Week Two in Paradise and Our 29th Wedding Anniversary

On Tuesday  morning  Ann went to help sort food at the food pantry at Waianae Baptist Church. On Wednesday morning she went back to help serve breakfast, listen to the message that was shared and then helped give out bags & boxes of food.  She is making lots of new friends.  That afternoon she helped deep clean the K cottages and then disappeared to the prayer garden where she weeded the flowers and cleaned up.  Billy spent Tuesday and Wednesday moving beds so Tony, Paula & Ann could clean.  Billy & Andy moved 12 (heavy) drawer cabinets to the storage shed.  Billy also repaired many screens and pressure washed the Peterson cottage porch.  On Thursday Ann & Billy painted the porch with a sand based and very thick paint.  It was kind of like painting with red clay.  There are many geckos here and many of them live in the cottages and we have to clean up after them.

We were able to slip away early a couple of days to go to the beach.  Ann also found a great place to take pictures from the 2nd floor of the main house.  We are on the dry side of the island and this (bottom left) is about as close as we get to rain.  There is a public park across the canal.  Friday & Saturday were our days off for the week so our way out we went to Walmart to get a few items.  Ann saw some sweet potatoes that were definitely not from Nash County.

On Friday we went to John & Lorrie’s.  They live on the wet side of the island in Kaaawa  (yes it has three a’s and is pronounced Kaʻaʻaʻwa) Their house is on the side of a mountain with a beautiful view of the ocean.  After we got settled in they carried us to Kualoa Ranch , right down the road, for lunch and a quick look around in case we wanted to come back to do some of the activities they offer.

After lunch we traveled south along the shoreline stopping at several scenic points.   The last picture is the four of us in front of a calm ocean and the famous and much photographed Chinaman’s Hat at Kualoa Beach.  For supper we went to the officers club on Kaneohe Bay Marine Force Base where we ate Mongolian style.

On Saturday morning we had pineapple, mango and dragon fruit for breakfast.  The dragon fruit was pretty but not all that tasty. 

Saturday John and Lorrie took us to Waikiki Beach to celebrate our 29th anniversary.  Before dinner we took a walk on the beach and around the hotel area.  We saw four weddings (no funerals).  We had dinner in the KoKo Café at the Hale Koa Hotel.  The Hale Koa Hotel on Fort DeRussy Armed Forces Recreation Center is a resort serving members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.  Click on this link to read it’s history.  It sits right on Waikiki beach and is beautiful.  For dinner we all chose the Grilled Citrus Mahimahi.  For desert Billy had Coconut Cream Pie and Ann had Vanilla Ice Cream with Chocolate Syrup.  It was all delicious.

On Sunday morning we went back to Waianae Baptist Church.  We feel very welcome and at home there.  Pastor Bryan talked about how even though the candidates he voted for did not win, he was at peace with it because God is still in control and He can use good and wicked people to accomplish His purpose.

Aloha, We’re In Hawaii!!!!

We arrived in Hawaii on Wednesday afternoon to start our tour of duty at Puu Kahea Conference Center in Waianae, Oahu.  It is part of the Hawaii Baptist Convention and offers a place to have adult retreats, seminars, meetings, training events, worship experiences, children’s camps, youth camps, and prayer retreats.  We will be here for two months doing cleaning, maintenance, yard work, dining room duty and other projects.  We plan to have some fun too.

John & Lorrie, friends from home who moved here 13 years ago (middle & top right) met us at the airport to welcome us to Hawaii with beautiful flower leis.  Andy & Ramona (top left), the camp directors, were in route to pick us up but were in heavy traffic due to a wreck on H-1.  They gave us beautiful sea shell leis.  After we got our baggage we all went to eat supper while traffic cleared up some. It took us approximately an hour to travel 5 blocks to eat.  We were scheduled off on Thursday (our 1st day) so we could rest from the flight and look around.  So we walked to the beach (6 blocks) for a beautiful view. Yes I wore my jeans and shoes but I took my shoes off so I could stroll in the water with my bride.  We are way out in the Pacific and on this side of the island (west) the waves are very calm. 

