From the tool side of things, this was a pretty quiet day. Most every group seemed to leave this morning with what they needed and many of the groups seemed to finish a bit early today, so most of the tools were back and put away before supper! Most days don't go that smoothly.
A couple of new groups arrived today, and 2 or 3 groups finished up today and are leaving in the morning. Our numbers will stay up for most of the week, then next week should be a little more normal - about 150 volunteers.
Thursday night will be my first turn at leading chapel. We had a lot of pastors here last week, so there was never a problem getting someone to lead chapel; this week, we have lots of college students, but only a couple of pastors so Ruth Ann and I are both being pressed into service. I picked the evening service because things are so hectic in the morning for me trying to get tools out and all of the work teams on their way, but evenings are pretty quiet.
This is day 14 - we have been here a full two weeks. Time has flown - it seems like we just got here, but also like we have been here for ever. I don't even get lost as often!!! Being able to get from Ocean Springs to Gautier or Biloxi, or Moss Point is pretty easy - I even know a couple of short cuts. I can also tell you an awful lot about wheelbarrow maintenance (which you probably really don't want to know).
The spirit of the volunteers is unbelievable. There are some here now who have returned - three times. There is a young man who came with a college group, but is in the midst of thinking he wants to go to seminary - and had an encounter today with a client that seemed to reinforce his sense of call. There are so many opportunities here and so little time in each day.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Distribution "Blues"
We filled orders for about 190 families today, which is a pretty average day. Most of those orders include a box of food which is designed to feed a family of four for three to four days, some cleaning supplies or hygiene items. Plus, we are now able to provide towels, pillows and blankets, some dishes, pots and pans, and even furniture. So my day was spent directing traffic, locating special items inside the warehouse, and helping locate and move furniture!
Unfortunately, I don't get time to talk with many of our clients. But I do get to talk with many volunteers. It is great to hear the stories about their congregations, their trips to Mississippi, and their experiences here. I found a large tub of bubble gum which was donated, so each afternoon, I circulate among the volunteers, offering them bubble gum and checking to see how the day is going.
I'm alway glad when someone comes in to work in the distribution center who is willing to take charge of an area to sort and organize. Some wonderful folks have spent days (and days and days) sorting clothing, toys, and miscellaneous household items.
In case of any future emergency, I have one piece of advice to share: Do NOT send used clothing!! We are now spending hours and hours sorting out clothing that was sent to this area. It is an incredibly labor intensive process. We place warm clothing or new clothing, outside in boxes for people to look through. (Imagine a very large rummage sale with no price tags.) If it is worn or stained, it is unfortunately ending up in a dumpster. At the end of the day, we bring in the boxes, and will refill them and put them back out again tomorrow.
The weather, which has been great most of the time we have been here, continues to present the biggest challenge. The roof of the warehouse was damaged by Katrina, and leaks in MANY places. With rain forecast for last night and tonight, we must get all boxes up off the floor onto pallets and then cover everything in the building with big blue tarps. As some of you know, blue has never been my favorite color. Now I have discovered that I really am not fond of "FEMA Tarp Blue"! When we walk back into the building tomorrow, we will have to pull back and roll up all of the tarps before we can begin our usual day. Plus, if it rains outside tonight, it will 'rain' inside all day tomorrow, as the water finds its way through the roof!
Unfortunately, I don't get time to talk with many of our clients. But I do get to talk with many volunteers. It is great to hear the stories about their congregations, their trips to Mississippi, and their experiences here. I found a large tub of bubble gum which was donated, so each afternoon, I circulate among the volunteers, offering them bubble gum and checking to see how the day is going.
I'm alway glad when someone comes in to work in the distribution center who is willing to take charge of an area to sort and organize. Some wonderful folks have spent days (and days and days) sorting clothing, toys, and miscellaneous household items.
In case of any future emergency, I have one piece of advice to share: Do NOT send used clothing!! We are now spending hours and hours sorting out clothing that was sent to this area. It is an incredibly labor intensive process. We place warm clothing or new clothing, outside in boxes for people to look through. (Imagine a very large rummage sale with no price tags.) If it is worn or stained, it is unfortunately ending up in a dumpster. At the end of the day, we bring in the boxes, and will refill them and put them back out again tomorrow.
