Here We Go Again!

One week from today we'll be back in Biloxi for new adventures at Back Bay Mission.  I decided to simply continue the blog I created last year instead of designing a new one -- yes, I'm lazy and also almost out of time, but it's kind of fun to look back at the photos from January, 2013, too.

This year we're missing a number of our stalwarts: Doug and Steve, Gary and Hal, the Dellenbaughs, Suzy and Jay, Ryan and Tyler and Katie -- some of whom haven't missed a trip since our first in 2006.  But we have a terrific group of 31, and for some, it's a family affair: three Voses, four Clairs, three Thompsons, two Stengers, two LaFargues and two Dugans.

There are thirteen men and eighteen women ranging in age from 18 to 75.  Eleven are first-timers, and another eleven are college students.

In David Taylor's words this morning as we were commissioned, now we truly begin the work of Christmas!

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Our Photo Album

Here's a photo album to spark warm memories.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y559kI00e7Y&feature=share&list=FLGIaM_1h6_dJn_FFJGY8JwA

Reflections

Everyone is home safe and sound, the laundry's done, and I've put my paint-spattered gloves and work boots away for now; but the memories of a very special week linger. Herewith more photos that didn't make it into my narrative. Special thanks to Suzy and Josie, who took most of the pictures I shared this week.

Suzy without her camera

Earl never stops

Break time???

Forbes entertains Monte

Getting ready for church

Tileman Gary

Best friends

Music makes painting go faster

 

Our fearless work leader

Cousins

Scott masters the saw

Oldest and youngest

Anyone know where I put my coffee?

Scott and Donna

Kristen and Monte

Forbes and his grounds crew

Shrimp boil!

Friday...How did it get here so fast?  Work goes at warp speed today as everyone concentrates on finishing as much as we can before the 4:00 meeting with Craig.  At 211, painting continues with the family room, the last space to be painted before the kitchen is installed by a crew coming later.  Siding goes up on the back porch/laundry room, and drywall is mounted.  We replace the screens and siding on the front porch, giving the home a much-improved appearance from the street. 

At 208, Corbin and Gary begin putting up new tile in the bathroom.  The plumber will come later this afternoon to install the new sink, toilet and shower fixture.  Gary is proud of the new skills he has learned from Corbin.

Down the street, Jim's crew are busy completing the new deck, which replaces a rickety stair outside the kitchen door.  At breakfast this morning, Jim suggested everyone pitch in $10 or whatever they can to buy a new clothes dryer for the homeowner, Jill (her current dryer, in a shed in the backyard, is hopelessly broken). Everyone stepped up and Monte made a trip to Lowe's this afternoon and installed the new appliance.

Jill arrived home from work as we were cleaning up for the week, and she was thrilled with her new deck.  But when she saw her new dryer, we could tell it was hard for her not to break down in tears.


After lunch, Jim led a power team to replace the roof over the front porch at 211, which they completed in two hours flat.


This was a power-packed day.  At noontime we attended an open house Shari Prestemon of BBM held at Homeport, the first duplex they built in partnership with HUD and several community organizations to begin responding locally to the nation's goal to end homelessness among veterans. Local press were there (and it made the evening news) and we were able to tour one of the units.  Later she shared the story of Rudolph,who just moved into the second unit last week. He's a veteran who had been homeless for the better part of twenty years.  It's interesting to consider the adjustment challenges facing someone who has been living on the street that long and is suddenly housed in a modern, spacious attractive home. Fortunately, support services are available to assist.

John and Dr. Ron with Rudolph

As a result of her service off the worksites, Suzy connected with Gary, a homeless man who lives in his truck about seven miles outside town and rides his bicycle in.  He has used his ingenuity to fashion a vehicle perfectly suited to his transportation needs.  He too reports being homeless for two decades.

