Golden ~Eye~

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Today was the last day we would have on the site with the students and we took that chance to slow down and spend the remaining time strengthening our bonds with them. I had the chance to talk with one of the studen and she shared with me her conversation with Jen (a DEC member). She shared how Jen was able to speak into her life and help her begin to understand some of the “big questions’. It was such a blessing to hear first hand God’s hand in all this. Praise God for all that he does in our lives.

We also were able to finish off many of the loose ends and complete the house. This has been an amazing experience for all of us involved. To build a home in just 5 days with people that have never done this before is just a testimony of how “We Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Us: Philippians 4:13Philippians 4:13
English: World English Bible - WEB
13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

WP-Bible plugin God did strengthen and sustained us through this week and we were able to see tangible fruits of our labor.

PARTY TIME

We were also blessed to have a “traditional” southern boil complete with crawfish, potato, susage and corn. The crawfish were very tasty but after 50/60 the are a workout to eat. They dont offer a lot of meat so you need to eat many of them to get full. After putting a dent into our 4th refilled plate I was worn out.

Today we met Aunt Rose, who’s home we are building, and it was very touching for me and the students. Pastor Ted took a few minutes to explain her story and it was very hard for me to hear. The Saturday before the storm while Ted (her nephew) was evacuating and stopped by to make sure that Aunt Rose was all set, then left 30 minutes before her. While Rose was preparing to evacuate she suffered a heart attack and was transported to the hospital. Once at the hospital she was then evacuated out of the hospital and spent the duration of the storm under the highway bridge, where people were dying, giving birth, and passing out. So with a mere 30 minute difference, Rose’s experience was vastly different than Pastor Ted’s. They both made it through the storm but lost everything. And despite losing everything they have family, friends, and faith. Rose had the chance to tour the house as we walked through the rooms. She was so excited to have a walk in closet among everything else. She talked about how all of her family have lived in this area their whole lives. On this road, new homes were being built for her family members that lost everything. From the sister-in-law, to the cousin, aunt, brother, uncle and many more all living within 1 mile of each other and Rose in the center. Meeting her and the rest of the family make the whole build real to me, It took the experience from a “box with a roof” to a home with Rose at the center.

Once again the students preformed great. The day started out with cold, hard rain and continued with steady rain for most of the morning. Despite the rain the students really stepped up and worked hard to get the roof trusses set. By lunch time the roof trusses were set and we were ready to begin sheathing. As the day pressed on the sun warmed the air and we all dried out a bit. By the end of the day one whole side of the roof was sheathed and the other will be done quickly. We had some of the Alpha team visiting us today and so we put them to work Jen was up on the staging and roof giving us a hand. Jeremiah’s great motivational skills were demonstrated when he brought each one of us popsicles

Misty cutting the ridge

Day 5 for me here and I’m beginning to feel the lack of sleep.

Matthew 11:28Matthew 11:28
English: World English Bible - WEB
28 “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.

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Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest

I pray for rest tonight, that our Lord replenish my supply and give me the rest I need to move forward. Although the enthusiasm and energy of the students throughout the day have sustained me and helped me drive on.

They are just so pumped to to working on the job, using new tools, an seeing tangible results. Today we were able to get all the walls, both interior and exterior up and set.

When it was time to break for lunch we had the back wall all nailed and ready to be put into place. We decided to raise it after lunch. However the students REALLY wanted to have it up before we took a break. So sure enough, their energy pushed me forward and we got the wall raised and set.

The teams have really come together and have shone some great cohesiveness as you can see from the team Romeo, and Foxtrot photos:

Tags: Buras LA, Mission Trip, New Orleans

Day 3 was really long… but very gratifying and we accomplished a lot today. Our teams are jelling together quite nicely. The day started off with a great sunrise meeting of the team leaders on top of the levee. The mighty Mississippi one one side and the gulf on the other. It was good to take a moment and start the day reflecting on God’s wonders.

Psalm 8:4-3 3Psalm 8:4-3 3
English: World English Bible - WEB
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WP-Bible plugin When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; 4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them

I looked to the heavens, and out of it rose the glow of God’s light. I was reminded of Jeremiah talk on the 5 basic human needs a few weeks ago about remembering to start with the Spiritual, Well the sunrise was a great reminder of God’s amazing power both physically and mental. He is really weaving his way though many lives, including mine.

