2 days of work

So today was our second day of work. We've had 5 different jobs going on so far doing a variety of things including picking up lots of trash, hanging dry wall, fixing some electrical things, laying laminate flooring, and of course painting. The biggest work excitement for me was that I learned to stipple a ceiling. For those who don't know, that's the process of putting texture (not popcorn) on a ceiling. That was the main thing we accomplished yesterday, and it turned out really well. I haven't uploaded any pictures yet, but at some point I will try to do that. Today I started to learn how to lay laminate flooring, but we didn't have time to finish it. Since Sunday, the weather has been good (though hot!), and we have gotten a lot accomplished. Tomorrow we will be finishing up a couple jobs and starting some new ones. We are also working just a half day tomorrow and going out to dinner at a nearby restaurant and then we'll find some place to watch the fireworks. We also have had some more good devotions learning about teamwork and about keeping our focus. Keep praying for safety in all this heat and for a productive morning tomorrow since we only have a short time to do as much work as possible. ~ Katy

Bayboro, NC Day 2

Sunday morning started off with a run for me and some other members of our team. We walked outside and the air was really thick so it made for an interesting run but we managed. The whole group then had Bob's big breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and sausage, which is always good. Then we got our work mission shirts which turned out really well.

We all put on our shirts to go over to worship at the Bayboro Baptist Church where we are staying. It was really cool because the message went along really well with what we talked about during our devotions Saturday night. After worship, we came back to the church for lunch and then prepared to go to the beach for the afternoon. Pretty much as soon as we left to go to the beach, it started storming but we kept going in the hopes that the weather would clear up by the time we go there. By the time we got on the ferry, it had stopped raining and we were able to get out and really experience riding the ferry which the youth enjoyed. When we got to the other side, we drove to the beach, but it wasn't ideal weather, so some of us explored Fort Macon, and others went to the beach and played frisbee (it was a beach where we weren't allowed to get in the water). Fort Macon was really interesting - it was used in several wars including the civil war. Since the weather seemed to be clearing up a bit, we decided to go to a beach where people could get into the water if they wanted to, and it was quite fortunate we got in the vehicles when we did since shortly after, the sky got really dark and another big storm blew in. So we started to head back to the church instead, through some pretty heavy rain. But we made it to the ferry we were waiting in line and we could see the ferry offshore but we didn't know what was going on and they weren't telling us anything so we kept waiting. But then the local Fox affiliate showed up and we eventually found out that one of the ferries had run aground and the ferries were closed indefinitely. Fortunately we were on a peninsula instead of an island, so we were able to drive around and make it back to the church. After a late dinner, Mea and Zac led us in devotions that continued with the theme of loving God with all we are. We used The Message interpreation of the greatest commandment (Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength). The Message words this as saying to love God with all your "passion, prayer, muscle, and intelligence." And that's pretty much what we did yesterday. More to come about our first day of work when it's over (we just had a break while waiting for supplies). ~ Katy

Bayboro NC Day 1

So I am down here in North Carolina with the SUMC Youth Work Mission Team. There are 39 of. So far it has been what I am referring to as a "Comedy of Plan B," but we have been managing quite well. It all started Friday night when major storms went through Ohio, just as we were getting ready to pack. It put us a little behind schedule to start with, but honestly, I felt like the packing process went smoother than any other work mission I have been on. Saturday morning, the goal was to leave at 4 and it was about 4:20 that we got on the road - not bad for as many people as we had. A few hours later the challenges began. When we got to southern Ohio, we hit a detour due to a bridge out that added an hour to our drive, but more than that we learned how expansive the power outages were as we saw long lines at the gas stations and many were without power. We also learned that many rest areas were without power - and when they don't have power the bathroom is closed. Fortunately, we were able to find an open gas station with bathrooms in West Virginia, and after that we were able to make it to the North Carolina welcome center by about 12:30 for lunch. We had been planning to eat in Greensboro, but with the added time from the detour, plan B was definitely necessary - especially given how early we had been up. After we got to North Carolina, it was pretty smooth sailing. For me, it was fun to watch the familiar road signs and be as close to Elon as I have been since graduating - that being seeing the signs from 40/85 while riding past in the church bus. We made it to Bayboro where we are staying and working around 6:30. The church where we are staying is nice - some good common space, lots of sleeping space. We have a shower trailer with REALLY small showers, but hey we can get clean, so I guess that's what matters in showers. Though sweating immediately after turning the shower off is not my favorite thing. Saturday night, we also had devotions which I led. The theme this year is "I am second." In other words, God should always be first in our lives and we need to seek him and love him with all that we are. We started by letting go of all the stuff we brought with us - not in terms of luggage and tools, but in terms of stress, anxiety, fear, and worry. And we talked about how that is important so we can see the needs of others, and then once we see, we need to act. I'll tell you about yesterday tonight when I come back, but for now I need to get up and get ready for today. We're starting work! Pray that mosquitos won't eat too much of us, and that we will be able to get some good productive work done on people's houses and more importantly impact lives - both of the people who own that houses and of members of our group. I'll leave you with the song I played the work mission team during devotions Saturday - and the thought that while you may not be on our trip, you can also find ways to see the needs of others and act in service. ~ Katy