The Blitz Continues

The Blitz build continues here at Lagniappe. After a day of rest the build from the building on Saturday, we continued today here in Monday. We once again started at the crack of dawn and the blitz started up again. The blitz build has also gotten the notice to the local community with people horning their horns and waving their hands, support from the fire department, and the local newspapers and news stations. WE here at Lagniappe thank all of our supports and to the parents of the students of the college who came and gave up part of their Christmas break. THANK YOU! Soli Deo Gloria!

We passed Inspection!!! Bottoms Up? Around the work site Have a nice day Merry Christmas from all of us here in Lagniappe

Day 2 !!!

I will begin by saying that my post will not be as spectacular as Sam Berton's....let's just say I'm technologically challenged and getting anything posted to the web is miraculous for me! However...here's some progress from the morning!

If we feed them, they will come..............

Scared? Well he ought to be! Earlier this summer, John Sabin found a racoon in the tool crib and promptly beat him to death with a shovel, much to the horror of the tool crib girls. This week, after finding our cat food crate open and empty several days in a row, the search was on for the culprit, and guess who it was! This wiley racoon reminded me of a memory I have of our youngest son Reid, who at age 12, spent the night in our barn so he could stage an attack on the racoon tribe that incessantly raided the cow food tub everynight, causing Reid extra work every morning. When I went down to the barn to check on him, there were

dead racoons scattered around the barn floor, and when I asked him why he hadn't disposed of them, he stated that he was leaving them there as an example to all the other racoons who thought they could get a free meal at his expense. Well, since one of the tool crib girls' jobs this summer was to teach John Sabin sensitivity, they absolutely forbade him to ever again beat a racoon to death with a shovel, so he now has a more politically correct method of catch and release. Tool crib girls, be proud! Here Ruth offers wiley racoon a peace offering of green apple before he is released into the wild blue yonder.

Revive, Resource, Replicate

Mo Leverett, accomplished urban ministry entrepreneur and critically acclaimed singer-song writer, blessed an attentive crowd of RUF students with many of his songs tonight at Lagniappe. Over 50 RUFers from around the country are with us for 5 days to blitz build our newest Lagnaippe home. Mo's current ministry in New Orleans, Rebirth International, is another model of the church's call to participate in the restoration of creation as he seeks to replicate Jesus's ministry of word and deed among the poor, and we were so blessed to have him share his ministry and music with us. Thanks, Mo!

Der Blitz

Day is December the 15th, temperatures are reaching up into the 70’s and we are still building. Right now we are doing a “BLITZ” build which started today. Current at Lagniappe there is 55 college students from Reformed University Fellowship better known as RUF. These 55 RUF students are current and are going to a house from the foundation up in 3 days!!! Today was our first day of build and our 55 students started at 7:30 in the morning and worked to until to 5:15. We will let the pictures speak for themselves on the progress that happened in just one day! Soli Deo Gloria Morning's Glory Here is a time laspe of the progess on der Blitz through out the day

The process of putting up the post looked familar Pictures from around the day. Soli Deo Gloria: To GOD alone be the GLORY

YA'LL, IT'S STARTED

This first picture was taken 2 days ago on the corner of St. John Street and Dunbar--in the heart of Bay St. Louis. These are the supplies for Lagniappe's Blitz build, taking place this weekend with RUF students here with MTW. The Lagniappe construction crew (Andrew, Clyde, Jordan, John Sabin, ect) has been working tirelessly for the last week to get ready. They were nailing, hammering, sawing, and gluing the floor boards at midnight last night, with some help from recently returned interns, and office girls like me. Today at 7:30, 55 RUF students showed up with faces painted to represent their different work groups. Roosters were crowing (seriously), and by 8:15 hammers were flying, nails were being pounded, and saws were cutting. By noon....walls were up. It is unbelievable. I cannot tell you all how encouraging it is to see this thing moving so quickly! We will be posting multiple times each day for the next few days, so keep up with the blog and we'll make sure you stay updated!

How Did I Get Here?

