We’ve been busy here in the Houma, LA area since we got back from our CHRISTmas break! As mentioned in our last update, we got back home and were back serving the next day!
We were blessed to celebrate Paul’s birthday! MJ made him a cake and he collected some firewood, so we had a fire and sat around and talked until we got too cold!
As you probably knew, we needed to find a new home for Camp Calvary. We had discussed a couple of possible solutions, none of which seemed to be able to work out for us.
Mary Jo was conversing with a local friend of hers, Tina, who attends Living Word Church. They served together immediately after the storm helping folks get much needed supplies, etc as they began digging out from Ida. Mary Jo thought that she might know somewhere we could move to and certainly could get the word out. Tina was one of many we reached out to for suggestions and most importantly prayer!
We had contacted Living Word right away as they have a few RV spots in the back of their church property where a few elderly folks live who work at the church. There was someone who was displaced from Ida also living there, so there wasn't any room for us.
We were running out of options and time and didn’t know what our next steps would be. After Mary Jo and Tina started the displaced family and their RV moved out. This opened up enough space for us to move all of our vehicles and trailers and of course they said come on down!
It’s a great fit for us because we already have been attending a great Bible Study here on Wednesday nights. When we first arrived here, we plugged in with what they were already doing. As I mentioned above, Mary Jo quickly became a huge help with the thousands of displaced people coming in for supplies and food twice a day. I was given a list of people who had requested help with their property, some from those who were coming in for supplies and some from the church.
This list is where almost all of our serving started, from assessments, direction, tarping, tree work, tear out and remediation, and insurance help, etc. Some of those folks led us to helping their neighbors and other family members and has resulted in the homes that we are currently serving at!
On top of that, since they already had setups for RV’s we were able to mostly just pull in, unhook, level, and setup our RV’s without spending a lot of extra time and money like we usually do wherever we set up Camp Calvary! We did have, of course, one tire issue, but we caught it before we got on the road! Actually, it was 2 tires, Paul’s motorcycle tire had a slow leak, but it was a quick valve stem replacement, not a nail or screw!!
I think we’re all settled into our homes, but of course there’s always one more thing! A Spanish church was displaced from the building they were renting after the storm and have not been able to get back into it. They approached Grace Chapel about renting their space on Sunday evenings. Of course, GC wants to help them out, but they will need to use a couple of areas where we have our “extra” equipment, supplies, etc stored. There’s a small storage unit that has been made available to us temporarily, but it will be hard to maneuver as we need things and it is yet another thing to do, only temporary, and not where we live! We also have a team coming in March and another in April, so this may also become an issue then. Please pray for direction with that need. Always something that keeps us seeking The LORD!
It's hard to believe that it’s February and still cold with temps and wind chill below freezing. We didn’t think it’d be this cold here so didn’t prep like we did in TN and other places. We had been disconnecting the water lines and filter systems and then putting them back and since it doesn’t seem to be ending yet, we decided to at least set up our hose and filter heater system. I already had the hoses set up from last year in TN so just needed to set up the electric and filter heat. Since no one has ever lived in the bunkhouse during the winter we set that up completely. Got down to 27 last night and no issues!
Maintenance wise, I’m still having an issue with the 4 wheel drive on the V10 and we really need this to work properly as I’m often in areas where getting stuck is par for the course, especially pulling the heavy tool trailer! In the middle of me writing this, MJ’s van quit running. I will get it in the shop as soon as I can. It turns over but won’t start. Probably the fuel pump and/or filter. Pray this will be quick and inexpensive! We’re also having issues with the toilet in our 5th wheel, which operates a lot differently than a regular toilet. So I get to take it apart and replace all the parts soon and of course nothings easy or cheap in a trailer!
Our good friend Mike, the pastor at CC Mobile, was in a bad car wreck. He’s ok, but going through a lot. He asked me to teach for him on the 13th, so we’ll head over to do that for him. We always love fellowshipping with them!