On Friday & Saturday we had to report for work. But before we could leave our cottage Billy had to show Ann how a golf cart works (now she’s a pro). Billy started the day off weed eating while Ann went through some of the rooms and made sure they were ready for arriving guest. She also cleaned the porches off from the grass cutting. After lunch and a little break we helped in the kitchen serving supper.  Ann is working the serving area getting it stocked and then keeping check on it. Billy is in charge of beverages and dish washing.  After a day off Sunday we were back at work on Monday morning.  We cleaned the rooms that were used on Friday night as well as the main house.  It didn’t take Billy long to remember why a mop is not his friend.  But he is sure they will be on first name basis by January.

After church on Sunday, our day off, we road to the North Shore beach area.  We made several stops.  At the first stop (center and center left) the beach was so beautiful and folks were also surfing the big waves. Then as we wandered a few feet over this little girl keeps talking about seeing the turtles. On the beach were 12 LARGE turtles resting or sun bathing.  Several more were still in the water.  What a sight. 

Then we went to the north end where we stopped and got shrimp & rice off a food truck. While eating Billy noticed an issue with the van. It had a pin hole in one of the radiator lines so we began heading back just in case.

We headed back south (top pictures and bottom left) and stopped at an area that had a coral wall around it. The water was calm inside and rough outside and suddenly the rough waves would break over the coral with amazing sights. Then it would run off the coral and into an area people were swimming and snorkeling.  We saw several sites where waves were big and lots of surf boards but only a few in the water.  It is amazing how calm the waves are here on the west side and how big and rough they are on the north.  But hey “That’s the way GOD made it.”

As we are here in Hawaii serving GOD as we feel called, many of our friends and many more people we don’t even know are serving GOD in the north east following the destruction of Hurricane Sandy.  We know they are doing it because they feel it is where GOD is calling them.  We lift each of you up in prayer each day and say THANK YOU for serving.

Busy At Home

We have been at home for over a week now and trying to get adjusted to a different schedule. Billy has been busy tearing out and replacing the floor in Ann’s workshop.  The termites feasted on it last winter.

At the end of the week he is happy to be finished with that job.  On Sunday he is going to speak at Corinth Baptist Church in Elizabeth City for their men’s breakfast.

Ann has been cleaning and organizing a house that has been neglected for over a year.

She is so ready for some fall weather that she has been doing some fall decorating.

Billy is starting to feel restless now that he found out NCBM has been asked to go to Walker, LA for mudout/tearout and roofing (installing tarps).  Ann is feeling a nudge to step out of her comfort zone and go on a foreign mission trip.  For now there is a trip planned  to see Kim and Brandon and hopefully a trip to see Josh. 

Pu’u Kahea Baptist Conference Center

October 31 we will be flying to Hawaii to work at Pu'u Kahea Conference Center for two months.  Yes, we will be spending Christmas there.

Leaving OBX

Over the many years of working in business and civic groups I have received several plaques but none ever touched me as this one did.  It gave us great pleasure to serve the LORD in the OBX area.   We were presented a plaque from the Civic Association for the NCBM.  Many of the people present spoke during the service and first of all each thanked GOD for sending them the help they needed.

On Sunday after services at Cape Hatteras Baptist Church we were invited to lunch followed by an afternoon at the point – Cape Hatteras Diamond Shoals.  With storms in the Atlantic the water was rough which drew the fishermen.  We did walk along the tides and got our feet wet for one last beach visit on the OBX for this year.

Trevis came down on Friday night so he could help us pack up and so he could join the dedication at Elsie’s on Sat. Trevis was one of the first ones working here after the hurricane and one of the last to work here for the rebuild.  Thank you for your willingness to serve Him.

If you notice the wall behind them it looks old because it is.  Jimmy had foresight enough to save several flooring boards and a bedroom door from the original house before it was torn down.  This wall & an exposed beam in the living room represents the original house. 

