In a playoff season where we are waiting to see who will play in the World Series, wondering if the Phillies and the Yankees will play against one another one more time, I thought it might be fun to glean a nugget of wisdom from the great Babe Ruth. Here it is:
"The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime."
The team we brought from Grace Church to Nashville plays well together. While each person on the team is individually gifted and talented, it is what is accomplished together that is meaningful. Collectively, decisions have been made as to how to redo the walls of a bedroom, how to fix the electric and plumbing concerns, how to frame windows and doors, how to do the difficult work which needs to be done underneath the trailer, how to put Kilz on the walls to prepare them for painting, to name a few of the team's tasks. If the first two days on the work site are any indication of the collegial spirit of our team, I think the Babe would be pleased.
Tonight we fixed dinner for our team and a team of eight from Michigan. Our team worked together to prepare two delicious stir fry dishes served over rice. It was definitely a group effort. In a week that was rough for Ohio State fans, the Michigan team was magnanimous in its remarks about the Ohio and Michigan rivalry. The folks on the team even shared their homemade peanut butter cake with us as we brought out the ice cream and cake for dessert.
The Michigan work team has been doing mission trips for much longer than we have; so we learned some new and interesting ways to approach mission trips in the future. It was good to talk with a team who is so experienced and kind enough to share their wisdom. I should also mention that we really liked them when they volunteered to do the dinner dishes! They will cook for us on Thursday evening and I believe we will volunteer to do the dishes. Seems only fair!
If the way a team plays (works) together as a whole determines its success, then I would say we have already had a successful week. And it's only day two on the work site! To God be the glory!
Off to sleep. Sweet dreams. I'll write more tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Deja Vu
Today our team began its work onsite at a small trailer park lined with trailers that had been filled with approximately four feet of water during the devastating spring floods from the Cumberland River. Water inside a trailer can only cause problems: mold and mildew, damage to the electrical wiring, rust, to name a few.
When we were on our initial mission trip in Biloxi, you will remember that we were working on a new home for a family because their trailer had been damaged by flood waters from Hurricane Katrina. In the case of the young family for whom we are doing the work this week, the damage to their trailer was not as severe and is felt to be repairable.
Most of the team worked on tearing out wall board in the "master" bedroom, dousing the space with mold killer, putting in insulation, rewiring outlets and switches, and replacing the dry wall.
Edwin spent his day working on plumbing issues and electrical issues, each of which, seemed to open up a new can of worms.
My job was to go into the local Lowes store and buy any immediate supplies that we needed.
Having lived in parsonages and apartments, where someone other than Mark or myself has normally cared for repairs and replacements, it is a store that can be somewhat intimidating initially. By the end of the day, one store employee was smiling at me, saying "I thought you weren't coming back anymore today! haha" and I was feeling right at home - at least in the plumbing and check-out sections of the store.
I now have added a skill set to my very weak home repair abilities. I can choose a faucet for the kitchen sink. I should say that, after being shown how to choose one in the first place, I know how to return/exchange the one without the sprayer for the one with the sprayer. And I know how to find the aisle with the faucets, a third time, in order to get one more faucet when a piece of the faucet breaks as Edwin is trying to put it on. I did share with Edwin that there was only one more faucet left in Lowes of the type we were using. Translated: There's only one more chance to make it work!
At lunch time today, we sat around, eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and addressing questions/situations in which we have to apply our experience of God to our lives. The discussion was fun and amazing; providing thought-provoking insights, as always.
There were many times today that I thought to myself: "Didn't we already do this? in April in Mississippi?" Feelings of deja vu danced in my head! Team members standing at the beginning of the project, discussing how to accomplish the tasks at hand; going to work and accepting the challenges; numerous trips to Lowes; peanut butter and jelly sandwiches; faith discussions over lunch; good humor and flexibility on the part of each person on the team; a collegial approach to our work; and the belief, at the end of the day, that we hopefully have been living letters of God's love for the young families we are serving this week, written not with ink but on hearts.