From there we’ll be headed back to Sarasota. We’ll be getting some personal things taken care of as we prepare for Mary Jo’s dad, Jim’s, memorial service. It will be on 2/26 at 10 AM at the Sunnyside Village Chapel. All are welcome. We’ll also be attending the SECC Pastor’s Conference during our time in FL. Again, lots to pray for, especially for our family as we continue to go through this time.
Paul will be staying here and keeping things going. Gina will be coming for a visit while we’re gone as well.
Here’s an update on what’s been going on with the homes where we’re serving:
- Ms Pat—We’re waiting on the weather for the painting crew to get started sealing up the outside of her home before we can even begin putting anything back together. We’re also still waiting on the insurance company to reassess the damages as they left a lot of stuff off of their original settlement. We did reroof 2 of the 3 other structures on her property. Unfortunately, she had a relative do the roof on her house and it wasn’t done correctly and it’s already leaking, so I’m also dealing with that. I met with Jay from the Mennonites (CAM) this week and they will try to get some folks out to help finish up the tear out as they have availability. They have a huge load of work as well!
- Donna & Keith. Paul and I finished up the reframing, electrical, and plumbing changes that needed to be made. Immediately after that, the insulation, sheetrock installation and finish was done. Trim has also been started. Currently it is being painted. Flooring should start this week and we’re ordering cabinets, doors and taking care of a few other things as well. Paul will be trimming out the electric as soon as he can. It’s moving along great!
- Ms Bonnie-Paul and I completely demo’d and then rebuilt some walls that were NOT built properly when the carport was enclosed years ago. We had to also redo the electric in that room. We installed 2 new windows and the outside door, the sheeting, caulked the outside, and then house wrapped it so that it’s ready for siding. We also had to frame out 2 bedroom closets that were changed years ago after part of her home caught fire and she needed them put back the way they were. This also required some electrical work. Insulation is complete and the sheetrock is currently being finished. Her granddaughter has not had her baby yet. Bonnie has also had some issues going on and with all her cancers, she really needs to be careful and all needs your prayers!
- Brad and his father-Talked with Brad again the other day. He’s still getting things done on his own at both he and his father’s homes. We may be giving him a hand one day next week.
- Ms Marilyn-We’re still waiting to get things settled with her insurance company. As mentioned in the last update, her roof is done so she’s dry and warm. Currently we’re still at a standstill with her home because of the insurance company.
- Ms Linda-Her roof has been replaced and we had her attic insulated with spray foam. Meeting with the guys who are going to take care of installing the carport and porch and fix all of the other outside siding, etc issues hopefully this week to get them going. Hopefully she’ll be done soon.
- Ms Cynthia-We’re still waiting on the insurance company to give us the paperwork they say they completed in December. This should also be accompanied by another check so that we can move forward on her home. Remember that her husband died a few days after Ida hit, so this has been hard on her, but she still seems to be taking everything better than expected. Please keep all of this in your prayers.
- Ms Cindy-She received a small amount of money from FEMA to help with the repairs. CAM had some donated shingles and others donated all but the nails, flashing, and drip edge so that her roof can be completed. She’s on the list to get her roof done soon. Paul, who’s a master electrician, and I started rewiring her entire house. Since over half of it was not damaged, it’s a little difficult, but we got a lot done this past week. We’ll get as much as we can before I leave and then Paul will finish it up as he can.
- Shane and Deserey-Their home has the roof complete, and the remediation is almost done. They too will need more money from the insurance company and paperwork is being completed to see what the insurance company will do. Almost at a standstill there. They’ve had to hire a public adjuster to fight the insurance company and we should have an idea of what kind of money they will have to complete there home soon. We’ve uncovered a lot of damages to their home that are not storm related that they didn’t know existed when they purchased their home a few years ago, including a total redo of the electric, plumbing and HVAC. This could turn into a long project.
As you can see as always, lots to keep in your prayers!! We really need and appreciate them so keep them coming!
If you’re interested in growing in The LORD as you selflessly serve others alongside of Calvary Relief, please let us know! For more info on joining us, click here.
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If there’s ever anything you need prayer about or just need to talk to someone, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us and let us know!
Love y’all and LORD Bless,
Curt & Mary Jo
