Post Trip Message from the Mississippi Blogger

Hey Sycamore Missions Team,

Just wanted to take a minute to thank all of you for letting me take your pictures during our trip. It was great visiting each work team and documenting all of you serving each other and the people of Mississippi.

A few things you should know:

I put up more albums and photos. I have an album for each day of the trip and they are sorted by time the photo was taken in the album so it ends up being a chronological story of our journey. And I keep adding so you should go back and re-look at the different days to see newly added shots. Including the big group shot at the Natchez Riverboat.

I added a new link on the SycamorePres.com website to go straight to the photo albums to make it easier to view them. Check it out.

I would also like to put a call out for all photos taken during the trip. If you get them to me I will post them up. CD's work best. Or get me the camera memory card. Leave them in my box at church. I am planning on putting all the photos on a DVD disk and trying to make copies for each team member so get me your photos by Sunday if you would like yours added to the group disk. You can also email them to me at

c u r t @ d i e m e r . u s

but if you have a lot the CD or card will work better.

I plan on leaving the blog up and open for a while if any of you want to add to it.

If you need another invitation to join the blog, send me an email and I will generate a new invitation to you.

In Christ,
Curt Diemer

Many Hands Make More Than Light Work

Hi All,
Now that we are solidly into the recovery week from our whirlwind workweek, I have made the time to read all of the blogs and look at all of the pictures. Huge round of applause to Curt and all the picture takers out there. This blog was a wonderful idea. The whole trip was absolutly great.

Thanks to leaders and students and Ila. Many hands make more than light work, they make it fun, creative, inspiring, unique, smooth, fun, spiritual, encouraging, easy, refreshing, prductive, educational and fun (did I say it was fun? Because it was fun.).
Thanks "Bus" for bringing Bruiser. Keep on bouncin'!
In Christ,
Phil

update from the bus

Well the bus crew has entered the Final Countdown. After nearly 10 days out of the wonderful state of Virginia, we have returned. We still have about 80 miles to go. The DVD player and TV have been working just as hard as the trusty diesel engine to bring us safely and sanely home, which reminds me...thanks for praying for us.

See you soon!

Well, we're driving on the bus at 7:40 PM and life is going well. Injuries on the bus are high due to maniacal braking by an unnamed adult friend of Mark. On the way out of New Orleans we stopped and took pictures of a movie set for the upcoming Laurence Fishbourne movie Black Water Transit, about gun smugglers coming back to New Orleans 3 weeks after Katrina. At first we thought it was from Katrina, and took lots of pictures. It turns out that they had taken photographs from other areas and worked them into the set. there was an overturned bus, a car impaled on a large pole, a house with one side swept out from under it, abd lots of debris. We walked on the multitude of blood spots from a shootout and saw a church rigged to go mega-boom. A friendly local working on site as a guard told us a little about it and about his house several miles south of the set. There is a church that he saw after the hurricane that had been completely submerged, and its stainglass windows were all still intact.
The bus is still as dangerous now as it was earlier in the week. Mark's maniacal driver friend braked real hard at one point, throwing me and the trusty, diamond-hard radio across the bus and onto the floor. Fortunately, the radio is still intact and we can keep using it for audio on the DVD's.

Here's a pic from the set.

D:\DCIM\101SSCAM\S4200024.JPG

Last day of construction

Today was the last day of construction work. It was the hottest day of the week. This team performed amazing feats by completing all the trusses on their home. Good job guys! All the teams successfully completed their projects.

I uploaded several new photo albums today. One from Megan's camera. One from today, and one from the very first day of the trip. It seems so long ago. Click here to see them all.

http://picasaweb.google.com/mississippiblogger

Tomorrow, New Orleans and Sunday homeward bound.

You guys have obviously been praying for us because it was an awesome week.

Pray for Jim and Larry who start driving back tomorrow.

CD

Rudy's 16th Birthday Video - Mexican Style!

Rudy turned 16 and had a small quiet get together with some of her closest friends.

Here is the link to the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2-ZLOqnF2A

Mississippi Blogger

Hey again from the Brewers!

Thanks for more great pictures! It looks like everyone's working hard and having a lot of fun. Megan, Buffy's looking a little lost and confused without you!

Have a great Saturday and Sunday. We'll see you all at the airport on Sunday.
The Brewers

...in regards to naming Mark's bus, how about 'Optimus Prime' or since it's a yellow/orange bus Mark's in perhaps "Bumble Bee" who is loyal and trustworthy! For those of you who were alive in the early 80's a cartoon called the Transformers came out which is about these mechanized beings who can take a variety of shapes (cars, trucks, jets, etc.,) and the good guys are the Autobots led by Optimus Prime and the bad guys are the Decepticons led by Megatron. Since the new Transformer live action/CGI movie is about to be released, you guys are all Transformers. Since you bear the Gospel message in your minds and hearts, may God use you to Transform hearts and minds in Mississippi as you are the hands and feet of Christ. So as Optimus Prime would say "Autobots, Transform!" Have a safe journey home!

