Weekend 3

We had a big weekend – some of us spent Saturday in Houston at NASA – Johnson Space Centre. Diane is a space nut so she was very thrilled about every aspect of being there. It was special that the night before, the U.S. had successfully sent another spaceship up into space.

It was a sunny but there was a cold wind blowing. We spent from 10:30 to 4:30 there. It is certainly a great place to take children, as there is a large Starship Gallery, Lunar module, movies and exhibits geared especially for kids.

We took a tram tour of the Johnson Space Centre which was quite interesting. Also took in a couple of the movies and toured the exhibits. I was wishing Darren and the kids were there with John rather than wasting it on me. I would have been happier spending the day at the flea market in Vidor!

Houston is an hour and a half drive away.

Sunday we and Len and Nettie went to the Methodist Church across the street. The rest went to other churches in the area. We were happy that we went here, as Hank and Vi Remple from the regular unit (and B.C.) attended, and brought with them a new couple from Manitoba as well as Dick Buhler from Winnipeg who had been a crew foreman at Cameron this spring. Pastor Joe Miller makes a big fuss about us Canadians coming down to Texas to help them out. It’s good to know our presence is appreciated.

Sunday afternoon we had a late lunch at the Cedar Tree Restaurant in Jasper. We also went to Walmart and purchased a Tracphone with minutes; however, learning how to use the darn thing is another story!! We certainly do miss having a land line to use our SuperStore phone card.

It was a good weekend. Looking forward to getting back to work...

November 14th - Just killing time while John is busy and my laundry is washing

November 14, 2008 Blog

So, this is our second Friday off. More or less – John and Len are helping Walt and Vern unload the gyproc for the house, as it arrived at 8:00 this morning.

I just realized I didn’t mentioned what our good buddy Len has been doing on my last blog. He has been busy doing whatever he can see needs doing and I didn’t follow him around to know… I do have a picture of him working on a trench so we all could walk around outside comfortably without stepping into water after the big rain…

There’s no way the house will be ready for an electrical/plumbing inspection by Monday. John was hoping to be boarding soon, but there’s simply too much to do before that can happen. We really need Paul, “our” plumber/electrician here!

We 3 ladies put the tail ends of insulation around the windows and doors and were out of work by noon on Thursday. We MUST remember to put all our tools that we have been using away before leaving the job site on Thursdays though, as it wasn’t really fair to the men to have to put all their tools away, and ours too. There were MANY hammers, staplers, knives and other small tools laying on the window sills etc. We just thought they would be left until Monday, but on actually thinking about it, we should have put them away!

We were spoiled with cooking this week – on Wednesday night we had soup supper at the Baptist Church, as mentioned in my last blog. Then Thursday night, we were invited to the Methodist Church for a soup supper which they were having before their business meeting. They said we didn’t have to stay for that!!! It was great. Had supper and DESSERT and then we were invited out to the Bible Encampment for dessert and a farewell party for the two couples from Manitoba who have been cooking out there, one from Elm Creek and the other from Carmen. The Project Managers there are very special people. Alec (AKA Fig Newton) had a second daily devotion about Silent Night, which we sang, (one verse in German by those who knew it) and we had a sort of a family Christmas together, which was really neat. After the devotion, they got the pianist to play some more hymns and Walt led the singing. Pretty good singing, too. They also had four different desserts - 3 cakes the cooks made and a big ice cream cake. I noticed almost everyone had a piece of each on their little dessert plate!!!! And that was AFTER we already had dessert. Oink oink.

I had another visit with my new friend, the cat lady (Patricia) on Thursday afternoon. She had more news about her home invasion Hallowe’en that was not good. She had understood that the guy that they had identified and picked up was going to plead guilty so that would be the end of it. However, it appears he is the son of their neighbour (who she did not know personally) and his mother says he was at the table in their home when this took place, so she is providing an alibi for him. There’s no doubt he is the perpetrator though and he is in jail because he had warrants out against him. Hopefully he will stay in jail. Poor Patricia is having nightmares and while she was often wary about the neighbourhood and going out at night, now she is downright afraid. Good thing she has friends who offer to come and pick her up and bring her home in the dark and make sure she gets into her house safely. She is on such a limited income that she has no place else to go. She owns her home and while it is in a very sad state of repair, it’s all she has. She’s only my age. I do hope to get a picture of her on her sundeck covered in cats!