Gary with his bike at Micah Center

Our workday ended with a meeting with Craig, during which we shared reflections on the week.  It's clear that this experience is food for the soul for each and every one of us, whether it's one's first time or fourth or ninth.  First Church has a long history of association with Back Bay Mission, and our work here has made each of us feel a connection to the community that deepens every year.  We feel the genuine gratitude of the homeowners we meet, and this year our experience was enriched by doing work at the Micah Center, Loaves and Fishes, and the BBM food pantry and interacting with the people to whom these services are a lifeline.  It's hard for any of us to imagine January without a trip to Biloxi.


I'll post more pictures after I get home, but good night for now....

Steve's gang at 211

Jim's crew at 224

At Main St. Missionary Baptist Church

All of us, with Micah Center in background

Our luck with the weather held until after lunch al fresco on the front lawn at number 211, then the heavens opened in a downpour.  The guys at the roof house were building a short stair to the new deck out back, but had to stop.

At 211, we finished painting all three bedrooms.  

Sarah and Donna, victorious!

The new enclosed back porch at 211 is now sided, and all that remains is finish work.

Gary and Corbin toiled all day on the bathroom of 208, making headway on the new tile. They have become new best friends as a result of sharing cramped quarters for the last two days.

Our crew scattered this afternoon.  Rick chauffeured six people to New Orleans for the afternoon, while four others of us toured Beauvoir, Jefferson Davis' post-Civil War home.  

Jay and Suzy helped out at Loaves and Fishes, and one client showed Suzy his "home" in the park, where he stows his sleeping bag and a book.

It's a quiet night here. We're sated with John's chili and cornbread and Rita's dump cake, and the fatigue of intense labor (and for some, late nights playing cards) has kicked in.  One last blitz tomorrow.

Forbes and his platypus

Our teacher

Who is that masked man?

Gordon tackling shingles

Dr. Ron operating on the porch

The weather gets warmer every day, and the humidity is rising.  We escaped rain yesterday, but today is equally threatening, and there's a roof to be finished and a new porch to be enclosed!

Jim:" Where are those shingles???"

Hal's and Gary's testimonials about the power of serving at the Micah Center and Loaves and Fishes inspired Sarah, Scott, Donna, Rick and Gracelyn to volunteer there today.

Much progress has been made at number 211: the new back porch is enclosed and tarpapered, and siding is underway.  Drywall has been hung in the kitchen and hall, and 
subfloor installed in the living room and kitchen.  The three bedrooms have all been painted and at least one coat of gloss applied to the trim.



The owner of number 228 was so grateful for her new roof and back porch that she made hot dogs and potato soup for our lunch!

Meanwhile, Jay blew a hole in the outside wall of #211 when he discovered a large colony of termites. 

Eeeewww!

Work finally started on the third house, number 208.  We think the size of our group intimidated the homeowner on Monday, since she was unwilling to let anyone in.  Today Corbin and Gary were able to tear out her old bathroom in preparation for fresh tile, paint and fixtures.

Break time always brings out the best in people. In keeping with recent tradition, Kristen was again overcome by French pastries...... 

Turnover Madness

And Jo demonstrated her remarkable skill in stretching other people's limbs, critical for those of us working in tight quarters (like painting closets or mudding tiny hallways). As the week wears on, the silliness increases exponentially. I think it's because the week is slipping by so fast.....

Jo's physical therapy

This afternoon we heard a report from BBM staff on their recent efforts to help homeless vets.  They have built a duplex and hope to build six more units if they can get sufficient funding.  Another initiative centers around affordable single-family homes that can be purchased by qualified veterans.  It's fascinating to hear about how BBM is expanding its scope from year to year.

The Main St. Missionary Baptist Church welcomed us warmly this evening, as always.  Reverend Kenny (now 82 and dependent on a walker) wasn't there, but we heard from one of his fiery deacons, a woman with amazing preaching gifts who brought the audience to life with her message of seeking Jesus.  Deacon Gary represented us admirably, spurring the local congregation to shout frequent "Amens."  Everyone joined our BBM voices on "Every Time I Hear the Spirit," which we sang again in the prayer circle at the conclusion of the service.  We all agreed it may have been the most lively and joyous visit to this wonderful church we'd ever experienced.

Feeling the spirit!

More faces.....