Monday, July 23, 2007—Today is our first full day in Port Sulphur with the whole team.  We all traveled from different directions, different times and by different modes of transportation.  However, we are all here for the same reason, we want to make a difference helping Pastor Lynn rebuild his the church  -- the building and the people!!

Michael Watkins is on his first mission trip and made the trip in the van with 3 other teenagers and two adults.  “The trip really wasn’t that long and we passed the time listening to music and reading”.  The weather is great!  Mild considering it is July and should be extremely hot and humid.  If it continues to stay this way we should be able to get a lot accomplished.

Today we started the morning meeting with a team of youth and adults from Southgate Baptist Church in Springfield, Missouri who are also here for the week.  We got acquainted and quickly divided into teams to get to work.  We have a plumbing, trim, staining, yard work, and organizing team.  It is amazing how everyone here has a special gift that is being used. 

Ned Dunford taught his team to use the power saw to cut and lay trim in the hallway of the educational building.  Becky Camden is already a master and could be looking at a new career.

Meagan, Carter, Molly, Jeremy, Michael, Terri and Julia worked on staining the kitchen cabinets and doors.  Terrie Shea said “we only have one pint of stain to do the entire kitchen”.  We have tried to bless our stain like the loaves of bread and fish so that there will be enough to finish the job while we are here!”  Sometimes supplies aren’t always available when you need them. 

The yard work team (Randy, Ray, Clint and friends from Southgate) cut the 6 acres of grass and another team (Greg, David and Southgate folks) designed and started installing pvc pipe for the plumbing in the educational building.  God has found a spot for all today and we are excited to see what the rest of the week will bring.

 Tonight we will host our first outreach gathering with the children of the community. Our theme tonight is Easter.  We trust God to bring kids who need to hear this wonderful story.  You can be assured they will have the most creative Bible story as Martha and Taylora gear up for their story times!  Other team members are engaged in craft, rec, music and general traffic control!!  We pray that the children will be receptive to our group and enjoy the fellowship together.