St. Marks is a small church, built in the 1960s, with room for 180 people.  The congregation is now very small.  We saw perhaps 10 congregants, not including us.  John was told there are 16 regular communicants, mostly older and we saw a mailing list with about 50 names on it.  The priest (Rev. Robert Beauchamp [pronounced 'beech-um']) also serves All Saints parish in nearby Norton, where he lives.

The service was enjoyable and the sermon was interesting.  I have to report that the sermon linked a search for the Kingdom of God with a vacation trip to Washington, DC.  The Kingdom of God was *not* evident during that part of the vacation, or the drive up.  Also interesting: we got to sing a few hymns we don’t often hear at Grace (#48, 453 and 530) at least I don’t remember singing them before.  Also, this was one church where it was manageable to pass the peace with everyone in the congregation.  Almost everyone; One little girl would not shake my hand.

After the service we were served a lovely breakfast in the parish hall under the church.  Diced potatoes with cheese, scrambled eggs with cheese, sausage biscuits (some storebought, some not), cheese grits, pineapple cake, german chocolate cake, coffee and juice.  We found out Rev. Beauchamp’s Dad graduated from West Point in 1953. Also, that these are nice people. And, after eating, the one little girl finally did shake my hand.

Trip home, powered by the excellent breakfast, was faster than our trip up .. something like 6 and a half hours with one stop for sodas and gas (for our car). Many slept, but there was lots of time for sharing our life stories after spending a few days often focused on the details of construction, painting and dorm management.

Early Saturday morning, Rich Kelly came out to the job site and advised what to rip down and what to beef up.  We spent some time as a team talking about where each board would go.  I thought about what our friend Ken would say about not rushing, and the importance of thinking through each step.  We listened to Morgan Miller’s crystalline insight into the length of a piece of plywood — .25 inches difference is serious when this is someone’s house.  This was our community of Saints!

Four o’clock on Saturday and not only had we given up our day trip to Grace House on the Mountain, but the rest of the mission team (we thought) had already headed back to our dorms.  Our immediate task was to cut out two, perfectly straight 3 inch wide, 8 foot long pieces of plywood to complete the roof deck.  One way to do this is to nail a 2×4 to the plywood as a guide for a circular saw.  A simple technique, but nothing seemed to cooperate.  It seemed we nailed that 2×4 onto the plywood sheet about 25 times.  That was a low point because we were really, really trying to get it right, and it looked like we were going to fail.

It was 5:30 before we had nailed in the deck and installed aluminum flashing. By six we had started putting down roof tar to anchor the asphalt roofing.  We did not have the proper tool to get the roof tar up underneath the drip guard from the main roof, but thats not a problem if you use your hands to spread the tar.  Like a bookend, Rich returned at 6:10 to focus everyone’s attention on finishing the job and cleaning up the job site.  By 7:30 we had scrubbed off most of the tar on hands and arms with paint thinner and we headed home.

Going through the downs and ups of the job — and having everyone stick with it throughout — was really satisfying for me.  We eventually got those 3 inch wide 8 foot long pieces of plywood cut perfectly straight. Everyone on the team had an experience that was a little different, but we all shared the experience of finishing what we started.

Today concluded a week filled to the brim with work. Putting on a tireless face, the roofing crew set off for another day of trials and tribulations. They departed at roughly 9ish in the morning, and didn’t return until around 8 this evening, spurring quite a bit of worrying amongst the painting/brush-removing crew. One of the biggest problems was the lack of communication between the two different work groups due to spotty cell phone coverage, particularly in the area where the roofing group was working.

The first, and busier, crew continued working on the house in need of roofing – today marking day 3 of the roofing repair. Today’s roofing crew consisted of Molly, Lauren, Eric, Ben, and Morgan, all of whom returned home dirty, hungry, and exhausted, but with a sense of accomplishment for finishing the roof. We’re all, painters as well as roofers, filled with glee at the accomplishment of this task, because despite the separation in the group between work sites, we all have felt the joys and pains associated with this task.

The other crew, originally a crew of painters, took a trip to another mission-oriented work site that also functions as dormitory for missioners, known as Grace House on the Mount. There, the ‘painters’ cleared various forms of debris, ranging from twigs and leaves to entire trees and logs, as well as performing maintenance on the path from the lodging to the outdoor chapel. This work was mostly completed, although there is yet work that could be still be done for improvement. Grace House inspired many of us as a future site to come on mission to, although our hearts will definitely remain here with the folk of Dungannon.

Overall the week was a success in many ways. Although we didn’t have quite as much time as we’d like to have had, we leave tomorrow morning with our hearts here, alongside the work that still needs to be completed to improve the lives of those here in Dungannon, Virginia.

With our hearts in our hands,

Nicholas, Noelle, and the Dungannon Mission Crew

We are coming to you from all the way down in Dungannon, Virginia where the tea is sweet, the deer heads are on the wall and everybody waves to you as they drive by.