It's a sure thing that, just as in Mississippi, the first family for whom we are working has gotten under our skin and into our heart. Young Carlos, the 18 month old, offers hugs and smiles without condition. He wants to help; we can see it each time he tries to do what the team is doing. Such energy and passion!
Have we already done this? In many ways, the answer is "yes!" However I suspect that there is a surprise or two in store for us; that God is doing a new thing in our team this week. Can't wait to see what that is.
Keep us in your prayers. You are in ours.
When we were on our initial mission trip in Biloxi, you will remember that we were working on a new home for a family because their trailer had been damaged by flood waters from Hurricane Katrina. In the case of the young family for whom we are doing the work this week, the damage to their trailer was not as severe and is felt to be repairable.
Most of the team worked on tearing out wall board in the "master" bedroom, dousing the space with mold killer, putting in insulation, rewiring outlets and switches, and replacing the dry wall.
Edwin spent his day working on plumbing issues and electrical issues, each of which, seemed to open up a new can of worms.
My job was to go into the local Lowes store and buy any immediate supplies that we needed.
Having lived in parsonages and apartments, where someone other than Mark or myself has normally cared for repairs and replacements, it is a store that can be somewhat intimidating initially. By the end of the day, one store employee was smiling at me, saying "I thought you weren't coming back anymore today! haha" and I was feeling right at home - at least in the plumbing and check-out sections of the store.
I now have added a skill set to my very weak home repair abilities. I can choose a faucet for the kitchen sink. I should say that, after being shown how to choose one in the first place, I know how to return/exchange the one without the sprayer for the one with the sprayer. And I know how to find the aisle with the faucets, a third time, in order to get one more faucet when a piece of the faucet breaks as Edwin is trying to put it on. I did share with Edwin that there was only one more faucet left in Lowes of the type we were using. Translated: There's only one more chance to make it work!
At lunch time today, we sat around, eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and addressing questions/situations in which we have to apply our experience of God to our lives. The discussion was fun and amazing; providing thought-provoking insights, as always.
There were many times today that I thought to myself: "Didn't we already do this? in April in Mississippi?" Feelings of deja vu danced in my head! Team members standing at the beginning of the project, discussing how to accomplish the tasks at hand; going to work and accepting the challenges; numerous trips to Lowes; peanut butter and jelly sandwiches; faith discussions over lunch; good humor and flexibility on the part of each person on the team; a collegial approach to our work; and the belief, at the end of the day, that we hopefully have been living letters of God's love for the young families we are serving this week, written not with ink but on hearts.
It's a sure thing that, just as in Mississippi, the first family for whom we are working has gotten under our skin and into our heart. Young Carlos, the 18 month old, offers hugs and smiles without condition. He wants to help; we can see it each time he tries to do what the team is doing. Such energy and passion!
Have we already done this? In many ways, the answer is "yes!" However I suspect that there is a surprise or two in store for us; that God is doing a new thing in our team this week. Can't wait to see what that is.
Keep us in your prayers. You are in ours.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Fun Facts about Nashville
On the eve of the start of our mission work outside of Nashville, our team spent the day in Nashville, nicknamed the Music City.
As we drove into the city for worship, we passed a pancake place with a lengthy line winding around the outside of the restaurant. Must be some amazing pancakes!
We went to worship at Bellmont UMC, chosen for what seemed to be its similarities to Grace Church. As we entered the sanctuary, its beauty touched us (See pics on facebook page). Apparently we had guest written all over us, because a very friendly guy named Hugh stopped by our pew to check us out. He let us know that over half of the congregation was on a retreat. We didn't know what impact that would have on worship, but were quickly put at ease as the choir sang its beautiful Introit from the back of the sanctuary.
After worship, we drove downtown Nashville, once again passing the pancake place. Still, a long line of persons circled the restaurant. Truly must be some amazing pancakes.
After parking, we went into McKendrie UMC just to check out the ministries of this urban church in the heart of Nashville. We will be keeping in touch with their visionary pastor whose passion for God and the Wesleyan movement is calling this church to step up in new ways.
