Team Leader: Roy McCarthyTeam Members: Lorraine Dawes, Colleen Saxton, Bill Hall, Judy Bezon
It was a beautiful , sunny, cool day and we returned to the same home, doing pretty much the same work ( instaling kitchen cabinets and finish moulding, finishing closets) The people from Holy Rosary School in New Orleans, LA went to Vancleave to pick up the books we brought with us from St Michaels in Newark. Then they came by our worksite for a picture of us with the books.
We listen to a description of New Orleans now. Bill had lots of questions.
Photo by Judy Bezon
The home we are working on.
Photo by Judy Bezon
The next door neighbor shared his Katrina experiences with us. We listened. The brick wall of his home fell down and the water filled the house and trapped him. When he got out he swam down the street to a taller home. He had retired prior to Katrina, bought all the toys he thought he needed – a big Lincoln, a boat, a nice home, etc. The car washed out of his yard, the boat was destroyed, the entire household was destroyed. He felt it was a word from God – people are what matter, the toys are only temporary. He thought he would like to retire and travel in a trailer. After living in one since Katrina, he never wants to be in another. It will still be a while before he can live in his home.
The house in back of him appears to have been abandoned. There are no renovations, the furniture is still in the rooms, the brick wall is on the ground, the flag is wrapped around the pole by the front door. Looking at it, I felt sad and helpless. The owner came back once and the neighbor doesn’t know where he has gone. There are so many Katrina stories to be told.
Recorded by Lorraine Dawes
Team Leader: Gene Wahl
Team members: Gene, Stuart, John, Nancy, Betsy, Jane, Mary Ann
Summary:
It appeared that today would be unproductive at first, as 4 team members left in the morning to witness the destruction in Biloxi. The devastation was shocking.
Team members: Gene, Stuart, John, Nancy, Betsy, Jane, Mary Ann
Summary:
It appeared that today would be unproductive at first, as 4 team members left in the morning to witness the destruction in Biloxi. The devastation was shocking.
While they were gone, the rest of the team produced to put a coat of primer on the walls of all but 1 major room in Allen’s house. Next, drywall went up to complete one room and one section of hallway. By the end of the day, the back door was repaired, and virtually every room was ready for paint or primer.
Needless to say, Allen looked very pleased. As yesterday, he was all smiles, friendly, and happy to see us. Though he cannot speak he manages to communicate his feelings quite well through his eyes and gestures. We took some pictures with him, and had a group prayer. I think that our trip has made a great difference in his life already, and we will continue to make a more permanent one with him tomorrow.
Recorded by: John Jackson
Team Leader: Paul Riker
Team members were: Pete, Bill Miller, Katie, special assistance from Mary Ann
Summary:
After collecting the supplies we needed and getting started on our projects yesterday, our team started out strong this morning. We paneled a bedroom wall and tiled a bathroom floor in a mobile home (trailer) out in the country of east Pascagoula. The trailer belon
ged to an elderly couple, both of whom suffered from health problems. They had water damage to all the floors of their home and ran out of money when they were trying to replace them. They were both very glad to see us arrive for help and very appreciative the whole time we were there.
After finishing those jobs we ate a late lunch a moved on to a new house. This house belonged to a working woman who wasn’t home while we were there. The house is mostly in need of a paint job in each room. We nearly finished the first bedroom and started the hallway.
Recorded by: Katie Hall
Al, Brian and Frank get ready to "popcorn" the ceiling.
Ladies at the car rental agency straighten out the car rental details.
Team Leader: Mort Gridley, Jr.
