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