The weather, which has been great most of the time we have been here, continues to present the biggest challenge. The roof of the warehouse was damaged by Katrina, and leaks in MANY places. With rain forecast for last night and tonight, we must get all boxes up off the floor onto pallets and then cover everything in the building with big blue tarps. As some of you know, blue has never been my favorite color. Now I have discovered that I really am not fond of "FEMA Tarp Blue"! When we walk back into the building tomorrow, we will have to pull back and roll up all of the tarps before we can begin our usual day. Plus, if it rains outside tonight, it will 'rain' inside all day tomorrow, as the water finds its way through the roof!
Monday, January 09, 2006
What a day!
Trying to keep 280+ volunteers supplied and busy is quite a task. A couple of groups are traveling by bus or large van and had to be split into separate work groups today - which meant running around mid-day to move some of them from one jobsite to another. I put a lot of miles on the church van. I also pretty much ran out of tools. We want each group that is working in a moldy house to wear respirators, but we ran out. We only have enough to supply about 125 volunteers, and we needed almost twice that many.
Tomorrow will be better - one of the large groups is taking their bus out to a camp that is being built for volunteers and will be working outside all day tomorrow - that means I can re-assign their respirators and tools to someone else. We also had a couple of good sized groups finish up today and they are leaving tomorrow. By the end of this week, we will have had 250+ volunteers every day for about 10 days - and while they are getting a lot of work done, it will be nice to see the numbers back down to about 150 for next week.
Today was one of those days where there seemed to be several problems crop up - probably more noticeable because we were all a bit stressed trying to deal with so many work crews. Most of the problems seem to get resolved, but the stress is showing.
We had some great news tonight - our host from Ishpeming (last January) called and he and a buddy are coming down this weekend to spend a couple of weeks volunteering. Peter - we certainly look forward to seeing you again. We have met a lot of wonderful people down here - most from church groups (Lutheran, Episcopal, Presbyterian) who are doing great work. The best part is when they come down, work for a week, then go home and either send another group or they collect money and other items and send them down. Once here, they see how real the need is and go home and do something about it. Most are amazed at how much damage there is and few believe that it really will take 7 years to rebuild - until they see it for themselves. As I said in an earlier post, pictures just don't do it justice.
Tomorrow will be better - one of the large groups is taking their bus out to a camp that is being built for volunteers and will be working outside all day tomorrow - that means I can re-assign their respirators and tools to someone else. We also had a couple of good sized groups finish up today and they are leaving tomorrow. By the end of this week, we will have had 250+ volunteers every day for about 10 days - and while they are getting a lot of work done, it will be nice to see the numbers back down to about 150 for next week.
Today was one of those days where there seemed to be several problems crop up - probably more noticeable because we were all a bit stressed trying to deal with so many work crews. Most of the problems seem to get resolved, but the stress is showing.
We had some great news tonight - our host from Ishpeming (last January) called and he and a buddy are coming down this weekend to spend a couple of weeks volunteering. Peter - we certainly look forward to seeing you again. We have met a lot of wonderful people down here - most from church groups (Lutheran, Episcopal, Presbyterian) who are doing great work. The best part is when they come down, work for a week, then go home and either send another group or they collect money and other items and send them down. Once here, they see how real the need is and go home and do something about it. Most are amazed at how much damage there is and few believe that it really will take 7 years to rebuild - until they see it for themselves. As I said in an earlier post, pictures just don't do it justice.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Presbyterian Churches of Oregon - Disaster Assistance: Salem Katrina Team Report - January 7
Presbyterian Churches of Oregon - Disaster Assistance: Salem Katrina Team Report - January 7
This is a link to another group that we have spent time with. The motor home that they brought down caught fire the other night - see the picutre on their blog.
This is a link to another group that we have spent time with. The motor home that they brought down caught fire the other night - see the picutre on their blog.
Great story
Saturday we were able to be a part of a great story. A middle aged African American man, who lived in a tent with his 11 year old son for almost 4 months and then in a motel room for another month, moved into a FEMA trailer. Better yet, he also got a job on the same day! Ruth Ann and I and another volunteer went to help him move in. He was so overjoyed at having a key to his new home. This has probably been the high spot of the week.
As Ruth Ann has already said, today we rested, we drove around some, and took some pictures. I have been to many areas around Ocean Springs, but have not always had the camera with me.
We have 282 volunteers, as of this morning! Of course, after many of the college students leave to go back to school, the numbers will drop dramatically. We have had families, church groups, college groups, and even one school that made this trip eligible for J-term class credit! Several of the college students are already talking about coming back for spring break. Not to worry - there will be work to be done for some time.