Well, I guess I have gone on here long enough. John should be pooped by the time he gets back. Probably will be happy just to read for the rest of this day!

Love to you all. We are praying for Florette and her family as they say goodbye to their beloved Jules – prayer service tonight and funeral tomorrow.

Second week of November at Newton

November 11, 2008

Well, I have time to sit and type some more on our blog this afternoon thanks to the rain which has started to pour down around the middle of the morning.

I forgot to mention that Thursday evening we went for dessert to the West Texas Bible Encampment which is home to the regular short-term volunteers with project managers Alec (Fig) Newton and Laura Dupp from Abbotsford, B.C. We met a number of volunteers from Manitoba and some from La Crete, Ab. We also had the privilege of listening to “Brother Jason” who had prepared a special message just for the MDS volunteers. It was a very nice evening.

On our first Friday off, we washed half of our fifth wheel to get the oxidation from the summer off. Friday evening was the excellent Mark Lowry concert in Jasper. Mark used to be with the Gaither team. Turns out he was a classmate of the Pastor of the church there – they did a number together which was just awesome!

Friday morning I learned of a casualty at home. My wonderful pets managed to trash my 12 inch silver gazing ball which was “safely” harbored from harm on our dresser in the bedroom for the winter. Oh well, no sense crying over smashed gazing balls…

On Saturday, we were supposed to go fishing at a private pond of some friends of the unit, however, this fell through and we travelled with the Hieberts to Lloyd’s Trailer Sales at Orange instead. And didn’t we find a huge yard sale on the way. Good thing Len’s a good sport when we ladies insisted he turn around. He’s getting at pulling U-ies in the middle of the highway! We found some interesting things we couldn’t live without. The men made their purchases at Lloyds and we said hello to our salesman, Danny. Then back to the site. John and I went and tried the “new” sirloin tip dinner at Dairy Queen and I had taken my laptop along just in case they had internet there. They did, so stayed for an extra hour and he picked me up later.

Sunday morning we went to Ralph Rosedale’s Baptist Church at Brookville. We went early enough for Sunday School (Bible Study) as well and I got to meet the sweetest little ole’ Texas ladies! I enjoyed the fact they were more intent on visiting, finding out the latest news and wanting to find out about their visitors than getting into the rather dry bible study material…. One 10 year old girl came up when the Pastor gave the invitation to make a commitment to the Lord. That was neat!

After church, we all went to Momma’s Kitchen, a buffet put on by a “Black” Bible College for the last 4 years. The college campus is a distance out of town. All the servers and cooks were African American (or whatever is politically correct) and they were the friendliest people! The food was excellent and I am sure we will go there again.
Our group was taking a long time visiting after we had finished eating, so I went outside to get some fresh air. There were a bunch of children playing on the lawn and no sooner I sat down than I was barraged by three of the cutest little black kids you ever saw, ages 4 and 6. Their pretty, young Mom came out in a little while too, after the dinner rush, and we all had a lovely little visit.

We got so bored sitting around Sunday evening that we hollered across to Len and Nettie to bring over their Sequence game again – we broke even – Men 1 and Women 1.

Later John was happy to discover we are able to get 3 more T.V. channels in addition to FOX and PBS. He missed his “News”.

It was back to work on Monday, with a lovely sunny day again. The windows arrived and John and Len put them in. I helped with the window flashing tape. Nettie and Diane were back to pulling electrical wiring. Phil got the siding underway so the young helpers from the short termers could get going on it. Vern was doing all the things necessary to keep work going. Walt was on the road to Jasper again for materials.

