Yeah AmeriCorps NCCC! (For those of you who don’t know what that means; AmeriCorps NCCC- National Civilian Community Corps is the national service program Jordan and I were in last year. The skinny is: 11 months, 18-24 year olds, teams of 10-12, 6 week projects across the country, and a school scholarship at the end.) Gold Seven, a team from the Sacramento campus, arrived last Saturday to work with us at R3SM. We have had a full week with them and so much has been done. We all have been working on Mary’s house (see “Learn Sow Reap” the post from Feb. 18th for more information). In the weeks since we arrived Jordan and I had finished mudding and sanding the kitchen, living room, and 73% of the bathroom, trimmed and painted the windows, primed the exterior and clothed the main living space in a coat of sun yellow. But over the past week, with the team, we have:
- Connected all the plumbing
“Welcome to Hattiesburg, please dig around this sewer pipe, we think there is a hole in it.” - Screwed down all the sub-floor boards (and patched the missing spots)
“Welcome to Hattiesburg, please climb under this house and hammer in some nailers between these joists” - Installed a tub in the bathroom
“Welcome to Hattiesburg, oh the tub we had donated won’t fit through the door of the bathroom?” - Painted the exterior and replaced missing siding
“Welcome to Hattiesburg, try to sawzaw that at a matching angle to the other ones.” - Built cabinets and shelves
“Welcome to Hattiesburg, you have never built cabinets? Me either!”
All jokes aside we really accomplished a ton and this (year long) project should come to a close by the end of the month. It is amazing how much can get done with help.
In the same way, Jesus could not accomplish His mission here on earth without laborers. He saw how much work was to be done and knew He couldn’t do it alone (well, He could do it alone, but not being 100% man). In chapter ten of Matthew Jesus gives the disciples authority over unclean spirits and the gift of healing. (“Welcome to Galilee, go touch some lepers.”) The disciples went throughout the land of Israel healing the sick and spreading the good news.
While Jesus was on earth He needed disciples how much more does He need them today; while He is not here in human form? We are all called to follow Him and be willing field hands for the Lord of the harvest.
There is still so much work to be done even right here in Hattiesburg; as Jordan and I enter our last month we are so blessed to have workers with us.
Peace and Love,
Jess and Jordan
A picture from one of the framed out windows (we will have some before and after pictures soon, and some brag photos of the kitchen cabinets!)
Oh Jordan you're working on Mary's house, how is it coming? How did I not draw the connection before? did we jack it up right??? Is the drywall in the back half still good, can she live in the back yet?? Did you get the tub to fit? Oh Jordan, I think about you and Jessie all the time. (Congratulations on your engagement!! That's wonderful!!) how is the book coming?
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry i never called back after we talked in February, the shows started here and everything exploded. But enough excuses, I'm doing well here, classes and shows are good. I spend ALOT of time building in the scene shop :)
Ask the Sacramento NCCC's if they know a Katie Patterson? She is in Utah this round on an environmental. She's a good friend from high school.
I found these shoes the other day that you will LOVE!! Called five-finger shoes, they have a little pocket for each of your toes! Good for the feet because it strengthens your arch muscles, because they aren't babied by the shoe support. And they have a rubber-ish sole so you can feel the ground, but have some protection!! ALSO, the are totally recycled materials!! Check it out! I can't wait to buy a pair! Just don't wear them on Ray's job site! Have you worn out your boots yet?
Does Ray remember me? tell him hi!
Well i finally have a night off, and need to go to bed. We need to catch up!!!