"The safest road to hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts." C.S. Lewis

How do we get into the messes that we often find our selves in? Do we suddenly wake up one day and find ourselves standing in the midst of ruin that has become our life? Does a teenager spontaneously become pregnant? Does a man wake up next to a woman who isn't his wife, scratch his head and declare, "Huh. When I went to bed I was alone. Now I find this woman in bed with me. What's up with that?" Smeagal (Hobbit/Lord of the Rings) didn't suddenly become Gollum and Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars) didn't suddenly become Darth Vader. First Gollum had to take the Ring of Power, take a life, withdraw from community, and move into a mountain cave condo. Anakin had to first believe he knew more than anyone around him, ignoring counsel, regardless of experience, and wisdom. Then he had to kill a tribe of sand people, withdraw from community, embrace the counsel from someone who agreed with him, and kill all of the children at the Jedi boarding school. Through gradual steps we venture away from the security of God and His people. Convinced that we are right, and/or deceived into believing we are strong, we slowly move away from the place of truth, grace, and peace. Eventually we are so far away that we can't hear the cries of our family and friends beckoning us to return. Their voices are gradually quieted by a resolute conscience. Our desire to “become like God” crystallizes as we take possession of the object(s) of our desire; power, a relationship, drugs, control, prestige. If by God’s grace we are awakened to the horror of what we now possess (The default that is built into every temporal pleasure), crying out in repentance, it is true that “Jesus ready stands to save you, full of pity, love and power.” Here the church is called to model her Savior, to forgive what He forgives, offering the restoration of fellowship and love. Apart from repentance the Church should also model the attitude of the Father as displayed in the Parable of the Prodigals. There the Father scans the horizon anticipating his return, upon which He runs towards, embraces, kisses, restores honor, and throws a celebration feast. How many prodigals would return if they believed the church was an inviting place for them to return? Are you running from God? Are you running from God’s people who are calling you back? If so make haste in your return. Your reward is the promise of satisfaction and fullness in Christ, restoration that comes on the other side of dieing to self. Apart from repentance there is only the promise of greater emptiness, becoming less than what you were made to be. You will become Gollum. You will become Darth Vader because though they are mythological characters they represent gospel truth. What promises life can only produce death (James 1:14-15). “He who seeks to save his life will loose it but he who looses his life for my sake will find it.” You will not be transformed into something more glorious, mature, and full. You will be distorted and disfigured, empty and wanting. It will always be Winter and never Christmas (Narnia-speak). Do you know someone who is on the safe road to hell? Are you warning them in love, coming along side of them as one who also struggles, who has also received mercy from the Savior? Have you taken the log out of your eye before you approach them about the speck in their eye? If they have run, ignoring all pleas, are you praying for and anticipating their return? Are you a friend who stands ready to receive the repentant one, bringing a warm embrace and kiss rather than hypocritical scorn, gossip, and shame? Remember the order of reward the Father bestowed? Embrace, kiss, honor, celebration. May our steps be toward the Savior who promises to receive all prodigals. The safest road to hell may be the gradual one without signposts but the quickest way home is marked clearly by the Cross.

The Leaning Tree of Lagniappe

We received a wonderful fragrant Frazier fir tree yesterday from Wayland to Waveland folks. The tree itself is lovely, especially with the lights. Take note of the definite lean to right and know that this tree resides in a community of brokeness. We are increasingly aware of our personal brokeness and sin the longer we stay here and at the same time more aware of the grace and mercy that comes to us in and through the work of Jesus. Sarah, Kim, Hannah Grace, Ann Elizabeth, Laura (intern from this summer) and Keri are busy working on popcorn and fresh cranberry garlands to adorn the tree. Stay tuned for a picture of the decorated tree.

Kudos to Calvary Classical

Thank you, Calvary Classical School for your awesome gift of $250.00 in Lowe's gifts cards. Words cannot express our gratitude for the ongoing support you send our way. Thank you for making Lagniappe your mission project for the year. We notice that you have creative ways to fund raise like the Bike-A-Thon. Lagniappe Church is committed to classical Christian education and we are praying to the end that God would use Lagniappe to begin a classical Christian school here in the Bay. We have been blessed to have Kim and Zach Hughes, parents of a Calvary student and involved in the school, serve here for a week in the spring. We look forward to having them return in '08 along with others from Calvary Reformed church. We can't accomplish the task God has given us without your partnership in prayer and support. Be assured the Lowe's cards will be used on the homes we are building now and in the future. God bless you.

Holding on to Hope

Holding on to Hope, A Restoration Work Project and Women's Conference will be held on February 22-24, 2008 here at Lagniappe Church in Bay St. Louis, MS. Our speaker is Nancy Guthrie of Nashville, TN. You can find more about Nancy, her amazing story of God's grace in difficulty and her ministry at her website www.nancyguthrie.com. Our worship through music will be lead by Teresa Sugar, also from Nashville, TN. Teresa likewise has a website at www.teresasugar.com. These gifted women will be joined by women from their church, Christ Presbyterian in Nashville. Their hearts desire is to come alongside Lagniappe church and provide a weekend of teaching, praise and worship, accompanied by landscaping projects on our LPC homes. If you are the least bit interested for yourself or someone you know, please email Barbara Warner at bwarner@lpcpca.com and you will emailed a brochure with all the information you need, as well as a registration form. We are excited about this opportunity to share the Lagniappe experience with women in the context of this conference. May God stir the hearts of His daughters to come and hear the Word and practice Deeds that display His beauty and restoration of all things.

