Thursday, January 05, 2006

Reflections on the Christmas Blitz from the Big Hooah!

What a trip! School has started back for the middle and high schoolers and college is just about to begin for our college students. The adults are back at work in their usual occupations; life for our team is just about back to the normal routine. As we look back to last week, it was only the Holy Spirit that could have united such a diverse group of people, most of us having never even been on a roof, let alone knowing how to put one on, into a focused effective force that courageously set out on a very challenging, untried mission. I am sure there were those that thought we could not succeed in our project, but those doubters left God out of the equation. As we continue to reflect back on this time together, remember this is a perfect example of the Body of Christ working together. All of us had our jobs to do and no job was less important than another, because all were critical for successful completion. None of us will ever look at a disaster the same way again and we will always fondly remember the grateful survivors that we had the opportunity to help! We also have made many new life long friends among our group.

For me I consider it an honor and a pleasure to have been able to meet and work with such a positive, enthusiastic body of believers. I felt the effect of the many prayers that were prayed on our behalf by the many that might not have even been with us. Once again it reiterated to me the power of prayer! Your love for each other and willingness to serve people you did not even know was incredible. Your crew chiefs told me of their crews voting unanimously to finish their roofs instead of just felting them, even though it meant a longer work day, you laughed and joked about the tenuous shower situation instead of whining and complaining, you cleaned up the church without hesitation, and rose very early every morning eager to go out and serve! You now have great stories of roofing and mucking, and listening to the survivors' tales. All of us may never be together again as a group until we all meet in Eternity. I will applaud as our Lord presents each of you with the crowns of reward for your service to His children of Biloxi as you sit on the Bema Seat of Christ!

We roofed 15 homes, 5 more roofs nearly finished ( 2 very complicated and one started later on the last day), 4 de-mucks, 3 homes sorted out personal effects, and even found a wedding ring! We had no serious injuries, listened to countless stories from the survivors of Katrina and brought “Hope out of Chaos!” We interacted with our Canadian and Jewish friends, making this an international and ecumenical experience as well! We must always remember that all things are possible with God. I also encourage you to consider returning to the Gulf and again giving of yourself to serve others!

Christmas Blitz Stats

Total team............................181
Adults......................................71
College Students....................54
High School.............................49
Middle School...........................7
Males.....................................113
Females..................................68

Manhours at work sites......7740

Roofs Completed....................15
Roofs nearly completed..........5
Houses De-Mucked.................4
Other homes affected..............3

Rick Kuhlman
Trip Lead

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