This last Sunday, May 31st, we had our final presentation. It’s a time where our team members gather with friends and family to reflect on our trip. It’s a nice time to remember that the whole church and supporters sent us, as well as a time to remember of God’s goodness during our time in OKC.
Craig opened us up, and reflected on the 7 years in Mississippi, and two in OKC. Gave an overview of our trip, including team members and places we worked.
Chris did a great job talking about the OKC affiliate and how he was moved by our chance encounter with CEO Ann Felton Gilliland . She represented the affiliate, Habitat and OKC very well.
Frank shared of his experience, from his preparation, the trip and his reflections upon return. It was quite well worded and comprehensive. Gave us food for thought.
Tommy introduced a combined video from Paul and Denise who gave their thoughts from Mississippi.
As much as we want to share our experience with you, even more, we want to thank all of you for participating in whatever fashion you were able. We also invite you to think about joining us next year, or even in your own local affiliate. Habitat is a great program truly empowering people.
Only a couple of days after we returned safely from OKC, a tornado hit the area The Norman Hotel, near the University was struck
Norman Hotel damage from https://twitter.com/trevorhutson13/status/596089229643419649/photo/1
This hotel is between where we were staying and where we were working (less than 14 miles from the church where we stayed)
Thanks team member Jeff for alerting us, and we appreciate you joining us in prayers for the region. As one of our supporters said, we’re hopeful that any of the repairs we performed will help put some people at ease in the storm.
We had worship services at Hilltop Baptist where we had been staying at all week, so our home became our house of worship.
Pastor Matt: Good preacher, good guy
Pam, Art, Virginia, Shirley Paul, Denise, Matt at service.
Pastor Matt and his wife Kimi came out to say goodbye and pray for us
After service, we had the usual problem of finding a place to eat that could seat us all.. and quickly.. so we ended up at Chicken Express, and yes, some do think that looks like a rubber chicken..
Then it was off to the airport, and heartfelt goodbyes..
And then the return to LAX for us, while the Waters made it home safely to Mississippi..
Thanks for all your support, and we’ll update you when we’re ready for the Presentation. It’s currently scheduled for Sunday, May 31 immediately after the 2nd service at church (that’s about 1230p)
We arrived to work at 8am, and were quickly reminded that we’d get to work with two things that bring us happiness.
a) we get to work on Margie’s home
b) we get to work with other volunteers/partner families
Devotional
Lorin’s gave the devotional with the team and our fellow volunteers. Psalm 23, her life was a bit busy, and wasn’t feeling an overwhelming amount of joy before the trip, because of all her activities… but she held fast to the promise that God refreshes our souls..
and she found more peace.
Margie’s home
The return to Margie’s home allowed us to finish up some of that we began. It was nice to once again work under Eric and Chris. We got more materials to finish up the siding, and we, as well as our other volunteers, prepared the site for painting.
Scraping old paint, removing rotting siding, painting good pieces…As well as a special project for Tommy.. repairing considerable water damage in the bathtub area.
We got to hang out with Margie some more, and Chris’ wife and kids came to visit us for the third time on our trip. They’re so sweet!
Steven/Stephen/Estefan was a young boy, son of Olivia, a partner family. He was a young man in his middle school years. He stayed close to the adult men on our team, and it was sweet that he wanted to talk and hear stories, whether from the lives of our team members, or the bible, or anything else…
Kelly and Craig hung out with him all day, and it was really a touching way to spend the day.
Craig was even invited to his birthday party, but unfortunately, we won’t be in town on that day.
Jeff got the opportunity to work with a young man, Collin, who is soon to follow us back to California, but for him, it’s volunteering for the Marines at Camp Pendelton. Jeff was able to pray for him and bless him for his tour of duty.
After we said goodbye to our fellow volunteers, we donated to Margie some household goods, to give her a hand.
We prayed for her, and her home, and we took off.
Team including Collin, back row (3rd from right)
We went back to Moore, to visit the site of the school that was heavily damaged in the tornado a couple years ago, as well as the home we had been working on last year, and it was surprising how many homes had returned to the area.
7 benches with the names of each child that died
Plaza Towers Elementary School
Debrief
Soon it was back home to dinner, devotional and debriefing.
It was very rich. People talking about things that happened over today (we can’t tell what’s going on in other parts of the house sometimes).
