Category: Personal Reflection

Kaj is part of the team for the first time, but probably has the most practical knowledge of all the team. He’s been really encouraging to everyone, teaching them techniques with the equipment, and being a strong encourager.

From Katrina 2009 Team

I can’t believe we only have 2 and 1/2 more days here. It’s going by so fast. I am so thankful for being part of this team. Getting to know the men beyond just hellos at church is something I will cherish as I leave this place. Their love for the Lord and how they always keep him first in all that they do is just awesome to see. So far we have been doing all kind of fun stuff that gets us dirty. One joyful moment was when I was with my small group and we were gladly interrupted by a man who just wanted to talk. Before he left, James So, Jeff Leung, Eric Jue and I got to pray for healing to his back and for him in general. We were all blessed to have prayed for him.

So far the funniest moment is something you could watch on the blog and youtube. Watch Steve Ogata on “Hows it going Steve“. Before I forget I would also like to thank my msg team for all their prayers and support.

Eric joins the team for the first time this year, and during one of our devotional times, he had an interesting encounter.

From Katrina 2009 Team

There Are No Accidents

On Wednesday, 4/29, Kaji, Jeff, James and I had the opportunity to meet D. He shared that he was looking for Craig, our team leader. He heard about us after Craig responded to D.’s broadcast email request for Katrina carpool support. D. shared that he had not been able to work on his construction site (which is across the street from where we are working) due to lower back pain. We had a chance to talk about wanting to make a difference and our respective relationships with God.

We got to pray for D., including how much God’s loves us and how nothing can separate us from His love. We also prayed that God would alleviate or heal his back pain if it was His will.

We saw D. at breakfast and at his construction site this morning. God healed his back pain enough so that he could work and accomplish what he came to do in Biloxi.

We thank God for answering our prayers for healing and to be an encouragement to others. We know that there are no accidents, including this chance to meet D. and share a little from our lives.

The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those bent beneath their loads (Psalm 145:14).

From Katrina 2009 Team

Jeff is our team videographer. Once thought of as a nice smiling quiet guy, we’ve found his wit and humor to be sharp yet disarming.

His shooting videos combined with Craig’s editing late at night have given us great stuff, although I think even better stuff will be seen when we’re at home and have time to work on the videos more. (To be honest, we’ve not had as much time to work on the blog because we’ve been having some really great small group time of sharing and worship.)

Praise God for another beautiful day in Biloxi. It started out with clear blue skies and warmed up very quickly.

A traditional breakfast of bacon and eggs was spiced up with a splash of southern hospitality – that’s right grits; I made there was plenty for others to enjoy so i passed on this part of the meal.

Team Craig continued with the completion of the roof. Some of the height challenged individuals had the opportunity to help move heavy bags of shingles off the lift while standing on a steep incline 15 feet above the ground. The installation of the roof boards is almost complete and most likely the shingles will be installed beginning tomorrow. The entire house is now wrapped with Tyvek (or something similar) so we were able to start window installations. Jerry Mar would be proud of our ability to hang windows with such speed and percision.

Team Mo moved onto a new site; although they left Gary behind to finish caulking and touch up painting (that’s what happens when you do something very well). By the way, their team is led by a strict foreman who requires them to be at the site every morning at a specific time. Team Craig is led by Irving Spikes, a former Miami Dolphins running back who a bit more lenient.

Team Mo definitely had a tougher time today, as they installed the floor joints, trusses and floor boards all in the warmer sunlight with no shade. They must have pounded about 700 nails. These homes now face more stringent huiricane requirements and thus more sturdier reinforcement.

Fortunately, for these hard working guys, Peter and Randy made a McDoanlds run after lunch and picked up 40 double cheeseburgers to snack on.

The highlight of the evening was our worship time after dinner. While in our small groups, Dan a young guy from Michigan who came on his own, came over to talk with Brent, James, Eric and Jeff. We got a chance to share with him about our ministry and the reason for our trip to Mississippi. Dan shared with us that he doesn’t regularly attend church but that he has Jesus in his heart. We were able to spend time with him in prayer asking for the healing of his back, that he be able to catch up on his sleep, and for any other burdens that may have been troubling him. We were thankful that Dan came over to share about his desire to serve others in Mississippi. Although we share this common goal, we also continue in our effort to share God’s love and the opportunities to plant seeds, cultivate or harvest as these opportunities come before us.

Just in case you wanted to know what we do in our free time – 3 full days in Biloxi, 3 (or more) trips to Walmart – all for the fellowship and drinks and snacks of course.

Craig was this year’s team leader. He describes his feelings about the trip

Personally, if I could describe my experience in one word, that word would be “humbling.” Here’s why: The “suffering” I endure in life is nothing compared to what the hurricane victims endured and continue to endure. I come from a very stable family, I own a house, have a steady job, make a decent salary, drive two reliable cars, eat three meals a day, and sleep in my own bed every night. The Hurricane Katrina victims, with what little they have, are still trying to rebuild homes, relationships and a sense of normalcy. Others have relocated to other parts of the country with hopes of starting anew like the woman we met at the Gulfport/Biloxi airport who was on her way back to a new home in Iowa. So, I find it difficult to complain about any of my “sufferings.” I hope to now have a new perspective and thank God more often in my circumstances.

