WE'VE ARRIVED SAFELY!

I am happy to say that I am writing this update from a small library across the street from First Baptist Church in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. I am feeling quite at home already, as I now have my own Ocean Springs library card (the only way they would let me use the computers)!

Our team of 12 arrived safely about 6 pm after spending approximately 23 hours packed tightly into a 15 passenger van with our luggage either stowed under our seats or crammed into the two car toppers we managed to strap on top! All went well with the drive and we were only slowed down yesterday with a little rain (and lots of bathroom breaks). We arrived in Cape Girardeau, Missouri last night about 11 pm and stayed in the St. Andrew Lutheran church's Activity Center, complete with a basketball court, rec room (with foosball, ping-pong and air hockey) and big screen t.v!

Right now we are getting ready to find something to eat and then will be headed back to First Baptist Church, where we just unloaded all of our luggage and will be using as our home base for the next 5 days. We are sharing the space with the group from Woodbury Lutheran Church and another group from Pennsylvania (as far as I can tell in the midst of all the activity there are about 40-50 of us total). Our team has a busy schedule already tonight - after supper we have an orientation meeting and then will be meeting with another group from Minnesota and a group from Pennsylvania to plan a Celebration Service for tomorrow night. We are inviting all the families that the church has been able to help so far and we will be pretty involved in the worship side of things, it sounds like.

As far as work goes for tomorrow, the plan is to "mud out" our first house - more details to follow tomorrow on what that means! Thanks so much for keeping up on what we are doing by checking this blog - and please continue to keep us in your prayers as we finish out a busy night of meetings tonight and begin our first day of work tomorrow!

(posted by Rebecca at 6:53 pm on 12/29/05)