Weekly Report for Diamond

Stephan and his crew hung doors, built out the windows and trimmed the doors and windows at Carmalita’s house. The tile in the kitchen and bath has been laid and grouted. We see light at the end of the tunnel! And more importantly, so does Carmalita.

Shane reported that the drywall crew has been extra busy at Mary Ann’s house. Not only is it all hung but some rooms have their second coat of mud applied. Also, the insulation that was being stored in the attic has now been laid out, serving the purpose it is supposed to serve. Ron and Seth were part of the team that built the rear deck and hand rails. The end of the week came too soon, so they had to leave the landing for next week’s group to finish. Ron said there was “serious marshy problems” back there. It takes a different process to build in the Grand Bayou than up north. 

Bennie and his wife blessed us with their presence at supper on Wed. and shared some of their story: They both grew up on the Grand Bayou and said it was a simple but pleasant life. They were very protected and knew nothing about drugs or what was going on in the world. The children weren’t allowed to speak French in the classroom, which was the language spoken in the home, because then teacher couldn’t understand what, or whom, they were talking about. They lived by what the land provided and trapped raccoon, rabbit, mink, otter and others. The deer were in abundance, which they are not any more. The land has changed drastically due to erosion. Bennie and Geraldine got married at age 21 and felt God’s call to do something. They moved around a lot, pastoring at various churches to heal the ones that were hurting. They ended up in Tennessee for many years and had just begun the process of moving back when Katrina hit. They lost everything that they had already moved here. They said “It’s like a miracle, like the parting of the Red Sea” to be able to come back home. Agreeing with the devotion that night that was on the “love of money”, Bennie said having a big bank account is not what it is all about; dedication to God is so much more important. Who could be more deserving of a new home than someone that has spent his life moving from place to place, from temporary home to temporary home, devoting his life to doing God’s will?

Electrician Dave and his sparky helper Murray roughed-in the electrical wiring at Bennie and Geraldine’s. Kevin and Dean ran drain and supply pipes. Inspector John stopped by on Friday and approved the rough-in. A deck is currently being built, and due to the humid conditions in southern Louisiana, extra precaution has to be made when building with treated lumber to ensure a long life.

Merlin tries to visit the group at his house several times a week and Anthony said he was real glad Merlin made the time for that. One trip he brought the workers some locally-grown oranges. Renee was part of the drywall crew at this house and great progress is being made. The drywall is up and taped and one coat has been applied in the living room. Vernon and Henry are rebuilding closets and his deck and stairs were repaired.

A porch and stairs were also built at Jacquelyn’s. She is very happy with the end result. She feels much more safe and secure entering and exiting her home.

Another successful week has ended. Thank you to the groups from Pennsylvania and Manitoba! And a special thanks to Dean for leading the singing on Wednesday evening.

Find the need and meet it; find the hurt and heal it.

Phil and Kathleen Maneikis, Elmer and Mary Friesen, Paul and Ruth Herr, William Janzen, Henry and Tina Klassen, Murray Reimer, Dave and Martha Wolfe