Team Members: Mort Gridley Sr., Erica Hepworth, Sandy Hall, Cathy Everett, Kim Dungey
Today was a busy day for our van - it made a trip to the airport with its driver Sandy, Jane and Mary Ann, to clear up some van rental issues, and made a side trip to the site of the ruined bridge from Ocean Springs to Biloxi so John, who must leave ear
ly, could see it and other effects from the hurricane. Then back to our job site where Kathy and Erica had primed the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. Betsy and Kim mudded, and Mort Jr tackled some trouble spots and was kept busy answering questions. The van, loaded with the women, made a trip for a bathroom break and some shopping for lunch supplies and building materials at Wal-Mart and Lowe's. The Wal-Mart clerk, noting our nametags and dirty work clothes, thanked us for our volunteer efforts on the Gulf Coast, saying, "God bless you!"
Mort found a place to sit to eat lunch.
Photo by Kin Dungey
Cathy Everett paints a wall.
Recorded by Kim Dungey
Team Leader: Brian Theil
Team members: Terri, Marcia, Jeff, Dylan, Frank, Al, Patti
Summary:
We worked at the home of Erica and her family. She has a husband and young son. They live in Pascagoula. We also met her mom, Mary; and her brother. Her sister, Sandra, also stopped by with her 3 year old son. Apparently Sandra wanted to meet us because we are from New York State. Her family is moving in a few weeks to Amherst, NY near Buffalo.
Brian sands a dry wall seam on the ceiling.
Team members were: Pete, Bill Miller, Katie, special assistance from Mary Ann
Summary:
After collecting the supplies we needed and getting started on our projects yesterday, our team started out strong this morning. We paneled a bedroom wall and tiled a bathroom floor in a mobile home (trailer) out in the country of east Pascagoula. The trailer belon
ged to an elderly couple, both of whom suffered from health problems. They had water damage to all the floors of their home and ran out of money when they were trying to replace them. They were both very glad to see us arrive for help and very appreciative the whole time we were there.Paul Riker putting in tile.
Photo by Katie Hall
Photo by Katie Hall
After finishing those jobs we ate a late lunch a moved on to a new house. This house belonged to a working woman who wasn’t home while we were there. The house is mostly in need of a paint job in each room. We nearly finished the first bedroom and started the hallway.
Our group was very happy to see visible differences in the houses from the work we’ve done so far and are excited to get back to work tomorrow!
Recorded by: Katie Hall
Al, Brian and Frank get ready to "popcorn" the ceiling.
Photo by Terri Persons
Ladies at the car rental agency straighten out the car rental details. Photo by Mary Ann Riker
Team Leader: Mort Gridley, Jr.
Team Members: Mort Gridley Sr., Erica Hepworth, Sandy Hall, Cathy Everett, Kim Dungey
Today was a busy day for our van - it made a trip to the airport with its driver Sandy, Jane and Mary Ann, to clear up some van rental issues, and made a side trip to the site of the ruined bridge from Ocean Springs to Biloxi so John, who must leave ear
ly, could see it and other effects from the hurricane. Then back to our job site where Kathy and Erica had primed the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. Betsy and Kim mudded, and Mort Jr tackled some trouble spots and was kept busy answering questions. The van, loaded with the women, made a trip for a bathroom break and some shopping for lunch supplies and building materials at Wal-Mart and Lowe's. The Wal-Mart clerk, noting our nametags and dirty work clothes, thanked us for our volunteer efforts on the Gulf Coast, saying, "God bless you!"Mort found a place to sit to eat lunch.
Photo by Kin Dungey
Meanwhile Gene, Stuart, and Mort Sr, aka "Poppy," finished applying furring strips to the concrete block wall so dry wall installation could be completed in the last room. Nancy and Jane kept busy sweeping floors, and sanding and wiping down walls so they could be pr
imed. When John returned to the work site he and Mort Jr learned the importance of the old adage, "Measure twice, cut once!" when installing a small ceiling with a cutout for a light fixture. OOOPS! The problem was corrected, and the drywall was taped and mudded.
imed. When John returned to the work site he and Mort Jr learned the importance of the old adage, "Measure twice, cut once!" when installing a small ceiling with a cutout for a light fixture. OOOPS! The problem was corrected, and the drywall was taped and mudded. The van made its final trip (of the day!) to Lowe's for more supplies. Allen, the homeowner, who is unable to speak due to a disability, gave us a huge smile when he saw the fresh white walls surrounding his newly cleaned purple bathtub.