As Ruth Ann has already said, today we rested, we drove around some, and took some pictures. I have been to many areas around Ocean Springs, but have not always had the camera with me.
We have 282 volunteers, as of this morning! Of course, after many of the college students leave to go back to school, the numbers will drop dramatically. We have had families, church groups, college groups, and even one school that made this trip eligible for J-term class credit! Several of the college students are already talking about coming back for spring break. Not to worry - there will be work to be done for some time.
Sabbath
Yes, for those who have asked, we are getting some rest while we are here. We slept in a bit this morning, then attended worship at Christus Victor. Afterwards, went out to lunch - just the two of us - instead of eating in the parish hall with the other 280 or so volunteers who are here this week.
Ray also took me for a drive, so that I could see some of the places he has been this week. It was a beautiful day - clear, sunny, about 65 degrees, and breezy - it felt like spring had already arrived. Looking out across the white sand and the water of the Gulf, I could almost forget the reason we are here, but when we turned around, we saw again the devastation left behind by Katrina's storm surge.
We returned to the house to do laundry and spend some time on the computer. While Ray was posting photos to the blog, I was making a lengthy 'To Do' list for the distribution center tomorrow. I hope I have lots of energetic volunteers! Finally, we went back to the church to put away tools for today's work crews, copy some fliers for the distribution center, and eat dinner.
All in all, a pretty quiet day for us here in Ocean Springs!
Ray also took me for a drive, so that I could see some of the places he has been this week. It was a beautiful day - clear, sunny, about 65 degrees, and breezy - it felt like spring had already arrived. Looking out across the white sand and the water of the Gulf, I could almost forget the reason we are here, but when we turned around, we saw again the devastation left behind by Katrina's storm surge.
We returned to the house to do laundry and spend some time on the computer. While Ray was posting photos to the blog, I was making a lengthy 'To Do' list for the distribution center tomorrow. I hope I have lots of energetic volunteers! Finally, we went back to the church to put away tools for today's work crews, copy some fliers for the distribution center, and eat dinner.
All in all, a pretty quiet day for us here in Ocean Springs!
Who needs a truck? This volunteer is a college student who drove down with some friends and then stayed after they left. Since he was experienced, he would usually get a crew of newbies and take them out on job sites. His favorite was doing a "full gut", where every piece of drywall and ceiling and insulation had to be removed. Since he only had his car, he would load all the tools for a crew in (or on) his car. I kidded him about trading the car in for a nice red pickup truck, but he seems to like his car just fine - even with the wheelbarrow hanging out the back.
This is the inside of my tool trailer. As you can see, I have lots of tools to keep up with and not a lot of space to work in. Shop vacs are the worst - when they are not out in the field, they have to fit in here and the shelves are not tall enough for them to slide all the way under. Much of my time that is not spent doing repairs is spent sorting things out that have not been put away in the right place. This is certainly enough to keep me busy.
Lester loading food. Lester and his wife were our only fellow South Carolinians here at Christus Victor. Les spent much of his time at the area warehouse, unloading trucks of incoming supplies and then loading it again to send it to various distribution centers, like the one that Ruth Ann is running. Lester also kept an eye out for tools that I might need and would either bring them to me at dinner time or tell me to come see him the next morning. Lester and Amy left Friday to go home, after being here for several weeks.
Goodbye, Lorraine! This picture was taken as Lorraine left Christus Victor to work her way home. Her plans were to stop in the New Orleans area for a week or so on her way to meet her sister in Arizona. Lorraine spent several weeks at Christus Victor, working on crews with others and breaking in new volunteers like us. She took us out on our second day to bleach houses that had already had all the sheetrock removed. Safe travels!
Friday, January 06, 2006
TGIF
Not that it being Friday means a lot, except that more volunteer groups are coming in and some are leaving. Weekends seem to have more transitions, but work still goes on. Since Christus Victor has a Saturday evening service, some groups elect to worship Saturday night and work most of Sunday. Since most groups are only here for 4-8 days, they want to get as much done as they can.
We are actually getting into more rebuilding. There are still houses to be mucked out, but there are others that have been cleaned, bleached, and are ready for drywall to go in and several groups have been working on that. It is really good to see some houses getting to the point where people can live in them again.