From McKendrie, we found our way to lunch at a downtown restaurant. Large tv screens displayed football games. Some of you will be excited to learn that most of the screens were showing the Eagles playing Atlanta. I encouraged, or was that begged, the person with the remote to change the channel to the New England vs. Baltimore game. Three men who were watching the Eagles play were adament about not changing the channel. When they discovered we were from Delaware, they were interested. Turns out, they were from Hockessin! Can you believe it? We came all the way to Nashville to meet three guys from Hockessin! Eventually, I did get to see the second half of my game. It was exciting to find that there were other Patriots' fans in Nashville!
As we were eating, 2000 bikers made their way into Nashville into the very block and surrounding area in which we were eating. Edwin, who seems to have a secret fantasy of owning a Harley, spent a great deal of time looking at the bikes. You may not know, but I rode a 1200 Superglide (red) Harley once or twice when I was in my early 20s. Just a little known fact!
As we left the restaurant and walked along the Cumberland River, we heard the sounds of country music coming from the area where a benefit was being hosted. Paul thought he heard the voice of Dolly Parton. Turns out, he was correct! There she was, a few hundred yards away from us!
We made our way out of Nashville and drove to the Lutheran church where we found Judy, the woman we had waited for the evening before. We received our work "orders" for tomorrow and drove out to the work site so we would know what was expected of our crew. We'll be working in a trailer park on two trailers. One of the trailers needs to be prepared for the cold weather that is coming. The family seems lovely, their 18 month son Carlos a friendly little boy. The other trailer is the home of a couple who is expecting their first child in a few months. While much of the work in their home has been done, they are in dire need of a water heater. We'll go to get them one tomorrow and Edwin and company will install it. Road trip to Lowes, just like in Mississippi; I'm looking forward to it!
After leaving the trailer park, our team pulled together our food for the next couple of days. Then we headed for home, the chance to put our legs up and to write this blog on our day in Nashville.
BTW: Did you know that after drinking a cup of locally produced coffee in Nashville, Teddy Roosevelt coined the phrase "good to the last drop!"? Okay, that has nothing to do with our mission trip; but it is fun to know, isn't it?
Well, I'm off to get a few hours of sleep. Sweet dreams. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
I'll write more tomorrow.
As we drove into the city for worship, we passed a pancake place with a lengthy line winding around the outside of the restaurant. Must be some amazing pancakes!
We went to worship at Bellmont UMC, chosen for what seemed to be its similarities to Grace Church. As we entered the sanctuary, its beauty touched us (See pics on facebook page). Apparently we had guest written all over us, because a very friendly guy named Hugh stopped by our pew to check us out. He let us know that over half of the congregation was on a retreat. We didn't know what impact that would have on worship, but were quickly put at ease as the choir sang its beautiful Introit from the back of the sanctuary.
After worship, we drove downtown Nashville, once again passing the pancake place. Still, a long line of persons circled the restaurant. Truly must be some amazing pancakes.
After parking, we went into McKendrie UMC just to check out the ministries of this urban church in the heart of Nashville. We will be keeping in touch with their visionary pastor whose passion for God and the Wesleyan movement is calling this church to step up in new ways.
From McKendrie, we found our way to lunch at a downtown restaurant. Large tv screens displayed football games. Some of you will be excited to learn that most of the screens were showing the Eagles playing Atlanta. I encouraged, or was that begged, the person with the remote to change the channel to the New England vs. Baltimore game. Three men who were watching the Eagles play were adament about not changing the channel. When they discovered we were from Delaware, they were interested. Turns out, they were from Hockessin! Can you believe it? We came all the way to Nashville to meet three guys from Hockessin! Eventually, I did get to see the second half of my game. It was exciting to find that there were other Patriots' fans in Nashville!
As we were eating, 2000 bikers made their way into Nashville into the very block and surrounding area in which we were eating. Edwin, who seems to have a secret fantasy of owning a Harley, spent a great deal of time looking at the bikes. You may not know, but I rode a 1200 Superglide (red) Harley once or twice when I was in my early 20s. Just a little known fact!
As we left the restaurant and walked along the Cumberland River, we heard the sounds of country music coming from the area where a benefit was being hosted. Paul thought he heard the voice of Dolly Parton. Turns out, he was correct! There she was, a few hundred yards away from us!
