Sorry no pictures

Hi Everyone. Sorry there has not been a blog for a few days but we have been busy. Both teams left Saturday and we miss them already. They did a wonderful job on the houses they worked in.
We are having a Fall Fun Fest here at St. Luke and at N.O. East tonight to give an alternative to halloween. I believe it is important for children to have an alternative to halloween. Joel, Suzanne, Kayla, Papa Dufor and others are coordinating one at the East. Me, Allen, James, Patrice and others are coordinating the one here at the church. We will be having hot dogs, nachos, cookies, candy and games. We will also have bobbing for apples. I love this game! I remember when I was a kid playing this game and I was always good at it. I don't know if I liked getting all wet or if it was the prize I got for doing it. Either way it was a lot of fun. We have a lot of work to do today to get everything accomplished so this blog will be short. I will have pictures of the event tomorrow to put on the blog. Keep us in your prayers and we will keep you in ours.

Lots of Love...Allen and Dovie

Iowa is going strong!

Hi everyone, this is the Iowa team at work in Janice's house. It still needs trimming, painting and doors. We are trying to get this house completed but it is a slow process. This Iowa team went to work in this house and did not stop. They were putting in doors, molding and so much more. They got a lot accomplished. This group is a more mature group in age with a lot of experience. They got up at 6 am had devotions at 7:30 am and out to work at 8 am. I could not believe there energy and drive. The one picture you see is of a wonderful woman who is 82 years old and is still swinging a hammer. I talked with her several times and she just amazes me. She, at 82 is still volunteering to help rebuild homes. I pray that at that age I have as much energy that she does. They are such a wonderful group and a delight to work with. They will be leaving tomorrow as will the California team and we will miss them all.

I would like to ask everyone to keep the CA team in your prayers because they have family and friends in the CA areas that are burning out of control. Yet they are here working with people to get them back in their homes. Truly that is a heart of God.

We have met so many people through this volunteer effort that it just amazes me and makes me humble before the Lord because he allowed me to be a part of this. I truly have gained so much respect and love for everyone that comes here to volunteer. Thank you to all who have been here and will be coming back.

Until next time...we love you all and will continue to pray for you. Love Allen and Dovie.

Hi. Well last night was a night of fun for the teen group from CA. You can see in the pictures that there are 3 different teams. Each team had a pillow case and went around the living quarters and filled it with what ever they wanted. The game had 4 judges (the leaders of the group) who named off things they had to show. For example if they said a bar of soap and a team did not have a bar of soap they had to come up with something else and try to convince the judges that it was better than a real bar of soap. It was hilarious! These teens came up with some crazy and creative things for the judges and we laughed so hard. I am glad I was not a judge because it was so hard to decide which team should get the point. I think the judges had a hard time deciding who to give the points to. All I have to say is they were very creative.




They have worked in a house all this week putting up drywall and they have done a great job. They have worked very hard and has worked as a team as you can see from the pictures. They are even coming back this December right after Christmas. They are a very dedicated group. You can tell they love and respect their leaders and themselves. We had devotion tonight at the church with both teams and it was good. The Iowa team and the CA team spoke of what God had showed them on this trip. They have enjoyed each others company. I know the home owners that they have been working for is very grateful too.

Pastor Teresa found a dog in the highway yesterday and has taken to the dog. Suzanne has really grown to love the dog in just 2 days. It is such a cute dog, you can tell it is a mixture of a beagle and hound or something. They tried to find it's owner but couldn't. They walked the dog around the neighborhood but did not get any response. They are going to take it to the vet tomorrow to make sure it is ok. If they don't find the owner Suzanne would like to keep it instead of taking it to the humane shelter or something where they would just put it to sleep. We are praying for the right thing to do.

Well I will put pictures of the Iowa team on the blog tomorrow. Until then we love you and will continue to pray for you all. Allen and Dovie

Iowa is here!

Meet Iowa! This is a team from Iowa that came in on Sunday. They are here for a week. They are wonderfully sweet people. Boy do they know their skills. They move through a house with expertise. They are working on Janice's house to try to get things done. I will have pictures tomorrow. They have been having dinner with the youth group from California and they all are having a good time.

