The story continues...

A couple photos from the Johnson home on Downey Street.

Keith and Jason working in the Lam home on Little River Road.
The story continues...
... with the help of friendly folks from Deleware, Indiana, and Oklahoma. They worked on projects all over town this week. Our Ministry Intern, Ryan Knapp coordinated clothing and food distributions to the Grand Bay and Bayou La Batre communities.


One of our longer-term volunteers, Jeff, got to practice his nursing skills by providing first aid to our local friend Blake, who cut his foot while fishing in the water at the thank you dinner at Coden Park. 3 cuts right to the bone, 11 stitches, and one sliced ligament.

Here To Serve

"Gumby" volunteer laborers from Dothan, Alabama, Noblesville, Indiana, and Toledo, Ohio contributed to the on-going story of Restoring Hope to Bayou La Batre this past week. They contributed with their time and skills to the home rebuilding and remodeling projects on Belligrath Road, Shelly Smith's home, Harber Chang's home on Saint Michael Street, and the Gartman's home on Delcamber Street as well as others. Thank Y'all for your hard work and willingness to serve.
This pool will become Ed Gartman's new flower garden.

Jekyll Clubhouse Peach

Last week, a team from Whispering Hills Church of the Nazarene from Brentwood, Tennessee and a Valparaiso Nazarene Church Middle School team worked in Bayou La Batre. They focused on projects on Little River Road. They cleaned up debris, leaves, and branches around the Bryant and Cash homes and painted the interior of the Cash home. They sure are some neat colors! Take a look. Also, check out our newly updated Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions page.

Wanna Come?!

Can't say enough about the teams that have come, but "Thank You!"

We are just about to pass another week which has been full of helping out the community of and around Bayou La Batre. Thanks to our many gifted teams, volunteers, and all those who have been supporting us through your constant prayers. If you could not tell by now, this is but a short blog blurp from yours truly, Tim Whetstone (and of course D and the little one inside!).
We wanted to take just a few minutes and thank the Lord for answering some huge prayers; he has sent us more teams, and he has sent us some amazing long-term help! Jesse and Jordan who will be with us here in the deep south for at least the next 8 months, and our summer help, Ryan, Marcus, Keith, and Jeff! All of you guys are awesome! It is a blessing to both Charles, Danielle and I to have you as part of the team for whatever the amount of time. So, thanks!

Despite the horrific humidity and heat, the "manual labor" is still gettin done! And even more than that, lives are being touched. Teams have helped us be intentional in reaching out to the community through a variety of grace offerings -- VBS's, Water Games Night, BBQ's, and even a gift to the community where one of our teams helped lower the price of gas for two hours at one of our local gas stations. They covered .40cents per gallon!

It truly is a great joy to see people back in their homes. Yet honestly, it has been even a more extreme joy to see people praying, eating, playing, giving, and just being with people in community out of their Love for Christ.


Again, thanks for your help, support, and to my boys-- keep up the tremendous job!

Siging off from the deep deep south, that's all for now.

Timmy & D

A hot shower has intrinsic value

Santa Rosa, California and Shelby, Ohio were the places that volunteers travelled from to reach the Bayou this past week. They installed windows and doors in the Lam family's home, in Julie Seaman's home they installed the kitchen sink, a washer and dryer, and the hot water heater. They're taking hot showers now in their own home. Imagine how good that first shower would feel a mere ten months after losing your home. Also, a crew hung sheetrock in one of the homes on Bellingrath road south of town. Also, Keith, Marcus, and Jeff have come down to help out the NDR team for a few weeks during this very busy time of year. Thank you guys for all of your hard work and sacrifice.

Needs for the work in BLB

Alright readers, we need stuff to continue to improve our work here in Bayou La Batre. Click on this link: NEEDS LIST, check it out, and maybe your family or church can help us with some of the items. Thanks! This list will also have a home on the right sidebar.

Bethany First Church of the Nazarene

A volunteer team of fourty-seven from the Bethany First Church of the Nazarene in Bethany, Oklahoma, near Oklahoma City worked in the Bayou area during the week of June 25.

They fixed up the property at the Grand Bay Church of the Nazarene volunteer facility, cleaned and trimmed parks in Bayou La Batre, moved load after load of debris from home yards to the Theodore Landfill, and worked on projects in bayou homes on Little River Road.

The team focused on the motto "Be Flexible" during the week as they were led by Mike McGarry. BFC also hosted a two very fun community parties during the week that provided food and fellowship for the Bayou La Batre and Grand Bay communities.