On the other had, I had to deliver tools to a work team in Biloxi today and I drove down Howard Ave. In the downtown area, things don't look too bad; a couple more blocks and there are houses with damage, but they are recognizable as houses; then suddenly there are about 3 blocks where nothing is left, just piles of rubble, then you come to one house - the one our group was working on and trying to salvage. Another 4,000 plus homes were condemned in Biloxi earlier this week, on top of the thousands already destroyed or condemned.
Thanks for the comments - remember, if you don't want me to publish them, tell me; otherwise, I will usually publish them for the whole world to see.
We are actually getting into more rebuilding. There are still houses to be mucked out, but there are others that have been cleaned, bleached, and are ready for drywall to go in and several groups have been working on that. It is really good to see some houses getting to the point where people can live in them again.
On the other had, I had to deliver tools to a work team in Biloxi today and I drove down Howard Ave. In the downtown area, things don't look too bad; a couple more blocks and there are houses with damage, but they are recognizable as houses; then suddenly there are about 3 blocks where nothing is left, just piles of rubble, then you come to one house - the one our group was working on and trying to salvage. Another 4,000 plus homes were condemned in Biloxi earlier this week, on top of the thousands already destroyed or condemned.
Thanks for the comments - remember, if you don't want me to publish them, tell me; otherwise, I will usually publish them for the whole world to see.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Format Change
You will have noticed (at least I think you would have) that we do have an advertisement on our blog. This is by choice - google's adsense program is supposed to pay you if you have one of their advertisements and someone actually clicks on it. I just added a Google Search bar as well.
The advertisements are supposed to match the context of the blog - if they get obnoxious, we'll take them off, but in the meantime - click away and earn us some gas money for the drive home in a few weeks. I don't see that we will get rich off the ad, but if we can earn a few dollars and they aren't offensive to anyone, we'll leave them. Please comment if you have an opinion.
The advertisements are supposed to match the context of the blog - if they get obnoxious, we'll take them off, but in the meantime - click away and earn us some gas money for the drive home in a few weeks. I don't see that we will get rich off the ad, but if we can earn a few dollars and they aren't offensive to anyone, we'll leave them. Please comment if you have an opinion.
Today in the Distribution Center
Unlike Ray, I'm not seeing much of either the scenery or destruction around Ocean Springs first hand. I am driving one of Christus Victor's vans loaded with volunteers from the church to the distribution center in the morning, back again for lunch, and return once more at the end of the work day. This trip is about one mile each way, so the scenery doesn't vary much! Between times, I spend my day in the warehouse or in the driveway, checking on the crews inside and out - and answering a wide variety of questions.
I have quickly become the resident expert on the location of special items and the proper procedure for handling special situations. I have certainly been calling on some of my business experience in customer service and materials management for this assignment.
Clients drive up, give us their requests for food, water, personal hygiene items, baby food, diapers, towels, blankets, etc. Then a member of our team retrieves the items for them and places it in their vehicle, and off they go. We have ample opportunities, too, to talk with people and listen to their stories about Katrina and the affects of the storm on their homes and families.
Today, I was privileged to talk with some people who were donating goods for others. One elderly couple was bringing in things for others, but also told us how grateful they are to volunteers who have helped clean out, repair, and refurnish their home. It seems that one congregation from Georgia has adopted this couple and are really developing a relationship with them. In fact the couple went to Georgia to visit the congregation over the Thanksgiving holiday! Their story seemed to me to be a perfect model for ministry. Imagine the impact if every family in need was adopted by a congregation...
It is definitely not too late to get involved. Most recent estimates are that it will take up to eight years for this area to recover from Katrina. Enormous needs for supplies and for volunteer labor will continue for a long time to come.
I have quickly become the resident expert on the location of special items and the proper procedure for handling special situations. I have certainly been calling on some of my business experience in customer service and materials management for this assignment.
Clients drive up, give us their requests for food, water, personal hygiene items, baby food, diapers, towels, blankets, etc. Then a member of our team retrieves the items for them and places it in their vehicle, and off they go. We have ample opportunities, too, to talk with people and listen to their stories about Katrina and the affects of the storm on their homes and families.
Today, I was privileged to talk with some people who were donating goods for others. One elderly couple was bringing in things for others, but also told us how grateful they are to volunteers who have helped clean out, repair, and refurnish their home. It seems that one congregation from Georgia has adopted this couple and are really developing a relationship with them. In fact the couple went to Georgia to visit the congregation over the Thanksgiving holiday! Their story seemed to me to be a perfect model for ministry. Imagine the impact if every family in need was adopted by a congregation...
