Weekly Report for Birmingham

The week started on Sunday evening when our group of volunteers from North Carolina arrived. The group consisted of 15 high school students between the ages of 14 -18 with four instructors. The group had very limited experience in construction and when our plans were to have a crew cutting trees and demolishing houses, this quickly changed from chainsaw operators and skid steer operators to paint brush and screw gun operators.

The group was eager to learn new skills and by week’s end we had painted all the police quarters in Cordova, a house in Pratt City and the drywall was nearly complete in Mr. Clyde and Miss Linda’s house. The students learned new meanings for service to others who have lost much in a disaster as most of them did not come from a faith-based home or environment. We had the opportunity to teach them what God has laid on our souls to serve in the Lord’s name and be the Hands and Feet of Jesus.

The testimonies at the end of the week by the students confirmed that their eyes had been opened to a world where helping others in need was a meaningful experience.

Again we were able to do the work laid before us in safety and with thanksgiving. As we plan for the next week we continue to remind ourselves of the job we are to do in Birmingham under God’s direction.

The Birmingham Crew; Bert, Doris, Norm, Phyllis, Ed, Betty, Micha, Vic.