Weekly Report for Pass Christian

Our devotions these last weeks were most appropriate and thought provoking. We were challenged that we should “take every thought captive” and also to never take those around us for granted. We do not know God’s timing in our lives and those of our “neighbor” and so we need to witness and tell them of the love of Jesus while we have opportunity. We were challenged in our faith and to run the race well, with diligence and finish well. We also were told that “God is crazy about us” and we are so amazingly loved, how can we not extend that love to others. I know the well known scriptures we all hear at devotional times on MDS projects are coming into our minds. (Romans 12: 6, 9-13, Romans 13: 8-10, 1 Pet 10, Psm. 23.) We had wonderful times of worship in music with the gifted musicians and singers who have led us the past three weeks. Thank you to all for sharing.

We have had much work happen. Our first week in March brought us a very energetic group of “Gen. X’ers” from Ephrata Mennonite, PA and their leaders as well as seven men from Ontario, Canada and one from Calgary, Alberta. Then we had a group of PSU Students who spent their spring break learning about working with MDS and giving to those who have experienced disaster. This week we have a large group from various churches in Ohio as well as some from Pennsylvania. The weather on the whole has been wonderful (days of 70 – 80 degrees F.) and great for working on framing houses! Saturday to Monday of this past weekend were wet but our present crew have made up for lost time on Monday. Ms. Angela’s home has been painted and all the flooring will be completed today. Ms. Mary Ann’s home is shingled, closed in with exterior doors and windows and the stairs and exterior decking is being completed today. The electrical, plumbing, HVAC and heating are being roughed in. Mr. Jules’ home is being framed and the roof is being sheathed. Ms. Willye’s home is framed, exterior doors and windows in  and the roof is shingled. Our project director is “enjoying” being kept busy keeping all our workers “happy and busy”. Our wonderful kitchen team is “cooking up a storm”. The gnats also are eating well! We have shared Wed. evening suppers with four different home owners. One of our earlier long-term volunteers reported at the end of a great day, “We even impressed ourselves with how impressively hard we worked” on the foundation and pier work. We are happy and tired at each supper! Nonetheless, we are here to bring hope to our clients and are “being tremendously blessed “ in return.

To our “Awesome” God be all Honor, Glory and Praise!   Is. 25: 1.

Anne Wiens, Office Mngr. for our long-term crew:

Garry Wiens-Project Director, Ross Neufeld, Construction Foreman, Nancy Neufeld, Hostess and Lunches, Kristen Friesen, Head Cook, Rod Wensley-Crew Leader, Helen Wensley-Asst. Cook, Edgar Dueck-Crew Leader, Ruth Dueck-Asst. Cook and Housekeeping (all Canadians…so far, EH?)  and from Lebanon, PA we have Wesley Ebersole-Crew Leader, Marcy Eversole-Dorm Housekeeping and their great children; Ked, Keturah,  Kelton and Kyrell.