Friendship Baptist Church, Smithland, Kentucky

It is truly amazing all of the ways God uses what we consider troubles and delays to bless us and others. This was the first trip for this group from the Paducah Kentucky area down to the Gulf Coast to help with the Katrina rebuild. On the way they had not one, but two blowouts delaying them many hours. But God used both times to teach them many wonderful life lessons in how He works good for those who are obedient servants and soon they were on their way arriving in time to meet the family they were to serve this week. They came on June 23rd and left the morning of the 28th.

The group’s project for the week was to build a stairway and porch landing for a family whose home had 32 feet of flood water and were left with very little. They worked together as a team and completed the porch and stairs in a little more than 2 days! This family is so grateful to finally be able to access their home on stairs instead of an extension ladder. The volunteers also put together a desk / bunk bed set for their sons and performed various other tasks for the family. Lifelong bonding between the family and the group happened this week, one of the greatest blessings God gives us through this work.

The group also worked on our camp installing wood on the front surrounding our doors where black paper has been since the conversion of our barn into a volunteer “camp”. We are so thankful to them for this work! They also built a ramp into our pond so that our family and future volunteers can fish and feed Allie. It is beautiful! We are thankful for this work as well and we know it will provide many hours of fun and recreation for many, many people.

They also helped with our ongoing ministry of taking care of the elderly in our neighborhood. They manicured the lawn for one of our dear ladies who suffered terribly as a result of the storm. And they also fed our family as well as the people they were helping this week. We are praising God for groups like these who follow God’s lead to come and help us in an area that many around the country think is “back to normal”. Nothing could be further from the truth and now this group can also spread the word of the work needed here. Thanks to all who came and served.

Pleasantdale Baptist Church, Pontotoc, MS

Most of the groups who come down lately have been “regulars” to our work. This group is no exception. This has been the third trip for Pleasantdale. We are so grateful for faithful servants to God’s work here in Waveland. The ones who have been here before recognize the need because they see it first hand. And year after year they see the slow progress that is being made to rebuild. It is such a struggle for most of the people here.

This group came all the way down here to work for two days. The men of the group worked continually on Joe and Cindy’s home to complete the rough in electrical system. They are so thankful to have this work done. They had 32 feet of water destroy their home. Rebuilding is difficult due to very strict building codes now in effect since Katrina, triple costs of insurance and other government enforcements hard to comply with for most people. But through it all, God is there for them sending volunteers to help in His name.

The ladies of the group did yard work. Working on a yard that we thought impossible to deal with!! Never have we seen such a sight. Hundreds of plants in containers, there since before Katrina woven together with very high grass and weeds scattered throughout the entire front and back yard. It is truly impossible for this elderly lady stoke victim to contend with. But not for our fearless crew! They tackled this yard with vigor and determination to at least cut paths through this maze of plants so Ms. Betty could walk and enjoy what is left of her beloved plants. They did a very fine job and she was so pleased she gave them plants as “pay”.

An unusual request was answered by our group as well. A neighbor of Ms. Betty asked that they weed her little flower garden. She even provided them with a “hoe” and gloves to perform the job. She was tickled to have this done for her and they were tickled by her kindness and sense of humor!!

They also cut the yard of one of our elderly neighbors we minister to on a regular basis. Thank you gang for coming down and working so hard in so little time. The rain held them up on the second day, otherwise, they would have done more.

This group also took time late in the evening to enjoy learning to “skin board”. Thanks to our young neighbor for sharing his skill with our groups so that they can enjoy the beach and water. We are also thankful that Brandon has a good friend in the Lord, Noah, who comes with his parents on these mission trips and that they have bonded and hopefully will be lifelong friends. They enjoyed swimming together and playing games.

County Line Baptist Church, Randolph, MS

This week, June 1 - 7, was the fourth trip to Power of Prayer Ministries for this hard working group of volunteers from Randolph, MS. The first trip for the youth of the church. The young people of the church work very hard as well!! Many lives were touched this week as they worked with the area people then invited them to camp to share and enjoy their company.