Last night it rained so hard we got at least 5 inches of rain. Allen says it was more but all I know is it was a lot. Anyway there was a young man in the California team that took my umbrella and walked each and team member from Iowa to the van so they wouldn't get wet. He took all the women first than what ever men wanted to be covered. Now he got soaked while dong it and his shoe's were all muddy but he did not care. No one asked him to do it, he just took it upon himself and did it. It was so wonderful to see a teenager take the initiative to help others. I sat there and watched how the women just loved him for doing it and he just smiled until he was done. We have talked often and I can tell he loves the Lord with all his heart.

I will have some picture of both the teams tomorrow so until then we love you all. Allen and Dovie

California Team!

This is California!
Hard at work!
Hanging Sheetrock.

Hey Everyone. This is the California team of teenagers. They got in late Thursday night and got up Friday morning ready to do what ever was needed. They started working Friday morning without taking a break to relax from their flights. They are a wonderful group of teenagers with a big heart. They started working on a home across from the church who needed sheet rock hung. They got a lot accomplished. They will be working on the same house Monday. It amazes me to know that some of these teens have been here more than once. There are some who have been her 3, 4, and 5 times. I have not met any teenagers who have been here that many times. They say they will keep coming back as many times is needed to help get people back into their homes. I will have more pictures throughout the week of what they are doing.

The blog tonight will be short because I am not feeling well. I have what is called in the medical field as (IBS). If you want to know what it is you will have to look it up on the internet because it is not something I want to explain here. Anyway I have not had an attack like I had today since I have been here. I can usually catch it before it gets severe. I had been in sever pain and doubled over but still tried to go to church. Pastor Larry saw me and prayed for me. He is gifted in healing. When he prayed all the pain in my stomach left and I felt better. I am now dealing with the other half of it and have been in bed the rest of the day. Please keep me in your prayers for total healing. We love you all... Allen and Dovie

Long Time No Blog....

Hi, sorry no picture this time. I know it has been awhile since I have had anything on the blog and I am sorry. Please bear with me as there are some changes going on with us and our family. The pastors want the church to be a full functioning church again. God has truly started it happening and now it is time to take it to the next level. With the vision of the pastors and the anointing of the Lord their will be ministries within the church for all to be a part of. Children, women, and men's ministries to gather together in fellowship to grow, learn and love. It is very exciting and a privilege to be apart of this. This time last year I was working at a job that I did not want to do and every day getting up and going to the same place doing the same think. The job wasn't a bad job, and the people I worked with were wonderful people and I miss them. It was just that I knew there should be more. I wanted to do more with my life and help people more. I prayed for the Lord to use me where ever he wanted me. And one day he did and I am here. I never dreamed that not only would I help rebuild homes but at the same time help people know that their is hope. To tell them about Jesus and how he loves them and see them receive Christ into their hearts, it is what I always wanted to do. And now I am apart of rebuilding the church. Sometimes I am not sure if I can do it but, God always seems to be right there showing me how. It is an awesome time in my life, a time for growing. Sometimes it hurts but I love it!

I am a little sad right now because my church back home in Delaware is having their women's conference this weekend. I am missing it and know it is going to be an awesome time in the Lord. Even though I cannot be there I am praying for an out pouring of the Holy Spirit on all the ladies that are there. The leaders are wonderful and such Spirit filled women of God that I know they will have the out pouring. Please keep them in your prayers.

We have a new team her from California who just got in last night and I will have some pictures of them on the blog tomorrow. They are mainly teenagers and they are wonderful. Teenagers always seem to have so much energy. It is great to see them here and work as hard as they do with so much compassion for what they are doing. I just love teenagers!

I would like to give a shout out to my teenagers back at WOLCC, Rock Solid Youth Group. I love you all very much and miss you. Well until tomorrow just know that Allen and I love you all. Until next time... Allen and Dovie..

Virginia is Gone...but will be back!

Hello everyone. The VA team is gone but what they have done will never be forgotten. Marguerite has been telling everyone about the work that has been done in their house. She is getting window treatments and she is moving in. Her and James stayed in the house for hours just looking and loving the feel of it being a home again. The team worked so hard and loved what they were doing. Thank you VA team for all you did. We will be waiting for you to come back.

