We are on the road again. Well, actually we just got off the road in the town of Grenada about an hour South of Memphis. The Pastor here just showed us around his big beautiful church where we are spending the night. We have been shown such wonderful hospitality everywhere we've been. Casey discovered a wireless connection here.

It has been HOT here, up on the roofs and in the unairconditioned home where we painted. God did send some beautiful breezes when we thought we might not endure it any longer. The cans of water donated for Relief workers by Anheiser-Busch have been limitless and unbelievably appreciated. You know how they say to drink 8 glasses of water a day and no one can do it? HA! I think we must drink a 12 pack each every day! (and we hardly ever need to pee!)

Even though we are mostly greenhorns with the roofing, Tom knew what to do and everyone quickly found a specialty. We were able to replace 2 roofs while we were there but there are still 300 people on just this church's waiting list alone! It seems overwhelming all that still needs to be done but they tell us to look at it as just helping one family at a time. We have worked on 4 homes and were able to meet the homeowners of each and hear their stories. It is heart-breaking and uplifting as well. Can't tell you how many times tears have come to my eyes over the past week and also how many hugs and "thank you"s we have received. As Andy put it when we were reviewing Ander's response as we exited the bus to paint the interior of his home: "I gave him my hand and he just drew me in". A handshake was not good enough for him, it was great big bear hugs for each and every one of us. Mrs. Fountain, whose roof was the first one we did (quite a materpiece of group committment) called the church to thank them for sending us and called us her angels.

When people see our bus they know why we are here. There are many churches and organizations down here sending out volunteers and yet the need is still massive nine months after Katrina. They believe it will be 5 years before all the work is completed. In many areas as we drive by you see band new roofs next to blue-tarped roofs. The blue tarps are sprinkled everywhere we went....and the FEMA trailers in people's front yards.

There is so much to do and we worked 'til we were cranky and tired but there is still so much. The people here are so grateful. Many have denied ny Insurers who claim that a hurricane wind damage and not a flood and refuse to pay. Others have been ripped off by unscrupulous contractors who take advantage of the people willing to pay up front out of desperation to get higher on the waiting list. There are landlords that pretend to be homeowners in need and we ran into that too - twice! Anyway... sorry this has been so random but there has been so little down time and we are weary and full of all that we have experienced. Lots of good stories coming your way. It feels good being a tool of God! We got more than we gave. It will be good to be home though. Thanks for your prayers.