We made our way out of Nashville and drove to the Lutheran church where we found Judy, the woman we had waited for the evening before. We received our work "orders" for tomorrow and drove out to the work site so we would know what was expected of our crew. We'll be working in a trailer park on two trailers. One of the trailers needs to be prepared for the cold weather that is coming. The family seems lovely, their 18 month son Carlos a friendly little boy. The other trailer is the home of a couple who is expecting their first child in a few months. While much of the work in their home has been done, they are in dire need of a water heater. We'll go to get them one tomorrow and Edwin and company will install it. Road trip to Lowes, just like in Mississippi; I'm looking forward to it!
After leaving the trailer park, our team pulled together our food for the next couple of days. Then we headed for home, the chance to put our legs up and to write this blog on our day in Nashville.
BTW: Did you know that after drinking a cup of locally produced coffee in Nashville, Teddy Roosevelt coined the phrase "good to the last drop!"? Okay, that has nothing to do with our mission trip; but it is fun to know, isn't it?
Well, I'm off to get a few hours of sleep. Sweet dreams. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
I'll write more tomorrow.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
"Waiting for Godot" in Lebanon, Tennessee
After arriving in Lebanon, Tennessee, after a day-long, uneventful van ride, we found ourselves in the parking lot of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church waiting expectantly and unsuccessfully for our Godot, i.e., a mysterious woman named Judy, to arrive.
Judy is the name of the contact our team was given to call when we were 45 minutes out from our destination. We called her...texted her...called her again...with no response. Deciding to give her time to get in touch with us, we went out to dinner. Still no word from Judy. Unlike the two men in "Waiting for Godot," we knew we were in the right place at the right time.
After talking with a group on site from Iowa, and discovering that Mary Jo and I had no sleeping accomodations because Judy had the only key to the room in the trailer outback of the church where we would be staying, our team headed off for the nearest Econolodge, still waiting for a word from Judy.
We'll go back to the church tomorrow and wait for Judy. When she arrives, we'll get situated, take a look at the area, plan our menus for the week, and get ready to do the work for which we came to the Volunteer state.
Pray that we wait well. I'll post pictures tomorrow.
I'm off to bed in the Econolodge. Sweet dreams.
Judy is the name of the contact our team was given to call when we were 45 minutes out from our destination. We called her...texted her...called her again...with no response. Deciding to give her time to get in touch with us, we went out to dinner. Still no word from Judy. Unlike the two men in "Waiting for Godot," we knew we were in the right place at the right time.
After talking with a group on site from Iowa, and discovering that Mary Jo and I had no sleeping accomodations because Judy had the only key to the room in the trailer outback of the church where we would be staying, our team headed off for the nearest Econolodge, still waiting for a word from Judy.
We'll go back to the church tomorrow and wait for Judy. When she arrives, we'll get situated, take a look at the area, plan our menus for the week, and get ready to do the work for which we came to the Volunteer state.
Pray that we wait well. I'll post pictures tomorrow.
I'm off to bed in the Econolodge. Sweet dreams.
Friday, April 23, 2010
It is finished!
It is finished: the first VIM (Volunteers in Mission) trip for adults of Grace Church that anyone can remember. Before driving to the site this morning, we reminded each other of what we hoped to accomplish today; finish the painting of the house; complete the trimming around windows and doors; and finish the deck.
As we drove to the site, the threat of rain was in the air; but we believed that it would not rain until the work had been completed. While it sprinkled some during our break for lunch, the rain held off until all we had said we would do was done. Thank you, God.
During our lunch break, as we ate from brown bags, we discussed issues of faith, openly sharing with each other our thoughts. Serena was in the mix adding her perspective, giving us a glimpse into her faith. After we had finished eating and conversing, I asked each team member to take a turn sitting in the middle of our circle so we could share something positive about him/her that we had discovered this week. As I listened to the sharing, I was touched deeply by the insights of the full team into each individual on the team. Since a large part of the VIM experience concerns the forging of relationships, I was delighted. We go home from Mississippi knowing nine other persons in our church family much better than we did before this mission trip. We go home from Mississippi knowing a great deal about the couple who will be living in the house we helped to build. Serena's willingness to be an active part of the building of Joseph's and her home was a real gift to us; a gift that we will continue to open in the days to come.