It has been quiet here this week because we don't have any teams in but we are getting some work accomplished in some other areas. Just because there is no teams doesn't mean we stop working. We are the ones that do the work when no one is here. We love being able to go to someones home and helping them. It is an awesome feeling that you get when you see the happiness on their faces. Everyone that has done this understands what I mean. Those that look at this blog and don't understand I say, "Come on down" and we will put you to work.

I won't be doing the blog every day this week as you have noticed, but thank you for continually coming back to the blog for updates. Please keep us in your prayers and we will keep you in ours. Lots of Love from... Allen and Dovie..

The House is done!

The rooms are beautiful!

Well they have finished Marguerite's house.
The rooms have turned out beautiful. The VA team worked hard all week long to get her and James into the house. The team moved her bed into the bedroom today. The Kitchen floor and counters are beautiful. The team stayed at the house well past 6pm. They wanted to get as much done as possible. There are a few little things to be done like a little touch up painting and a little caulking but they can move back in. The team is going back tomorrow for
a couple of house just to do the last little things. They are suppose to be leaving at 2pm but they are determined to get everything done.

When they brought Marguerite and James into the house to show them Marguerite cried as you can see in the picture. She was so over joyed with the house. After two years in a fema
trailer and now they can get back to a real home. The team did an awesome job and they should be very proud of what they have done. They did it with a loving heart and caring soul. They can now go home with a sense of accomplishment. God will truly bless them all.

I will get pictures on the blog when Marguerite gets fully moved in. Keep praying for us and the people of New Orleans. We Love you all.. Allen and Dovie

They Are Almost Done!

"This is the before picture"
These ladies are really working hard to get the floor done!


He is getting all the pipes together


She is cleaning all the little pipes and fixtures


These guys have been working so hard on the bathroom!


"This is the after picture" The floor is done!
AREN'T THEY BEAUTIFUL!

The floor in the hall, front room, and bedrooms are all done!
"The team is having lunch on the new floor"


Hello Everyone. Well the VA team has almost gotten everything done in Marguerite's house. As you can see by the first pictures from yesterday they have some floors done and working on the rest. They had the bathtub put it and was tiling around it. The shower was put in and they were working on the pipes. One of the ladies on the step was working on the pipe fixtures and was running a little wire brush through every little piece of pipe before it could be used. It was a long and tedious job but she did not mind and kept at it for as long as she needed to. You can see the ladies on their knees putting down a tile floor. That is hard work but it paid off and they got the floor finished today. It looks so beautiful! Some of the other ladies put down the laminate wood floor and got all three rooms done in 2 days. They worked so hard. Marguerite was smiling from ear to ear every time I saw her.

The guys had the tub and show in yesterday and today was putting tile around it and starting on the floor. I will have finished pictures for you tomorrow. The team said that she can move back into her house by tomorrow. I don't' know who is more excited us and the team or Marguerite, I am sure it is Marguerite because of everything she has went through. The team has accomplished so much in their time here and should be very proud of themselves. We are very thankful that they came and gave their time to be here. Tomorrow I will have final pictures of everything and hopefully some of Marguerite moving back into her house. Please keep praying for her and the team.

I seem to always get a little sad when teams leave because they have done so much for the people here. They also touch our lives while they are here and we enjoy having them so much.

Thank you all for praying for our son Alex. I spoke with him this evening and he said is feeling much butter. He said for 2 days he felt like his through was on fire and couldn't swallow and was running a fever but then this morning it was gone. He feels fine and is going to classes. Praise be to God! We love you all.

Until tomorrow...Lots of Love from .. Allen and Dovie

More Floors Done!

Hello Everyone. Here are some pictures of some of the work that has been done in Marguerite's house. It truly is coming along. They finished putting in her tub, shower and tiled behind the tub. All they had left was to paint the rest and put in the floor. As you can see from the first picture they have finished the floor in the bedroom however, today they also finished the tile in her kitchen and other bedroom. They were starting the last floor in the living room today. I do have more pictures of what has been done but I left it at the church and didn't realize it until I got home. I will put a lot of pictures of all the work done, on the blog tomorrow.

The last picture is of Bruce. He is fourteen and came down with his father. It amazed me how much he wanted to do. He is truly a pleasure to be around. He took time away form his books, games, family and friends to come and do work with his dad. I know his dad loves having him here to see first hand what is being done to help people.