Also, as a Christian, I feel somewhat ashamed that I can’t/don’t put in as much time serving the community as many people I met in Mississippi that aren’t Christians. We met people that paid their own way and drove 14 hours straight just to serve the needy, working in the same conditions and with equal vigor as our team. And, they probably didn’t have hundreds of people undergirding their trip with prayer. Though I am grateful for the support of my family, friends and church, I didn’t have to put out a single cent to get there. So, it was fairly easy for me to go to Biloxi, Mississippi and work with a team (and a fine one at that) building framing components for Habitat for Humanity. I hope I would still choose to go even if I had to pay my own way.

Thanks. God bless you.
Craig

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

Paul “V-Neck” Liu reflects on this last week…

As our time winds down here in Biloxi, I’ve had some time to reflect back on our experiences tonight. The one word that keeps coming to my mind is fortunate”. I am fortunate to be here to serve, to be able to eat the food they provide me, to sleep in a trailer with 16 other guys, hanging out in the makeshift living area under the concrete stadium bleachers, to be able to get blisters on my feet, sunburn on my body, sore muscles, and everything else that has happened during this great week. I am fortunate because this experience has made me realize even more how short life is and how important it is to make a difference in our limited time here on earth. One volunteer named Keith shared yesterday that we all have a beginning and end point represented by birth and death in this life, however, it’s the line in between that really counts in this life and what you do with it.

I just also read about Millard Fuller who was the founder of Habitat in the late 60s in a book tonight. He was a millionaire at the age of 29 but eventually sold everything he owned and gave the money to the poor. He started Habitat with the thought of “partnering housing” where those in need of homes would work side-by-side with volunteers to build simple, decent homes. This crazy idea has turned into a successful venture where they have housed over 100,000 families worldwide. It’s amazing what God can do through one person’s life.

Thank you all again for your prayers and support.

God Bless,
Paul

Be very careful then, how you live not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.. -Ephesians 5:15,16a

Steve Chen and his thoughts about his work here in Biloxi….

The Katrina team (known as Evergreen team here in Biloxi, Mississippi) has been staying at Habitat Village’s sleeping quarters. We walk on gravel paths to the barracks. Since the 1st day we got here, I noticed that there were oyster shells on & by the gravel. I didn’t think anything of it. Then I was perplexed as to the reason for the oyster shells being there since the Village is about 3/4 mile away from the beach. I soon realized that these oyster shells came from the ocean during the Katrina hurricane. How unusual to gather shells off of grass, pebbles and walkways.

Reflecting upon this scene, I felt that the 10 of us on the team is analogous to the oyster shells, OUT-OF-PLACE. We are OUT-OF-PLACE because we’re from California & are here in Mississippi. Although Katrina caused devastation here in the Gulf Coast, there has been waves of assistance/aid in the form of supplies & manpower to help in the recovery process. People from all walks of life from college-age students to retirees have been moved to make a difference in the recovery process. God is good.

The shattered lives/families of the Gulf Coast now may call out to God for help. With nothing left God saved victims by providing for people’s needs. He rescued them from near death & now they have renewed lives. From a spiritual perspective, we all should of drowned in our wrong doing (cesspool of sin), but Jesus saved us by sacrificing Himself on the cross for us so that we may live in abundance. God is good.

The survivors’ hearts filled w/ thankfulness. Remembering the frailty of our lives here on earth & it is only through God’s grace & mercy that we take our next breath. The destroyed bridge near by has been replaced by a new one. Jesus also build a spiritual bridge for us to be able to have a relationship w/ him. God is good.

The pulverized commercial & residential structures are being rebuilt with even more pride, security and beauty. The priceless & irreplaceable material possessions are replaced with less earthly emotional attachments, but turned towards heavenly things & eternity. God is good.

Furthermore, events like the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project next week is like the pearl that was washed up (see photo). Next week due to the project, there will be national attention/coverage placed upon the needs of the un-recovered, un-restored Gulf Coast which President Carter & the first lady will use to impart to the masses, pearls of wisdom that people effected by Katrina still need extensive assistance. Thus, if we are imparted the spiritual pearl, then we can acknowledge that God is our Lord & Savior and we can have eternal life. God is good.

This year, our volunteer effort is different. While we’re not working on just one house as a whole team, we’re affecting and contributing to about 60 homes as we prepare materials for them. In that process, we’ve been able to work with volunteers from all over the country, from different walks in life.

Kevin shares his experiences.

During our first few days here in Biloxi, I have had the privilege of meeting many interesting people. From college students to retirees, these people all have one thing in common…a heart for service. It is a real blessing to see people from all walks of life and from all over the country working together to help those in need. I have always considered myself to be a person with a servant’s heart but after meeting these people I am beginning to find out what it really means to be unselfish and to put other people’s needs first.

I have to admit that the work is a lot more demanding than what I had originally expected which is evidenced by the fact that I am sore in places that I never even knew existed. However, knowing that my efforts (no matter how small) are an integral part of HFHGC’s grand plan of continuing to create housing opportunities for families here in the Gulf Coast is very rewarding and will hopefully help me to continue to grow in my desire to become a true servant.