Special thanks to Linda Skinner, Ann’s right hand in the kitchen.  You were truly a Godsend.  Thanks for always being willing to do whatever was needed.

Little did we know when Linda joined us in Rodanthe last September to do laundry & whatever that we would become such great friends. Thank you GOD for sending Linda to help us as we have served you this past year.

Well just over 7 months ago you saw a picture of Billy pulling our camper across the Bonner bridge going in the other direction.  Then we were headed to Salvo to set up the NCBM OBX Rebuild operation.  We knew this would be a successful project due we felt the LORD was with us and calling us to go to the OBX and serve.  We also had the backing of a great group of men & women “ North Carolina Baptist Men “.  Thanks to each one of the over 500 volunteers that came to help. We have almost spent a year in the area working.  We saw it when the destruction was just starting to be cleaned up and now we are leaving after working on 30 different homes and trying to share the word of GOD whenever possible.  The people of Salvo, Waves & Rodanthe made a few requests as we left – come back again to visit  - pray for a new church plant  - when the next storm hits PLEASE come back and bring the North Carolina Baptist Men.

I want to say a special THANK YOU to GOD who brought Ann & I together 30 years ago. As the book teaches He has a plan for each of us from the beginning if we will take time to stop & listen to Him. God has allowed us to do things that I have asked for forgiveness for and he has forgiven us and sent His Son Jesus to save us. Therefore we feel we need to serve Him whenever He calls and where ever He sends us.  Please continue to pray for us that we will hear, understand and follow HIS call as HE speaks to us. We will also be praying that as we follow GOD’s calling each of you will join us as He calls you. Thank you GOD for a special wife who believes in you and follows your calling with me. 

Billy

Finishing Projects and Preparing to Leave

1. Edenton Baptist Church
2. Alan Harris-Conway and AB Flanagan and Ben Harris-Murfreesboro
3. Matthews Baptist Church-Our First and Last Team
4. Trevis Smith-Wilkesboro

On Monday the Edenton Group worked on Zenovah’s roof. They were here just for the day so Ben,  A B,  Preston & Billy finished the roof over the next couple of days between the rain storms. Alan & Ben also replaced the door to her shed.  Zenovah, at 94 years old is the oldest resident on Hatteras Island.

The Matthews group spent most of the week working at Jerome’s.  They (with Alan) installed flooring in the bedroom, put underpinning under the home, painted, installed electrical & plumbing and also watched the rain.

Tony and Erin have basically completed their home so on Tuesday we went by for the dedication.  All three are happy to have a new home and room to play.  The Matthew’s group was happy to attend especially since they were the first group to work on the house way back in February. They also invited us over on Saturday evening for a thank you social with other friends that helped build the house.

Ray, Preston & Wayne repaired the end vents on David Midgett’s home.  The local youth from Lifeboat Church were gracious enough to unload the shingles from Zenovah’s into the dumpster.  During the rain Alan, Ben & A B took down the wall that divided the men’s sleeping area and the dining area. Allen worked on straightening up the tool trailer so it could be loaded for departure next week.  The bunk unit pulled out the first of the week.






Saturday will always be special in my heart.  At 11 am 50 people gathered at Elsie’s to dedicate her home although it is not quite complete.  Many people had words to say and I believe each thanked GOD for all He had done and everybody He sent to help.  They had a special key made and presented it to us.  Jimmy said it was the key to the island but I have yet to find the lock.  But it will always remind me of a special group of folks on Hatteras Island.  Ann presented Elsie with the Bible which many volunteers had signed.  Since Jimmy over saw the building of his mom’s home and he put the locks on the doors he presented her the keys.  Afterwards all were invited to lunch in what was our sleeping and dining hall.  Crazy Johnnie (Conner’s Super Market) prepared the BBQ.
As we continue to pack up and clean up the reality of going home next week grows deeper.  At the same time the love and caring for each other grows deeper between us and the people who choose to live in Salvo, Waves, Rodanthe (Chicamacomico) and Avon.  We will miss seeing each of you but GOD sent us here to share His word and love with you and now he has other plans for us.  However GOD will always be here and travel with us as he watches over and provides all that we NEED.

