Volunteers Needed Arrive

Two weeks ago I had no volunteers coming for the week of February 20th and Charles was leaving on the 21th.  But within a couple of days the phone started to ring as GOD touched the hearts of some needed volunteers.  Dale from Manteo came each day.  Sharon & Tim came from Pilot Mountain.  David brought four from Edenton (Chris, Mike, Jan and Lisa).  AB, Ruth Ann, Ben and Becky came from Murfreesboro.  Steve and David came from Elizabeth City.

Alvin lead a team from Memorial Baptist in Williamston.  They arrived on Monday and worked on three different houses while here including installing siding on Chester’s mobile home.  They are a great example of how much a small team can get done when GOD leads the way.

The ladies painted at the Branch house getting it so close to being  ready for flooring to be installed.  If you have not noticed the color it is purple inside and out, just what Jennifer wants.

Two hours after David told me who was coming with him the Methodist Men here asked if we could build a ramp for a 93 year young lady who had fallen.  My first thought was YES GOD I will call David so he can prepare to build it.

As Sharon & Tim worked on getting the pilings and floor system ready they were joined on Friday by Steve &  David from Elizabeth City along with Mike Layton from Edenton.  With the floor in David, Chris, Ben & A B joined Mike on Saturday to build and stand the exterior walls on Elsie’s home.  Oh how much can happen when we listen to the call and respond to where GOD is calling us to serve.  To see pictures of Elsie original over 100 year old house go to Michael Halminski's Photography Blog.

THANK YOU GOD for a great group of men and women who served this week and got so much accomplished.

Ann will not have to go far now when she goes to post office to get the mail – across the drive.  Actually this is the historic post office of Salvo also known as North Carolina's Smallest Post Office in America.   It had to be moved due to a home being built where it was sitting.  It is now on the Salvo Fire Department land and should never have to be moved again.

GOD has provided us with some great food like this Ho Ho cake Ann made.  So when you come plan to serve GOD as we try to follow His call to share His word as we use our actions and hands to rebuild this part of the OBX.  I know you will get a blessing from the work and GOD will provide some great looking and tasting meals.

What a sunset He provided as the week ended on Saturday evening. The sun rises are great also.  My thanks to all who have come to the OBX to serve already.  We are getting many more requests for help so please consider coming to Salvo to serve GOD this year.

Working on the Branch House

Gabe is demonstrating how great JE & Betsy Skinner work together.  Michele has found a new hobby – painting.  Brad & Michele are from Cool Springs.  Dale & Billy are trying to figure out the directions so Dale can correct previous contractors work.  

The Swannanoa team & Brad completed the exterior siding and eve repairs.

On Saturday we were joined by a college age group from Wilmington  along with Vaughn and Tenia from Yadkinville. We didn’t have any wells to dig so Vaughn and Charles did trim work while Tenia and Michelle painted inside.  The youngsters installed insulation underneath and covered most of it with sheeting.  They also started the exterior painting and unloaded the trash trailer.  And don’t forget the food-fish (sea mullet) fresh from the ocean brought up by Rob Anders (Mike’s son) and another great desert (sweet potato pie).  THANKS cooking crew.

Thank you Charles.  You’ve been Billy’s right hand man and Ann’s picture taker, coffee maker and trash man.  We love you, will miss you and are looking forward to your return.

Oakdale Baptist Church on Mission at Salvo

Click here to see their pictures and report.

The Teams Have Arrived

This week we had four different teams come to Salvo to work. We have worked on rebuilding existing homes, building a new home, reinstalling a fence and moving furniture.  As the saying goes, the LORD works in mysterious ways and on each job this week I feel He was present and active.  Also met Gabe a local resident who has been working in Jeniffer & Wesley's home with us.  He as many others out here are doing what they can to help each other.

At present time we do not have any volunteers scheduled to come and work on the week of Feb. 20th.

Feb. 20th is President's Day so if you have off it would be a great day to come to the OBX.  If all plans hold together we will start the floor system for Elsie Hooper's new home that week.

OBX Rebuild Officially Started This Week

After a few days at home and a trip to Camp Caraway for Blue Hat training we are now back in Salvo.

Charles Aultman is our only construction volunteer this week. Billy and Charles have been helping Tony frame his house.

Charles has also been helping to repair Paula’s house.

Hayden and Sonny from Cool Springs Baptist Church in Sanford brought us 2 freezers and a load of food from Raleigh.

Ann decided this trip that she wanted to do the cooking for the teams.  Linda Skinner is here helping her and we have been enjoying these chocolate covered strawberries she made.

We have five jobs going on and as you can imagine we need more construction help. We also would like witness teams for some community activities.  Please consider coming out to OBX to serve our awesome God by giving us a hand.