It is definitely not too late to get involved. Most recent estimates are that it will take up to eight years for this area to recover from Katrina. Enormous needs for supplies and for volunteer labor will continue for a long time to come.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Wednesday, Jan 3
Now we are old-timers - we attended our second volunteer coordinators meeting today ( we arrived just before the meeting last week). While at times it appears that this whole thing is just barely organized chaos, it is really pretty well coordinated. Considering that we have groups arrived every day this week, with other groups beginning to leave by Friday, it is amazing that we can get them in, find them a bed, feed them, and find them jobs every single day, but we do - and with very few hitches in the system.
I went to visit another job site today, and while getting slightly lost, I took a drive along 90 to Pascagoula and then up to I-10 - and was again amazed at how widespread the destruction is. I did not take any pictures because after a while, it becomes apparent that no picture really just justice to what has happened here. In some areas, house after house is destroyed and gone; the next neighborhood is a sea of blue tarps on roofs. One resident that I talked to today told me of riding the storm out in her house, and fearing the cars that were floating around her house more than the water.
I went to visit another job site today, and while getting slightly lost, I took a drive along 90 to Pascagoula and then up to I-10 - and was again amazed at how widespread the destruction is. I did not take any pictures because after a while, it becomes apparent that no picture really just justice to what has happened here. In some areas, house after house is destroyed and gone; the next neighborhood is a sea of blue tarps on roofs. One resident that I talked to today told me of riding the storm out in her house, and fearing the cars that were floating around her house more than the water.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Tuesday - been here for a week
We arrived last Wednesday, so this is our 7th day. The last large group from last week left after lunch today; two more large groups arrived this evening. We should be back up to 100+ workers for tomorrow.
I ran out of flat tires (at least for now). Today was chain saw day. We have 3 crews going out tomorrow - one of them to a house where there are 15 trees down. All the saws now have nice, sharp blades and are ready to go. I am constantly amazed at the volunteers that come here, and what they are willing to do. Two families traveled down together in a camper, bringing many of their own tools and saws. When they heard about my problems getting chain saws sharpened, they volunteered their electric chain saw grinder and helped me sharpen saws tonight (after a full days work). Not only that, but after seeing the condition of our saws and what I had to work with, told me that they would donate the grinder when they left! Almost every group that has been here in the last 7 days brought something with them that they have left here for us to use - power tools, hand tools, ladders, wheelbarrows, and now a chain saw sharpener.
I went to Biloxi today, checking job sites for crews later this week. I stopped at one house only to be told that she already had most of the work done, but still was so thankful that we were here and helping. She has lived in this area for more than 30 years, and is still in shock over the damage to this place she calls home - historic landmarks gone, friend's houses gone, friends gone who won't come back.
I drove through another area today where the destruction was so complete, that it was hard to believe that it was once a plush golf community. One house was completely gone, except for the concrete steps that probably led to the front porch; and then there was the large boat sitting in what would have been the back yard - and I'm pretty sure the boat does not belong to anyone in that neighborhood - it looks like it rolled and tumbled its way there from one of the marinas, a couple of miles away.
Several people wondered, before we came, what kind of things were needed here. Christus Victor has many things listed on their web site but food, blankets, and money are the main things. There are very few food distribution centers still running in this area. As the temperature has been dropping this week, the need for blankets and sleeping bags has increased. Money to help buy food to feed the volunteers is a big expense. The folks at Christus Victor are feeding anywhere from 50 to 200 people per day - volunteers, people from the community, people from the church who don't have a place to cook for themselves. Some volunteers bring food; others donate to the kitchen fund, but all want and need to be fed.
Time to go for now. Pray for us - all of us - as we try to help these people regain some sense of peace in their lives.
I ran out of flat tires (at least for now). Today was chain saw day. We have 3 crews going out tomorrow - one of them to a house where there are 15 trees down. All the saws now have nice, sharp blades and are ready to go. I am constantly amazed at the volunteers that come here, and what they are willing to do. Two families traveled down together in a camper, bringing many of their own tools and saws. When they heard about my problems getting chain saws sharpened, they volunteered their electric chain saw grinder and helped me sharpen saws tonight (after a full days work). Not only that, but after seeing the condition of our saws and what I had to work with, told me that they would donate the grinder when they left! Almost every group that has been here in the last 7 days brought something with them that they have left here for us to use - power tools, hand tools, ladders, wheelbarrows, and now a chain saw sharpener.
