Tom's Lessons Learned

The following is from Tom Zeigler on "Lessons Learned" for next time...

This one went extremely well, and we were lucky with accommodations, etc.

A couple things though to consider for next time.

1. Transport less food / snacks / etc. Ask for more cash donations.
2. Consider an equipment trailer. We did OK, but it was tenuous a couple times having to unload trucks to do material runs. And I personally believe we loaded the three vehicles too much for that travel distance.
3. Consider additional onsite vans. Again we did OK, but it was cumbersome a couple times trying to cover different areas, but having to send numbers of people to fill available van space.
4. I think the tools / equipment worked out well. It's good we didn't take anymore than we did. That is really critical, not just from a transportation standpoint but also for on-site management. So we did well there. I think I could have done a better job
at delegating individuals to be responsible for gathering the tools required for the next day's work sites, and assigning vehicles in advance. And I think we could have done a better job of planning material purchases at night for the next day's work.
5. The thing that is very difficult is the time. I'm torn between having one or two individuals making executive decisions and having more people involved. The community time is essential, but honestly I think the majority of the people are exhausted by the end of the day, and really want no part of any planning for the next day. Clearly there needs to be one person taking the brunt of it, but it might he helpful for two or three additional people to work with the lead person, that could assist in #4 above.

Obviously these comments are based upon this particular experience. Depending upon the location, they may not be valid. I think the trigger factors would be:

1. One work site or multiple work sites
2. Requirements for purchasing and / or transporting building materials. Once we figured out MS vs. PA, the Lowe's arrangement was great. And of course we may not be able to set that up everywhere.
3. Availability / extent of cooking facilities. We could sometime be in a place where we are cooking outside. That would mean a dining fly, grills and / or propane stoves, etc.

The other thing we should consider is a "mission team" tool chest, if we believe we want to continue this. I know that we bought some miscellaneous tools to do various jobs and they should be gathered up. I good large lockable FRP tool trunk can be bought at Lowe's for about $50. We could ask the congregation to donate old tools to add to this and / or gradually purchase tools to fill it. Just a thought.

How to post to this blog

There are 3 basic ways to post a new topic to this blog:

1. Use the link above (www.blogger.com), login with your account name and password, then select the "First Presbyterian ..." link. This will show you a list of the recent posts, and there will be a "Create" Button at the top of the list. Click on this and an editor window will appear.

2. If you are logged in to blogger already, and are currently at the www.firstpresbyterianpottstown.blogspot.com page, then you can click on the "Blog This" link at the very top of the page and a quick editor window will appear. Just delete all the info that gets automatically filled in this window pops up. Create your own title, and your own text.

3. If you're a "power blogger", you can use email option. I won't say anymore, because if you are indeed a power blogger, then you already know how it works :).

Also, feel free to comment on other's posts by using the "comments" link at the bottom of each posts. This creates a conversational approach to the blog.

John Macdonald

Pictures Available for All Shortly

As you know, John Livezey and I are collecting everybody's pictures from the week for purposes of the Video presentation on March 8.

There is an added side benefit to this. Since we will have all of them, we will put them online with one of the picture publishing services (shutterfly, etc). We'll probably weed them out a bit, but most will get published. That way, everyone will have access to all the pictures, and will be able to order prints of anything that has been published. It should be quite useful.

John Macdonald

Link to a PDA "Biloxi Blitz" Blog

This links to a blog setup by a large group of Presbyterians that went to Biloxi during the week after Christmas.

Thoughts on the People

My lasting impression of the people is their stories from their experiences so far, and their stories that are yet to unfold. Their stories are at once, both heart wrenching and heart warming. I'm eternally grateful that we were able to become a small part of the stories that are yet to unfold.

To hear Shirley Jones (across the street from the Swearingen house) describe the horrors of the hurricane and the days and weeks immediately proceeding left me with a huge hole in my heart. However, to then witness and hear testimoney of her and her family's perseverance, faith and trust in the Lord, and gratefulness to those that have come to help was one of the most heart warming sensations I have ever felt.

She tells this story about her personal items that she salvaged during the flood (paraphrased, of course):
Shirely and her family (husband and son) also have a cabin on the bayou a couple of miles away from their Forrest Drive home. They began to ride out Katrina at this cabin because this is the place they were worried about flooding. They were hoping to be able to stave off flooding at this cabin, and were totally unconcerned about their Forrest drive home because, "Why would it flood there? It never has in our 50 years of living here."

As the water became too high at the bayou cabin to entertain any chance of keeping the water out, they abandoned and swam (that's right, swam) back to Forrest Drive. Exhausted and spent, they reached their house only to find that it was indeed inundated. Shirley faced a decision with the water still rising, "What do I try to save?". Here's what she saved:

• Family Bible
  
• Her son's honor student awards and credentials

Everything else was less important.

The story goes on and has so many more facets, but I wanted to highlight the things that were important to her in her time of greatest challenge: God, and her family. She answers the "How did you make it through? How do you keep going?" questions with Faith and thankfulness to still be here. It's still tough for them, don't make any mistakes about that.

How does this speak you? I know it speaks to me. Perspective is an often skewed thing. If we simply look first towards the cross, and second towards those we love, won't life become simpler and more meaningful? If those are our priorities (in that order), and we work towards satisfying those priorities every day, won't we go to bed each night and rest peacefully?

Shirley had no flood insurance on her home, and very modest wages for the family. They are working to fix it themselves. Not relying on FEMA (they are reasonably pleased with FEMA, by the way), not relying on the system, not crying "Foul!" and screaming at the government. They are doing it themselves, and as far as I know, have not received any volunteer help (other than friends and family).

The perspective we get from afar via the media, and our own naivety are not necessarily accurate. I have prayed for them every night since Chris and I had the greatest pleasure of meeting them. I ask you to do the same.

One thing I know for sure, I learned something that day, and I'm a better person for having met them.


John Macdonald

The First Pres Pottstown Blog Begins....

This blog is initially intended to publish our Mississippi workteam's reflections on our week of volunteer efforts on the Mississippi coast.