Some of the work and fun this week were of the rare and unusual kind not as yet done here at POP. One of them was the laying out and planting of hundreds of daylilies donated by one of their church members who grows the daylilies as a hobby. Along the sidewalks leading up to the camp and our shower house we cleared long beds for the lilies, then after the plantings, a watering system was installed. Mulch was then added and the final touch was the lighting system! What a beautiful addition to our camp this donation has made!! God has got to be pleased with such a sight. His wonderful creations in every possible color and style lining the path for all to see and enjoy. WOW!! A big thank you to all who came and participated in this truly amazing work and a million thanks to Billy for his wonderful donation of the lilies.

And as if this donation of lilies weren’t enough, Mr. Billy and the hard working youth of the church also cleared a bed along the driveway of one of our neighbors to plant more of the beautiful lilies he brought especially for them!

This group also worked hard in the hot sun this week cutting grass for some of our elderly neighbors POP ministers to on a regular basis and a new contact that we made. They were very grateful for this tremendous help. One lady came to the camp for the first time to have dinner with the group. She was delighted to have been invited and to visit with the young people because she has no living relatives. We are thankful that God has put us in touch with this lady through the servanthood of this group. We will surely continue to keep in touch with Ms. Shirley.

All of this hard work led up to special times of fun. One thing we did was have a “tea party” for the youth in appreciation of working the flower beds. Our neighbor Aimee, who was the recipient of the donation as well, helped to serve the youth. First only the girls joined in, however, the boys couldn’t stand it and they soon joined in to enjoy the tea and fun! They also enjoyed going to the beach and learning to “skin board” by one of our teenage neighbors. He invited them to swim in his pool which they also enjoyed. We know God is happy when we serve Him together working hard for others and then having fun together in His name afterward!!

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.

Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, Indiana

We want to welcome these volunteers from Indiana who worked with us this week on the two homes we are continuing in Waveland and Hancock County. This is the third trip they have made to help in the rebuilding efforts here on the Gulf Coast. The first two trips were to Harrison County. They have now felt led to begin working in Hancock County, ground zero of Katrina.

This week they got a lot accomplished on both of the homes. For the Waveland home, they installed beautiful hard wood floors. They did an awesome job and the owner, who is a local pastor, is excited about having his floors put down. Not an easy job, but what a blessing this has been.

On the other home in the county, they performed many various tasks. One of them was the rough in plumbing. A volunteer who has worked in plumbing for 50 years did this job! Another job was installing hardi plank siding on the front of the home. This was the first time this group worked with hardi plank, but did an outstanding job and they were happy to have learned a new craft. The rest of the hurricane clips were installed by an energetic young man on a ladder. He completed the task and we can now close in the porch ceiling.

Electrical was also installed and roughed in by another volunteer from this group. He also helped with the air and heat system installation. This was completed this week and the owner can now call for inspection. The group also finished installing shingles on the roof and installed vented ridge caps. They braced the rest of the roofing as well. Another group of young people helped with the cleanup of the home. The owner is so pleased and delighted with all of the work that was done this week and has been done for him since the beginning. Another awesome blessing showing God's love for another victim of Katrina.

Although this group did not stay at the P.O.P. camp, we hope to work with them again in the future and we want to thank them so much for their contribution to God's work here in Hancock county.

Poplar Springs Baptist Church, Georgia

This was the 4th trip of Poplar Springs Baptist Church volunteers from Ringgold, GA. This group performed many different tasks for a lot of people. They were also able to fellowship with many of the friends they have made during the previous volunteer trips and made new friends as well.


Some of the projects they worked on was yard work which included cutting grass and weed eating, debris removal, and spreading dirt. For one neighbor around the corner from the camp they leveled the foundation soil under his home so that he could make a level path to an elevator that he will install. Because the soil had hardened this was a very tough job and a huge blessing to the family.


