Safe return but not closing the blog

We are all home, we are all safe and we were glad to get back to Holland's on Sunday evening. While the blogger has been inactive for a couple of days, all work is not done. there will be wrap up posts with more information and personal comments (hopefully) from team members.

Thanks for all of your prayers!

Wednesday Morning

James gets his waffles.

But he complains that they are not chocolate !

Waffles, syrup and Diet Coke?

The team working for Barbara and Petunia

This morning the breakfast fare was Pancakes and sausage - except for James. James got his waffles.

After Dee's devotional the teams went to their various sites to continue their work. Much progress is being done in a very short time and new talents are being discovered.

Reggie took Pastor Gary to each site to see the projects for the week and also to get a look at the devastation and obvious need for more help in the Dulac area. Gary decided to work with the team of James, Phil, Mike and Rudy. When last seen by this reporter, Gary was wielding a nail gun.

Phil and Mike hanging doors.


Rudy surpervising James.

New cabinets and countertops.

Chris checking dimensions.

God is equiping those called on this trip. Thank you all for your prayers and comments of encouragement - and humor.

The Gang's all Here

Bacon wrapped shrimp prepared by our friends from last year - Sam, Daniel and the children - Michael, Dustin, Wendy and little T.T. Sam and Daniel knew we were coming and they came to each site where we were working to find us an thank us again for our work last year. It has been a great experience reconnecting with this family that we grew to love. Our new team members were also glad to be able to meet the family and see how much the children had grown.

Daniel with T.T.

Daniel enjoying the shrimp with us.

Michael who has grown and now has a much deeper voice and is working on a mustache.

Dustin who is still a hand full!

Sam, Wendy and Little T.T.

This afternoon Rev. Allred joined us in Dulac. Arriving a little ahead of time, Gary was picked up by Linda at the airport in New Orleans. They arrived at the Dulac Station safe and sound after running a few errands.

Biscuits! Biscuits! Biscuits!

This morning our Queens of Cuisine prepared a delicious breakfast of bacon, eggs, grits, orange slices, fresh juices, milk and much to Reggie's delight - biscuits!

An inside joke that has lingered since our last trip to Dulac, Reggie's continual question (at almost every meal) "What? No biscuits?" was at last met with a surprise response of "Yes, there are biscuits!" Your friendly blogger was most pleased and offers to our "dietary missionaries", Julia and Bobbie, heart felt thanks for this delight.

The wonderful breakfast followed last night's meal of fresh salad and spaghetti, hot buttered bread and tea. It is a good thing that everyone is working hard and burning off the meals during the day. Surely there will otherwise be more of us to love when we return home.

The entire team thanks these two ladies for their dedication to taking care of us this week.

The trip to Dulac

Our trip began on Saturday morning the 8th at about 8:30 AM. We were scheduled to get away by 8:00 but due to the church barbecue the day before, there were some tired individuals that arrived a bit late.

The drive down was a long one but we made plans to stop overnight in Montgomery, AL. A four vehicle caravan made its way down Interstate 85 and for the most part staid within the posted limits, although there were moments when some driver had to catch up with the others. Stopping only for the necessities and for refueling, we made it to the Greenville, SC area in time to stop for lunch. Following lunch and a brief whirlwind tour of the Wendy's parking lot (was it a full two laps?) we were back on the road again. The parking lot tour caused some lighthearted banter on the portable radioes and those members making most of the comments felt that it was all truly in jest. However, about 130 miles from our destination for the night, there seemed to be an "I'll get you moment" when the first three vehicles pulled off (suddenly) for more fuel. The last vehicle was left out in the passing lane and could not make the stop. Luckily, those in the last car had enough gasoline to make it all the way. More joking ensued as you might imagine.

We made it safely to our motel but only after another tour of parking lots and the GPS Lady saying "Turn right, turn right, TURN RIGHT RIGHT NOW! . . . Recalculating!

This year we were met with no surprises on check in but did have one room that was not made up. The Jetson Boys, James and Jason (more later), had to switch to another room, and then we were off to dinner at Carraba's in Montgomery.

After dinner, everyone headed to the motel for some much needed rest and some football on TV.

Sunday breakfast was continental style, then after a group prayer and brief devotional we again hit the road south.

Even though we were in multiple vehicles, communicating by radio and telephone let us talk, joke and bond as a team. As we passed around (most of us) and through (the Jetson Boys) New Orleans we had to deal with the worst of the traffic. A very special right turn for an exit ramp sent the Jetson Boys into suborbital flight. Most of us made the turn but the Jetsons were 'out there' until they returned to the Mother Ship about thirty minutes later. (See picture.) We were all amazed at the destruction that was still evident from the storms the last few years. Arrivivng in Dulac, it was obvious that the past year had only heightened the devistation that we saw last year.

Please pray for us to have a successful trip and that we are able to touch the lives of those we serve.

Peace and blessings.

Our Team Members (Part 4)

Chris Sawyer is in Dulac for the first time, as is Bobbie Joseph who is pictured with Julia Hillmann, another returning team member.

Julia and Bobbie are doing a fantastic job of prerparing meals for our hard working crew. They are a major part of the success of our team.

Holland's UMC pastor Gary Allred will be joining the team tomorrow when he flies in from Raleigh.

Our Team Members (Part 3)

Mike Jarvis, Lucy Whipple, James Gamble, Reggie Foster and Dee Foster. Mike, Reggie and Dee are repeat team members and Lucy and James are in Dulac for the first time.