Three Jobs Complete This Week

1. Tim Etheridge and Billy Threatt-Greenville
2. Don Gallimore-Roxboro
3. Beulah Baptist-Sunbury
4. Tar River Baptist Association-Franklin and Nash County

Tim, Billy T. & Billy hung the remaining sheetrock at Jerome’s house. Then Don & Billy did the mud work. Linda & Elaine helped Don sand the rock to get it ready to paint.

The Tar River ladies and girls finished the sanding and applied the primer coat of paint.

Shaun and Dustin finished the eve work at Chief Mike’s.  Tim sprayed the Cutter supplied by Ace Hardware in hopes of getting rid of some mosquitoes.  Billy T. trimmed up the grass around the kitchen area.  Some of the Tar River team did the final painting on Mildred Midgette’s house.  That’s two jobs complete this week.

Sam with the Tar River team led his group in the building of an access ramp for the Lorenzo’s.  Check another one off as complete.

The Beulah group started a shingle & roof repair job for Mrs. Zenova.  On Saturday some of the Tar River group helped Billy get more of the roof done.

Yes the girls did take a little time off and enjoy the beach.  Ann was able to spend her beach time with her good friend Melinda and her family at the New Inlet beach.  God provided a great sunset as always.  God also provide some great food that is being prepared by Ann and Linda.

All of our commitments here will soon be completed.  We plan to be leaving the OBX in two weeks to head on to other projects we feel GOD is calling us to.  So if you want to join us one last time on the OBX you better act quick.   Also The dedication for Elsie’s (Jimmy & Jenny) home will be Saturday, August 25 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a BBQ meal.  PLEASE let us know if you can attend.  They want to see each of you and thank you for your service to the people of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo & Avon “AKA THE OBX.”

Full House-Week Two

1. Popular Creek Baptist Church-Henderson, NC
2. Guest Chef Gaylon Moss-NCBM Disaster Relief Director
3. Littleton Baptist Church-Littleton, NC
4. Oakdale Baptist Church-Rocky Mount, NC
5. Elm Street Baptist Church-Greensboro, NC
6. Griffin Family-Forest Hills Baptist Church, Wilson, NC
7. Alan Harris-Conway and Steve Parker-Murfreesboro
8. Carl Geppart-Vacationer-Granite, MD

The Popular Creek group spent the week in Avon working on Reba & Kathy’s homes.  They spent lots of time working on Reba’s house but also lead her in prayer as she asked GOD into her heart.

They also cut and cleaned Reba’s yard.  On Monday Carl, who we met in church Sunday, volunteered doing plumbing at Reba’s & Kathy’s.  He was touched by Reba’s issues and asked if he could buy her a washing machine.  When he went home and told the group he was vacationing with about her another couple bought her a stove which was delivered by Manteo Appliance.  Russ installed the kitchen cabinets.  Billy and Alan installed the counter tops and plumbing.  Wednesday at lunch we dedicated her home. 

Popular Creek also did lots of finish ups at Kathy’s.  They installed vinyl and painted.  Sid & Betty Anne finished up the caulking and final painting.  We also dedicated Kathy’s home on Wednesday and she was moving back in on Thursday.

The Littleton Baptist group scraped and painted at Mildred Midgett’s.  She is staying with the same colors the home was originally painted.  Mildred has enjoyed all the company especially the youth. They were not able to finish the paint due to rain.

Some of the Oakdale group did lots more painting and yard cleaning at Mildred’s but they also were rained out before finishing.

Several of the men and ladies from Oakdale worked on the eve and porch trim at Chief Mike’s.

The guys from Elm Street did the rough in plumbing and wiring at Jerome’s.  Some of the Oakdale ladies helped Billy & Alan hang the insulation.  Then on Saturday the Griffin family helped hang most of the sheet rock. 

Linda went home to take of some issues with her mom so a couple of the Oakdale ladies stepped up and helped Ann in the kitchen.  It has been raining a lot on the OBX for the past three weeks. The ditches are full and yards are flooded along with the roads.  Some of the Littleton group organized the tool trailer since they were rained out on their painting job.