Cathy Everett paints a wall.
Photo by unknown
The crew loaded up the van and made a detour to the home of a woman where Mort Jr had worked while here last year, to check on her progress. It was disappointingly little, and he plans to try to help in his spare time this week. We pulled into the church parking lot 10 minutes past dinner time, but were pleased to discover dinner had not yet been served. We sat down to a great meal, satisfied by a day well spent. We expect to complete our work for Allen tomorrow, and hope the van can stay parked, so Sandy can have a chance to work in the house, instead of simply driving hither and yon.
Recorded by Kim Dungey
Team Leader: Brian TheilTeam members: Terri, Marcia, Jeff, Dylan, Frank, Al, Patti
Summary:
We worked at the home of Erica and her family. She has a husband and young son. They live in Pascagoula. We also met her mom, Mary; and her brother. Her sister, Sandra, also stopped by with her 3 year old son. Apparently Sandra wanted to meet us because we are from New York State. Her family is moving in a few weeks to Amherst, NY near Buffalo.
Brian sands a dry wall seam on the ceiling.
Photo by Terri Persons
It has been a blessing to meet all of Erica’s family. A neighbor of hers also visited for quite a while. Erica was so pleased with our efforts today. They had no storm surge to bring in rising waters, the damage for her home was caused by the wind. The roof damage allowed the rain in, causing more damage.
Brian, Frank and Brad "rip" some lumber to fit. Photo by Terri Persons
There had been some work already done at Erica’s home. We work in three rooms. We did work on the ceilings- sanding, priming, and popcorn texturing. It was a satisfying day, and we are all tired. We will finish up at Erica’s tomorrow.
Recorded by: Terri Persons
Team Leader: Brad Hinman
Team Members: Marie DeWispelaere, Ashley Dann, Diane Walker
A part of our team returned to work on Wesley’s home. The ladies continued to clean-up and ready the house for Wesley to move in, while Brad worked on doors and plumbing. We removed the rest of the plastic from the carpets and vacuumed them. Then, we cleaned out the second bedroom, set up the last bed and finished painting the bathroom. Ashley was determined to have the house ready for Wesley to sleep in his new bedroom. She purchased four pair of mini-blinds. After experiencing a lot of frustration, Ashley and Patti finished hanging the blinds just as we needed to leave for supper!
Ashley working on the bathroom wall.
Team Members: Marie DeWispelaere, Ashley Dann, Diane Walker
A part of our team returned to work on Wesley’s home. The ladies continued to clean-up and ready the house for Wesley to move in, while Brad worked on doors and plumbing. We removed the rest of the plastic from the carpets and vacuumed them. Then, we cleaned out the second bedroom, set up the last bed and finished painting the bathroom. Ashley was determined to have the house ready for Wesley to sleep in his new bedroom. She purchased four pair of mini-blinds. After experiencing a lot of frustration, Ashley and Patti finished hanging the blinds just as we needed to leave for supper!
Ashley working on the bathroom wall.
Photo by Dylan Theil
Some members of our mission team purchased a table saw to be used by all of the teams. Marie, Ashley and Diane rose to the challenge and assembled the saw by themselves (except for one place where we needed Dylan’s smaller hands to tighten some screws.)
Marie and Diane putting together the table saw.
Photo by Diane Walker
Photo by Diane Walker
As we were packing up to leave, a neighbor stopped by to express his gratitude for those who have come to help the people here on the Gulf Coast to rebuild their lives. That’s why we’re here, not for the praise, but to bring a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in need. Our day was topped off by the gift of a beautiful sunset as we passed over the Pascagoula River Bridge. God is so good!
Sunset over the Pascagoula River
Photo by Diane Walker
