An Addendum to "All Good Things Must Come to An End"

The team has left for the work site leaving me in the hotel to work on Sunday's sermon. Hopefully I will finish the work that I began on Monday.

The team's work is fairly light today. Paul and Edwin will install a water heater and Neil and Mary Jo will be adding a window sill to the window in the bedroom and painting it. Clean-up, putting the tools and such back in their proper places will follow, I'm certain.

As I reflect back upon this week, I would feel remiss if I did not say a word about each team member. Paul Miller has been a fine leader, capable, keeping the team on task, flexible in all situations, faithful, and generous in his praise. Edwin Brown has, once again, proven himself to be a man of great skill with the ability to figure out how to fix anything. His wry humor is a thing of joy! Neil Harmon, aka Doc, has shown, once again, his willingness to work on whatever project he is needed, together with any team member, using his gifts and abilities, and has continuously encouraged each person in their particular work. Mary Jo Miller who, after working on the trailer skirting yesterday with the guys, is affectionately known as Snippy, because she can snip vinyl siding proficiently, was the only first timer on this mission trip. No one would have known because she hit the ground running on the first day and never stopped working, supporting, encouraging, and enjoying the mission.

Missing from this trip was Kim Merkl who fell a few days before the trip and was injured. We missed her particular gifts and talents on this trip, which we know from the Mississippi trip, and particularly her delightful Southern sound.

God called this team to winterize - and somewhat beautify - a trailer that was damaged by flood waters. The team stepped up to the task and glorified God throughout the week.

And the family we served? I suspect that husband Carlos will be painting the outside of their trailer. Yesterday, when I showed Abida, the wife, the skirting Paul, Edwin, Neil, and Mary Jo had put around the trailer, she looked at me and said, "Ah..so beautiful." In the next breath, she pointed at the trailer and said, "Carlos should paint, don't you think?" What could I, a wife, say, but "Yes!"

This week has been an experience of grace; but isn't every week?