Sunday

Travel Update:

With the exception of one additional family planning to arrive Monday, we have parked our caravan of “Amish Work Vans” SUV’s and mini-vans safely in Gulfport, Mississippi. Praise God!

Weather:

We have experienced fairly warm weather both days so far, including intermittent rain showers and a thunderstorm during church this morning.

Please pray for clear days Monday through Thursday, so we can maximize our work efforts.

Sunday:

First thing this morning, we took a walking tour of downtown Gulfport. Since our visit here for Spring Break 2006, the First Baptist Church has been demolished. (Some of us are sleeping in a make-shift trailer village on what used to be the church parking lot. The area is contained by a high fence with padlocked gate.) While there is some progress with reconstruction efforts, there are still many families living on their property in FEMA trailers and businesses that have not even begun to rebuild. It would be overwhelming to live here and face that each day.

After the walking tour, we took a drive to get a bigger picture of where things stand. Then off to church. The service today was based on I Peter 3:18—a definite companion service for those of us from Grace who are studying the Essentials in small groups. We were reminded that Jesus is the one who brings us to God and that because of His death on the cross, we never really die, but are made alive in the Spirit.

A trip to Wal-Mart followed. Then a caravan tour of Waveland. A few of us stopped by Luzenia’s house, but she wasn’t home. We’ll try again. The beautiful benches the girls painted last year have stood the test of time. We look forward to seeing Luzenia while we are here. (Two previous teams have worked on Luzenia’s house).

Currently, our work crew bosses are getting our job assignments for the week. We will dine out tonight by teams and gather for Team Time to debrief our day.

Goals

Our hopes for the week are simple… to bring the Kingdom to those we encounter… to serve those in need with joy… to work hard together and relate well to one another.

Prayer Requests

Please pray for dry weather, so we can get work done outside.
Pray for peaceful rest tonight.
Pray for good health.
Pray for strength.
Pray for God’s providence and our ability to see it.

More requests will follow tomorrow.