Weekly Report for Anahuac

The week started with the arrival of the team from Colorado, and soon followed by the team from University Christian Fellowship (Millersville University, PA). The weather has made a dramatic change, and the heat of summer is now fast approaching here in Anahuac, Texas.

Some of the Colorado team had a late night arrival (airline delays) and in need of food stopping at the nearby Jack-in-the-Box to order hamburgers. The employee behind the counter asked: “if they were from the Anahuac area” (she had seen their MDS name tags). The MDS volunteers explained why they were in Anahuac and the employee started to cry. She was one of the homeowners who had recently received a new roof installed by MDS, and remained thankful for the gift. It is inspiring to note the home owner’s first name is Esperanza (Hope).

The team from Colorado’s five day objective was to frame and enclosed a building in the back of Little Rock Baptist Church located in Old River-Winfree, Texas (20 minute drive from MDS camp). The lumber delivered, and footing was in place before the team arrived, and work started vigorously on Monday morning. By Thursday everything was ready for the trusses to be raised. A large crane assisted in raising the trusses. The crane was brought from Houston and the use of the crane, gas, and operator’s hours was all a gift to the Little Rock Baptist Church (and a greatly appreciated gift by the Colorado team). By Friday the new building was framed, enclosed, windows and doors installed. Pastor Joe worked hard along side the MDS volunteers each day, and also provided a great barbecue noon meal for the Colorado volunteers.

Half of the team from University Christian Fellowship started finishing the work remaining from the previous week on the roof of the home belonging to Linda,  the other half of the team started working on the roof of the home belonging to Bruce and Brenda. Removing old shingles, paper, installing new shingles, and climbing a ladder (MDS 101) was a new experience for many. But, after proper instructions and watchful eyes, the volunteers soon become cautiously accustomed to the new experience. By mid-week the teams had completed their work, moved tools and a new roofing education to home of Danita, and to the home of Roy. The roof on the home of Danita was completed, and the roof on the home of Roy was started with the work to be continued by a new incoming team. Upon the completion of the roof belonging to Bruce and Brenda, the team formed a circle in the front yard with Bruce, and had prayer. What a great testimony to the community. Three words that would summarize the week are determination, cooperation,  and glorification.

“So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.”  Nehemiah 4:6

Gordon, Iva, Anieta, Margret, Jarad, Henry, Tina, and Mike