Felton to Pearlington: Bittersweet

Our jobs were done to the best of our ability this week.

Team Sheet Rock finished two rooms at the Yellow House. DJ was even able to get some lights on for the crew to get the last two pieces up. Standing outside, it was neat to see the lights on in the parlor and people moving around. Bill finished the archway and got Ben's seal of approval. Mary and Doug won the race and got their last piece in place before Bill and Debbie. Ellen learned the art of sanding down mud. Jeff worked with Debbie to get the most difficult piece of sheet rock hung in the whole parlor. They measured multiple times...and cut a couple of times before getting it right. Jeff also suffered his second injury of the trip...the first was a scrape when he was on Team Destructo, this one involved a popping sound from his finger. He can bend it and move it though! Gail peeled paint a lot from doorways and windowsills, helped hang sheet rock and was her usual helpful self.

Team Ramp cemented in the last post, set in the last plank and got 1/3 of the handrails set in place. The siding improvements were made and the house looks fantastic. Steven dug a lot of post holes, willingly, and helped Mr. Ben and Brittany get the last four posts set for the sloping part of the ramp. Jonathan and Sammy were a great team on the siding and got the last pieces set, caulked and painted. It was nice to leave knowing that the ramp was functional and that rain wouldn't be able to get into the seams in the siding. Captain John was very happy with the job and was fixin' to take a walk on his new walkway.

Leaving is bittersweet. There is work to do but no money to do the work, which is so frustrating. We keep thinking about the day when we will come to Pearlington, not to work, but to celebrate the work that has been done...though Steven imagined us in a year or two driving through Pearlington, seeing a house that needed fixing and our crew stopping, knocking on the door and asking if we could help. It's indicative of this team of people...we have all taken the time to stop and help others. Not because we've got great skills (some of us), but because we have great love and have been loved greatly by God.

There will be more reflections to come in the next few weeks, more pictures to be posted. The simplest way to say things is that we have been a blessing and have been blessed. Thank you for your love and support.