Project
Reclaim 2007
Mission Trip
Pass Christian, Mississippi
Saturday, June 2nd, 9:61pm
Good evening from Pass Christian, MS!!
We made it to the camp after a long day on the road. We left the church this morning a few minutes after 6. The drive took about 15 hours. At first sight the camp is much improved over last year. Randy May, camp director, gave a brief orientation and mentioned that many of the people here are Katrina prisoners. Much like prisoners left behind after a war, many people cannot get out on their own.
Please remember to pray for all of us and the work we are doing. We also appreciate the financial support the church has provided to allow us to serve in this way.
The weather forecast for tomorrow is 87 degrees, humid and a chance for thundershowers.
Thanks, Jim
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Sunday, June 3rd, 8:13am
Good morning!!
We are all well rested and well fed. We thought you might like some pictures of the camp and immediate area. We'll post more as the week goes on.
Camp at Pass Christian Sleeping Quarters.. Dinning Hall
Inside the dining hall.. The Kitchen The Kokomo Team with Randy May
And the neighborhood.....
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Monday, June 4th 8:53pm
To the Calvary community who are curious to what we (the missionary team) are up to, well, let me give you a brief update: First of all, we wanted to thank John McDanials, and Gertie Burton, the Spence’s and Sue Ellen’s class for sending us good luck and best wishes cards. We really appreciate your support from the church. It has lifted everyone’s hearts as we try and be good witnesses for God
The 11 missionaries have been split up into different teams:
Jim Eikenberry is the team is in charge of the “Carl Project.” Jim has done an exceptional job of organizing and getting us going. We worked Sunday afternoon and all Monday Morning, and then the rain hit us in the afternoon.
We have made great strides. Jim, Greg, Mark, and John Martin (Dick Norris’s son-in-law) have completely laid all the joists and now are in the process of laying the floor. John and Greg have worked like madmen places spacers between all the joists (the team is certainly proud of their effort).
Now, for those who do not know, the “Carl team” The team is working at approx. 10-11 feet above the ground (because the house is on stilts). Jim has had Mark and several Illinois helper’s lay the flooring along with himself. This morning, the heat was brutal, but we kept moving. Lot’s of Gatorade and water were being taken in. Fortunately, the clouds moved and allowed us to cool down. Jim has set an excellent example for the entire worker’s. His knowledge and leadership is incredible, and he also can walk across the decking joists as if he’s going for a summer stroll. It’s great to have someone with great experience.
Bob, Nick and Dick and Pastor Jeff are working across the street at another house. Bob, Nick and Dick have done some framing work and are making good progress. They will probably grab Jim for a short time tomorrow to help assist with getting some sloping framing started.
Pastor Jeff has been inside the helping with the drywall, and he was worn out at the end of today. His team has just about knocked out their objective.
Burt has been sent on a special mission to re-wire a family’s house. Burt has to put up with excessively hot temperatures (in the attic) and likewise he has had to re-organize the wiring. But if you know Burt, he’s a real champion. I thought he would be tired this afternoon, but he is now out playing basketball with the kids.
The unsung heroes are Jessica Melton and Margie. They are organizing and making the meals for over 40 people (three times a day).
For the people that are going to live in these houses, they have been so moved by effort to assist them and the really appreciate it.
We are privileged and honored to support Calvary and Jesus on this mission. Thank you for praying for us and we ask you to keep it up. We still have a lot more work to do!
By the way, as usual, there are always some wise guys in the group that are up to no good. Greg being one, found a dead snake and put it right by my bed (Mark). Now everybody knows I and Bob hate snakes!!! So after some heart palpitations I finally figured out it was dead. I thought it was fake snake, but it was about a 9 inch black snake.
Well, the tables were turned this afternoon when we went for a drive and Greg said he needed to use that blue latrine (where we were working) and so Greg goes in, and Dick Norris immediately pulls the van right up to the latrine door and starts honking the horn for a long time. I do not know what Greg was thinking, but we were sure getting a great laugh. The van was so close to the door that Greg could not get out. Well, Dick being a kind hearted fellow finally backed away and a “relieved” Greg Parrish came popping out the door.
I am sure there is more fun stuff to come so stay tuned.
Sincerely,
Mark E. Webster (One of your Calvary missionaries)
Project Sherrill
Project Carl The Kitchen Hero's
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Tuesday, June 5th, 10:08pm
Only one word can describe the situation at Project Carl… HOT. We are working in the sun up about 10 feet. No shade all day… just the hot, hot sun. We made some good progress today. One of the workers kept lobbying for a run to the DQ.
One word of advice is to not go into the blue room. There have been a couple people trapped in there… so be careful if you must go there.
Nick learned a lesson today as well. Don’t walk or stand under Bob and Dick
working above. Ask him about his need for a hardhat.
Well, just a short addition tonite as we headed to Long Beach for devotions… at Sonic.
Keep praying, as it is helping us all. More tomorrow, with more pictures!!
Jim
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Friday, June 8th, 9:13am
Well you may have noticed the daily has not been in the daily blog the past few days. This is because of the business of the days and tiredness of the nights. This will serve as the Thursday, Friday, Saturday entry to the blog…
Burt and I are driving home right now, it is Friday morning and we are back in Indiana. We worked in an extremely warm attic yesterday afternoon trying to finish rewiring a house for the Beverly project. Then after dinner and a shower we headed north. We left early in order to be there for Libby Badgett to night as she graduates from Western high School. Congratulations Libby!
We both bring back many blessings and good memories. We will be showing some pictures and each of us will talk briefly about the trip in worship on Sunday so be sure to be there to share our excitement.
Some of the memories include: the heat, of course, the board stretcher, the food, the fellowship and the communion service on the beach. The communion service was definitely one of the highlights for me. This was a very special time of worship in a very powerful place. We also need to mention Randy May, camp director and project coordinator. I have a lot of respect for him and what he is doing. He is working very hard to help as many people as possible. He can only do this through our prayers, donations of money and time. I am ready to go back already, let’s start planning for next year. As we do, I hope more people will consider going, it is something you should experience for yourself.
Thanks and have a
great day!
Jim
The Carl project, stage complete! The Shelia project The Beverly project, stage complete