Amazing People

Today some of our relief worker teams are working hard to finish up projects before they head out of town. There may be workers I do not know about who will be here, but I think this is going to be a slim weekend. We are very close to having four or five houses re-fitted with sheetrock and painted. These are just small steps toward getting back in our houses. For each person who gets back in their house, there are hundreds who are almost as far from home as they were the day after the storm. Of course, having a livable home is one thing, having something to sit, eat, and sleep on is something else! But we will take each step as we can and try not to look too far ahead. Tonight we plan to drive over to Pensacola at the invitation of Danny and Terri Dodd. They have two beautiful children, Taylor and Jordan. We will be meeting Jordan in person for the first time. She was born just a month ago. Tomorrow we will be cleaning out our house. There’s lots of leftover sheetrock pieces, dust, mud buckets and stuff like that. Anyone want to come help us clean up? It looks like a good day’s work. We will mop our floors, and after drying someone will vacuum them to get up any remaining dust. Following that, our walls will be primed and painted over the next three or four days. We still have to pick out some cabinets and tops for the kitchen, and replace the cabinet / sink in the bathroom. There are light kits to buy and molding to replace. I used to have this fantasy about building my own house. Let me say assuredly that I have been disabused of that fantasy in a big way. There are so many interesting people who have come through. Both Linda and Bridgette (from different places) stayed longer than planned, and let their respective team go home without them. Both have pledged to come and work again in the future. Nathan the painter came from North Carolina and says he is here as long as is needed. He also gives great shoulder massages! Bob the camper expert from Kentucky has been here twice, and I believe he is coming again. He can fix anything and does so with a smile. Pete from Muscle Shoals, Alabama was here twice. I don’t know if we’ll see him again, but he was a hard worker who had a gentle spirit. Clif the college professor cried with the heartbroken people he interviewed. A bunch of college students from somewhere who are associated with Camp Kanakuk filled us with joy and faith as they served. David J. has been an absolute machine under the supply tent. No one man can outwork him. J. V. gets things done and keeps us on our toes. Madolyn stormed in and blessed us with big smiles, big hugs, and a lot of food! We nicknamed her F5, because she is quite a tornado of service! Danny brought two big baseball player dudes who moved my refrigerator out of the house for me. But about every three feet they moved the refrigerator they had to go outside and barf. It stunk worse than the worst thing you’ve ever smelled. Ten hard working men flew from California from a community church and worked all week. We didn’t even know they were coming. Lots of friends have bought my lunch at La Fiesta Brava. Do you know that most of these people thank us for the opportunity to serve? This is just a short list … no way to mention them all … but just a sample of the greatness that has been presented to us in the Kingdom. Each servant glows with the brilliance of Jesus Christ. They are all inspirational. In truth, all of them draw me closer to our Master because they are true disciples. Each one deserves a trophy and a standing ovation. I have a feeling they will settle for a crown and a robe of righteousness that comes from the One who knows their hearts.