Work Day 3

Hello to All!

It's Thursday morning - early, and since I didn't get a chance to write last night I thought I would take a minute and jot down my thoughts from yesterday. What another blessed day! My heart is full from the people here. They are amazing.

Yesterday Eric's team and Bob's team merged. (That kinda sounds like Survivor). lol.
UMCOR is building a sister camp near Biloxi, just like Camp Hope and the construction of the building is 8 months behind schedule. So off we went to our sister camp. Our job was to work on the fire wall in the attic of the pole building. I don't think I explain the construction aspect of this firewall, but I know they are important. The firewall in this building requires 3 layers of drywall, which the team prior to us had the first layer up. The wall is knee high, kinda like a bench. So Bob was our foreman, assessed the job, explained what needed to be done and we all got in our grove. Margaret, Paula and I cut the drywall per Bob's measurements. We took pieces of what will be the bunk beds when assembled and stacked them 7 high to make us a makeshift table. It was a perfect fit for a sheet of drywall. We measured, scored, and snapped the drywall and then Eric, Bob and Tina would drill the screws into place. They kept us hopping for a while, then Margaret, with her slate of drywall in hand (the size of a clipboard) got a list of measurements and quantity and we became a factory. : )
We measured, measured, measured, cut, cut, cut, snapped, snapped, snapped, and before you knew it were ahead. We got ahead and just kept them in piles by their size.

Brian, Christa and Caitlin, (by the way, Charlie's daughters are twins in case I haven't mentioned that), spent the day drilling screws into a metal track thing that had to be installed along this 'bench' firewall. I think the girls were happy just passing Brian screws from their nail aprons.

Our day was awesome. It doesn't seem like a very gratifying job, but it was. After almost 3 years since Katrina, homeowners are still living in unfit FEMA trailers and volunteers are still needed. And they are still coming. This new camp will allow the future volunteers the experience I am having this week. That is worth building a 100 new camps!!!!

Harry, Charlie, Jacob and Donna continued to work on the same home. They spent a portion of their day going through a huge pile of trash that had been accumulated during the construction. Some of the other teams have had this chore as well and Margaret says by far, this is the hardest job. Bags of trash that have been sitting out in the sun for weeks - and to break them open and sort out the trash, recyclables, and construction materials was awful. We are not sure why this was not managed better at the time of the construction - but we are sorting AS WE GO at the sister camp so no one has to come in behind us and do the same task.

I am running out of time, so before I do, I want to tell you about our dinner last night. We all hurried back to camp after our hot day in the attic, to shower and change, then we drove to Biloxi for dinner. I can't remember the name of the restaurant, but it was on the waterfront. Sally and Curt the camp coordinators met us there, as well as a few wonderful volunteers from Georgia/Kentucky. The menu was primarily seafood, everyone was in heaven!!!! There were crab fingers passed on the table for an appetizer - and Jacob even tried them and liked them!!! : )
All the food was great - Fish, Shrimp, Oysters, Scallops. When it was time for the check, the wonderful polite southern staff announced that the manager of the restaurant, would be taken care of our bill as a token of appreciation for all of our efforts in helping the people of Mississippi in such a time of need. This was an emotional moment for all of us. The gratitude I felt was enormous. Charlie jumped up and gave her a big hug!!
Yes, it has been hot this week, our bodies are beginning to feel the pain, and we have sweat a lot, but it is nothing compared to what the people here have been through and they are so thankful. The manager came in our room and talked with us for a moment and shared some of her thoughts and stories she has listened to from customers, friends and family. Then she had to leave as she was also waiting tables and table 2 was waiting for their check. : )

Well, I must go now. Time for our daily breakfast and devotion which Marie and Marie spend each morning preparing and giving. They are truly God sent.

Have a heavenly day and please pray for not only us but the all of those affected from so many disasters that going through our country these days. I have more photos that I will try to upload tonight. Check back again.

Love and God Bless,

Tracy