Covenant Presbyterian, Ligonier, Pennsylvania

This was the second trip for this wonderful church group coming farther by car, we believe, than any other group staying at P.O.P. From Ligonier to Waveland is 1081 miles! Wow, thank you volunteers for making that long trip with gas prices higher than ever to help the people of the Gulf Coast. God is good and we are grateful that He has touched your hearts to serve Him in this place. We look forward to your return!!

God was once again very busy this week guiding and leading us in helping those He chooses. We were able to continue helping our neighbor down the street complete more of the tasks on his home. The group finished hanging the remaining 30 sheets of Sheetrock in his home. The ladies were able to help him with two very tedious tasks. One was insulating all of the pipes under his home. This required stooping (or sitting) underneath the house and wrapping the pipes with the insulation and duck tape. The other task was to paint all of the porch rails for the back porch and stairs. Both of these jobs were very time consuming and the homeowner was so excited and blessed to have all of these projects done for him. His home is beautiful!

Next, the group went to our ongoing project of the home we have started from ground up. They were able to install more of the hardi-plank siding and that portion of the home is nearly complete. We also helped the owner install his exterior doors and his home is now closed in and able to be locked.

This week God led us to meet a new family who are also in desperate need. A family of four whose home had 32 feet of water. The entire second story of the home was washed away and disappeared into the Gulf. The bottom floor was left standing but had extensive damage. The homeowner has not had any help since the storm. He says he signed up with many organizations, but no one came to help. We are the first people God has chosen in the almost 3 years since the storm to help this family. We feel this is very significant and we take the task seriously. They are remodeling the first floor and rebuilding the second floor. They are also in serious financial trouble as the husband was injured and lost his job.

The group helped the owners paint and clean on the first level of the home as well as correct some electrical work. They also installed windows and a door on the second level. This was critical to keep out any more rain water that is damaging the bottom level.

We are grateful for the opportunities God gave us this week, especially the new family that we feel so commited to helping. Thank you gang for having a heart for this ministry and listening to God to come and serve Him here. We are ever so thankful for you!!!

The Rock Church, North Carolina

We are so grateful that God has led us into fellowship with The Rock Church. They have been working in this area since the storm many times with Samaritan's Purse in Kiln. Since Samaritan's Purse has had to leave this area, a neighbor whose home The Rock Church helped rebuild, asked us if they could come to P.O.P. to stay while working on her brother's home. The timing was right and we know this will be a long lasting relationship!

After having car trouble, they had to travel until 5:30 a.m. to get here. Tired and exhausted, these servants began their 4 days of work full steam ahead. They began on our neighbor's home, bringing with them a trailer load of vinyl siding he had purchased in their area at a bargain price. In just two days they had completed the 2100 square foot home and then also completed the detached garage. They also began working on installing sheetrock in his home. They were able to complete the ceilings and began work on the walls.

Next, they tackled a major project for P.O.P. and one that has been needed since our beginning - a floor for our kitchen and dining area. What a tremendous blessing for the many volunteers who will come and serve here in the years to come. God, in His timing, provided the long awaited labor and material for the porcelain tile. Not only will we now be able to keep the area clean, but it is so beautiful, making the area much more functional and comfortable. Be sure to look at the flicker sets for the pictures.

They were also able to make new friends in the neighborhood. For one of our elderly neighbors, they cut her entire lawn. They were also able to visit with her, hearing her story of barely surviving the storm. They have made lasting friends. Another neighbor called to say their lawn mower had been stolen. The group went to their aid and cut their lawn as well also making friendships as they served. We were also able to introduce them to another couple in our neighborhood who weathered the storm and barely survived. Their home is almost complete and they will soon be able to move out of the Fema trailer they have lived in since the storm.

We are so grateful God has put us together with The Rock Church. We feel this relationship is just the beginning and part of the grand plan God has in store for P.O.P. Each group has contributed in their own way to the work that God has begun here. We look forward to working with you in the future.