It rained over night and Tuesday morning was a bit damp. It was a lot damper as the morning progressed. My task for the morning was to hold the one end of the Hardy plank siding while the one young fellow held the other end and the other young fellow fastened it with the air nailer. Before I knew it, I got promoted to “foreman” of the siding crew. That was quite a promotion in a short time!! By 10:45 a.m., it was pouring rain on and off. By noon, it was just straight pouring rain. I stayed home in the afternoon. John was working on plumbing, but they all quit a bit early. It rained cats and dogs all evening, and there was a tremendous electrical storm all night – lots of lightning and thunder – thankfully very little wind.

Wednesday, we 3 ladies started insulating. We have two bedrooms done, with the third to be finished tomorrow. There was only enough insulation purchased so far to do the three bedrooms. John is hoping to be able to start putting up gyproc on Monday. We only have two more four-day weeks here, so it would be nice if we can get as much accomplished as possible.

Yesterday, Mr. Phil put up the back veranda and today he finished the stairs, as well as getting back to the siding. Because the yard was so wet, the two young helpers didn’t work at this site.

We learned that our friend, Jules Gareau, from the Klassic Kruizers, lost his battle with cancer on Monday night. We were praying that he wouldn’t have to suffer too much longer. Our heart goes out to his wife and family to have to deal with such a loss. He was a good friend to us.

Well, I should get this posted to the blog in case I don’t have time tomorrow.

Good night everyone, and God Bless.

First week at Newton Texas completed

Our first Sunday in Newton, we all attended the Methodist Church which is providing us with the RV site. Apparently, this lot across the street was the site of a known drug house and was a scourge to the community. One of their parishioners purchased the lot, bulldozed down the house and donated it to the church for an RV Park for MDS. It is an excellent location and the community is thankful to have more reputable “neighbours”.

Pastor Joe Miller is a very vivacious gentleman reminiscent of Pastor Eddie in Georgetown, Alabama. He made sure we stayed awake during the service and his sermon, and acknowledged the Mennonites present in several instances. There was communion which we were invited to participate in. John and I observed a very moving act during the communion. When one of his young adult parishioners who was in the services approached the communion table, Pastor Joe Miller saluted him. What a sign of respect for an older man to pay to a young serviceman!! We were also very impressed with the amount of community service work this fairly small congregation does! There was no end to the list of ways they are involved in making their less fortunate fellow Newtonians lives’ better, and Newton a better place to live. They are truly excellent examples of being the hands and feet of Jesus and putting their Christianity into action.

We have completed our first “week” volunteering at Newton. Of course it is always difficult figuring out where newcomers fit into the program. However, John and Len both got busy doing what they could see needed doing. Diane and Nettie worked a couple of days strapping the walls to the foundation and installing the More-vent. Linda helped them one day as well. On Thursday, Diane and Nettie also drilled some holes and pulled some of the electrical wire into place. Three young fellows from the regular Newton project (in from Winkler, Mb) spent the week completing the shingling. Len and Phil finished off the porch roof and front. John started arranging the plumbing. Walt was helping with the roof, and Vern was working with the hurricane ties on the trusses in addition to all of their administration duties.

In the evenings, the men (Len and John) have beat the women (Nettie and Linda) in total games of Sequence. Now we have to catch up…

I went to visit Patricia, “the cat lady” the other day and really enjoyed it. She is around my age and has health problems that don’t allow her to work. She mostly walks with a pronged cane. So her life revolves around rescuing cats in the community. She has about some fixed cats and kittens in the house scheduled for operations. At daily feeding time around 4 p.m., she said there are around 50 who come for food. She “introduced” me to about 30 of them! All kinds, sizes and descriptions, except there were no white ones! She has a little wire-haired terrier dog as well. MDS did a bit of work for her in October. She lives in quite a nasty area, just a short distance away from where we are parked. On Thanksgiving night, she went to her door when someone knocked and before she knew it, the door was kicked in and a man accosted her asking for her money. He pushed her around quite roughly. She really thought she was going to be raped. She gave him all the money she had and, thank heaven, he left. They caught him later that night, as she got a good look at him and gave the police an excellent description. She has lived there by herself for 25 years and isn’t feeling very safe right now, although she does have some friends in the area. When I left, she said, “Do come around again. It’s nice to have a new friend.” Of course, I didn’t mind all the cats being around and didn’t think she is totally nuts like lots of people do. She has a mission and tries to give them away to good homes when she can. She arranges to have as many fixed as possible. If she didn’t have her cats, she wouldn’t have a reason to get up in the morning.

