The End Is Near =(

Hello all,



So today was our last day working on the house. We finished by painting the interior walls and outside trim work. After a well deserved lunch break, we dedicated the house to the family that will be moving in. During the dedication, we blessed the house and also presented the home owner with a Bible. After the dedication, of course, came a lot of picture taking.
Everyone has worked incredibly hard, and it is inspiring to see that no matter how hot it is, no matter how tired you are from playing spoons the night before, and whether you are an expert in what your current project is, or are learning something new (like using a staple gun- very fun by the way) nobody ever gave up. It was all worth it seeing the excited face of the family, knowing that they were five days closer to moving into the house they have waited years for.

When we first showed up at the site, it was an empty space of concrete. They told us when we first got there that we would have a lot of the house up by the end of the week, and I must say, I didn't believe them. But now, to see how much progress we have made, as a team of amateur, is just incredible. I know that it is not just us building this house together, but that God has given us the energy and will power to do it all in His name.

We have been greatly blessed for such high spirits on and off the site during this week. There was never a time that someone wasn't laughing or singing this week. Everyone always has such a great time together (example: there is a game of "Taboo" going on behind me that I am anxious to get back to). God has been watching over us all and bringing us closer together through Him.

Another thing worth mentioning today is that a group of our team went to Donna's house (woman whose house our group worked on last year) to help her plant her garden. While some did that, others went to the beach. After our daily devotional, we celebrated Mike's 17th birthday with cake and ice cream.

Speaking of our daily devotional, this evening we talked about when Jesus touched the man with leprosy. Kevin told us that helping out down here and going on mission trips is great, but there is more to take away than that. There will always be someone in our lives that is suffering or needs help and we need to do our best to help them and show them that we care. He mentioned something one of our leaders on last year's mission trip told us: that there will always be a mini Katrina in your neighborhood. It is our duty, as followers of God, that we stay in step with the Lord and be His hands and feet on earth.

Prayer Requests:
- Pray that our trip back home goes safely
- Pray for the Jordan family (whose house we helped build) and that God will always be with them and keep them and their house safe
- PRAISE that we had ZERO injuries this week!!!

~Jordain