The students are just amazing as well, they have really stepped up and shined today with their eagerness to help. They all worked very hard today in some rough conditions, hot, humid, hazy and just uncomfortable when you’ve been used to the cold NH weather. Their attitude was so positive it recharged me. Being the first day on the job they were excited to participate. I bet many of them were filled with anticipation leading up to this trip, I know I was. Though it was a challenge to keep them all busy and engaged I believe all of them were fulfilled with the days work.

Many of them had the chance to use new tools they never used before. Some learned how to cut with the circular saw. While others worked the “old fashion way’.. hammering in all the nails by hand. We tried to include each of them in throughout the days work. The photos show the fruit of our labor…

At the end of the day we were able to stand back and gaze upon our work…. a full day and a lot accomplished

Last night a nice cooling shower passed through and cool it off a bit. The weather here has been nice, a bit hot during the mid afternoon. Day 2 started out with well. After breakfast and some cleaning I was able to go take a look at a completed house that is similar to the one we are building. I was able to head to the job site and begin working on the home.

The footings were all pored and ready to go. We began laying out the 8×8 pressure treated beams, then made our measurements to square up the lines. Once the lines were set the process was to layout the beam, drill holes for the rebar that will be bolted in each beam. The process of drilling the hole, cutting the beams, moving them around, lining them up was quite a job. I’m glad that we were able to get this done before the students arrived. When Joe, Doug and I finished our beams we began laying out our floor joists. I was asked to go help Kip finish the second house beams. That house was a few miles down the road, and will be built the same way. Although their site was way more open and had a lot more wind, which will may be a challenge for them later. In all the days work was good. We were able to accomplish a lot and get us in good shape for when the students are on site tomorrow.

When we got back from the site many of the students have arrive. We had dinner and some time to meet and talk with the members of my team. Some are from UNH and some from Franklin Perice, the group is a great mix and we will do well together. After dinner we all played a game where you sat in a circle and one person stood in the center. That person was to tell the group, their name, company and on other thing. If you had that thing in common or did that thing then you were supped to switch seats with others that had that in common. This was a great way to get some exercise and learn some things about the everyone.

I’m trying to remember to look for God in all that I do while I’m here as well as to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger: James 1:19James 1:19
English: World English Bible - WEB
19 So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;

WP-Bible plugin. It’s hard to remember to stop and think, listen to the problem, person or and not chime in with my comments. I want to be sure that I take the time to listen to people, or the situation, slow to give my response, or think about my response, before I choose the wrong words, or put myself or others a position to be angry.

The day started early… 2am when our dog Mocha decided to wake up Maureen.. and in turn me… God bless her for getting up that early to drop me off for 3:30r 3:30
English: World English Bible - WEB
30 since indeed there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith.

WP-Bible plugin. Once at the church the 15 or so of us loaded up in the van/truck and off we went. Along the drive we came across a heard of deer, there must have been 10-15 of them grazing along side the highway.. God never fails to amaze me… Once at the airport the mad rush to check in and get on the plane began.

With 15 people and over 30 bags it would be a challenge to get us all on in time. Of course my bag was over weight by 7lbs.. so some slight rearranging and I was all set.. the security lines were the longest I’ve ever seen them; but they moved fast so it wasn’t too bad. We are about 1/2 way to Chicago and the flight should be on time.

Ease the seat back… put your feet up and take a nap…

The flights landed safely, and didn’t loose any bags along the way. We picked up our vans, loaded up and headed for Buras. A short stop at McDonald for lunch and then Wal-mart, Sams Club for supplies and the 65 mile trek to Buras. Along the was were many homes still devastated. It was very strange to see brand new home along side destruct ones. There were many new homes I would consider “luxury” style and that was a bit fustrating. I guess it’s sad to see so many homes ruined and lives displaced. There is so much to mention about what I saw along the way… maybe more tomorrow night…I’m looking forward to seeing what God has in store for me tomorrow…

Tags: Buras LA, Mission Trip, New Orleans