July 18th Update

Hope City Update – July 18, 2008

Hot summer weather is heating up the work projects, the construction and restoration work continues both in Mississippi and Indiana.

Hope City Construction coordinator Monte Brenneman led the work this week at the newest build site in Gulfport.  Foundation work was a steamy project this week with the guys laying cement block at Joe Lewis’s home.  Joe is very excited about the volunteers and his new home.  His old home was just torn down last month by an energetic teen team from Fort Wayne.  You can see a video of their work at the Facebook website for the group, Hope City Volunteers:  Hurricane Katrina Edition.  (Look up Samantha Brenneman on Facebook, if you can’t find the group by itself.)

Next week a team from Fellowship Missionary Church will be working in camp and one of their projects is to lay block at another new build in Saucier (pronounced so-sure)

Volunteer Coordinator Kevin Moss is back in Mississippi this week and joining in the work projects.  You can contact Kevin for more information about bringing a team to Hope City this fall or winter by calling 260-348-3493 or by e-mail at kevinm@hcrn.info.

Construction assistant Jed Bruce has been using his artistic talents around camp and around town.  The yellow dump truck has a new logo this week as he added a lovely daisy to the hood.  Jed has also been painting a wall mural at a Greek restaurant in Biloxi.  The mural is a landscape of the Greek islands and looks very impressive.  (I hear the baklava at the restaurant is pretty good too!)

In Indiana: Flooding and the related problems for thousands of Hoosiers continue to be a big project for HCRN staff.  Kevin Cox has taught classes and trained community leaders across 16 counties.  Long term recovery programs are in their early stages and beginning to shape the recovery help for their local communities.  Thank you to the churches and volunteers who are helping to lead the way for lives to be restored for Hoosier families.

In Nappanee, the final home to be rebuilt with volunteer help is underway and progressing well.  The Nappanee recovery has gone very well and we’re thankful for the many who have worked at helping this community as well!

Thanks again this week to Jim and Phil the morning guys at WBCL. We are blessed to partner with you and be part of your broadcasting.  You can hear the interview from this week by heading to the HCRN podcast site.   http://www.hcrn.mypodcast.com/

Thank you for being a blessing.  Thank you for your encouragement.  Thank you for continuing to pray for HCRN and Hope City, Gulfport, as we bring light and life to hurting people.

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31