From Cybertron,

Jazz Pastor

Greetings from The Brewers

Thank y'all so much for the posts. Like we've read elsewhere, we feel like we're there with you. Curt, you remain Da Man for making this blog happen. Megan, we are so proud of you for working out your Faith. We can't wait to welcome all of you back.

In Him,

Greg & Leslie

Hey y'all, this is Jon. Today we raised the kil-count to 4 wasps, 2 spiders, five bugs, 2 roaches and a Will Gresham. JK. Will did not die, yet. Work at the site was painful and slow (Mr D might post the pictures later). After several false starts we got in a lot of pipes and set some of it in permanently.

Plumbinating?

Certain members of the team discovered a new job function at the work sites over the past few days. Will and Jon called it "Plumbinating." They were at their work site, which had a few meandering wasps around it, when they decided they needed something fun to ease the tension of a full day of work.

They executed wasps in various and imaginative ways, using windows, PVC pipes, and shoes to exterminate the flying fiends. They were the plumber-exterminators, hence, "Plumbinators!"

All Photo Albums Link

Here is a link to all the photo albums I have uploaded so far. More will show up as I post them so don't forget to check back on this link each day.

Click Here

New Friends...Lifetime Memories

I'ts pretty late and I'm pretty tired but I wanted to post up this pictures which tells a pretty common story about this week. A lot of us barely new each other when this adventure started. Now we are fast friends. Going thru the work and heat together creates common bonds that will last a lifetime.

This pictures shows the last team I had not photographed. They are actually about ten feet up on the front porch of a new house that they have been wiring. Yes these guys are all electricians now thanks to Larry.

You can't get this kind of comraderie anywhere else but a missions trip. It's like camp as a kid only better and you come out with marketable skills too.

This story could be repeated 34 times by all the team members. Hopefully these pictures will always remind us of the bonds of friendship that have grown pretty deep in just 5 days.

Curt

Tom W's First Blog Entry...Ever

No flowers down here just heat and humidity! It is somewhat like a swamp smell. Not sure what smells worse, the swamp smell or the team at the end of the day.
Tom

Chris

Chris told me his favorite thing to do was eat. And his favorite food is Chinese. His teeth are blue from his ice cream.

My New Mississippi Friends

Guess which one is JJ.

A Divine Appointment

Today was supposed to be like every other day. Our plans were to work on some houses again just like yesterday.

Little did we know that God had other plans.First the van keys got locked in the van. After an hour of using a clothes hanger, the AAA guy showed up and opened it in 30 seconds. But we really late getting started now.

Then everything changed.

One of the Lagniappe church leaders asked us if we would be willing to help out with a local group that was taking some kids to the zoo. They needed more adult chaperones because the number of kids that showed up was double what they expected.Sherri Coy said sure, I said I would drive, and we grabbed Katie Learned and and James for good measure.

It seemed like it was going to be an easy day walking around a shady zoo. Better than construction work for sure right? Well not exactly.

Soon we found ourselves following three school busses into downtown New Orleans. When they unloaded we were surrounded by over 200 kids. So many that they didn't even have enough food for them. Most didn't get a sandwich. We didn't eat anything. We just watched as they slowly formed into groups.

We found a group and began to help.

We met some amazing kids. JJ was out of control. Always running off. Never standing still. I will be yelling his name in my sleep tonight probably. Chris told some great stories. How he killed alligators and how his family lost their house.

We bought them some ice cream because it was over 90 degrees and all the animals were sleeping and hard to see. Some had even perished in Katrina and their cages were empty.

After it was over some of the kids gave us a hug and they all got back on their busses.

It wasn't our plan for the day, but it was a divine appointment.

Here are some more pictures from the Zoo trip.

http://picasaweb.google.com/mississippiblogger/SycamoreLagniappeDay4


Curt

Greetings from the Edmunds Family

Greeetings from the Edmunds Family,

Thanks for the great pictures and updates. We love seeing them everyday. We feel as if we are right there with you all through Curt's excellent pictures. We will continue praying for you all. Rudy, we love you and we are so proud of you.

Love Mom (can you believe Im on the blog!!!)

PS: Tum, we are so proud we saw you sweat!!!

Hey Team,

Thanks for all the great pics, Curt! I'ts great for us at home to check on our loved ones. Speaking of loved ones, a special hello to Dale and Dan.

All is "well" here now that the well is up and running. I know that Dan wants to know how his dog, Mosie is doing. Let's just say today is a better day than yesterday. Mosie decided the blender was the newest item that was possessed and I now need a new blender (I'll explain when you get home).

Much love,
Mary and Mom
(Dan, can you believe that your Mom figured out how to use a blog?)

Hello to all, especially Tom Weir :)
Viewed all the pictures and captions. So glad to see you all at work with smiles on your faces. (A little worried at the pic that looked like blood.) Send all your rain to Richmond so you can accomplish the max, and I don't have to water all of Tom's flowers!!!! Praying for everyone. Love to all, especially Tom :) Jean

Photo Album Link

Ok. Enough teasing. Here are 101 photos from yesterday. Mostly work zone photos but some are from sunrise on campus. Don't forget to click on slideshow feature for the best large view.

