the time just flies by and we are learning such wonderful and valuable information. And we're getting better at the homework also!!??

PS A note to Jeremy's PO ---- he's an amazing young man and we thank you for making it possible for him to be here with us. God is sending him back home a different and improved man!!

Until tomorrow ... don't forget your prayers! Susan and Monty

He's back to work

They are a rather "motley" looking crew aren't they? But they were all back to work today, Matt right there with them.

The sort of top left photo is the crew at Rosemary's house. It doesn't take a microscope to see that they have been taping and mudding sheetrock all week. The white on the clothing sort of gives them away!

The top right photo caught the crew at Jim and Cindy's having lunch in her kitchen. They are also knee deep in sheetrock.

The last 2 photos are the men who have been tiling the floors at Dane's. They also have their fare share of mud on them, but this is tile mud and it requires some good old deep knee bends to get the job done.

All of them have done such a spectacular job all week long. There were a couple more of them in shorts this morning. They didn't even mind the rain showers that came in during the night. By this afternoon the clouds moved out and made way for some beautiful sunshine and even warmer temps. Tomorrow we are to be in the mid to high 70 degree range -- something that is going to make it even more difficult for this team to leave!

Monty and I went to visit another home this afternoon. We met James. The very top right photo is James's bedroom. James is still living in his home. I'm not sure I've seen a home as mold infested as his is. He was up high enough that the water didn't come inside from the bottom but his roof was severely damaged and it still has the "remants" of what was a FEMA tarp on top. It was pouring rain in the one upstairs bedroom, the ceiling had fallen in, the ceiling tiles have now become "one" with the flooring due to the deep black mold attaching them. This bedroom sits directly over top of the basement. The mold has grown clear through into the basement ceiling, turning it a bright green. Fortunately the basement is block walls and concrete floors, nothing has been decorated there. He has a 5 year old daughter that cannot visit him due to the mold and his health is sufferring also. Our first priority is to get James out of the home and into a FEMA trailer. This process is already underway as we speak. Next is to get some funding to purchase the materials for the roof, decking, tar paper and shingles. That step is also in progress. You might be asking yourself WHY he is in this shape after 18 months? Many reasons; divorce, helping others, working fulltime, trying to keep house payments going, being in an accident and breaking both an arm and a leg ... Get the picture? And then just not knowing where to turn, not having the time or the energy to look for help. It happens all the time, everywhere, on a daily basis around here. They are the ones who "fall between the cracks" and unless we step up and walk him through the processes he will remain in this condition. We are praying that some roofers come down with this next incoming team. If not, maybe the next team. Please join us in this prayer and pray for James and his entire situation. God works miracles all over the place down here and we are in need of yet another!

I don't have an update on our friend Joe and his mother. Please continue to pray for them and their family at this difficult and painful time.

Until tomorrow .... count your blessings and thank God for them. Susan and Monty