Day 28
Due to the wonderful response I received from God (and all of you) I decided to take another day off - yesterday was it. My Conover man, Chuck had completed his assignment down here and had departed for home (detouring to speak at a Nazarene church to share God's work in New Orleans). The Andersons, my Ohio team left early yesterday morning after many hugs 'goodbye' and Kathie E remained faithful in the kitchen, pulling extra duty because one of her kitchen team members had also gone home early.
What do I do on a day off? Well, I've had two so far, and they've been very different. Yesterday I woke up at 6:00am, got over to the church at 6:30 and had breakfast with my teams. Then I had to get over to Steve & Millie's house to find the latest leak (it was on top of the chimney flashing, allowing the water to sneak down the siding, behind the tar paper- (Ugh!, who'da thunk!) I spent several awesome hours with Steve on top of the house, listening to stories of his life. (see his update on yesterday's post)
After that, it was already late morning, so I spent about an hour driving quite leisurely back into the city, hanging out with God, telling Him how Awesome I believe He is.. It was quality time.
Getting back into Covington, I went to the home I am staying at- with another Commasion staff family, Shawn & Danielle Kelley. They are a young mission couple, expecting their first baby in August. God has blessed me abundantly with the opportunity to live with them during the second part of my stay in Louisiana.
At noon, Shawn and I went across town to a huge 'tool sale'. We saw everything from $1.00 items to $1000. items. We looked for a long time, and ended up buying nothing - but we had a lot of fun.
For lunch we went a little local place called "Rags" for 'Po-Boy' sandwiches. (large sub sandwiches with copius amounts of meat or crab or fish or shrimp and tons of salad on top of them) If you get down to Louisiana, you must have a Po-Boy at least once (I prefer Cajun Catfish).
Next, our travels took us to Home Depot for construction supplies for Shawn & Danielle's house. A short trip to the lumber store has turned into a several hour adventure since Hurricane Katrina. Staff is short and the check out lines are long. Thankfully prices are low, or at least the same as in Wisconsin.
Many late evenings end with either a time for blogging, or a fast game of Monopoly with the Compassion staff. These are special times of reflection and/ or story telling of the day's events, basically a daily debrief for each of the staff who are involved. Should we go to sleep earlier? Yes, perhaps... but is the un-wind time together worth the time spent? Certainly!!!! (x10)!
Today I am refreshed mentally, physically and spiritually.
Kathie E goes to the train station today at 11:00 am. She will return into Wisconsin Sunday afternoon. She spoke to me this morning and told me some wonderful stories of what God has shown her. Please ask her many questions and encourage her (and all the returning team members) to share at least ONE special moment when God spoke in their ear.
Today the 28 member of the Wisconsin team begin to arrive. Tomorrow (Sunday) we will tour some of the storm damaged areas to get a big picture perspective on the scale of work which needs to be done here. Monday we will be hard at work. Gutting homes and also doing construction work.
Pray for the team members, pray for the people who God will have them speak to.
Thank you to all of you who sent these people, and continue to encourage us all.
-mj
What do I do on a day off? Well, I've had two so far, and they've been very different. Yesterday I woke up at 6:00am, got over to the church at 6:30 and had breakfast with my teams. Then I had to get over to Steve & Millie's house to find the latest leak (it was on top of the chimney flashing, allowing the water to sneak down the siding, behind the tar paper- (Ugh!, who'da thunk!) I spent several awesome hours with Steve on top of the house, listening to stories of his life. (see his update on yesterday's post)After that, it was already late morning, so I spent about an hour driving quite leisurely back into the city, hanging out with God, telling Him how Awesome I believe He is.. It was quality time.
Getting back into Covington, I went to the home I am staying at- with another Commasion staff family, Shawn & Danielle Kelley. They are a young mission couple, expecting their first baby in August. God has blessed me abundantly with the opportunity to live with them during the second part of my stay in Louisiana.
At noon, Shawn and I went across town to a huge 'tool sale'. We saw everything from $1.00 items to $1000. items. We looked for a long time, and ended up buying nothing - but we had a lot of fun.
For lunch we went a little local place called "Rags" for 'Po-Boy' sandwiches. (large sub sandwiches with copius amounts of meat or crab or fish or shrimp and tons of salad on top of them) If you get down to Louisiana, you must have a Po-Boy at least once (I prefer Cajun Catfish).
Next, our travels took us to Home Depot for construction supplies for Shawn & Danielle's house. A short trip to the lumber store has turned into a several hour adventure since Hurricane Katrina. Staff is short and the check out lines are long. Thankfully prices are low, or at least the same as in Wisconsin.
Many late evenings end with either a time for blogging, or a fast game of Monopoly with the Compassion staff. These are special times of reflection and/ or story telling of the day's events, basically a daily debrief for each of the staff who are involved. Should we go to sleep earlier? Yes, perhaps... but is the un-wind time together worth the time spent? Certainly!!!! (x10)!
Today I am refreshed mentally, physically and spiritually.
Kathie E goes to the train station today at 11:00 am. She will return into Wisconsin Sunday afternoon. She spoke to me this morning and told me some wonderful stories of what God has shown her. Please ask her many questions and encourage her (and all the returning team members) to share at least ONE special moment when God spoke in their ear.
Today the 28 member of the Wisconsin team begin to arrive. Tomorrow (Sunday) we will tour some of the storm damaged areas to get a big picture perspective on the scale of work which needs to be done here. Monday we will be hard at work. Gutting homes and also doing construction work.
Pray for the team members, pray for the people who God will have them speak to.
Thank you to all of you who sent these people, and continue to encourage us all.
-mj
posted by Mark Jensen | 6:30 AM
4 Comments:
Hey Mark, thanks for keeping the blog more current...lots of people are watching all over the country. Oh no! Another leak?! Did it show up on that chimney chase, or somewhere else? Keep on serving Him!
Doesn't really sound like much of a day off, but I am glad it was refreshing anyway.
28 people coming!!! That is wonderful - and also a lot to manage.
We continue to pray and read your updates.
Off to church now, have a good Lord's Day!
Hi Mark!
I finally checked out the blogspot and read every day all the way back to "t-minus!" Thanks for keeping us all updated and thanks even more for being down there! I will pray, pray, pray for you, the teams, and the folks you all are working with!
Debbie Hoffman
Hey Jensen,
Keep on going..we will see you next weekend with your super stories about God!! Say hi to all the staff there for me, I miss them all. Keep that Andrew Dallman in check, he's such a troublemaker....
"Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Isrealites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is His name?' Then what shall I tell them?"
God said to Moses, " I AM who I AM."
And He is and was and ever shall be! AMEN
We miss you,
Sissy
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