When we had done all we came to do, we packed up the vehicles and then walked the property, once more, taking pictures to help preserve the memories of our first mission trip together. Paul Miller, who was the project leader on site, and I had the privilege of shutting the door on the house for the last time. It was a moment I will cherish. Serena was not there because she had had to drive her husband Joseph to work.
As I finished taking the last pics, I had the sudden urge to pray over the house. I asked the team to gather so we could pray a blessing on the house. As everyone was coming to pray, I asked who was going to pray. No one offered. Just as I was going to appoint someone, Edwin Brown began singing. I started singing; but somewhere along the way I realized that Edwin's song was the prayer of blessing and stopped. As I listened to the words of an oldie but goodie, tears came to my eyes. It was a God-moment in which our hearts were touched. Below is the meaningful prayer that Edwin sang:
"Bless this house, O Lord we pray; make it safe by night and day;
bless these walls so firm and stout, keeping want and trouble out:
bless the roof and chimneys tall, let thy peace lie over all;
bless this door, that it may prove ever open to joy and love.
Bless these windows shining bright, letting in God's heav'nly light;
bless the hearth a'blazing there, with smoke ascending like a prayer;
bless the folk who dwell within, keep them pure and free from sin;
bless us all that we may be fit O Lord to dwell with thee;
bless us all that one day we may dwell O Lord with thee."
Helen Taylor, words/Mary Brahe, music
This prayer song came to Edwin's mind because it is a song that he has always wanted to sing after building a new house. God moves in mysterious ways, don't you think?
After the prayer, we moved quietly to our vehicles and returned to Camp Hope to spend our last evening together with the other team who has shared this week with us, a team from Waynesboro, PA.
Tomorrow we return home to our regular lives. Sunday is coming when I can express my gratitude to Grace Church for supporting us in this life-altering adventure of kingdom building.
In the meantime, I'm grateful to Jan, Kim, Paul, Neil, Edwin, Carol, Maryke, Glen, and my friend Penny who gave up a week of her life to lead us in this adventure, for making this a mission trip to remember! It was a lesson in team work, nurturing relationships, belonging, participating in the building of God's kingdom, and being the Church of Jesus Christ. It was a reminder that the best thing going in The United Methodist Church is UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) and UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteers in Mission).
It is finished! I am coming home tired but filled with great joy for the gift of this team and the last six days together.
Once again, you can see the work accomplished by the team on Facebook by going to http://www.gracechurchum.org/, and clicking on the FB link.
Now off to bed in the Camp Hope dorm for the last time. Sweet dreams.
As we drove to the site, the threat of rain was in the air; but we believed that it would not rain until the work had been completed. While it sprinkled some during our break for lunch, the rain held off until all we had said we would do was done. Thank you, God.
During our lunch break, as we ate from brown bags, we discussed issues of faith, openly sharing with each other our thoughts. Serena was in the mix adding her perspective, giving us a glimpse into her faith. After we had finished eating and conversing, I asked each team member to take a turn sitting in the middle of our circle so we could share something positive about him/her that we had discovered this week. As I listened to the sharing, I was touched deeply by the insights of the full team into each individual on the team. Since a large part of the VIM experience concerns the forging of relationships, I was delighted. We go home from Mississippi knowing nine other persons in our church family much better than we did before this mission trip. We go home from Mississippi knowing a great deal about the couple who will be living in the house we helped to build. Serena's willingness to be an active part of the building of Joseph's and her home was a real gift to us; a gift that we will continue to open in the days to come.
When we had done all we came to do, we packed up the vehicles and then walked the property, once more, taking pictures to help preserve the memories of our first mission trip together. Paul Miller, who was the project leader on site, and I had the privilege of shutting the door on the house for the last time. It was a moment I will cherish. Serena was not there because she had had to drive her husband Joseph to work.