I went to Biloxi today, checking job sites for crews later this week. I stopped at one house only to be told that she already had most of the work done, but still was so thankful that we were here and helping. She has lived in this area for more than 30 years, and is still in shock over the damage to this place she calls home - historic landmarks gone, friend's houses gone, friends gone who won't come back.
I drove through another area today where the destruction was so complete, that it was hard to believe that it was once a plush golf community. One house was completely gone, except for the concrete steps that probably led to the front porch; and then there was the large boat sitting in what would have been the back yard - and I'm pretty sure the boat does not belong to anyone in that neighborhood - it looks like it rolled and tumbled its way there from one of the marinas, a couple of miles away.
Several people wondered, before we came, what kind of things were needed here. Christus Victor has many things listed on their web site but food, blankets, and money are the main things. There are very few food distribution centers still running in this area. As the temperature has been dropping this week, the need for blankets and sleeping bags has increased. Money to help buy food to feed the volunteers is a big expense. The folks at Christus Victor are feeding anywhere from 50 to 200 people per day - volunteers, people from the community, people from the church who don't have a place to cook for themselves. Some volunteers bring food; others donate to the kitchen fund, but all want and need to be fed.
Time to go for now. Pray for us - all of us - as we try to help these people regain some sense of peace in their lives.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Jan 2, 2006
Wow! First time I have written (or typed) 2006. Happy New Year!
This weekend brought a lot of changes here in Ocean Springs. Several crews that had come down the day after Christmas have all left and new crews are arriving. Today, we only had 3 crews out working, but two new groups checked in about supper time and more are coming. By Wednesday, we'll have 150 people to keep busy. While today was sort of a holiday, we certainly kept busy. After breakfast and sending out work crews, Ruth Ann and I went out to the warehouse with a truck (about the size of a Hertz truck) and helped load 6 skids of food and supplies and delivered them to the distribution center. Since they were not distributing food on Sunday or Monday because of the holiday, it looks like they will be very busy tomorrow.
Five more flat wheelbarrow tires to fix today. It is interesting that most of the skills that I am using so far are the ones I learned in high school - things from shop class, from working at a gas station (fixing flat tires), and working at the grocery store (using pallet jacks to move food around). There are a couple of college students here who are doing most of the computer database work, and the kitchen has been pretty well staffed, so just call me Ray the Tool Man!
This weekend brought a lot of changes here in Ocean Springs. Several crews that had come down the day after Christmas have all left and new crews are arriving. Today, we only had 3 crews out working, but two new groups checked in about supper time and more are coming. By Wednesday, we'll have 150 people to keep busy. While today was sort of a holiday, we certainly kept busy. After breakfast and sending out work crews, Ruth Ann and I went out to the warehouse with a truck (about the size of a Hertz truck) and helped load 6 skids of food and supplies and delivered them to the distribution center. Since they were not distributing food on Sunday or Monday because of the holiday, it looks like they will be very busy tomorrow.
Five more flat wheelbarrow tires to fix today. It is interesting that most of the skills that I am using so far are the ones I learned in high school - things from shop class, from working at a gas station (fixing flat tires), and working at the grocery store (using pallet jacks to move food around). There are a couple of college students here who are doing most of the computer database work, and the kitchen has been pretty well staffed, so just call me Ray the Tool Man!
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! Yes, it is finally me, adding something to the blog! Ray has been doing such a good job of keeping new information added that I haven't taken time (or figured out how) to add anything myself until now. It has been a busy week, but we are taking Sunday as a day of sabbath rest. After seeing the new year in - very quietly - we slept in this morning, rising just in time to go to worship at Christus Victor. What a lively, hopeful, and spirit-filled congregation after all they have been through! The members of the congregation are welcoming and grateful to the volunteers, and the volunteers have so much to learn from these people who are faithful in spite of the difficulties they have experienced. This combination creates an amazing worshipping community! After church, we went to lunch with our gracious hosts, then came back to the house. I will spend the afternoon doing some laundry and reading, while Ray plans to go back to the church for a short time and check in tools that some work crews used today. The weather is warm enough that I hope we will be able to visit the beach before dark. All in all, a quiet day of rest before another busy week begins. Many new volunteers will arrive today and tomorrow, so there will be many crews working in local homes, as well as about twenty volunteers working in the distribution center. We will certainly be busy with our new tasks!
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