Work Day #1 at Gulf Port

Today we began our work for Hope CDA, which is an organization separate from Back Bay and a government-funded house repair organization. Their focus is to repair the houses already existing, not to completely start from scratch. However, today we found that our assigned project desperately needed to be completely torn down and built up from the ground. It seemed like a daunting task, but we quickly got to work. We began by cleaning all of the trash around the property and then began working on the house. By the end of the day we had ripped out most of the flooring, laid down floor joists, ripped out many of the walls, and laid down the subfloor. Although we have a lot of work yet to do, we made substantial progress and it already is looking so much better. Today some of us learned to apply more sunscreen, some learned to never use a port-a-potty, some learned to saw (Go Go Gopher and Twizzler pretty much beasted this one...), and some learned how to use a nail-gun. By the end of the day most of us were a few shades darker partially because of the sun but mostly because of the dirt. Around nine-thirty we were refreshed by some Mississippi rain soon to find that we were completely drenched from head to toe, despite our hats. Overall it was a fulfilling day and we are all looking forward to going back tomorrow. - P-Fitty, Mad Eye, Twizzler, uP Dog

Fantastic First Night In Biloxi

We finally made it to Biloxi. We settled into our rooms at SUMA (Seashore United Methodist Assembly) and Back Bay Mission. We got to meet all of our roommates for the next week. Those at SUMA after checking in we walked across the street to the beach. The sand was nice, but the water was a little dirty and cloudy, but the atmosphere was calm and relaxing. We enjoyed an afternoon with our friends. After spending some time at the beach we went to back to the dorms and got ready to leave for dinner at Back Bay. We piled way to many people into cars because we didn't have enough drivers. It was a bonding experience. When we got to Back Bay for dinner we found out that the people who were cooking dinner had just gotten the food so their would be a little wait. During the wait we played various games such as, Down By the Banks, the Umbrella Game, and Tap. It was a good way to get know each other. We had many laughs. We then got to eat dinner; spaghetti, salad, and bread. The girls cooking the dinner did a really good job cooking the food. We all raced to see who could finish their food first, partially because of the limited seating in Back Bay. We were all really surprised at how fast people could eat. After dinner we went back outside to play more games. Our first night in Biloxi has been really exciting and successful and we can't wait to find out what we are going to be working on for the rest of the week. We are also excited to get to know all the other girls on this trip better.
Signing off:
Kelly Anderson (Space Ghost), Teresa Nguyen (T-Noz), Anna Chott (Chongo)

After a grueling 7 hour drive (which actually flew by faster than expected), we got to in Jackson, MI with minimal damage. A broken car and a few detours later, everyone arrived safe and sound at the Hampton Inn. Before leaving for St. Richards parish, we played an intense round of UNO, SpongeBob style. At the parish, we were treated to the best home-cooked Southern meal we'd ever had and then surprised by a plethora of games. We played spoons, dodgeball, catchphrase, and bunko, which somehow managed to have different rules at every table. We finished the night with some karaoke and rapping done by the talented girls on this trip. The amazing hospitality of everyone in Jackson was greatly appreciated, and started off the trip on a very high note.
This morning, we returned to St. Richards for mass, where we were again welcomed warmly and even applauded at mass. After a mishap involving an automatically locking door and no working cell phones at the church after the service, we finally got on the road. A refreshing downpour at the Southern bbq joint drenched some of us during the lunch break, and most of us arrived on schedule at the Back Bay House by 3 (except for the two cars in the middle of Louisiana...). The accommodations exceed expectations (Harry Potter reference) and we are feeling energized and ready for the week ahead of us. Now we're off to play a game of frisbee! Talk to "y'all" later!
Love,
Mad-Eye (Elizabeth Modde), Whetsel the Pretzel (Catherine Whetsel), Showtime (Jenny Starrs), Lil' Bidness (Erica Watson)

let the good times roll

We made it! Some of us made short detours to Memphis and New Orleans along the way, but the end of the caravan is finally rolling into the Back Bay Mission House in Biloxi, Mississippi. After many long hours of driving, all of us, although slightly restless, are happy to be here. We're settling into our new homes for the week and getting everything situated, making trips to the grocery store and to and from Back Bay and Sea Shore. Last night we spent the night in Jackson. We arrived at the hotel and shortly headed out to eat a great home-cooked meal at St. Richard Parish. Thanks to Dana and her crew, we had fried chicken, corn, baked beans, desserts, and lots of fun and games. We spent a few hours at St. Richard's after dinner playing Bunko, Catch Phrase, Dodgeball, and Spoons, which, as you might guess, got a little to competitive, but no one got hurt!
The standards were set high for this trip after the awesome hospitality we received in Jackson. We participated in a nice mass this morning and then we were on our way. We're going to work hard for the next week to become the selfless people the backs of our shirts describe us as and to help the lives of many people down here.
'I am only one, but still I am one, I cannot do everything, but still I can do something, and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.'
Peace,
Patreece Smith (Midnight) & Libby Harbaugh (Shaking the Tree)

See You at 7:40 a.m.

This will change every day....check in all week for updates!!!

Required Reading

Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn

The End of Poverty by Jeffrey Sachs

Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder

The Theology of the Hammer by Millard Fuller

Last Week Announcements

Students

1) The veteran Biloxi students would like to have a half hour of your time to make
the trip better for you.

We will meet at 11:45 am....after your last exam in the back of the cafeteria.
This should not be a long meeting, but will be if we have to wait for you.

Please be there, if you cannot be there, please make arrangements to be there.

If you still cannot be there--talk to me tomorrow Tuesday.I will be in the building..

2) We are working hard to collect forms, insurance cards and contact info and
a few more payments.
If you are missing these, please see Mr. Magee tomorrow.

3) At 8:00 a.m. in the EAC, we will have a short less than 15 minute prayer
service before we leave.

Please invite your parents, who are dropping you off to attend this service.

You are expected to be on the back parking lot by 7:45 am on Saturday...

4) Also, Remember we are bringing underwear and socks for the homeless to MS.


5) I will be sending out a more formal email to your parents as soon as the last car details are complete..