SGVServe.org

Goodbyes

Moments after we said our goodbyes in the LAX check-in area, with leader Craig K, giving many long goodbye hugs to wife Laura, the team moved through security.

It seems in years previous, we had more time (and more seating space) in the waiting area than this one. Perhaps economic demands have required more full flights.

Evergreen and Lifesong

Finally, the full Evergreen and Lifesong teams met face to face. It was at that point we realized about half of the combined teams had never been to Biloxi before. It was nice to see the new faces, and there was something special about having a bond through shared faith, and even a shared church lineage. Craig’s idea of self-introduction was to state your name, profession, number of years coming out to Biloxi and whether or not you snored. Guess where most attention was paid….

Lifesong’s team was an eclectic gathering in age, size, profession and life stage. On average, we were older and shorter (Jonathan’s presence can only offset us by so much….) Craig gave us a rundown of the schedule for the next day, our day of sign-in, orientation and a bit of rest. Minutes later, we were boarding for our first leg.

Houston to Biloxi

Upon arrival in Houston, Craig K gave us a brief devotional, encouraging us to stay focused on the task at hand, keeping our eye on ministry, both to the people we serve with and the homeowners we will most likely not meet. It was well needed, but a few of the guys heard him with much sleep in their eyes.

After a quick snack, we were on our final leg, in a much smaller plane. A lack of height could be seen as an asset for that flight. The ceiling was rather low.

We landed, had a prayer of thanksgiving for safe arrival, and got into our rented cars to visit the site we worked on last year. Where a year ago, we were building houses with only several completed homes, it was humbling to see a dozen standing in the same area. Fully equipped with cabinetry and appliances, which is usually the last step before occupancy. But the street was still being finished, and the driveways into the homes remained undone. We’re assuming that they’re waiting for the whole block to be finished before releasing them to the homeowners.

Video of our visit to the site from last year…

Lighthouse, Memorial and lunch

A stop by the Biloxi lighthouse and the Katrina Memorial under a mile away, we remembered how tall a wall of water passed where we stood. We drove past our temporary residence for the first two years, Yankie Stadium, to see that the Salvation Army had made good on their original plans (before Hurricane Katrina) to build a community center for the youth. They’re grading the land at this moment. It was a little bittersweet, as we’re happy for their commitment to invest in the community in a much needed way, but it was sad to see a place that we had called home for our first couple years, be gone.

Lunch at Cafe New Orleans was a treat. We were taken into a back room, apparently housing the local Rotary Club meeting. It felt like a mini banquet hall as we broke bread together for the first time. Names and stories were swapped, as well as pieces of fried catfish, shrimp and oysters.

Biloxi Lighthouse-feeding the birds

Walmart and supplies

The annual trip to Walmart confused some of the returning team. A remodel of Walmart has rearranged the store. Uncle Roy was quickly walking into the store, heading straight for the sleeping bags. Apparently he found last year, that the addage of “snoozing” and “losing” was in play, and wanted to get to the bags quickly. He arrived first, making sure he didn’t get a “Dora the Explorer” sleeping bag.

The concerns/reports of bed bugs at Camp Victor turned into purchases of mattress liners and much bug repellent. We will see who will have the last laugh, the men who scoffed at added protective measures, or the ones who chuckled at those unwilling to guard themselves. Time will tell.

Camp Victor

Arrival at Camp Victor reminded us how every year it’s a little different. This is the first time for anyone on this/these team(s) to be at Camp Victor. Unlike the Coed team, few (other) teams were staying at Camp Victor this week, so we got our pick of the bunks.

Bu (Brian), originally chose a bottom bunk, but when another volunteer arrived, he forfeited his choice of bunk and took one above a Lifesonger (Martin).

The ministry begins now. In various forms and sizes.

We appreciate the conscious choices we make as ambassadors of our church, our home, sometimes our ethnicities and ultimately our God. We hope that we’ll carry that forward no matter what the circumstances, no matter what the timezone.

Thank you once again, to all who have sacrificed their time to send us, or even to care enough to read this blog. We will try to serve in your place and serve in honor of our God.

Oh, and forgot to mention, if you want to see a really nice blog, but promise not to compare… 🙂 go check out Lifesong’s