Community Church at Ocean Pines
Well... here we go again! Back to Gulfport, Mississippi to assist in the ongoing recovery from the aftermath of Katrina.

I'm in Bill Wolf's office at Community Church just firing up the old blog site. (Although Bill and I are such talkers neither of us is getting much done!)

Roughly 30 of us are going, about half are returning veterans from last year's mission. The other half are newbies. (Has anyone told the newbies about the 'wait on the veterans hand and foot' rule yet?)

The first contingent loaded up and left at about 8:30 this morning with Russell Queen driving his pickup and a large construction trailer in tow. My ignorance will show thoughout this blog, as well as my missing all but the final organizational meeting... Riding with him are Ron Wist (the only of last year's returning crew foolhardy enough not to fly down...), Phil (the photographer) Lassiter, and an extremely nice, tall guy (who I am embarrassed to say I forget his name but will be my buddy after this week and someday we'll laugh about this oversight...)

Most of the rest of the crew heads out early Friday morning. Driving together to BWI in a 15 passenger van (oh, yeah, with no room for anything but a toothbrush and a hammer per person as luggage.) Others are coming seperately from the DC/Baltiomore area... Including Liz... (Hi Liz- can't wait to do some 'rockin' with you!) Todd, Sharon and Uncle Tom also heading separatley from that direction. Jim is zooming over from the winter retreat in FLA again, glad to hear you're feeling better, Jim! I'd feel bad abusing you while you're sick... (not that it would stop me...) I'll be heading down on Sunday in time for dinner. (Anybody down there reading this: Get those green beans really cooked up and ready for me!)

Anyway, back to God's work... More to follow... stay tuned...