Day 2 Update: May peace be with all of you.  Day 2 had some challenges not only physically for us but emotionally as well.  Lack of sleep played a role, however, was not the only issue at hand.  The girls made a friend with the 17 year old daughter at one of the homes we are working on.  This girl truly needed the bonding that was being formed.  Her and her mother have had a very hard life and we are letting them know that God is here and he loves each and everyone of us.  One of our girls wanted to do a sleep over, rest assured, I did not let that happen.  However, this girl and her mom are joining us for dinner tomorrow as well as fellowship and she is spending the night with us tomorrow at the church.  This is the house with the water line issue, day 2 no water…I’ll get back to that one.  Anyways, there has not been enough water pressure to take a shower in 2 years.  Pastor Kloha arranged for her to go to the YMCA with us and use the shower there.

We went to 2 sites today, Casey back on bathroom detail with Sam and Austin.  Progress in the making, demolition done and installation of new flooring took place.  The new shower was dry fitted and to be installed tomorrow.  This mom and daughter are just so happy.  They are also mentally challenged and the daughter has other issues as well.  The Lord has blessed her with musical talents as such she plays the organ for the church here.  Mom is unchurched at the moment; however, the daughter will still witness to her.  We are praying both will join us for dinner tomorrow as well.  Oh, and they have been giving us the homemade goodies; Yum, YUM!!!

The other site in which we put two crews on was the water line.  After much determination to get water to this house today and a lot of sweat and blood (yes, I did say blood).  Lindsay and Katie went into the crawl space to pull the new pipe for Dale and Lindsay was the unfortunate one who found a piece of glass that decided to cut her finger.  Use of the first aid kit again.  I’m glad I brought 3 kits, at least no one cut themselves shaving today.   This job site housed all 8 young ladies, however, lack of sleep led to some of the emotional issues we dealt with today.  A warm shower a few hugs and a bible study on The Heart of a Servant seamed to help.

In our bible study we talked about a Servant’s Heart being Willing (Galatians 5:13); a Servant Heart being Prayerful (Luke 6:12) and a Servants Heart being Compassionate (Ephesians 4:32).  We ask God to create in each and everyone of us the proper Servants Heart and the ability to follow Him and serve the people he loves so dear.  As it says in Psalm 116:16; Oh, God, here I am, Your servant, Your faithful servant:  Set me free for your service!

We also had an eye opener for some today, Pastor Khola invited us to the soup kitchen for lunch.  I believe most just thought this would be a warm lunch; guess what, it was more than that.  I believe most of the youth have never experienced this before because they were very uncomfortable and stayed in a group.  We were greeted at the door with a man probably in his early 30’s behind us.  He asked why we were there and if it was to watch a bunch of homeless people eat that was not a good thing to see.  Pastor Kloha gave his prayer and devotion and let everyone know who we were and what our purpose was in Ashland.  After that, we received a few smiles an few words and the girls even were told (by a young man) that they didn’t know Traverse City had cute girls.  We will be back tomorrow and spread out a bit and talk and witness to those around.  We are spreading our wings and getting out of the ever famous “comfort zone”.

We ask for continued prayers that we can get all our job site completed, that the water will be restored to the one home and the daughter will realize the love and compassion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  We pray her home life will become better and that she will create many more friends after we leave.  We ask for strength as we go about our daily challenges and the ability to handle each and every issue as it comes up.  We know we cannot do this without our Lord and Savior by our side.

In Christ’s Service;

Venus Tondreau and the whole Mission Group

Day 1 Update

Greetings to each and everyone one of you.  We arrived in Ashland Kentucky at 5:30pm Sunday night, we made real good time.  Thanks to Pastor Zagore and Gwen for actually getting us on the road, some way over packed.  I think packing 101 is in order before the next trip.  We actually set out on the road from Trinity at 7:15am after Pastor did a wonderful send off prayer; yes, I know we left 45 minutes late, however, we made it on the road.  Weather was wonderful and the car ride put most to sleep.

We would like to thank you all for the wonderful blessing you have bestowed on each and everyone of us to help make this trip a reality.  The Lord has given us the ability to help each and everyone of the people on the list.  They are just so appreciated of all we have done.  The fellowship and witnessing that is being shared along the way with all the people is a hugh blessing to each and everyone (not only to the people we are helping but also our entire group).  The amount of growing that our young adults have done in just one day is amazing.  We are being guided by the Holy Spirit all the way.

As it says in Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.  I can tell you that this is indeed what is happening.  1 day into our Mission and so much has been done for the fine widow’s.  We have had a few emotional  situations with the mentally challenged that we are working for; the good Lord guided us every step to help them.  He gave us the ability to be patient, kind and supportive and gave them the strength to allow us to help.  I went in with a team of girls in the morning and we transformed a dirty, filthy heap of garbage, clutter an cloths to a livable room that you can sleep in and feel like home.  We were even able to get the owner to actually take ownership and pride as we helped guide her on how to clean and where to start.  She spent about 20 min helping us and the joy in her face when we told her what a great job SHE was doing was so worth everything.  Casey came in the afternoon with his team and demolished the bathroom.  The guys loved being the demolition crew and learned about sewer gases first hand as well as where not to step.  This of course came after Casey’s ladder 101 class at another job site.  First aid kit in use the first day; however, all is fine.

Dale led another team to a house that just plain needs all the help it can get.  They struck a geyser after digging a water main up.  Repair to take place tomorrow with inspection on Thursday.  Also; there are several windows that were sided over that Dale and his team are framing in and dry walling.  What will tomorrow bring?... We will see…it is anyone’s guess.

Another site we went to was a lot of outside tender loving care.  See this is where Casey gave a ladder lesson class in the morning.  He and his crew came in the morning and did the tall harder work and my crew came in the afternoon to finish up.  However, we did not quite get finished.  We need to go back…oh bummer…the girls are so upset that we have to go back (NOT)  Mereal is so wonderful!  We work, she feeds us homemade salsa and dip and she is going to bake us a cake when we come back.  Sharing the word of our Lord and Savior is such a wonderful thing with her.  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.  Psalm 48:14.  Mereal is not Lutheran (not yet anyways); but, she is a wonderful 74 year old Christian lady who used to do all the stuff herself until her heart bypass and back issues stopped her.

Prayers and devotions are being led by our youth (centered around their confirmation verses).  They are doing a wonderful job!! Thank you to all of you for keeping your children strong in the faith and love that Christ Jesus has for each and everyone of us.  I am planning on a bible study tomorrow night on being a servant. 

Please continue to keep us all in your daily prayers.  Please pray for our team members:  Austin, Sam, Matt, Katie, Elise, Lindsey, Noelle, Kristi, Kelsey, Amelia, Tatianna, Casey, Dale, Olga and myself.  Not only are we doing physically challenging work but it is also mental and emotional as well.  Please pray for the well being for all we serve.  Please pray for St Paul Lutheran Church in Ashland Ky, our home away from home.

Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.  I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.  For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths of the grave.  Psalm 86: 11-13.

May the Lord bless and keep you all;

Serving Christ;

Venus Tondreau and the whole Trinity youth mission team!