On Friday night we went to a Mark Lowry concert at a Baptist Church the other side of Jasper. He is a singer/comedian who performed with the Gaithers for 13 years. He sure was FUNNY! And can he ever sing!

We have had lovely weather all week. Only one brief rain shower one night. Other than that, it has warmed up to 80 most days. Mornings are quite humid and evenings cool right off. But mostly, midday is shorts weather.

We are enjoying our fifth wheel. John cleaned the side with the door and the hitch end to get rid of the oxidation over the summer. Has the other side and end to do yet. It looks much nicer.

Groceries down here are about the same price as in Canada. They used to be considerably cheaper, but not any more.

Being here for the big election was interesting. The fervent Christians were mostly McCain supporters. They believe the moral grain of America will be changed for the worse by Obama. I guess we’ll see. We’ve been there already, with legalization of same sex marriages, etc.

Thanks to everyone who sent messages after I advised that our blog was back in business. We enjoy hearing from you.

Well that’s all for this week. Hope I can get onto the internet in a timely fashion.

P.S.: We are parked near the Library and someone told me the internet was accessible in their parking lot. That's where I am at the moment and am happy to be able to get this done.

JOHNSON BAYOU REVISITED

WE HAVE ARRIVED AT NEWTON AND OUR FIFTH WHEEL IS NOW IN PLACE FOR THE MONTH. IT REALLY FEELS GOOD. EVERYTHING WAS JUST FINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE R.V., EVEN THE FRIDGE. WE SLEPT IN IT THE FIRST NIGHT IN THE STORAGE FACILITY, JUST PUTTING OUT THE BEDROOM SLIDE. WE DIDN’T REALLY HAVE PERMISSION TO SLEEP THERE, BUT FELT WE HAD NO CHOICE. SULPHUR MOTELS ARE FULL OF DISPLACED PEOPLE FROM CAMERON, HACKBERRY AND JOHNSON BAYOU, AND ALSO, WE HATED TO SPEND THE MONEY EVEN IF WE COULD GET A MOTEL ROOM, AS WE DID HAVE OUR OWN BED TO SLEEP IN. WE KIND OF FELT LIKE WE WERE “SQUATTING” THOUGH. ALTHOUGH THE DAYTIME TEMP WAS ALMOST 80 DEGREES, IT SURE GOT COLD OVER NIGHT AND I WAS WISHING I HAD PUT ON THE EXTRA QUILT! WE GOT UP AND OUT FOR COFFEE AT 6:45 A.M.

THEN HEADED FOR ORANGE WHERE WE GOT A 21 DAY PAPER LICENSE PLATE FROM THE TRAILER SALES PLACE TO MOVE THE FIFTH WHEEL TO NEWTON – IT IS NICE THEY WOULD DO THAT FOR US.

OUR MISSION THEREAFTER WAS TO GO DOWN THROUGH JOHNSON BAYOU AND CHECK THINGS OUT. THAT WAS VERY DISHEARTENING!!! SO MUCH DAMAGE - SO MANY HOUSES JUST SIMPLY GONE.