As I finished taking the last pics, I had the sudden urge to pray over the house. I asked the team to gather so we could pray a blessing on the house. As everyone was coming to pray, I asked who was going to pray. No one offered. Just as I was going to appoint someone, Edwin Brown began singing. I started singing; but somewhere along the way I realized that Edwin's song was the prayer of blessing and stopped. As I listened to the words of an oldie but goodie, tears came to my eyes. It was a God-moment in which our hearts were touched. Below is the meaningful prayer that Edwin sang:
"Bless this house, O Lord we pray; make it safe by night and day;
bless these walls so firm and stout, keeping want and trouble out:
bless the roof and chimneys tall, let thy peace lie over all;
bless this door, that it may prove ever open to joy and love.
Bless these windows shining bright, letting in God's heav'nly light;
bless the hearth a'blazing there, with smoke ascending like a prayer;
bless the folk who dwell within, keep them pure and free from sin;
bless us all that we may be fit O Lord to dwell with thee;
bless us all that one day we may dwell O Lord with thee."
Helen Taylor, words/Mary Brahe, music
This prayer song came to Edwin's mind because it is a song that he has always wanted to sing after building a new house. God moves in mysterious ways, don't you think?
After the prayer, we moved quietly to our vehicles and returned to Camp Hope to spend our last evening together with the other team who has shared this week with us, a team from Waynesboro, PA.
Tomorrow we return home to our regular lives. Sunday is coming when I can express my gratitude to Grace Church for supporting us in this life-altering adventure of kingdom building.
In the meantime, I'm grateful to Jan, Kim, Paul, Neil, Edwin, Carol, Maryke, Glen, and my friend Penny who gave up a week of her life to lead us in this adventure, for making this a mission trip to remember! It was a lesson in team work, nurturing relationships, belonging, participating in the building of God's kingdom, and being the Church of Jesus Christ. It was a reminder that the best thing going in The United Methodist Church is UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) and UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteers in Mission).
It is finished! I am coming home tired but filled with great joy for the gift of this team and the last six days together.
Once again, you can see the work accomplished by the team on Facebook by going to http://www.gracechurchum.org/, and clicking on the FB link.
Now off to bed in the Camp Hope dorm for the last time. Sweet dreams.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
"Let's Build Something Together"
I've been to Lowe's three times today. Before breakfast, our team leader Penny drove me to pick up paint chips for the home the team is building. Homeowners Serena and Joseph had decided they wanted a baby blue exterior. My task was to choose colors in the blue family and bring them back to the couple. That trip was successful.
Once the homeowners had made their choice, it was time for another trip to Lowe's to pick up the paint. Team member Maryke, homeowner Serena, and I made our way to the Lowe's in Pascagoula which was slightly closer to the work site than the one we had been to earlier that morning. Forty-five minutes later we were in the store picking up 10 gallons of paint. As we made the trip, we were able to hear more of Serena's story. This time we learned how she met her husband Joseph. How good it is to connect more intimately with the homeowners of the house which we are helping to build.
As we left Lowe's, I commented that it was the last time on this trip that we would need to visit a Lowe's store. For a woman who would rather do almost anything than go to Lowe's, two times in one day is enough. That said, after dinner tonight, I found myself in the van with team members Penny, Paul, and Neil, on our way to, you guessed it, Lowe's! Earlier in the afternoon, when we were packing up to leave the work site, one of the project staff had asked if we would pick up several things from Lowe's for use on our site tomorrow. We did.
While we were in the store, one of the workers saw the green VIM shirts worn by Neil and Paul, wondered aloud that she didn't know that we (translated VIM workers) were still here in Mississippi. She thought that the people in the green shirts had left the area. When we shared that we were here doing work, she expressed her gratitude. Before we left the store, we discovered that her own home had been damaged in Katrina and she needed help. Happy to share the good news of Camp Hope, I offered to call her with the phone number of the caseworker. She gladly gave me her cell number, eager for assistance, and then threw her arms around us and hugged us. Very touching.
