Weekly Report for Cameron

I’m a Workin' on a Buildin' for my Lord, for my Lord.

Bluegrass music legend, Bill Monroe, made one of the earliest recordings of this old gospel song that talks about changing from our wayward ways to spending our time on working on a building for our Lord. Since then, the song has been sung by a long list of performers. It is a popular part of the Sunday morning music by Marley’s Ghost during the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS. By the end of that song, almost everyone around that stage is clapping their hands, singing along, up on their feet moving with the music, or at least patting their feet. Charlie-on-the-Radio says that if you’re not moving something by then that you ought to go to the hospital to see if you’re still alive.

This past week we had something like a reunion here in Cameron. We had one group of four from Hickory, North Carolina, who are friends of some of our long-termers, plus a group of ten from Ontario, whose leaders had been in Cameron two years ago. Of course, in the dynamics of working, eating, visiting, and sleeping in close quarters, the two groups formed some new relationships in addition to the renewed ones. The level of energy and enjoyment each week never fails to amaze me, much in the same way that the fun and spirit of “Workin’ on a Buildin’” never fail to get me enthused about that song all over again.

We were indeed working on a building; three actually, and it is our intent that they are being built for the Lord, trusting that He will be a prime occupant of the houses along with the chosen clients.

The Hackberry house made some huge strides as drywall hanging was completed and drywall finishing work progressed. The porch, railing, and steps were advanced as well. We were glad that the rains of the week came at times that did not affect our work schedule. In the house on Creole Highway, the electrical and plumbing were topped out and passed inspection with flying colors, which means that drywall work will begin next week. The house on the Front Ridge had a completed roof, almost completed siding, and the start of rough-in electrical work, once the delivery of those materials occurred.

The meals of Martha and Verla were enjoyed by all, providing energy and good flavors to start and finish each work day. “Oyster chili” was a surprise addition to the menu on Thursday evening, as a result of the donations of fresh oysters by Mr. Bean and his son. Not everyone was tempted to try that culinary creation, but the oyster eaters claimed the recipe was a “keeper”. Little did they know that on Friday afternoon, there would be three more sacks of the savory, salty crustaceans ready to shuck. There will be some more surprise additions to the menu no doubt.

We’ve had some good music moments on Wednesday nights here at Cameron. There’s been a lot of joyous singing, some clapping and even a little foot patting. There’s not enough room in our dining trailer for everyone to get up on their feet and move very much, but it has been a joyous time none the less. The sharing around the tables, on the theme of prayer, revealed that there has been a lot of building up of our faith to go along with the physical work of building houses.

So, we’ve been working on a building here in Cameron Parish. It’s a Holy Ghost building for our Lord… For Our Lord!

From Cameron Parish
Cindy, Dennis, Polly, Don, Evie, Bob, Martha, Verla, Melford, Laura and Carl