HELP!!!

We need contractors, we need help. We have house, homes that are within a week worth of work that we need finished for the holidays but to much on the plates of Clyde and Andrew. Jobs that they can handle its just that it is just that, jobs. The Gillium home, Lennie Givens, Suzanne Howell, Wynetta Jacobs, and the Russo's. All of these homes are close and on top of that we have a big push to frame up a house with the RUF retreat coming right before we close for the holidays. Having these homes sit through Christmas takes its toll on the families. Please, if you fit the description and are capable of trim, installing toilets andn sinks, trouble shooting electrical, if you know the ins and outs of building, we need some help to finish these homes before Christmas, call the church at 228 HOPE 887, and we can see if you can help us accomplish our ambitious goal.

Bird's Eye View

I used to work underneath this roof every day last summer, and for the months of February and March. I have since been moved into the office; I'm still coming to grips with the transition. However, today I got to ride the forks of our fork lift up to the roof of our tool shed--the roof that has hardly been touched since the storm. In many ways so much has changed; so much has been done, but then there's this reminder that it's not finished yet. Every morning after a rain, when we empty water out of wheel-barrows and remove protective tarps, we are reminded that there are HUGE holes in our roof. It was strange to stand up so high above our complex and look down through holes I have only ever looked UP through... I thought I'd share the bird's eye view from the day; you probably won't feel the same thrill I felt riding all the way up on our lift and climbing out onto the roof...but try. To those who think there is nothing left to do, I offer this as proof to the contrary. For those who know there is much left to do...come back.

Keeping History Alive

If you're thinking this is Lagniappe staff member Barbara Warner reading a book in the middle of the local cemetery, you would be correct! Lagniappe Presbyterian Church exists to participate in the restoration of creation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and that means we are just as interested in restoring the arts and history in this area as we are houses! Each October 31, The Historical Society of Bay St. Louis hosts a tour of the local cemetery, where volunteer "actors" tell the history of families buried there, thus reliving the history of Bay St. Louis. Donations for the tour go towards the restoration of the cemetery due to Hurricane Katrina. Here, Barb relives the life of the first librarian in the Bay. Did you also know that the waters of Bay St. Louis were host to one of the most important battles in the American Revolution? Neither did I, until I lead groups of interested visitors through the candlelit path, stopping at crypts along the way to listen to historical biographies of folks buried there. Only in Bay St. Louis! Love the shirt, Barb.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs!

One of the things we love to ask our volunteers to do while they are here is to make a sign which reflects something about the town, church or organization they come from. We never cease to be amazed at the creativity that goes into each sign, and we love the color they provide our "industrial" looking building! One of my very favorites is a recent addition, shown here in the bottom photo, "You fix houses, we'll fix dinner". This sign was designed by three very talented "visitor chefs" who answered our call for help in the kitchen, Kathryn Stephens, Cynthia Armstrong and Joy Phillips of Faith Reformed Pres., Frederick, Maryland. (See below) Not only did they fill our palette with delicious food for a week, but they left us with a taste of what real servanthood is, as they prepared three meals a day for five days straight for tons of hungry volunteers!

Does Santa need a tax-deduction?

Well, it's that time of year so we thought some of you might have some good contacts with old St. Nicholas....(for all of you who are offended at Santa/St. Nick references and tempted to send us an email reminding us that Christmas is about Jesus please don't. We'll just delete the email. We know Christmas is about Jesus, relax- we're just having some fun with the Santa reference- we love Jesus, just like you do- why else would be be here!) So, all that said- here's our list and don't forget (any gift that Santa puts under our FEMA trailer tree is tax-deductible!!!!) 2- Rigid 10 inch portable table saws from Home Depot (item #428-833) 200 linear feet of 6-8 foot industrial shelving that can stand up to serious use. If it was pallet rackable even better. 1- 8 1/2 inch double bevel sliding saw 1- DeWalt 718 12inch double bevel sliding saw 2- 3" x24" belt sanders 1- Wire welder with an argon bottle 1- Travel trailer (bumper pull) 6- Double beds with matress, boxsprings, and linens 6- Dressers 6- Nightstands 1- Toyota Sienna Mini-van for travel to/from speaking engagements 2- Ford Ranger pickup trucks (or similar) 1- 1/2 ton, long bed, crew cab pickup truck In all seriousness, please consider any help you can give us with these supplies. We are in real need right now- these supplies would go a long way...

