Tommy, a veteran from ’07 and ’08, was co-leader of this year’s team. Maybe more importantly, he was the escort for DC Hammer
I brought DC Hammer down to Biloxi hoping to pound many nails in honor of my friend and last year’s team leader Dennis Cho. Tuesday morning as we started to assemble top and bottom plates of wall sections, I hammered a few nails more concerned about accuracy than honor. After settling in to a routine, I paused and lifted a prayer for my friend. It felt good as I imagined that each blow was somehow killing a cancer cell. After a few more honorary blows, DC suddenly changed. Here I was using a hammer to pound nails to honor my friend, hoping to Defeat Cancer. But wasn’t it a hammer that drove the nails into Jesus’ hands and feet? DC became the Death of Christ. It was surreal for a while as I hammered nails visualizing Jesus outstretched hands and realizing it was because of my sin that Jesus had to be nailed to the cross. After remembering that Jesus resurrected on that Easter morning, DC became the Deity of Christ.
Every morning, this year’s team leader, Craig Kakihara, led us in a devotion (more DC’s – Devoted Craig, Dutiful Craig, Dependable Craig and Dedicated Craig). I appreciated the devotions and the authority with which he delivered them – authority that comes from speaking forth the Word of God. He reminded us that if we are Devoted to Christ, then there should be Deeds for Christ. These deeds should not only be physical (like building houses) but also in sowing seeds that will lead to Decisions for Christ.
So all of this pretty well summarizes this year’s experience down in the Gulf Coast. I began with a single idea and God redeemed and multiplied it beyond what I could think or imagine. DC began with my wanting to honor a friend and it ended up blessing me beyond measure. It reminded me that God is good and Definitely Compassionate and God is great and Divinely in Control.
I was truly blessed to be led on these two trips by two very good friends. To see them put themselves out there for God’s use was very inspirational. I was humbled and privileged to realize that God has allowed me to be a part of their life, a life which they are living fully for Him.
Humbled, grateful and privileged,
Tommy