Today was our third day of work and we all returned to sites we worked at yesterday. But before we went our separate ways, we got to spend a little more time with each other in the middle of a county mountain road while stopped due to road work. We took total advantage of the situation and proceeded to have a dance party in the middle of nowhere with numerous songs and games of Chinese Fire Drill, much to the surprise of the road workers and other drivers.   

Group 1 returned to a house that was in desperate need of a new roof. They got to finish applying the aluminum paint to the roof of the house, avoiding power lines and sitting on rafters of what will be the new porch roof attached to the house. We measured and used a circular saw to cut boards for the rafters and the plywood for the actual roof – what fun!  We withstood three small rainstorms, and while crazy Ben Joyner kept hammering, the sane Skye Whitlow and Lauren Gustafson ran for cover (no lightning danger to our team).  Unfortunately we had some difficulty with the beams. With the help of Richard Kelly, The Enforcer, tomorrow that darn roof will be finished.

Group 2 returned to the same place as yesterday and finished painting and putting trim on the door. Today our mission was painting ceilings, which was not too difficult seeing as they were about a foot taller than the shorter members of the group. Although we had to dodge inflatable turkeys and mounted hunting trophies, we successfully painted the ceilings of 3 rooms. Others tidied up the outside and constructed and applied trim around the front door. In other notable events, Heather Kelly petted the home owner’s goat.

For our evening activity, we went to the town hall of Dungannon and listened to a “gospel” group sing. Turns out that they were more of a Christian based country group and a complete family affair! The three singers consisted of a brother, sister, and wife of brother. The sound crew consisted of the sister’s husband. In the audience sat three of their seven children (combined). We were pleasantly surprised and enjoyed a lengthy set of their music. In the audience were 21 townspeople and 14 missioners (us).

At the end of the day, we got our whole group back together and observed evening compline. We did not follow the traditional compline service, however; this compline was about LOVE. Each member took the time to write a love letter in appreciation of another in our group, after randomly drawing names from a hat. Some were creative and others were deeply touching.  It was about showing our love for each other as well as allowing us to love ourselves. We closed with a Celtic evening prayer by J. Philip Newell.

Tomorrow we look forward to Group 1 finishing the roof and Group 2 going up to the top of Sandy Ridge, near Norton, Virginia, to assist the Episcopal Grace House on the Mountain by clearing brush and downed trees from trails. We have enjoyed our time here and are amazed that the days have gone by so quickly. We cherish new friendships, rich cultural experiences, and the opportunity to lend a hand to less fortunate people here who just need someone to show kindness.

Keep us in your prayers during our last day of work and pray for those we have served.

Signing off:

Lynn Rohrs, Lauren Gustafson, Christina Iovino, Heather Kelly

The painting team, for its part, continued down State 65 on for another 15 minutes to a small house at 4431 Clinch River Parkway – Vextel’s home.  Rich is the team leader, along with Lynn, Khacki, John, Noelle, Heather, Erin, Chas, Christina, and Nicholas.  Our task – prepare and paint a ramp and porch and replace a faucet.  Vextel is in his mid-70s, friendly but mentally challenged, and living alone with two Beagles.  Scrape, sweep, met cloth, and we’re ready to paint.  Many hands make light work and we are done by 2 pm, except for the faucet that lacked a few connectors.  Off to the nearest hardware store with a stop at Natural Tunnel State Park to eat our sandwiches, back to Vextel’s to finish the job (plumber Rich came through) and return to the Phoenix Center for showers and the evening meal.

Refreshed, everyone opts for some blue grass music at a nearby town.  In fact, it turns out to be a blue grass jam session where anyone and everyone can sing or play.  And dance.  Your reporter reveals that EVERY missioner danced at least once, two announced who we were, and one sang.  Amazing.  The feeling amongst us all – I’m really glad I came on this mission trip.

After returning to our home away from home we had compline, which featured an out of tune guitar, a gospel passage and some interesting dancing, to put it kindly.

We finished the day with a celebration of Skye’s birthday. After eating some delicious cake and brownies, we led her outside, where with the help of some of our new friends from Chicago we demolished a piñata.

All in all it was a great day, and we are looking forward to tomorrow.

By 9:00 am, Day 2, we had split into our teams, been briefed by Travis, and headed out.  The Elementary School Team finished quickly, rearranging the cafeteria after the 4^th of July Beauty Pageant (yep) and closing it down for summer.  They returned to the Phoenix Center to reinforce the other two work parties, called Inside and Outside.  It helps to understand that the Phoenix Center is pretty much Dungannon’s community center, where everything civic is organized and supported.  Hence, it serves as a warehouse for 4^th of July and Christmas decorations, as a weekly food bank, and as a collection point for ALL kinds of donations to support the community.  It is served by two lovely people — Travis (manager) and Jean (kitchen chef).  We served them as clean-up crew, organizing and stocking shelves in the food bank room and the supply room, throwing out unusable items, putting the small conference room back in operation, and a few hundred other little chores.  That was the Inside team. 

The Outside team re-organized the tool shed, cleared brush, collected and disposed of scrap lumber and other throw-aways, all the while dodging the occasional wasp and breaking for a passing rain shower.  We shared a make-your-own sandwich lunch, wrapped up at 4 pm for a quick run to the Dollar General (youths have to snack) and a hearty barbeque dinner.    Our newly adopted mascot, Skippy, our four-legged furry friend, joined us for treats.

