as mission trips go, today was bittersweet. after quick stops to the rental shop and lowe’s we got right to work at mt. zion. the team was anxious to get as much done as possible and leave a cleanly gutted building- prepared for the [re]building to begin.
we wanted to cover the round window opening where once a lovely stained glass design had been in order to protect the building from further water damage. jim t. had a middle-of-the-night idea to make it a nice design – like a faux stained glass window. i looked up some verses on my blackberry and found psalm 102:16, “for the LORD will rebuild mt. zion.” it was exciting for me to work a design project. lori and i did the painting – jim and clark did the hanging, and wha-la -the temporary window covering is now a word of hope for the mt. zion church family and surrounding community.
lunch was a barbeque with the seniors (we love them!) and dinner was a spread put on by some of the church family. we got to see photos of one family’s hurricane experience and worshipped with ira wray. the day ended with a combined tour of the demo-ed church building, songs, prayers, hugs and farewells. these people will be in our hearts and we feel invested in their future. please keep their rebuilding in your prayers.