thursday

Tbursday, again,
was truly amazing. The two houses our group started yesterday we finished
today. At mine and Spence's, we ripped it up, clearing out an attic in an hour,
and having a good half hour break before Dave's (slow) group got done, luckily
they went to the right house this time. At my house, we had found four baby
mice yesterday, and today, we found two of them back in the house. We put them
back outside, but it was really sad, because both of them looked injured
(busting out drywall on top of them can do that).

On the way there, we got stuck for awhile, so we jumped from car to car for
awhile. On the way back, Dave's car had no bladders, so they showed up about
fifteen to twenty minutes after i got back. That was fine for me though, got
right in the shower, and they were nice and very hot.

Tomorrow we are going to try the rare art of finishing one house in one day.
Wish us luck! Oh, and we get to go out to dinner tomorrow too, the family that
my group mucked out today is forcing us to go out to a seafood buffet, and
paying for it. They are so nice, the husband and his brother gave us three
fruit bowls in the last two days, they were soooo good, fresh fruit.

Keep praying for us! :)

Wednesday

Update from the Gulf Coast

We Split up into two groups, Dave's, and Spencer's (mine). Dave went and began to
work on the wrong house, pretty funny there i have to say. We found mice in my
house, and i made a diving catch and caught one, then promptly relaeased it
outside.

Had Lunch at the hippie place (dont know why i capitalized 'lunch'), and we saw
Chad form the first trip.

Everyone says Hi!!

-James-

tuesday

Today is tuesday, but that shouldnt be a suprise. Today was amazing, we
finished a house, well, actually, two, since it was a duplex. We got all of the
bottom cleaned out, then started chucking stuff out of the second story windows.

The top floor of the duplex didnt get a lot of water, so we only took out
drywall 4 feet up, so it was a tad easier up there. I managed to not get hurt
today, i think. We had a few minor injuries, but nothing serious still.

Around three o'clock, it was clear we were going to finish today, so a bunch of
people (myself included) climbed up to the top of the house through the hole i
told you about. The view was amazing, we could see for blocks, al of the
destruction and the tarps that were acting as roofs for houses. We also saw a
lot of other holes on houses, so other evidentlay crawled out that way too. But
the coolest thing about going up there was what i saw in the attic. I have
attached the picture, hopefully you can read it. But me explaining it wont do
it justice. There was a picture holding a saying about courage that was
extremely powerful, and right under it was the Bible. It was so cool to see, i
hope you enjoy the picture.

That was our day more or less. I found a really cool sword, but someone threw
it away. My mouse friend ferdinand came out for a bit, some girls screamed, you
know how that goes. Oh, National Geographic is coming thursady morning to take
pictures, its gonna be awesome, alla re looking forward to it.

monday

Today was monday, and we did a bunch. We split up into two groups last night,
then we got a duplex, and all ended up going to the same place. We packed up a
bunch last night, then got everything else this morning. All but three
wheelbarrows were broken, so we grabbed those and ski-daddled. They fixed the
rest today, so we will get more than three. Needless to say, that was a
substantial limitlung factor.

We got to our duplex late (we left late, then had to go to Walmart for boots,
mattresses, and Brian Regan. I stayed in the car and slept, nap count=3), but
got straight to work. It being spring, everything was a lot drier, and ths
easier to shovel out. One group took one side of the duplex, and the other took
thier side. There was two floors, but the second floor got maybe four inches of
water. Someone had already busted through both at the top, so we could get
through as we desired. Actually, on one side, there was a hole in the roof, and
some food their. One of the families may have tried to wait out the storm, we
arent too sure. But we made a lot of progress, i think we may even be able to
finish tomorrow, especially with the amount of workers we have, and the ease of
the mud.

Lindsay, Pete, and Allie also got in today, and i have seen them all, and they
are doing good. Pray for safety and health, some of our team isnt feeling too
well, and i am extremely accidnet prone. And by that, i mane last night i
dropped a pry bar on my toe, this morning i pulled out a piece of wood too fast
(skinning my arm), getting out of the van i fell (i was trying to climb out of
the back), and i cut my hand really badly draining toilets. It is still
bleeding, even though it is three hours later. Regardless, Dave cant make me
stay here, ill be the first in tomorrow.

Well, i think that is all for the most part. It has been a fun first day(
regardless of my constant accidents), and i am looking forward deeply to
tomorrow. Ohh, we hit up the "Made With Love" cafe again, food is
still amazing. Devo should be starting soon, then we have the night and sleep.
Until tomorrow, hope all is well up there.

Take Luck,
James and the BHC Crew

Gulf Coast Trip: March 27

These updates this week are from James Lansing (a student at U of D and Blue Hens for Christ).

We all got in good and safe. Today, sunday, was good. After the morning worship service, Most people went into New Orleans to go sightseeing, but a few group members (James, Grant, Naomi, John and some others) went to work. We went to the warehouse, moved some things around, then delivered food boxes to FEMA trailers in Chalmette. It was really cool, getting to talk with people who were trying to rebuild. Now we have Devo, and a few have already requested earplugs (Dave is speaking, haha).

In the absence of Ryan, i have still built a fort. It is made out of chairs,
which i am sleeping on top of, and named the "Sky Fortress".

More tomorrow....

Jen, Youth Advance, Work Day and Car Wash

A couple of things:

- Jenn from Lipscomb University will be with us tonight (Wed.) She will be talking about Lipscomb and then be hanging out and having some pizza (Jenn's treat)

- Youth Advance is this weekend. We'll be leaving at 9:00am. We'll be back Sunday afternoon

- Work day at Camp Manatawny on April 1st. Sign up at the youth board.

- There will be a Car Wash for Missions on April 8th from 9-12. Be there if you would like to get some money towards your trip to the Gulf Coast!

Teen/Campus Connection II

Teen/Campus Connection II is this FRIDAY night at 7:00pm at the campus house. Come and enjoy a time of food, fun and connecting with the Blue Hens for Christ ministry. Sign-up on the youth ministry board. Questions: talk to MW (matt wilson) or DB (dave blackwell).