Everyone woke up late, but that's OK because it didn't effect anything. We ate breakfast, then we got ready for the day and found where we were going to work. We played frisbee while waiting for Pastor Dave to take us to the site. The home belongs to the Rushes. Because of the extensive damage to their home they are still forced to live in 2 trailers parked on their front lawn.
There are 4 spunky boys. All the boys except the oldest were very social; they all hung out with us and played tricks on us. Despite their prestigious names and the tragedies they've experienced, the kids are very down to earth. They teamed up against us and enjoyed our presence. The youngest had some fun by spraying Josh in the face with their hose. We spent the late morning and afternoon sanding the drywall, painting the ceiling with popcorn paint, and priming the walls.
Ms. Rush was very apreciative of our work but also very eager to get back in her home. She has been through so much but her spirit is undaunted by tragedy. She seems like a great mom.
After we got back from work we had lunch and enjoyed each other's company. We made cards for Kristen Klein, a member of the Presbyterian Youth Group who is celebrating her sweet sixteen today.
We found the BAGS!! That was such a relief.
Our downtime provided for some thoughts and reflection. Moss Point is a small town with many young people but the area seems almost lifeless and exhausted. It was surreal to see the damage in the form of experience beyond what I've seen in the news. The Rush family gave a face to Katrina and made the cause within me much more meaningful. We are fellow Americans, fellow humans with the victims of Katrina. I feel a duty and a sense of purpose. The people here are no longer a statistic and I'm not just another volunteer. We are people helping people and that makes our task much more meaningful. After this week's experience, I believe that I will take more from it than I can ever contribute.
~ Stacy and John
5 comments:
Good morning all! It's great to be able to read about your observations and activities. Thanks for sharing your perceptions with all of us - it certainly helps to make the ongoing need more tangible.
As you know, VBS starts next Monday and our topic is Share the Peace. We don't have a mission project selected yet. Can you all think of a way that we can connect with some of the folks you meet to share our peace? Maybe something that we can collect to send to Moss Point? I'd love to hear your ideas for a VBS mission project!
Take care and God bless -
Barbara Little
We hope that someday we can help people like you guys are.
Eli says he likes the idea of Josh getting sprayed in the face with a hose. Nolan says he thinks that the boy shouldn't have sprayed Josh in the face.
Nolan's tip for you: Build them a house out of big sticks for now by sticking them in the ground in a row. I hope you succeed in saving their house.
Eli's tip for you: Make sure when it rains to get in the house. Then when the rain has calmed down and it stops, come out and there will be a rainbow.
Sincerely,
Nolan and Eli Bader-Saye
Sounds like you all had an exciting/fun/stressful kind of day yesterday. I'm so relieved that the lost bags got delivered. I can imagine that being a great weight off your chests.
Keep up the great job that you're all doing. Remember that everyone back home is thinking about you and praying for you.
I'm glad to see that you are having fun as well as working hard. It's nice that you are taking turns writing the blog. Take care and be sure to drink enough water, not just play in it.
Hello all!! I am Josh's sis (not the LITTLE one, but the getting married in 3 and a half weeks one...)! Anyway, his family back here in Illinois is thinking of and praying for you. It's great to see youth spending time during their summer to help others in the name of Christ!!! Make sure Josh doesn't have it too easy down there and give him a hug for me! Be blessed guys, we're praying for you. ~Erin Frank
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