WE COULD SEE THE DAMAGE ALL ALONG THE HIGHWAY. DRIVING TOWARDS HACKBERRY, THERE WAS A SHRIMP BOAT LAYING ALONGSIDE THE ROAD. BROWN’S CORNER STORE AT HACKBERRY WAS OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND THE LIBRARY SEEMED FINE. THE DOLLAR STORE AND ANOTHER OLDER STORE WERE STILL CLOSED DUE TO DAMAGE. THE R.C. CHURCH APPEARED INTACT FROM THE OUTSIDE, BUT THERE WAS A HUGE PILE OF RUBBLE ON THE GROUNDS – OBVIOUSLY EVERYTHING INSIDE WAS RUINED BECAUSE OF THE WATER.

THERE WERE SOME HOUSES STILL UP ON PILONS ON HOLLY BEACH. WE DIDN’T BOTHER GOING CLOSER OR TAKING PICTURES OF HOLLY BEACH. AT THE CORNER WHERE WE TURN TO JOHNSON BAYOU, THERE USED TO BE A TRAILER PARK AND SOME HOUSING. ALL OF THAT WAS BARE – GONE.

THE SIDES OF THE HIGHWAY WERE STILL PRETTY BROKEN UP; THE MAIN PART OF THE HIGHWAY HAD BEEN FIXED ALREADY.

COMING INTO JOHNSON BAYOU, WAS A DEVASTATING SIGHT. WE DROVE TO THE TRAILER PARK FIRST. IT WAS STILL THERE, COMPLETE WITH LAUNDRY FACILITY!

MISS FLORA BELLE TRAHAN’S HOUSE WAS STILL PRETTY WELL IN ONE PIECE, BUT IT WAS OUT IN THE FIELD BEHIND TIM’S TRAILER PARK A HALF MILE FROM WHERE IT WAS WHEN WE WERE THERE!

IVAN’S GARAGE/LIVING QUARTERS WAS LESS THAN HALF THERE.

THE SCHOOL IS DAMAGED EXTENSIVELY BUT STILL STANDING. THE JOHNSON BAYOU CHILDREN AGAIN ARE BEING BUSSED TO HACKBERRY. THE HACKBERRY SCHOOL WAS ALSO EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED, BUT IT WAS A PRIORITY FOR REPAIRS. IN JOHNSON BAYOU, THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING IN MODULAR SCHOOL BUILDINGS IN BEHIND THE SCHOOL AGAIN WHILE THE SCHOOL IS BEING REPAIRED.

THE STORE IS DEMOLISHED, JUST WALLS STANDING WITH NO SHEETING OR ANYTHING – YOU CAN SEE RIGHT THROUGH IT.

NONE OF THE CHURCHES ARE LEFT. WHERE THE BIG BAPTIST CHURCH WAS WHICH WAS BUILT OF BRICK, THERE IS JUST A ROOF AND A STEEPLE ON THE GROUND, NO WALLS.

ARCHIE’S LOT IS TOTALLY EMPTY, HOUSE GONE AS WE EXPECTED. APPARENTLY HE IS IN A NURSING HOME IN LAKE CHARLES, WHICH IS PROBABLY THE BEST PLACE FOR HIM.

ALONG LEROY’S DRIVEWAY, THERE HAD BEEN TWO VERY NICE HOUSES, ONE HIS SON’S AND ONE ANOTHER RELATIVE’S. BOTH OF THEM ARE DEMOLISHED – TOTALLY GONE EXCEPT FOR A HEAP OF SCRAP. LEROY’S HOUSE IS STANDING, BUT ALL THE RAILINGS AND STEPS ARE GONE AND IT IS ABANDONED. JOHN WENT INTO THE HOUSE AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE MESS, MOLD AND WATER DAMAGE. APPARENTLY THEY ARE LIVING AT EUNICE FOR THE TIME BEING AND ANTICIPATE ALL THREE FAMILIES WILL BE MOVING FURTHER NORTH TO FIND AN ACREAGE TO PUT TRAILERS ON, SO THEY CAN BE IN THE SAME AREA. WE DID NOT GO AS FAR AS THE HOUSE THEY WERE STAYING AT AND WHERE WE WERE INVITED FOR MEALS, BUT WE ARE SURE IT IS GONE AS WELL.