This group also worked on many homes in the area. They painted a neighbor's house and by the looks of it had fun while doing it! They began installing hardi-plank siding on the house we are building from ground up. For our neighbors on the lake they installed some insulation and spread waterproofing on their deck. And for still another family they performed plumbing work on a bathroom.


Other projects this week included organizing a tool closet and removing trash for another volunteer organization. They also emptied a concession stand at St. Rose Church and school.


Thanks to those of you who worked hard on landscaping for the ministry grounds! Landscaping timbers were laid and leveled. It is beautiful. Also to those of you who cut and cleared around our pond and cut our entire grounds. We also appreciate those of you who cleaned our cars, and our neighbor's truck.


Some of the fun activities while ministering included space walk jumping, watching and feeding "Allie", singing and listening to a neighbor play and sing Christian music on his guitar, basketball, and fun at the beach.


You ministered in so many ways. One special time we had this week was when we visited a very special lady in our neighborhood, Ms. Betty Smith. She was very ill, but welcomed everyone from the group inside where we talked and prayed with her. The group also cut some bushes off of her fence and out of Betty's way so she could see down the street from the porch she loves so very much. They also installed some vinyl siding on her home. One young girl from the group was very touched with Betty and went back on several occasions to help with Betty's therapy and hand fed her. We are sad to say that Betty passed away on Friday, April 4th at 7:13 p.m. She will be sadly missed by those of us who loved her here at P.O.P.

Hopewell Baptist Church, Savannah, TN

This was the second trip to P.O.P. for this group of wonderful volunteers who came from Savannah, TN to serve this week. They performed many different tasks and served many people.

One of the projects they tackled was the roof of one of the houses that we began from ground up. They installed a drip edge, the fascia and began installing shingles on the roof. They did a fine job of working on the roof and it won't take long for the next group of volunteers to complete it. No one who worked on the roof was a professional, but no one could tell from the expert job that was done!

A major project that this team performed this week was the clearing of storm debris from the neighborhood around the camp which had not been completely cleaned since Katrina. The lot in front of the camp was especially loaded down with debris. Thousands upon thousands of tin cans as well as odds and ends there since the storm had to be hauled away. One was our own pump house that had floated there with the tidal surge and had to be broken apart and carried bit by bit to the trailer. They hauled 5 trailer loads of debris to the dump!!

Another project they worked on was for a neighbor to the camp. They painted his garage outside and inside and also painted some doors. The completed work will allow him to work on vehicles and equipment once again as he did before the storm. This same group also painted on another home of a local pastor in the area. They painted on the inside of the home. They did an awesome job of painting this week.

For another elderly couple they cleaned their lot and that of their son who lives next door and filled a dumpster to the rim with debris from the storm. Then they tilled an area for them to be able to plant a few vegetables. The couple were thrilled with all of the work and the yard is beautiful.

This group also cut and cleaned a few yards this week. One was for an elderly lady who was coming home from the hospital critically ill and would be under hospice care. She said when she got out of the ambulance she was so surprised to see her yard so beautiful, mowed and manicured and it was a blessing for her to see and enjoy. How wonderful to serve in this way.

This team also tackled an unusual task. The removal of a grape arbor that had been growing and entangled for about 50 years. The storm had taken it's toll on the vines and it needed to be removed. They first had to remove all of the wire and pipes that held up the grapes. Then they hooked a chain to our truck and pulled the vines up and then by hand they dug the beams out of the ground. We thank you team for this hard but necessary work.

Thank you team for coming to this area once again this year and serving the Lord with us showing this area the love of Jesus. We hope to see you again next year.

First Baptist Church Saltillo and Auburn Baptist Church

This week two churches teamed up together to come and work on a home that began a couple months ago from the slab up and the project is ongoing. One team was from Saltillo, MS and the other was from Tupelo, MS.

This group continued and finished putting up the framing for the back porch, tying it into the roof on the back of the house. They also completed work needed on the roof putting up sheathing and black felt paper. They installed the facsia board up around the roof as well.

