Last Pics - I think ....

Pastor Chris say's, "were hair today and gone tomorrow". What a funny guy. I almost laughed.


















Last group shot with Jay and Shalynn before leaving. They're still smiling and they stil have those silly orange vests on.
















I think they plan to leave around 4 AM tomorrow morning (Friday)

More Pics

There's not a whole lot to report today - just the same thing they've been doing - picking up stuff. They worked at a playground today where a barge was washed up. Last night they had a wonderful shrimp dinner at Jay Lafont's.

Here are more pics:


Pastor Chris from Ansonia thinking about how to use Winton Rd. antics in his sermon next Sunday

















Pastor Chris lifting a railroad tie. Wow, isn't he strong?!?!
















Alice!
















Alice, do you need a hand there? Applause everyone!


















Debbie, thinking about the Tim pic at Town Hall
















Donna found a jacket!! Try it on Donna!

Pictures of Damage

Lunch that is catered in by a group from Houma, Louisiana



















The freezer unit that is holding the meat Pierre Foods donated and that we delivered after Katrina hit
















Another picture of the group at the firehouse where the meat is being kept
















Various pictues of the damage

Oct. - Nov. Grand Isle Trip Update # 5

It's weird. I was driving home today and had the strangest sensation that something, somewhere was just "not right". I didn't know if it had anything to do with the Grand Isle trip or if it was one of my kids or another family member, or if it was just my wild imagination, but in any case, I prayed, asking God to intervene and provide whatever wisdom and guidance was needed. Brian called about an hour and a half later. I mentioned to him the weird feeling I had experienced and asked if everyone there was OK? He said was a little surprised and said that about an hour and a half ago he had an incident with some men from the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) who had come around asking if our crew had steel toed boots, etc. Apparently they had come around yesterday asking questions as well. It could have turned into some trouble I suppose and possibly interfered with the group's mission if they were not allowed to work there. Brian was about to really lose it with the guys but began instead talking to them, asking if they had been involved in 9/11. It turned out that they had done some work in 9/11 and that one of the men had lost some friends on that horrible day. The man began crying as he talked about losing his friends and the horrors he saw in NY that day and in the days following. That gave our team an opportunity to minister to him. God again turned what could have been a troublesome situation into something good. He's amazing like that.

A personal comment from Brian Hitsman:I'm just here trying to help out as much as I can. I'm really humbled when I'm here working with the places that we're cleaning up. Just to see people's personal effects and belongings as we dig through a good foot, two foot of debris. We're cleaning up gazebo areas that are part of the community's area where people can go and just sit there and look at the beach. They have about 10 of them here on the island and we're just cleaning them up.

As we go through the personal effects, there's fishing tackle; I found a tackle that was completely blown up and there were three or four pieces of tackle still inside of it. I thought of the person that actually used that and their livelihood. We found other very personal items. It's just humbling and as I go through this stuff it's almost like I'm going through somebody's house. I'm really looking forward to continuing the work and doing the things God wants us to do while I'm here and that's to help other people.



Here are some more pictures that came in today:

Rick working. Proof!! He says, "hi dear and kids - love you!"

















Sophie and Donna working???

















Flag flying battered yet proudly symbolizing a broken communitys hope.


















Tim and Shalynn (the mayor's secretary) but where's Debbie?? (Debbie was sitting on the floor just below Tim but somehow didn't make it into the picture.)



















Jay Lafont, a City Councilman and our contact person there















































Baywatch?? Rick and Brain at the beach. I thought they were supposed to be working there??

















Brian H. Talking to a lady working for community development. She said our work is key to the economy-because tourists come to Grand Isle for the beaches as well as fishing and water sports. One older woman collected aluminum cans to pay for the gazebos we are working on-she thanked us for the extremely necessary work.

Oct.- Nov. Grand Isle Trip Update # 4??

I've lost count of the updates. :)

As soon as I posted that there were no updates today, Brain called and Chris sent another picutre. They seem to really want these updates and pics posted so that you all can see them. I know from my own experience that it really feels good to be in contact with "home" when you're away on a mission trip. Feel free to leave comments - they may enjoy reading them when they get home and knowing that we're keeping up with them on a daily basis.

They are all just amazed at the level of destruction that still exists since Katrina hit. And yes, they are all tired, but not too tired for pranks when they get back to the camp.

This morning they drove to the end of the island and saw where some barges with houseboats had been washed up onto the parking lot of some condos. Then they drove to Town Hall for today's assignment. Here is a pic of Brian trying hard to look cool and show off his muscles (cough, cough) by lifting the barge back into the water.

Personal Comments from Crew

Brian didn't call in last night so there' s nothing new to report at this time. I'm assuming that (1) he knew I would be out, and (2) they're all really, really tired. Chris did send another picture of a lady named Theresa who was very grateful for the work the group is doing and invited them to her store for a good dinner.














I also checked at the Fairfield Echo site and found that they have a daily log up there now. I found these comments from the crew posted over there and thought I would put them here as well.

Here are some personal comments from our crew there:

First Impressions upon arriving in Grand Isle
Rick Barnhill, a parishioner from Winton Road Church of God:When we got here last night, it was just a shock of total devastation. Even though it's been a month later, just how much damage is still here and how much debris is around and just devastation. It's just a true shock to see this and we're just glad to be here and help them.

Chris Cottrell, a guest pastor from Ansonia:I think when I came down here when I arrived with the group, I think it started to see the faces with all the destruction that we had seen and heard about and that just adds starts to the story in seeing the pain in their faces and the hope that knowing people are coming to help them. It's a good thing to be doing and we're looking forward to the work. We're going to be working hard and they're going to be working hard and there is a need for more to come. I'm down here with the group to work with them and also possibly see what I might be able to do with another group as well. Maybe even from my church.


Halloween Party Impressions
Debbie Hall, a parishioner from Winton Road Church of God:Tonight was awesome to see these kids, you know, knowing what they've been through and weren't sure if they were going to have any trick or treat or not. It was real neat to see the community come together and do what they did for them.

Donna Hamblin, a parishioner from Winton Road Church of God:I don't know what to say except it's overwhelming here. We've worked really hard today, we've had fun with kids at the party. It's just been a real blessing. We enjoyed every minute of it even though we're so tired we can't hardly stand up.

Much Appreciation Shown

Just got an email from Shalynn, the mayor's secretary and thought I'd share it.

As you know, the party was a huge success. I could NOT have done it without all of ya'll help. From the game ideas to the prizes, this celebration was a big hit. I cannot even think how I could show my appreciation to the crew from Ohio. As you know, people may not say it often enough, but I truely thank you guys from the bottom of my heart.My favorite game was the throwing the M.R.E. at the toilet rim. That was an original.Thanks again,Shalynn

I also talked to John and heard that Sophie told him about a little girl who won one of the prizes playing a game at the Halloween party last night. When she was given her prize she refused it, saying "I can't take that". Someone from our team asked her why she couldn't take it to which she replied, "We didn't lose everything. I'd rather someone who lost everything have it". Awwww.... The appreciation and selflessness I've seen in the people there always amazes me. I hope that I would be as gracious if I had to experience what they have.

New Updates to the Post Below (The Halloween Party)

Rather than make a new post about the party I just added some stories and pictures to the post about the halloween party. If you read it before you might want to check it out again.