'Twas the week before Christmas . . . in Bayou La Batre . . .

Christmas time is rapidly approaching and the work in Bayou La Batre continues. For the past couple weeks we have had some returning friends come and help us in a great many ways. We are desperately trying to reach our goal of finishing the remaining 7 projects on our "promise list" by March. Do you wanna help?!

We must thank, Manhattan Kansas Church of the Nazarene for coming again and helping us partner in what God is still doing in many homes and lives down here in Alabama. While the Manhattan team was here, I had the privilege of delivering some gifts to some families for the Christmas season.It was a special privilege of mine to have my father-- Pastor Barry G. Whetstone -- here, namely for my new baby girls dedication, but who happens to be the pastor of the Milford, DE Church. They sent not only four teams, but a ton of Christmas gifts as well to a family they have not only adopted, but grown to love in a deep and Christ-like manner. Thank you.

With the help and partnership support of the Milford Delaware Church of the Nazarene, and C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc we had the blessed opportunity to brighten the hopes and lives of a couple families in Bayou La Batre.

C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc with the leadership of Troy Tarter also helped supply a great deal of joy as they too adopted a couple families in the Bayou. I speak for us all, thank you in the name of Jesus for being His hands and feet in some special and unique ways this Christmas season.

We not only "received" gifts, but we also received another team this week. Pismo Beach California returned yet again. They are working hard and will be with us through the new year as we also look forward to the arrival of another returning team from Othello Washington, and some long-term help from a couple who are coming to give two months to help us reach our goals!

Grace and peace to you all this Advent season as you allow the God who comes to CHRISTmas in you.

Until next time . . . Merry Christmas!

Things are still happening . . .

It's Sunday evening and Thanksgiving Day has come and gone, but our thanks for the teams that have also come and gone still remains!

A couple weeks ago we had yet another team which came all the way from Pismo Beach, California. Most of the team has been with us before in the Bayou, but they were fortunate to have and new member on the team for their latest missions experience here in LA (Lower Alabama)!

Every once and a while we run across a family who still is in need of some desperate help. Most often it's due to their willingness to let others get help before themselves. All of the "gutting" of homes was finished over 8 months ago, but when the Pismo Beach saw the need of the families home that they were going to be working on for the week, they wanted to do more than the "required" work. For this, we, and I know our home owners were both extremely grateful for their amazing help.

The team began by gutting the entire home . . .


. . . and then they proceeded to restore the home, as I am sure along with some "hope" in our home owner's lives!


Thank you Pismo Beach! It's amazing what a team of four can do when they give all of themselves to the Lord's service. We look forward to being with you again in the future.

It was not long after Pismo left that reinforcements arrived from Gardendale, Al. Two brave men gave of not only their time, but their vacation at Thanksgiving to bring about a great deal of thanks to some of our home owners. With the help of Gardendale's plumbing skills, and other much needed work accomplishments we are even closer to finishing the final eight projects on our current list.

Thanks again to all those who continue to support the efforts down here whether through coming, sending, or most of all praying. Until next time, keep us in your prayers this Christmas season.

If you would like to bring a team, come alone, or just help us out in any matter, please see our website (which you can reach by clicking on the logo above on the left)and contact us at any time.

Peace to you all.

We had to say . . .

November is here and cranking and we are blessed to have another team with us. Yet, even though we are glad to have our returning friends from California, we are sad to have had to say goodbye to one of our faithful long-term volunteers -- Jesse Washkau. In all truthfulness, sad only captures a bit of what we are feeling. . . We are filled with those bitter-sweet emotions of sadness and joy, which seem to kiss each other at every moment. Sad that a great team member and friend has had to leave us for the North -- Atlanta, Georgia -- and yet, excited for what the Lord has in store for him in Atlanta and beyond.

It has been a true blessing to have had such great volunteers work with us in the Bayou. Yet, our true long-termer's Jesse and Jordan were a God-sent to Charles, Danielle, and I. As Jordan has found a new home in Mobile, AL and Jesse has been making his new home in Atlanta, GA for the past week we know that God has HUGE things in store for them both as they continue to seek His face.Thanks Guys!

As October was a busy month filled with teams that came through to help us in the rebuilding efforts even a year after Hurricane Katrina, so was our time spent getting ready for Jesse's departure. However, with the arrival of the new team this week, I have already encountered how vital Jesse was not only to the work but to my sanity as well.

Finally, thank you Jesse. Thanks for allowing the Lord to use you in so many ways not only in the Bayou/Grand Bay area but also with us at the Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene. We will miss you, and already do, but we know that you are following the Lord as He leads you on this great journey we call the life of grace, mystery, and adventure!


Peace be with you and keep us in your prayers as we continue to labor down here in LA (Lower Alabama).