Enjoy!

http://picasaweb.google.com/mississippiblogger/SycamoreLagniappeDay3

not for the faint of heart...

Here is the promised photo of Kenzie's smashed thumb. Nothing major though. No hospitalization required. It did provide some entertainment for some of us though. He said his lack of hammer aim had nothing to do with the pretty girls that were walking by the work site at the time.

Curt

Strange Place, Strange Work, Lovely People

Our first morning of construction work is over. We are back at the church for lunch hour. The weather has been HOT and STEAMY. Some of us have a roof over us. Others don't. It depends on how far along the house is. We are not sure which is better because open houses get more breeze but the sun can cook you on the concrete like an oven inside too. Inside workers get little breeze but at least they are protected from the direct sun. God has been gracious and answered our prayers by holding off the rain so far. It started to sprinkle some right as we were breaking for lunch. 70% chance today.

The mosquitoes (small birds) are plenteous on some sites and non-existent on others. Kenzie hammered his thumb pretty good. Pictures will be posted later tonight! Ha Ha.

The teams are learning to work together and gelling well. It's total fish out of water for some of us. Strange place, strange work, lovely people.

We met some of the families whose houses we are rebuilding. The are very thankful. One whole family is out with us working on the building side by side with us.

I took lots of photos which I will post later. Stay tuned.

Curt

Fearless Leader Phil

Today we attempted the blog from cell phone. Phil and I spent ten minutes typing out this nice message from him on my tiny cell phone keyboard with this cell phone picture. Unfortunately the blog-from-phone experiment did not work and all the typing was lost.

Here Phil and Will were planning our teams excursion into the heart of the Mississippi coast today with our extra time today. We had a great day and are ready to go to work tomorrow morning.

We will try the cell phone blogging again later. Hopefully with better results.

Curt

Father's Day at Lagniappe

This morning at breakfast, Becca Hankins delivered her father's card and gift personally. He also received this big hug.

This annual ritual seemed a little special to me this time in this place.

So many families were displaced, separated and some families lost fathers and other members permanently.

Fathers are a blessing from our Heavenly Father and I hope you were able to show yours that you love him today.

Thanks Becca for reminding us.

Curt

Devestation Revisited

It has been several years since we all saw the mass devastation of the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina.

Last night we were reminded again how widespread and total the damage was when we saw some up close.

We took a walk along the ocean front and came across building after building that had the first floor washed away by the forty foot tidal surge waves. We have no real idea what our tasks will be tomorrow when we start our projects but we know it won't be easy work.

Mississippi is showing signs of revitalization and an economy that is coming back but many are still suffering and there is much to do. Again, pray that the weather cooperates so that we can get as much done as possible.

Curt

A little explanation is needed...

I realize now that a little explanation of this blog is necessary. Yes, Mississippi Blogger is me, Curt Diemer, and the who idea of this blog was a last minute thought that came to me right before we left. I was praying for a way for our team to share their experiences with those who helped send us and others who may not fully know the love of God.

So after almost no thoughtful planning or preparation, I threw this quick Blog up and started posting and sending invitations out to our team to post items themselves. Of course I forgot to say who I was or what I was up to. I see I have a few members who have joined the team but not left any messages yet. I told your family and spouses that you joined and they were all very impressed with you.

I have just added the ability to send pictures and text from my cell phone straight to this blog which may help our team post more information more quickly. I may even figure out how to post video from my phone which would really be a trick. In the mean time I will send some pictures and text occasionally to help you keep up with our team and pray for us.

This morning we worshiped with the 250 other people who are here from all over the country to work this week. It was a great service.

Stay tuned as the blogging may become more frequent and interesting. Pray that the thunderstorms that are forecast hold off and that our team melds well with the others here that we will be working side by side with. We have already seen some of the devastation on the coast just minutes from where we are staying.

Thanks for stopping by.

Curt

PS. Tammy, I got the Father's Day stuff on my pillow this morning after my shower. I'm sure you didn't have anything to do with that. Thanks Alise, got the musical card. Love you guys and miss you all.

Team Picture

Here is our team picture in front of one of the Lagniappe bunk houses.

Mark "Bus-Boy" McCoy

Here is our new friend from DC, Mark "Bus-Boy" McCoy. This is his awesome customized bus which also needs a cool name. If you have an idea for a name post it here. 6 guys drove down over two days with our tools and luggage in this rolling party.

Curt

Loading the Bus - Packing Party

Here is our packing party crew. Loading the short bus.

We are ready!

Well, we are finally ready. The Sycamore Presbyterian summer missions team is packed and raring to go. The bus is loaded down and will be hitting the road tomorrow morning. The rest of us will be boarding a plane on Saturday. We hope to post some pictures of our trip and share some of our experiences on this blog.

We are all praying for lots of opportunities to love and serve the people of Mississippi who are still strugling from Hurricane Katrina. Pray for us as we travel many mile to share God's love with the people there.