August 1 Update

Hope City Update – August 1, 2008

Can it already be August? The summer is going so quickly, back to school is right around the corner.

Another truly great week of work and blessing at Hope City in Gulfport, Mississippi.

The group in camp this week is made up of teams from St. John’s Lutheran Church, Ohio; Lakeview Church, Michigan and Warsaw Community Church, Indiana. They have worked together beautifully!  They installed framed and installed windows at Joe Lewis’s house; installed siding at Cheryl Henry’s, painted, drywalled and sided at Orlanda Bookers; painted and cleaned at three other homes as well.

They even got to bring new furniture to Brenda McDonald’s home. She’s been living in the house for about six weeks, and they were still sleeping on the floor because she couldn’t afford new furniture.  Finally, Hope City Camp Director Monte Brenneman was able to obtain some items for her from the local warehouse and the group this week also paid for some additional items, like a bed frame and mattress, a kitchen  chairs.  Brenda is opening up to the volunteers and requested prayer this week for her sister who is beginning cancer treatments.

Last week’s team from Fellowship worked so hard and accomplished so much on several work sites.  They laid block at Carolyn Raymond’s home and even spent one afternoon packed into the tool trailer because of a heavy downpour!  They framed, sided and painted and were generous in giving of themselves to the community as well.

Our summer intern, Kody Currier headed back to Michigan and will be missed in camp.  I understand that little Sophie Brenneman was especially fond of Kody and kept track of him around camp.  Thanks for your work this summer and continued blessings on your life!

The volunteers come to Hope City and pour out living water from camp, into the homeowners and into the community. The work and the love is forever changing lives in the name of Jesus.    From Camp Director Kim Brenneman came this note today:  This week’s team has been amazingly giving: of themselves, of their riches and of their love for the Lord.  They have been the hands and feet of Jesus… another footprint on the heart of Gulfport and Hope City.

Thanks to all our volunteers, your work and your generosity is so amazing!

Indiana Update: The work in Nappanee is just about officially over.  The long term recovery committee held their final meeting this week and expressed their thanks and appreciation to so many who helped in the recovery effort.  New Beginnings Assembly of God hosted a celebration on Sunday as they were thankful for their progress since the tornado destroyed their building.  They purchased a former school, brought in volunteers for renovations and have a neat facility.  Operations Director Jeff Fater was part of their celebration as they were able to burn their mortgage on Sunday and are looking forward to new growth.

The southern half of Indiana is adjusting and learning to work together through eleven long term recovery committees that are assisting the thousands of Hoosiers who were affected by flooding.  Recovery is moving forward and state leaders are beginning to use technology to help expedite meetings and trainings via video and the internet.  HCRN Director Kevin Cox has been facilitating some of the state-wide trainings this week.

Rev. Bill Lepley from Grabill Missionary Church, one of our partner churches, has been preaching this week at Prairie Camp in Elkhart and I’ve had the privilege to hear several of his sermons.  He’s focused on what the Jews consider the greatest commandment.  They say this to start their day, end their day and during any difficulty or challenge.

“Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength….Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Mark 12: 29-31

Have a great week!