Back to OBX and Getting Ready for Volunteers

Wednesday was the day set for us to travel back to OBX for our new assignment.  We fell in love with these people back in September when we were here after Hurricane Irene and are excited to get to come back.  Billy went to Colerain early Wednesday morning to meet the steel door people about fixing a problem with the safe room doors.  We also needed to pick up the camper there.  When I arrived after lunch I found Billy under the camper because one of the slides would not close.  It took awhile but Billy finally got it closed and we were on our way.

That’s the camper up ahead crossing the Bonner bridge.  At least this trip we did not have to go over by ferry.

We arrived  in Salvo late Wednesday afternoon.  Thanks to David Earley for pulling the Baptist Men tool trailer for us.  We are setting up at the Salvo Fire Department. With the backing of NCBM we will be here through the summer rebuilding flooded homes as well as building new homes to replace some that were or will be torn down. 

This is Tony’s house.  He is trying to do most of the work himself.  He was very receptive to having our volunteers give him a hand.  He has to move his wife and toddler out of their rental by March and will probably move into a small camper until the house is finished.

This trailer is one that we gutted back in September and will be helping to restore.

This house will probably be torn down because it will cost lots more to restore than to build a new one.  An elderly lady, who has lived on the island all her life, and her two daughters live here.

This cute little house is scheduled to be demolished next week after the fire department uses it for a training exercise.  The inside doesn’t look as good as the outside.

Many more here need help and the word is spreading that the Baptists are back to help.  Our prayers are that many of you will come to help.  Housing and meals will be provided.

 

Happy New Year

We’ve been home for a couple of weeks.  We enjoyed Christmas in Momeyer and have been to a wedding in Richmond.  Ann is doing tax and office stuff and some clean out and organizing.  Billy has worked on his shop roof and replaced the 1st of several windows at Momeyer Baptist.

We will hopefully be announcing our next adventure soon.  Stay in touch and prepare to travel as we join to serve the LORD.

House #4 Dedication in Colerain

What a glorious day in Colerain.  Today we did what some thought was impossible.  What was forgotten was that GOD sent us to Colerain with a purpose and it was time for His glory to shine.  We dedicated the 4th home and turned over the keys to Mrs. Annie Mitchell and remembered her late husband William Mitchell.  I don't know about the others present but I felt the LORD's presence at the dedication.   In closing I want to say THANKS to GOD for the grace and guidance He has provided for us as I have drawn much closer to Him than I have ever been.  Also a big thank you to Ann for her support along with all the volunteers that have served with us in GOD's kingdom.

Keep watching the blog to see where God leads us next.                                                                                                                                                       

Billy

It was sad to leave Colerain and the friends I have made there but it is good to be home for Christmas.

Ann

Three Down and One To Go

This week the push began to finish the Bond house.  Billy set the dedication for Wednesday at 2:00.  As usual, I had my doubts that we could meet the deadline but God sent the volunteers we needed and we actually finished on Tuesday, a day early.  God is so good.

Dedication Day went great for the Bond home.  Even though it was drizzling rain we had a good crowd.

Some days I feel like I am missing Christmas.  You know, the baking goodies, decorating the house and Christmas shopping.  But then we get the privilege of dedicating a brand new house to a grateful family and handing them the keys to their new home.  Then I know that we are where God has placed us and just where we belong.

Meanwhile work continues on the Mitchell house.  Will it be ready by dedication time Thursday at 2 pm?

A Glorious Week and Billy Was Right

When I got back here on Monday night and saw how much more needed to be done on the Earley and Williams houses I just did not believe that we could have these homes complete and ready to dedicate by Friday but Billy fully believed that it could be done.  Well I am happy to report that he was right.  We had many volunteers coming and going all week and the work was complete.  Even got Christmas trees decorated thanks to the Colerain Baptist Children’s group and the Flanagans.

On Friday afternoon at 2:00 just as the cold front came through we had our dedication ceremony and turned the house keys over to the happy but tearful owners.  Dot Earley commented that she had always wondered how God worked and now she had seen how He worked.  Dot, her daughter Crystal and some of their friends had prepared refreshments for everyone so the celebration continued.

• Crystal Earley and David Earley – No relation but friends for life
• The Williams house- We were told by Dot that Mrs. Williams liked to decorate this tree in her front yard with clear bottles with colored water in them so we decorated it for her homecoming.
• The Earley house-I think Dot and Crystal may be spending their first night there tonight.
• A few of the many volunteers we have been blessed with on this project.

PS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           This project is not over yet.  We still have two more houses to complete.  Billy thinks we can finish them next week. Will he be right again?  We need volunteers to help two more families have a new home by Christmas.  If you would like to share in this blessing please contact us.