Well on a different side, we got to go to a concert tonight. We got to see the David Crowder Band at the House of Blues. (I hope I spelled his name right.) For all of you who don't know who he is, he is a christian artist. The House of Blues is a well known place in New Orleans where Jazz and well famous people and bands play but tonight it help the songs of praise. The place was filled with christians who just wanted to praise God and it was awesome! We had a great time together. We all went, us and the team. They had a great time too.

Please keep praying for our son Alex, he is still sick. Thank you for all your prayers. Until next time.. Lots of Love from... Allen and Dovie..

Happy Birthday to Marguerite!

The flowers were beautiful
Presenting of the cake
"The cake tasted good"

Hello Everyone. Yesterday was Marguerite's birthday. Suzanne and Kayla got a cake and I cooked it. It tasted good but my goodness, it looked awful. After icing it I tried to write happy birthday on it and it did not turn out so well. The stuff coming out of the tube kept changing directions on me and the writing was awful. I tried, I truly did, we all just laughed and Marguerite was just so happy with the cake she didn't care what it looked like. The VA team gave her flowers and a card. Then we all started singing happy birthday to her and her smile was so big. When we gave her everything she started to cry. I told her she couldn't because then we would all cry. She said her friends asked her what she was going to do for her birthday and she told them nothing because she was still in the fema trailer and couldn't do anything. So, she thought it would just be another day with her and her husband. When we showed up with the cake, flowers and card everything changed and now she was having something for her birthday and it just touched her so much. It was so unexpected. It amazes me how wonderful God is. God knew she needed this on her birthday and he allowed us to be a part of it. Just to see the joy that this brought her touched my heart so much.

The VA team is working so hard to get her house done. They go all day and don't want to stop. Marguerite really wanted to be in her home by her birthday and was a little depressed but if we can get her in by the end of this week she will be so happy. They were getting the kitchen floor put down today and working on the bathroom. I have got pictures and will put them on the blog tomorrow. Devotions are starting soon and I don't want to miss them. This team has devotion every night and I love listening to them. Also Marguerite has come here to have dinner with us so I hope she likes it. I made Jumbalia. We'll see.

Before I sign off I would like everyone to pray for our son Alex. He goes to Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, PA. He is really sick right now and I can't be there with him. It is hard sometimes being so far away from him and not being there to help him when he is sick. He is 20 but, he is our youngest son and still my little boy (all grown up). Every mother reading this knows what I mean. Anyway thank you for your prayers. We Love you all. Until next time..Lots of Love .... from Allen and Dovie..

Welcome Virginia!

These People are "crazy"
A night of devotions!.

Hello Everyone. We want to welcome West End Assembly of God from Richmond, Virginia. Here are several pictures of them when we all gathered on the porch after dinner this evening. I try to take one picture of the team acting "normal" and then I take another picture and ask them to be "crazy". As you can see from the picture they acted crazy and they had so much fun doing the picture. I is such a blessing to see teams that come here have fun while they are building someones home. Seeing the devastation every day here is a little depressing sometimes so when a team is here and just includes you in the fun it is wonderful. They are such a caring group of people. All the kidding aside, in the last picture is when they were having devotions and we joined in with them. Everyone was talking about their day and what they did. Some of the ladies never hung dry wall or put a floor together but they do now. They wanted to stay longer and keep working on the house as does all the teams that come here, and just want to do as much as possible.

They have been working in Marguerite's house. They got drywall done, windows sanded and ready for painting, flooring put down in 1 room and half a floor finished in another room. Marguerite was so happy and smiled all day. Her husband came out and talked a while with Joel. He has been very sick and his ankles swell up to where he cannot walk. Marguerite has been sick also and it's all because of the trailer which can make you a little depressed. Please keep them in your prayers. We believe they will be in their house by this weekend. This team is determined to see them back in their house before they leave. They are doing everything possible to make it happen.

I just want to say that, I don't think we have NOT ever had a team that has not done everything they can, to do all they can, to try to get a person back into their home. Every team that has come has had a wonderful spirit and love in their heart. Thank you all.

I will have more pictures throughout the week of the progress at Marguerite's house so keep looking and praying for her, the team, and us. We will all be praying for you. Until next time... Lots of Love from..Allen and Dovie..