When we arrived home for dinner, we got reunited with Laura, who gave us an update on her physical health, but more movingly, told us about a recent retreat and how it impacted her spiritually. We got to share in her challenge for greater spiritual depth, as well as her joy in being with old friends. We prayed for her and blessed her
Praying with/for Laura
Debrief
Then it was debrief time. One of our last times to recap as a group. Our last official meeting before our return, and time to reflect in the joys and any challenges that happened on trip.
It’s been a good trip, and despite a very fluid and changing work schedule, one of our smoothest ones.
We return home tomorrow, sad to leave old and new friends alike, but glad to come home to familiar surroundings and family and friends.
Yes, we’re only a few houses away from the one we were working on yesterday.
But here’s some news:
Almost all, but two (not sure if it’s these two) are already sold. The community is pretty lively, and neighbors were walking around, visiting with each other, and were both concerned and friendly with us, both good signs.
Devo
This morning, Frank, our team medic, spoke about bad fruit and good fruit, and whatever is inside of someone will eventual reveal their true nature.. so best to be filled with God’s Holy Spirit so that your efforts will be fruitful and a blessing to yourself and others.
Jobs
Well, it was really more of the same as yesterday. We had a pretty good crew! Newbies Matt, Virginia and vet Pam went up on the roof to work with Jose (Site supervisor) on putting a roof on the place.. nailing down the osb onto the once-wobbly trusses.
The rest of us were working on soffits, insulation, preparing the walls for drywall and siding.
Everyone on the team remarks on how well we get along and try to care for each other.
Was especially nice to see all three newbies up on some form of the roof… and one guy that had some issues with fear (oh, okay, it was in the intro video) went up into the trusses!
It was a hard day of work, and yeah, ahem, maybe a few of us (yours truly) ought to work to get into shape to throw those OSB sheets of wood up to the top level … Since it was the last friday, per tradition, we didn’t make lunches and ordered pizzas instead. was fun and a nice change of pace.
Uncle Roy’s Bday
Uncle Roy typically is with us on this trip, but due to a family situation, was unable to join us on the mission. But his birthday is typically during the week that we come out to visit and work.
Since he was unable to be there, he prepaid our typical “Uncle Roy” dessert of frozen custard. We sang happy bday into the camera for him…
Anyway, I am so sorry this blog can be a little gibberish, but we’re falling asleep here as we put it together for you.. 🙂
Tomorrow
Tomorrow’s our last day on work site, and it’s an early one.. we have to start at 8am. We’re in the home stretch!
Pray for our bodies, minds and spirits to be able to last another day.
It was a new build, as opposed to rehab work that we’ve done the two days prior. Different leaders, different set up. When we arrived, it was just the framed walls. No sheeting, no trusses.
However there were two familiar faces, Jose and Adrian. Adrian was sporting the new COHFH t-shirts that we immediately wanted to order…
Virginia led us in a morning devotional about hearing God’s prompting. She cited how, when in the midst of loss, it’s often difficult to respond when others would tell her of God’s promises.Virginia felt
God told her the word “Redemptive” and although even when she didn’t “feel” that way, that her faith helped her hold on to that as a promise.
Eventually, she saw that God was redeeming the loss of her husband, Dennis. For her to be able to come on this trip, the ministry that her Dennis, late husband, started when he arranged our first trip to do relief work in Mississippi.. was difficult, but she’s holding on, and she sees so much truth to God’s redemption of that loss.
I’m always touched when Jose takes off his hat when we pray. After our prayer, Jose and Adrian were quick to put us to work.
There were few distinctions among team members today. We all kept changing jobs, doing what needed to be done.
Sheeting and blueboard for the walls, and trusses.
Interestingly, we found that were we not there, that the four men that came with the truck would have had to unload the trusses themselves. Having 16 more people helped.
Tomorrow, should we return to the same site, will include sheeting the roof and securing the trusses.
Dinner
We had a team dinner at Red Rock, where we invited our friends (and their families), past present and future… Eric and Chris from our first days here on rehab. Jose and Adrian were invited, but Adrian was unable to make it. Steve, who we met volunteering last year and Peter’s High School friend, Aron were invited, but Aron was unable to attend.
Chris (Supervisor) was kind enough to give us some Habitat goodies… including some pins we’ve never seen before…
The food was good, but more importantly relationships really were made. It was so nice to interact and get to know our friends’ and their families…
Snack
After dinner, we agreed to stop by Peter’s friend’s Aron. While visiting them, we checked out his storm shelter, had a chat and played some ping pong.
