JoyUnspeakable

The team with Karen, Joel, Curt, Vi, Sarah, and Brody, we’re able to pretty much complete the work at the other job site. They completed the trench, the dog fence, and the weed whacking, too. Unfortunately, the lady found out that we threw some things out that she wanted, and she had her husband pulling things out of the dumpster for two hours last night. At least she only pulled out a fraction of the stuff that we threw away. I have heard so many stories – a mouse running across Vi’s hands while she was cleaning dishes, Joel looking into the grass and seeing it move from a swarm of spiders crawling away in it, Curt digging up and pouring and gasoline on two nests of fire ants and giving them a taste of their own medicine by lighting the gasoline on fire, the homeowner claiming that a foil pan was her husbands favorite pan and that we couldn’t throw it away. I think the team is very happy to say that their work is done at this house. The yard looks a ton better. Hopefully, they will be able to keep it looking as good as we have left it.

Today, I was on the team who stayed at the house that needed siding and painting. I have to confess, I asked Joel to go to the other place because I just couldn’t handle the work at the other place. Joel was a trooper and graciously accepted the challenge.
Buck continued to work on the siding. Giff continued to repair drywall. And I textured one of the rooms, and then started painting.
While painting, I played some tunes on my iPhone. Of course, my taste in music is vast. From rap, classic rock, alternative, metal, Christian, jazz, and even Christmas music played while I painted away.
During this time, I thought about how much God had provided for us to allow us to do this work. All that has come together with funds, food, transportation, everything. Amazing. I never really understood how people could go on missions trips like they do. But doing work like this, helping those who really need help, hearing the stories from the locals, and being provided for so I can help, it all comes together. Of course, some people have to really sacrifice, like Giff, who is self-employeed and has no income coming in while he is here. I am just taking vacation time, which isn’t that big a deal for me. Although it does stink being away from my family for so long. I wasn’t sure I would feel this way, but I really am looking forward to future missions trips.

This morning, before we started off to our jobs, we took a moment to meet at the park down the street. We were able to get passers by to take our picture. They were thankful that we were here to help.

This map shows the destruction done by the tornado. Eight miles long by two miles high.

Last night we not only had another homemade meal from Karin’s kitchen, but also had mounds of leftovers from the week. So, we had a big potluck. We are all very thankful for Karin’s cooking and meal preparation for the week. Everything has been delicious!
Last night, it was very comfortable outside, so a bunch of us pulled some
chairs outside and just hung out and relaxed. Joel had MLB Live on his iPad, Karin made popcorn for us all, Buck was catching up on work emails, and we all exchanged our favorite smartphone apps.
Today is Thursday, which means I have to sleep in this awful bed one more time. I’m apparently the worst snorer in the group; they let me know it the first few mornings. Everybody else wears earplugs. I don’t wear earplugs, and there is at least one or two other snorers in the room. But whatever. I guess I better start getting some weight off to help with that – but not tonight. Tonight we go out to celebrate our trip with a nice BBQ dinner. I’m looking forward to that!

We went to Shake’s for ice cream. It was very tasty. Across from Shake’s was a store with the back wall pried open. A lot has been rebuilt, but there is still plenty around to remind you of what happened about a year ago.

Buck and Larry finished one of the gables. Giff and Joel painted two rooms. It’s looking good!

I thought I was exhausted at lunch time. I am beyond exhausted now. After lunch, we cut out a ton of weeds, used the weed whacker on almost everything else, pulled out the old dog fence, prepared for the new dog fence, and threw away a ton more stuff. Just as we were leaving, Curt talked to the guy on the riding mover across the street. He said he would be able to help maintain the lawn if we can finish weed whacking it and taking it all up. I guess we will work on that tomorrow. Right now, we are going to pack up, get the other crew, and go out for ice cream. It’s been a long, hard, very hit day.

It’s only lunch time, but I’m exhausted. I spent a long time weed whacking the two-foot tall grass. We also worked on digging a trench around the garage. Vi has been working with Patrice in the garage, trying to find things to throw away. Unfortunately, she has a story for every item, so progress is slow.
With any luck, we will be able to start putting in a fence for her five or six dogs. She didn’t have enough fence posts, but she miraculously found a $20 bill and five quarters in one of the boxes in the garage, and she was very excited that now she can afford to buy some more fence posts. She said she doesn’t even have money left to be able to buy food for the cats until her husband brings home his pay check tomorrow.

Today we are splitting up again between the two places that we were at yesterday. The areas that I sprayed yesterday are ready for paint, so that’s going up today. Buck is going to continue working on the siding, and we picked up another worker, Larry. He worked with Giff and Karin when they were here last November. I’m swapping places with Joel, and am going to work at Patrice’s house so Joel will help paint. From what I hear, there is no wind over there, so while at the house it’s blowing 15-25mph keeping things cool in this 87 degree weather, it’s gonna be hot at the other place.