Back in Pennsylvania

Praise be to God!!
The team had an awesome journey and returned safe and sound to PA Sunday afternoon. I am honored to have served alongside these Brothers and Sisters as they stepped out in faith to serve others in need. I am confident that God made a difference in peoples lives on this journey!
There was great fellowship, challenges that stretched volunteers comfort zones, new friendships formed, and a lot of hard work.
I feel that "Missions" was accomplished because the team served God, helped fellow man, and glorified God by spreading the Good News about Jesus Christ, through their actions, while on this trip.
There is still a lot to do in the Gulf region, and many other places close to home. Will you be the next one to say---"Here am I. Send me!"?
I challenge you to listen for God's voice---and to answer His call.
Peace to all and thanks for the prayers.
In His service,
Chatney, Cindy, Lori, Dale, Chad, Mike, and Todd

Fabulous Friday

Today was a good day. We accomplished all we had time to at the Holquist residence and then were able to attend a new home dedication in Long Beach. Mr. Brown was delighted to receive his certificate of occupancy. Stan told us that Mr. Brown was the first client that ever worked side by side with teams every day they worked. I think God kept him safe through Katrina to be a beacon in his neighborhood.
It was hard leaving the Holquists today knowing that we didn't accomplish everything we set out to. We must trust God and know that he will send others to pick up where we left off. Their family has impacted each of our lives, we will continue to pray for them.
We depart Saturday morning at 0500 to start our return journey. Please keep us in your prayers as we travel back to PA.
"Boxer" wasn't sure what to think, possibly he was sad to see us leave, or maybe even he had trouble figuring us out. One final stop to put our feet in the Gulf before heading home, Guys doing what they do best--standing around--looking out!

Setting the Laminate Beam

Here are some more photos of setting the laminate beam. It really wasn't that bad as we worked together.
We are looking forward to Friday and are hopeful that God will allow us to set at least some of the roof rafters. It will be a shorter day as we get to attend a home dedication in the afternoon. I really enjoy these as the homeowner gets to take possession of their new home. What a blessing to be a part of that milestone after 5 years of waiting!! We will represent all of the volunteers that poured their love into the project. To God be the Glory!

Thankful Thursday

Today was another busy day at the Holquist home. The team kept very busy as we continued to assemble interior walls, nail plywood on the exterior of the home, and set a very heavy beam for the ceiling in the kitchen and living room. We were also able to start setting ceiling joist.
The 22 foot long beam weighed in at around 400 pounds and our task was to lift it 8 feet and place it on a 3 1/2 inch wide wall. Teamwork, and God providing wisdom, made this a relatively painless project. The homeowners flat foot height of 6' 10" was not a bad tool in the toolbox either!
The temperatures continue in the 90's and this may be taking a toll on some of the team. Please keep Chatney, Mike, and Dale in your prayers as they haven't felt quite 100% today. Yes mom, we are pumping the fluids in them as best we can. I think a good nights rest will do wonders. Enjoy the photos of our day. We are delighted that God has placed us with this family to help "Frame their Future!"

Hump Day Treat

It was another hot day in Mississippi. God must have known we needed a break today. About an hour after lunch it started to storm so we wrapped up the tools and headed out for some refreshing---you guessed it---ice cream. We returned to the site as the rain slowed but the wet conditions set the team off on plan B. We returned to Camp Love and built some temporary stairs and did some other odd jobs to fill out the day.
Today was our day to go out for a drive down the coast and for dinner out. Stan & Jennie joined us and were superb tour guides on the drive. It is amazing to see how this area has recovered. There is still a lot to do here, but the visible progress we witnessed today, I trust, will give hope to the residents that call this area home.
We had dinner at the Back Bay Seafood Restaurant, I think everyone was pleased with their meal and left with full bellies.
I had a special treat today as Jennie had secretly arranged for some dear friends to join us for dinner. Jack & Dee Boring, who are the other camp coordinators in Mississippi, walked into the restaurant. I haven't seen them in over 3 years. Jack was the man that God used to get my attention about going into full time ministry. I was finally able to thank my dear Brother for helping me to answer God's call. It was a great day!
The pictures are some variety from throughout the week so far. Hurricane straps, eager helpers, and new friends!

Hard at work

The team really has been hard at work. Chad & Chatney have done some electrical work in preparation for future teams at the site. Lori has been brave as she journeyed to the top of the ladder to help secure the top plate before rafters can be set. Yes, we have decided that the ice cream breaks are a daily requirement and are very refreshing breaks these days.
Dale continues to look dazed and confused as he keeps asking "what have I signed up for here?" Seriously though we are having a great time, even "Dog", the goat appears to enjoy his new shady spot under the house. We sometimes can't tell the difference between the looks Dog gives us and the looks Dale gives, is it possible they are related???

Framin' for God

Wow, what a day! The team was able to stand all of the exterior walls. The temperature was a little better today, or was it that the humidity was only 90%. The Holquist family pitched in again and worked alongside the team as God moved their project forward. Today was a day of great team work.

Getting started

After a hearty breakfast the team met with Stan, Jennie, Alberto, & Sam at Camp Love to load the vehicle. We headed out to Saucier, MS to start framing a new home. The homeowners and their 5 children have been waiting 5 years for this progress. By the end of the day the homeowner and his 4 boys were helping the team to assemble walls.
It was a very hot and humid day, but the residents don't seem to mind. They love the mid 90 degree temps and the near 100% humidity, they even asked us why we would live where there was snow? Snow would have been refreshing today; instead, we settled for an afternoon Popsicle break which was a blessing, even the dogs enjoyed.

Welcome to Mississippi

God is good!!! What a delightful trip to the Gulf Coast. Our gracious hosts at Red Bank UMC in Chattanooga, TN made us feel right at home. Zach & Mandy Coley, members at Red Bank, have provided a very welcome oasis for our mission trip stopovers. They have answered the call to serve by offering hospitality to the team. We were greeted with a home cooked meal Saturday night, and then a wonderful breakfast before worship on Sunday morning. Southern hospitality is at it's finest at our stop in Chattanooga.
After worship Sunday we continued the rest of the way to Gulfport, MS. God was with us as the trip was relatively uneventful, with the exception of much laughter, as the team got to know each other better.

Preparing for departure

Well, once again God shows His amazing strength. Hurricane Igor has taken a path that will not affect the Gulf Coast. We now have the green light for departure tomorrow morning. Final preparations are being made and the team is ready to serve.
Please keep us in your prayers as we depart for Red Bank UMC in Chattanooga, TN. There we will meet up with some dear friends and spend the night. After morning worship together we will continue on to Camp Love in Gulfport, MS.
The team will start construction of a new house, can you imagine the homeowners excitement after waiting 5 years for this day to come!
Thanks for being on board with us as we serve our Brothers and Sisters on the Gulf Coast!

The "Framing the Future" team

God has assembled a unique team of volunteers to serve the residents of Gulfport, Mississippi this September. Yes, the reconstruction from Hurricane Katrina's devastation continues after 5 years.
It looks like the team will have a new house to start framing. Therefore we have called this trip the "Framing the Future" trip. Not only will we be framing a new house, we will be framing a vision of Hope for the owners!
The subfloor is down and we hope to start standing walls when we arrive. This said to say that ultimately, God is in charge and this plan may change. The team is very patient and flexible and they are eager to serve in whatever way God calls them!
Please keep Mike, Chad, Chatney, Cindy, Dale, Lori, and me (Todd) in your prayers as we make final preparations for the journey which will begin at 0530 on September 18. We are blessed to use our "talents" to serve an Awesome God!!