On the interior of the home they were able to complete the framing of two tray ceilings, installed all of the windows and worked on rough-in wiring of the electrical system.

Some in the group also helped one of our elderly ladies who weathered the storm in her home do some odd jobs she couldn't handle on her own.

Thank you so much team for all you accomplished for the Lord this week!

Windham Presbyterian Church

This group of volunteers came all the way from Windham, NH to work all week and were able to bless many of us as they worked in various capacities on many homes.

Our own family holds a very special place in our hearts for the two people pictured here. And this week has been a very precious time for us in so many ways having them here. It just so happens they were part of a group from their church, who first came to help us after Katrina. Ken and Bonnie were among the first responders who came down here and helped others as well as our own family during a week of heat, stench and a mold filled environment risking their own lives gutting our home and our storage building that is now P.O.P. They also dealt with the extreme emotions our family was going through and were able to console us that week in ways that they may never understand. They are our “heroes”. Ken and Bonnie, we love you and we thank you for all you have done for our family. What a privilege it was to serve with you this week, dear friends. May God continue to bless you richly.

We were also blessed this week meeting the rest of the members of this wonderful group who ministered to us as well. Betty, Dorayne, Jo and Mary Lou we love you guys and enjoyed our time with each of you. We know we have made lifelong friends!

This week Jo used his expertise to install a wireless internet system and a TV antenna in the camp for ministry use that will both be a blessing to our camp volunteers. A laptop computer was donated to the camp as well.

One of our dreams has been to add beauty to the camp property since all of the flower gardens and plants were lost in Katrina. God used Dorayne's training and love for gardening to help with the design and layout of our spring and summer flower gardens and she and Betty also worked to spread the truck load of soil in the beds. We know it will be an awesome sight when the flowers are blooming because it is already quite beautiful!

The group also painted in one neighbors garage, moved a platform and ramp and built a handrail to make a much needed safer entryway into the home of another elderly neighbor. They also installed interior trim work and various other projects in her home. For still another elderly lady they moved a mailbox, repaired a screen door and performed other needed tasks the elderly simply cannot do for themselves. All in all we were all blessed this week by the servanthood of these wonderful people.

We would also like to once again thank the church for their financial support that was used in part to pay the debt on our shower house. What a blessing that was!

We are looking forward to working with all of you again soon!!

County Line Baptist Church

The 8 person team from Pontotoc County, MS are also not newcomers to Power of Prayer Ministries. This trip is their third and they plan on continuing to come as many times as they can as long as there is a need. Thank you gang! They continued framing, and did some roofing and sheeting on our two homes.

The home owners were very grateful for the hard work of both groups and the contribution they have made to the rebuilding of their totally devastated homes. We look forward to working with both church groups in the future. God Bless you every one!!!

Second Baptist Church

These two volunteers came from Bowling Green, MO and teamed up with a group from Randolph, MS to work on the two homes that were framed the previous week.

Our two man father and son team from Missouri did electrical work on both homes all week and also some electrical work needed on the camp. This was Chris’s (son) second trip to P.O.P. and his church, Second Baptist of Bowling Green, has committed to supporting us in our efforts here. We are grateful to them for their hard work and their continued support. Thank you! We thank you, Joe for your first visit in serving here and we hope to see you again some day. Your efforts surely were a huge blessing to those you served.

Tucker Swamp Baptist Church

This wonderful church group from Zuni, Virginia had many trials and difficulties before leaving home and many of the members who had planned to come were unable to do so. What began as a 25 person team ended as 12 coming. God had planned for them to frame two houses and we weren’t sure how that was going to be possible with such a small group of men. And the other bad news was the forecast for rain at least two of the five days they were to be here.

Why do we ever question or doubt God? He used those who came in a mighty and powerful way. It did not rain during the working hours neither of the days forecast and after splitting the team into two they were able to frame both houses! Both homeowners are praising God for sending them all the way from Virginia to do this work.