JIM’S LARGE HOME WHICH WE DID SIDING ON, IS SIMPLY GONE – A PILE OF RUBBLE IS IN THE VICINITY. THERE ARE BIG PILES OF RUBBLE EVERYWHERE.

THE BLESSING OF THE DAY WAS TO ARRIVE AT MISS MYRNA’S HOUSE TO FIND HER ACTUALLY THERE, BUSY WORKING, CLEANING UP AND WAITING FOR A SHED TO BE DELIVERED SO HER FURNITURE COULD BE MOVED INTO IT WHILE HER HOUSE IS FIXED. SHE WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE US DRIVE UP!! SHE HAS MITIGATED HER DAMAGES GREATLY BY GETTING THE LAMINATE FLOORING UP (HER TEENAGE GRANDSON AND GRANDDAUGHTER WHO LIVE WITH HER DID IT), GETTING THE AIR CONDITIONING BLOWING TO DRY EVERYTHING UP ASAP, CUTTING THE RUINED DRYWALL OUT ABOUT 6 INCHES FROM THE FLOOR, WHICH WAS WHERE THE HIGH WATER WAS, GETTING RID OF THE SOAKED INSULATION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WALLS, AND SPRAYING BLEACH WHERE NECESSARY TO ELIMINATE THE MOLD FROM FORMING. WE WERE VERY IMPRESSED. SHE HAS WATER AND SEWER AND ELECTRICITY AND HAS RENTED A LITTLE APT. IN SULPHUR UNTIL HER HOUSE REPAIRS ARE FINISHED. THE HARD PART IS TO FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN DO IT IN A TIMELY FASHION. HER HOUSE SHIFTED ABOUT 3 INCHES ON THE PILLARS AND THAT HAS TO BE RECTIFIED FIRST. SHE IS VERY THANKFUL TO STILL HAVE A HOUSE, WHEN 90% OF HER NEIGHBOURS DON’T. HER NEPHEW’S VERY LARGE RANCH STYLE HOUSE NEXT DOOR WAS MINIMALLY DAMAGED. IT MUST BE STURDILY BUILT. THE DOUBLE WIDE MOBILE HOME ON THE OTHER SIDE OF MYRNA’S, ALONG WITH WRAP-AROUND COMPLETED SUNDECK, IS TOTALLY GONE.

INTERNET ACCESS AT THIS SITE SEEMS INTERMITTANT FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS. SURE HOPEE IT IMPROVES. IT APPEARS WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HUNT FOR ACCESS TO A PHONE TO USE OUR PHONE CARD. IT DOESN’T WORK FROM A CELL PHONE. WALT AND PAT ARE AT SOME KIND OF CONFERENCE FOR THE WEEKEND SO WEREN’T HERE TO GREET US. DIANE WILLEMS, WALT’S SISTER IN LAW WAS THE OFFICIAL GREETER. LEN AND NETTIE SHOWED UP AROUND 7:30 P.M. AND WE HAD A NICE VISIT.

ALTHOUGH THE PLAN IS NOT TO WORK ANY MORE THAN SENIOR R.V. HOURS, THEY HAD THE USE OF 3 YOUNG MEN FROM THE REGULAR PROJECT (WHICH IS OVER-STAFFED THIS WEEK) AND THEY “WANTED TO MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES”. SO FRIDAY BECAME THURSDAY2. IT WAS STATED THAT NEXT WEEK WE WILL BE BACK TO A CREW OF OLD MEN, HA HA. THERE APPEARS TO BE AN EXCELLENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE RV-ERS AND THE SHORT TERM DIRECTORS – I SUPPOSE IT HELPS THAT THEY ARE NOT IN THE SAME CAMP. TODAY’S ACTIVITY INVOLVED PUTTING THE ROOFING ON AND HAULING THE SHINGLES UP ON THE ROOF. IT IS NOW DONE, THANKS TO THE YOUNG FELLOWS AND WITH THE THANKS OF THE OLDER GUYS !