Kiski Gulf Coast Disaster Assistance Team

The following was composed by Robin Cable and Jim Dietrich team members at Belinda’s Project:

A happy camper whistles while he/she works and that was what was happening on Monday at the brand-new home of Belinda Baugh. After having a hearty breakfast, the crew, under the leadership of Randy Bell and Bryan Huwar headed for a full day of work and fellowship. The saws were buzzing, the paint rollers were rolling and the nail gun was singing a tune. Extensive priming and painting was tackled in the two-story-high garage by Dan Clark, Jack Loucks and Irv Lindsay. Meanwhile, back in the house, Randy and Bryan were diligently measuring, sawing, and installing trim, base molding and doors. Jim Dietrich, Diana Wilshire, and Robin Cable kept busy and out of trouble with paint brushes and rollers in hand. Everyone painted so much that they ran out of paint! Work day 1 came to an end with the crew heading back to camp and a fabulous meal of Cuban chili and rice, with coleslaw and strawberry shortcake lovingly prepared by Sonja and John Taylor from Harrisburg, along with some of our own dedicated volunteers.

New work continud on Day 2 with the garage painting completed. Bi-fold doors were installed on closets by Randy and Bryan. The inside painters once again ran out of paint. No need to fear: 20 more gallons of paint were purchased, which should cover all interior work and some of the exterior. The crew leaders arranged to meet Belinda at Lowe’s and went supply-shopping crazy. Three men, one woman – she didn’t stand a chance! The entire shopping spree took only 45 minutes from start to finish, and she had to pay.

Wednesday’s goal is to have painting in the 3 bedrooms finished. Lighting installation will have to wait due to an electrical glitch. Whoever heard of getting an electric shock touching a wall with a paintbrush? Only Robin and Jim could do that. Twice!

Outside work will begin first thing with soffit and fascia installation. The weather will be beautiful once again with sunny skies and temperatures somewhere in the 80s. Word has it that there may be “po boys” for lunch from the mini-market owned by the mayor of D’Iberville, Rusty Quave. Mmm, mmm, good, y’all! Things keep moving forward and looking up. Belinda stopped by today with her daughter and granddaughter and they were all quite pleased with our progress. Smiling and grateful for help from strangers.

One of the most special aspects of this mission trip is the special connections and fellowship being shared by members of our four different churches, Blairsville, Clarion, New Rehoboth and Pisgah. Working together towards a common goal, sharing stories and laughter.

Thanks for the grace of God and your prayers.

Today we sign off from the Gulf Coast thanking God continually for the people that we have to know and love, our new friends and family in D’Iberville.  Please continue to pray for us and we’ll be remembering you.  In particular we ask that you hold Vera Johnson in your prayers.  Our Street Walking Team met her when they were knocking on doors today assessing the needs of community members.  Vera asked for our prayers at our evening devotions because of some pretty unusual circumstances she is facing.  So we ask you to join us in prayers for Vera,  a person who is now a part of our prayer community through the efforts of our Street Walking Ministry Team.  We’ll keep you guessing about Street Walking until tomorrow.   Blessings do abound.