Before the week began (Left)... After the week was over (Right)!!!

God also used this team to minister by way of food this week. Three ladies worked diligently in the kitchen and they fed both families, other workers on the jobsite, our neighbors and all of our own family! We also enjoyed the fellowship of these wonderful Virginians as they ministered to us in all these ways.

Another seven person team came from Jackson, MS to join in the work efforts on Thursday. They helped frame one of the homes and helped one of our neighbors paint his garage.

We thank God for all of you and we hope to see you all again soon.

First Baptist Church Saltillo

This is the second group from First Baptist Church Saltillo, located in north Mississippi. This part of the group came on Thanksgiving day and stayed until Sunday. They continued the work installing Hardi planks on the same house that the first group had started. The family that received help from these dedicated volunteers were so grateful. They were in awe that people would sacrifice their own holiday to give to others.

We are also so grateful to ALL the volunteers who continue to come here and volunteer their time and skills in labor to help in our community. We can't say thanks enough. We also can't tell you enough how much you are still desperately needed. Please pass the word that this area still needs help. Please consider coming back and helping again. We pray the Lord's blessings on you for your dedication to His purpose and work.

First Baptist Church Saltillo

The First Baptist Church of Saltillo spent the week of Thanksgiving here volunteering their time and skills on some construction jobs. The week was split between two groups. Pictured above is the first group that arrived for the first part of the week. They started their time on a roof of a house near camp. This home has been sitting untouched for almost a year. The homeowner had just recently gotten his grant money. He was extremely happy to finally get a roof on his home.

FBC Saltillo's first group also blessed another family with their skills installing Hardi planks (siding) on a home. This family also just received their grant money and are finally able to finish up their home as well. They are hopeful to be out of their FEMA trailers and in their home for Christmas. They are so grateful to all of the volunteers who have built their home from ground up.

Oh, one of these volunteers did some electrical work on two different homes.

There are a lot of families in this same situation; waiting on grant money to rebuild their home. We are hopeful that volunteers will keep coming to help rebuild these homes, and most importantly, share the love of Jesus with those devastated by the storm.

Oak Hill Baptist Church

This weekend, November 2 - 4, 2007, a group of 28 from Oak Hill Baptist Church in Pontotoc, MS, came to host a concert starring the Fishers of Men. The concert was held on Saturday, Nov. 3rd, in the evening. This event was a community wide outreach with food and music. Oak Hill's pastor, Brother Scott Cockrell (pictured 2nd from the LEFT, standing, blue shirt), shared the gospel of Jesus Christ. There was one young person who asked Jesus into his heart to be Lord and Savior over his life. Praise the Lord!

Fishers of Men Quartet

The Oak Hill group was also able to bless an older lady in our community with some construction skills. A group of men patched her leaking roof, hung a door, and built a hand rail along the steps to her home.

County Line Baptist Church

This wonderful group of men from County Line Baptist Church made their 2nd trip to Power of Prayer Ministries to volunteer the week of October 15 - 19, 2007. Their pastor is Brother Wayne Cobb, pictured 4th. They were able to bless a family with their construction skills. They did various construction related skills including insulating, finishing the walls, electrical and even some plumbing. They also blessed another family with some electrical work on their hot water heater.

We were unable to get pictures this week due to Linda's hospitalization, but we were fortunate that a neighbor took this picture for us (thanks!).

Poplar Springs Baptist Church

This week we've had a team of 23 volunteers from Ringgold, GA down to work. They had a yard crew that helped clear a couple of lots that still had debris left from Hurricane Katrina. They also did lawn work for several people who needed work done. One team painted rooms for two different families. Another team installed Hardy Plank (siding) on two different homes. Some of the children helped pick up and crack pecans. They had food and fellowship every evening with guests from around the community and work sites they visited. One of the ladies from the group helped us get started with this blog which is what we'll be posting to instead of our old website which was giving us some problems.