Read All About It-3 of the 4 part series

We were so thrilled to host a group from Ole Miss last weekend-140 folks to be exact-for about 36 hours. Read here to see how things are going with us, and how you can pray for us! More good information here. And another piece here. Although there are several Mississippi State fans on staff at LPC, Jean is an Ole Miss alum. So I won't make any harsh comments. I think these articles are good. But, Go State! I'd like to challenge any groups from MSU to come top this!

Never Too Much About the Kitchen

Joy Phillips, Kathryn Stephens, and Cyndy Armstrong (L-R) from Faith Reformed Presbyterian Church in Fredrick, MD have been pampering us with delicious meals this week. We appreciate the detail and care that these gals have brought to their work in the Lagniappe kitchen. Some of the dishes that we have enjoyed this week include Blueberry French Toast with Blueberry syrup, Spinach Salad with green apples and walnuts, Cranberry Jello Salad, Beef Stroganoff... and the list goes on. You may think that we are fixated on the kitchen around here. Well, actually, all of this is to acknowledge and thank God for His provision in our time of need. Thanks, Joy, Kathryn and Cyndy for your tireless work to provide nutrious meals to the volunteers and staff at Lagniappe. Our volunteers who work longs hours each day are especially thankful for the meals you all have been providing. Thanks for answering the call and using your talents in the kitchen to serve the Lord.

Masterful Matt Meeks - Chef for a Week

A great big Lagniappe thanks goes to Matt Meeks whose smiling face and soft Tennessee accent and demeanor set the tone for an outstanding culinary experience. Matt arrived on a Saturday and immediately was faced with a challenge...the boneless pork tenderloin he had expected to be here turned out to be a huge bone-in pork tenderloin. Not to be deterred, Matt proceded to thraw out the monster roast (all night on Saturday) and prepared a delicious Sunday dinner for the Lagniappe family. We knew right away that Matt's time in our kitchen would be memorable. Matt was relieved of his kitchen duties for a few days while the "No Bull in the Kitchen" folks were here. During that time Matt was busy working on one of the Lagnaippe houses. When the team from Brookhaven departed for home, Matt was back in the kitchen cooking up some great dishes. I love the picture of his hands busy at work preparing carrots for a dish (looks like a show on the Food Network)! Isn't it amazing how God continues to care for us in all the areas of our ministry here at Lagniappe? Thank you, Matt!

Simple vs Shiny

Need is a relative thing these days, It borders on desire, The high tech world is full of bright shiny things, We think that we really require, Sometimes more than others, You see who and what and where You are, I'm a one-man band with no Immediate plans, Tonight I just need my guitar (Tonight I just need my guitar, Jimmy Buffett)

It's funny what I think I require to be satisfied. The desire that craves satisfaction looks at the "bright shiny things " and subtly says, "This is what you need." However,as soon as the box is open the shine disappears and yet another object becomes my desire. I imagine things that will satisfy; the next vacation, sleep, another book, another mp3 download, exercise, living in another place. I imagine my world of "bright shiny things" when what I really need is one simple thing, something so basic and so often neglected, not a guitar but the Gospel. It is in the Gospel that the Savior shines brighter and satisfies more fully than anything in creation. "Fair is the sunshine, Fair is the moonlight, Bright the sparkling stars on high; Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, Than all the angels in the sky."

CO

WE GOT A CO TODAY FOR PINKY SMITH! For those of you who do not know a CO stands for certificate of occupancy. You recieve your CO after your final inspections. During the home building process we have to go through a series of inspections. First you must have your footers inspected before you can pour the concrete, then you must have your foundation inspected before you can pour the concrete for that. Next, before you can cover up the walls with drywall or siding you must go through a sheeting, framing, rough-in electrical, rough-in plumbing, and HVAC inspection. Once you pass these you need an electrical inspection to get power to the house and finally when everyhting is finished again you go through a final electrical, plumbing, building, and HVAC inspection. For those counting that is anywhere from 9 to 12 inspections depending on the jurisdiction, that final list sometimes is one trip by one inspector sometimes all different inspectors. So, yesterday, we got Pinky Smith's CO and she showed up later that day to say thank you, so thank you to all those who worked on her house. We love passing inspections, it often calls for dancing and even better we love moving people into their homes.