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"Pearl mart" distribution site for the Recovery Center |
It is Thursday morning, April 19
th, and we will return to Landon Dell's house one more day to finish installing the windows and doors. I discovered that Landon has another member of his household, a younger brother Lawrence. When Lawrence and Angelle returned from school yesterday, Angelle was pleased to announce that Clifford, the Big Red Dog had visited school - and, oh, a lady she thought her name was Mrs. Bush, the president's wife (!)
When we are done, we will move on to another home, in part to undo the work of some previous volunteers. It is becoming clear that a major part of these repairs and renovations is making do with what you have and with what others have done beforehand. This means we should plan to come down in the future with team leaders with expertise. Chris has been given the title "He Who Knows What He Is Doing" by the large Methodist and Lutheran contingent from Ankeny, Iowa. Donations pour in from all over the country and are stacked, sorted and stored at a distribution center labeled "Pearl Mart" by the locals. Unfortunately, when there is no room inside, or when residents do not have homes or sheds that can shelter the furnishings they have selected, the donations may be ruined by the weather. If every household that's halfway done had even a small skilled team working on it, each home might be finished in a matter of weeks, rather than the long months it has taken. The residents of Pearlington are amazingly matter-of-fact and even cheerful when they retell their experiences. But, here and there, we hear the frustration and depression that arises from their prolonged topsy-turvy existence. The work we do here is as much ministry as it is hard labor. People like Dallas Trammell and others look out for their neighbors and help lend support even as they themselves are slowly pulling their lives together. I plan to request that, whatever First Parish Church in Weston collects for this trip over and above our expenses, we donate to the Pearlington Recovery Center for needed supplies. Pastor Rawls led a rousing service at the Community Baptist Church last night. Chris selected a reading from Corinthians and read to the congregation. Sarah led the singing. Tod and Chris wonder if Rev. Tom Wintle would learn to whoop for us on Sunday mornings. |
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Dallas, Family and Friends |
