Here we all are fighting off the sun in our eye's in front of Cheryl's new door!

This is Cheryl's House. It's 3-bedroom/ 2 bath.

We've been having too much fun!

Our team has had an exciting and blessed week. It has been amazing to be able to see first hand the work of God. Never again will we be able to wonder if God will provide in any situation; we have heard many stories and been apart of a few ourselves that has opened our eyes and brought our faith to a whole new level.
We have spent our days at Cheryl King's house. She is one of the many who lost everything but the clothes on her back. Cheryl is a single mom of three boys (all in their 20's) who lived in the, as she calls it, "projects" for their childhood while working a fast food job. About 18 months ago she bought her first house and after Katrina came through it was filled with five feet of water throughout. The insurance company only gave her forty five hundred dollars for a new front and rear door and carpet in the house. She looked the insurance guy in the eye and said "Thanks for the money for those things and God will provide the rest."
When we arrived, her house had been gutted and new dry wall was installed. Our contribution has been painting the ceilings and walls; scrubbing the bathroom and kitchen tile; installing eight new doors; finishing her electrical; yard clean up and we are hoping to lay lament floors tomorrow. We have all had the best time working on her house, hanging out with all of our new friends from Ohio, Oregon, and Seattle and talking with all of those affected by the storm.
Cheryl is one we have fell in love with. She is extremely thankful, a great woman of God and just a joy to be around. She has been like a kid on Christmas every day rushing home from work to see the progress we have made. She comes by the church each night to thank us and tell us what a wonderful job we've done.

This sign sits about 100 yards from the ocean and says it all. The dome shape building in the back ground is now the catholic church.

Yes, He is!

Wish we could stay longer

We spent our final day taking down storm damaged trees in a single mom's yard. The guys were happy cause they got to have chain saws in their hands...Joe even handed one to me. Thanks Joe, another thing Scott will have me do around the yard.


It has been an incredible experience to be here in Waveland. All four of us wish we could stay longer as there is such a huge need and every task done is important to someone. We hope that people will pray and consider coming to Waveland, Mississippi. There is no talent too small. It is never our ability, but our availability.

Hope Chapel has a list of specific families to take care of for Christmas. I pray that each family can be blessed by us and know they are not forgotten.

God Bless Waveland, Mississippi

Burrrr...

It's getting VERY cold at night here.
A big need for Waveland residents living in trailers, will be small electric heaters...the propane is just too expensive. Keep an ear out at Hope Chapel as we may be trying to get some of those to the people we have been meeting.
Here is a photo of Aude and his beautiful family who live in a FEMA trailer on the church property.

A new friend's childhood home

We were on our way to take linoleum (3 very stubborn layers) and kitchen cabinets out of a house, but we needed directions. I asked a lady driving by where St. Charles street was and she said "That's MY street." We followed her to our destination and we got to talking.
This is a picture of the house she grew up in, right down the block. She is five months pregnant with her first baby. Up the street is the house she lives in now...but they live in a trailer on the property. This is a block off the beach. Her clock making business in New Orleans "Quality Times Clocks and Signs" was flooded with 10 feet of water.

Some of the explanation about the photos is later in the blog...photos came last...so read on!

It's a good thing...

You learn something new every day!

So Libby got to learn how to rewire outlets...while Joe already knew and Alan and Josh installed insulation.

Joe "Mudding Out"

Alan, the Bridge Inspector...Really!

By trade, Alan really is a Bridge inspector...this one did not pass.

Way ironic...

Libby and Marilyn whose dryer GOD fixed!

Self Explanatory

"Mudding out a house"

Josh, Joe, Alan, and Libby spent the day "mudding out a house." Everything including every single nail needs to come out so only the studs are standing. These homes had water up to the ceilings or higher during the storm. After they are totally cleaned out the engineers will cometo give the thumbs up or down for rebuilding. If they don't think it is sound it will be bulldozed. ( Pastor Tyrone and a crew had worked on his own house for a week and then were told it needed to be bulldozed. )
When you take down light fixtures they are full of water. (Gulf water) Same with all of the insulation that needs to be pulled out. Libby found a fish in the front yard...go figure...smelled awful.

"Find Robert's House"

Robert's foundation is in the forefront...his house is the blue one in the distance...it landed upright on a trailer.


Above is Robert, Debbie aned their great kids Michael and Elizabeth on the steps of their FEMA trailer which sits on the church property.