The houses we're working on are in various stages of clean-up and rebuild. But there are many houses that have not been touched since the moment that flood hit on June 11, 2008. There's really no way to describe what it looks like when a flood hits and 'time stops' in a home, but these pictures will give you some idea. David and I experienced this on our first mission to New Orleans in January 2006 -- the smell of mold, food caked on in pans left on the stove, muddy toys, blackened family photographs, water lines above your head, etc. Most in our group today had not seen this, and the impact was felt.
Cedar Christian Church's building is closed for now, but when these mission trips to Cedar Rapids resume next spring, they will begin work. Disciples coming to the rescue of disciples. We are so glad to be here doing what we can, and we are so fortunate to be part of a congregation that supports us so we can be here doing this work.
More tomorrow -- after all that fresh air and hard work today, even an air mattress on a church preschool room sounds good. We'll be up for breakfast and with lunches packed, ready to arrive at the worksite by 8:00 am.
Goodnight,
Pastor Kris
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