The "motto" of Lowe's is "Let's build something together." Isn't that a delightful slogan? In the short time our team has been in Mississippi, we have worked with the Volunteers in Mission on site coordinator, Steve, a very skilled and wise builder, to build a house for Serena and Joseph. We have learned the art of team work; of pitching in where help is needed; of supporting and encouraging the homeowners and others on the team; of seeking the collective wisdom of the team; of building community and friendships even as we build a physical structure.
"Let's build something together." Today the team finished the siding on the house, got part of the way through building a deck or porch, and began painting the exterior of the house. When Neil and Paul put up the last piece of siding with help from Glen and Kim (pronounced in Mississippi as Kee-am), as Carol, Maryke, Serena, and I painted, as Penny, Jan, and Steve constructed the deck, as Edwin began to put the trim around the windows, I experienced the goodness of God in each part of the work project. It was a mountaintop moment.
"Let's build something together." As important as the work projects have been this week, one of the most exciting things we have done has happened at lunch. Each day, as we have sat together on the porch of the house, eating from our brown bags, each member of the team has shared his/her thoughts about a question of faith which I gave them earlier. Today's conversation was exceptional and leads me to believe that we are building a community together at Grace where we can discuss the ideas and beliefs that we hold without fear.
"Let's build something together." As God's people called Christians, we are called and commissioned to build God's kingdom here on earth. I hope that is what we have done here in Mississippi this week.
Don't forget to look at the new pics posted on FB so you can see some of what happened today on the work site. Pray for us tomorrow as we complete our part of building the house for Joseph and Serena.
Time to go to sleep. Sweet dreams.
Once the homeowners had made their choice, it was time for another trip to Lowe's to pick up the paint. Team member Maryke, homeowner Serena, and I made our way to the Lowe's in Pascagoula which was slightly closer to the work site than the one we had been to earlier that morning. Forty-five minutes later we were in the store picking up 10 gallons of paint. As we made the trip, we were able to hear more of Serena's story. This time we learned how she met her husband Joseph. How good it is to connect more intimately with the homeowners of the house which we are helping to build.
As we left Lowe's, I commented that it was the last time on this trip that we would need to visit a Lowe's store. For a woman who would rather do almost anything than go to Lowe's, two times in one day is enough. That said, after dinner tonight, I found myself in the van with team members Penny, Paul, and Neil, on our way to, you guessed it, Lowe's! Earlier in the afternoon, when we were packing up to leave the work site, one of the project staff had asked if we would pick up several things from Lowe's for use on our site tomorrow. We did.
While we were in the store, one of the workers saw the green VIM shirts worn by Neil and Paul, wondered aloud that she didn't know that we (translated VIM workers) were still here in Mississippi. She thought that the people in the green shirts had left the area. When we shared that we were here doing work, she expressed her gratitude. Before we left the store, we discovered that her own home had been damaged in Katrina and she needed help. Happy to share the good news of Camp Hope, I offered to call her with the phone number of the caseworker. She gladly gave me her cell number, eager for assistance, and then threw her arms around us and hugged us. Very touching.
The "motto" of Lowe's is "Let's build something together." Isn't that a delightful slogan? In the short time our team has been in Mississippi, we have worked with the Volunteers in Mission on site coordinator, Steve, a very skilled and wise builder, to build a house for Serena and Joseph. We have learned the art of team work; of pitching in where help is needed; of supporting and encouraging the homeowners and others on the team; of seeking the collective wisdom of the team; of building community and friendships even as we build a physical structure.
"Let's build something together." Today the team finished the siding on the house, got part of the way through building a deck or porch, and began painting the exterior of the house. When Neil and Paul put up the last piece of siding with help from Glen and Kim (pronounced in Mississippi as Kee-am), as Carol, Maryke, Serena, and I painted, as Penny, Jan, and Steve constructed the deck, as Edwin began to put the trim around the windows, I experienced the goodness of God in each part of the work project. It was a mountaintop moment.
"Let's build something together." As important as the work projects have been this week, one of the most exciting things we have done has happened at lunch. Each day, as we have sat together on the porch of the house, eating from our brown bags, each member of the team has shared his/her thoughts about a question of faith which I gave them earlier. Today's conversation was exceptional and leads me to believe that we are building a community together at Grace where we can discuss the ideas and beliefs that we hold without fear.