We only have three more weeks to be here working so if you have been thinking about coming to help you still have a chance to get in on what God is doing on the OBX.  Come and join us.

Full House

We had a wonderful day last Sunday.  Started out at Cape Hatteras Baptist with a great service with a surprise baptism. Then our friends Mike and Lynn Anders and their son Rob took us out on their boat to a small island in the inlet between Hatteras and Ocracoke for some fun in the sun, swimming and a Momeyer watermelon. Then we went further out in the sound to do some clamming. When we got back to Salvo our friend Charles Aultman, who we have missed so much, was waiting on the porch for us.  It don't get much better this side of heaven.

Now on to the work week.  We had a full house this week.  Our largest number of team members at one time. Our teams this week:

• A.  Alex, a young man from VA gave up a day of his vacation to volunteer.
• B.  Our daughter Kim and her husband Pastor Brandon with mission team from Calis, OH
• C.  Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Morganton, NC
• D.  Carolina Memorial Baptist Church in Thomasville, NC
• E.  Charles Aultman from Roxboro.  Somehow we never get a picture of him.

God was GREAT to Billy this week. Not only did He send the Calais team with Kim & Brandon he also sent many other volunteers with good leadership so Billy was able to hang out work with Kim & Brandon. The Calais team installed windows and framed the interior walls in Jerome’s mobile home.  Many of you may wonder why Billy enjoys working on mobile homes – well it is the industry that he grew up in and the career that God kept him in so we can go and serve God now as we feel led.

The Morganton group spent the week in Avon. They sanded & then painted Reba’s interior. Then they laid the flooring and started the trim work.  And yes that is water. It has been raining a lot here over the past few weeks and sometimes the water in the yards and streets seem deeper than the sound.

They also group split up for a couple of days and some went to Kathy’s (across street) to install the rest of the base board, padding and strips for the carpet and install flooring in the kitchen.  Bobby came back down from Nags Head and laid the carpet.  Sure wish NCBM had a volunteer carpet person we could call on.

In between the rain  showers some of the Calais group & Thomasville group got a lot of the outside of Mildred Midgett's house painted.  They chose the yellow, white & brown cause it is how daddy painted it when he built it and it has always been that color.

HL carried the Thomasville guys to Steve’s to finish the rails and post on his porch and steps. Charles also helped them.

Charles and the Thomasville ladies cleaned up around Elsie’s and stacked up the leftover timber.  When the guys finished at Steve’s they moved to Elsie’s and worked on the ramp rails.  Some of the ladies joined Mike & Rob in Mike’s shop to help sand the cabinets he is building for Elsie’s house.

Thursday was American Heroes Day at the Chicamacomico Life Saving Station.  Some of our volunteers helped Salvo Fire Dept. sell shirts and hotdogs and some of them worked in the museum.  Ann and Linda took a ride in Hatteras Electric bucket truck.  The views were great from the top.  Linda got a great picture (top left) of the Bonner Bridge which is 17 miles away.

On Tuesday night we celebrated the birthdays of Elsie and Buddy, the fire chief’s mother and father-in-law. The Thomasville group had VBS on Thursday and Friday afternoon and showed the movie Courageous on Friday night.  They built a bond fire on the beach two nights and Ann tagged along.  Marshmallows were roasted and guitars provided the music for some singing. 

If you have followed our blog you may have noticed some things.  Many groups are just men, some are just ladies, some are let’s say senior and some are very young.  Most important is they all came to OBX “Salvo” to serve an awesome GOD.  Many hours of labor have been given to help other people that they may or may not have even met.  They came to serve whomever needed their help.  Thanks to all who have served with us and be assured your presence has made a big difference in the villages of Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo & Avon. You have planted the seeds.  Now pray that others will help them grow so GOD can harvest His children.

And yes HE has also made it possible for teams that wished to enjoy some fun time while they were here also.  Hope to see all of you again soon.