"Let's build something together." As God's people called Christians, we are called and commissioned to build God's kingdom here on earth. I hope that is what we have done here in Mississippi this week.
Don't forget to look at the new pics posted on FB so you can see some of what happened today on the work site. Pray for us tomorrow as we complete our part of building the house for Joseph and Serena.
Time to go to sleep. Sweet dreams.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
If You Grew Up Playing with Tinker Toys...
Today was a productive day on site for our work team. While Penny and Jan had the time consuming, perhaps even tedious, work, of painting the boards for the trimming on the house (How many boards did you paint?), with very little help from their friends, the rest of the crew worked to complete the siding on three sides of the house. Once that was done, the fun began.
If you grew up playing with Tinker Toys, and enjoyed constructing all sorts of things, you would appreciate the putting together of the scaffolding with no directions for guidance. I'm guessing that those team members involved had played with Tinker Toys, or a similar building toy, as children.
If you grew up playing with Tinker Toys, you would have understood the cheers of joy that were raised by the team as each piece of the scaffold fit properly into another bringing a sense of accomplishment.
If you grew up playing with Tinker Toys, you would have enjoyed the moment or two when the pieces didn't quite fit together and the team had to work together, pushing and pulling, using great strength coupled with prayer. Weren't there always Tinker Toys that didn't quite fit together? when something was simply "off?"
If you grew up playing with Tinker Toys, you would have been thrilled at the moment when your design was completed (the scaffolding put together) and standing proudly for all the world to see. It was a true team work of art accomplished by give and take, by talking and working together. As Neil and Edwin stood on the finished scaffold, we knew it was stable and ready for use.
If you grew up playing with Tinker Toys, you know that there came a time when you used the design you had constructed for some purpose. Today the scaffolding provided the way to begin hanging the top siding on the rear of the house. After team members cut it and drilled holes in it, Neil and Paul climbed very high on the scaffolding and hung a piece or two of siding while the Senior Pastor of Grace Church prayed for their safety. I've discovered that "Tinker Toys" mission work increases one's prayer life.
New pics have been posted on FB.
Our team spent a pleasant evening together simply enjoying each other's company, eating dinner together, and getting better acqainted.
Tomorrow's fast approaching. Wait! It's already here. Since there's an early morning Lowe's call, I'm off to sleep.
Sweet dreams.
If you grew up playing with Tinker Toys, and enjoyed constructing all sorts of things, you would appreciate the putting together of the scaffolding with no directions for guidance. I'm guessing that those team members involved had played with Tinker Toys, or a similar building toy, as children.
If you grew up playing with Tinker Toys, you would have understood the cheers of joy that were raised by the team as each piece of the scaffold fit properly into another bringing a sense of accomplishment.
If you grew up playing with Tinker Toys, you would have enjoyed the moment or two when the pieces didn't quite fit together and the team had to work together, pushing and pulling, using great strength coupled with prayer. Weren't there always Tinker Toys that didn't quite fit together? when something was simply "off?"
If you grew up playing with Tinker Toys, you would have been thrilled at the moment when your design was completed (the scaffolding put together) and standing proudly for all the world to see. It was a true team work of art accomplished by give and take, by talking and working together. As Neil and Edwin stood on the finished scaffold, we knew it was stable and ready for use.
If you grew up playing with Tinker Toys, you know that there came a time when you used the design you had constructed for some purpose. Today the scaffolding provided the way to begin hanging the top siding on the rear of the house. After team members cut it and drilled holes in it, Neil and Paul climbed very high on the scaffolding and hung a piece or two of siding while the Senior Pastor of Grace Church prayed for their safety. I've discovered that "Tinker Toys" mission work increases one's prayer life.
New pics have been posted on FB.
Our team spent a pleasant evening together simply enjoying each other's company, eating dinner together, and getting better acqainted.
Tomorrow's fast approaching. Wait! It's already here. Since there's an early morning Lowe's call, I'm off to sleep.
Sweet dreams.
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