Evening time – exploring the byways of SW Virginia (hilly, winding and full of curves) to (of course) Walmart for resupplies, then back to the Phoenix Center for night-time compline around a camp fire that Morgan and Ben had started earlier in the day for a rubbish burn.  Eric and Chas asked us to share what was special about our first day.  Lights out soon, and off to Day 3 tomorrow morning’s tasks.

Dungannon is a small town in Scott County with population of roughly 330 people and the closest real grocery store is 12 miles away. Cell phone coverage is sketchy and Verizon seems to be the best so far. The main attractions in town are the city hall (which closed at 3:00pm), the post office (closing time unknown), and Dollar General (which closes at a surprising 10:00pm). Tonight’s after dinner activity was raiding Dollar General where the key purchases were fans, extension cords, and foam bedding pads (platform beds, right? … no mattresses).

After many applications of easter tattoos and a few rousing card games, things are winding down now with Ben on the guitar and quiet singing from the teens. Our real work starts tomorrow when we break into two groups — one to work at the local elementary school and the other to work on the grounds of the Phoenix Center where we are staying. More information to come tomorrow on the work for the remainder of the week.

Post written by Molly

‘Pick up your plague and come to the front of the room”

“Yes, it’s ok to have four of you playing Moses, but please, would one of you be Pharaoh?”

“It’s gonna be kinda boring around here next week when all the white folks are gone…”

We have a special audience of about 30 children from another church who come to hear the play and then sing gospel music for us in return.  They are simply magnificent.  Their leader is a tall, imposing blind man with a deep baritone voice.  He calls “If you can hear my voice, clap once” and a few children clap, then “If you can hear my voice, clap twice” and more children clap twice, and finally “If you can hear my voice, clap three times” and ALL the children clap three times and are then completely silent and ready. 

We finish part one of the Altar Guild project, a binder with photos of their collection of donated vestments with a table /index detailing what the item is, what it’s used for, when should it be used and in what season, plus a reference to an Episcopal Dictionary with even more information.  Do you know any church having three maniples, 17 scapulars, 10 Burses, including 7 green ones, 30 Chasubles, 34 stoles and several unidentified items included a fiddle-back chasuble in the mode of an 18^th century Spanish or Italian vestment.  Some churches were clearly cleaning out the bottom of their closets.

Tomorrow (Saturday) is another work day.  Two of us will be training the All Souls Altar Guild, others will be working on a Jericho Road lot clearing project and the third group will finish the drywall removal at the Beacon of Hope.  It’s our last work day for this trip and there is a sense of accomplishment as well as unfinished business.  We are debating whether our work in New Orleans is over and whether we need to look for other mission trip opportunities in different locales for next year and the years beyond.  We also know that the need will continue here for more work groups for years to come.

The day ends with our traditional trip to Williams Plum Street Snowball stand and the obligatory group photo with all our brightly colored tongues sticking out.

Teamwork is the theme of the day.  The Beacon of Hope group works with church volunteers from Idaho who have the rhythm of drywall removal down to an art.  Part of the team go to the attic to push from above while another team stand on ladders in the room below and catch the drywall as it falls.  They then transport the sheet out of the room to be broken up and photographed and documented.  Several people mention they feel the presence of Jeff Gustafson, so much a part of the team for the first three years we were here.  We think he is smiling when he sees us all work as such a strong unit.

Some other observations about New Orleans since last year,

• Several of the projects we have worked on in the past are really showing major progress.  All Souls is an example of a place making huge strides in their physical plant. 
• Sadly, however, Grace Church on Canal Street, the site of so much work in the first two years, has closed the daycare center we worked so hard to craft and is now surviving on a supply priest mostly focused on the local Hispanic community.  The house we lived in the second year is for sale to provide some needed operating funds.  We’re not sure how long the church will continue to operate at this level before closing completely.
• We see signs of progress all around the city, more and more occupied houses, signs on the street advertising interior work such as tiling and painting.  It’s harder to find the once ubiquitous houses with spray-painted X’s noting they have been searched and cleared.  More occupied houses and businesses, including small businesses.
• More groups are working on tutoring and enrichment projects, counseliing and mental health issues are also addressed.  We have moved beyond simple housing issues to more complex social issues.

We end the day with ‘thorns and roses’ – and most of the comments are roses, it’s harder and harder to find thorns to present.  It’s also fun and refreshing to see another generation of EYC kids discover mission work and to see how much difference a team can make in just a few days.  The fellowship and fun continue late into the evening with a trip to a NOLA institution, the Mid-City Rock n’ Bowl – a place described perfectly by its name, a bowling alley and Zydeco/Rock n’ Roll music hall.  Some folks bowl and others dance to swamp romp music with special exuberance.  The day ends with tired and smiling faces headed upstairs to tape some innocent victim’s clothing to the ceiling of their room.  Traditions must be observed!

The other group works with the Beacon of Hope on a “re-demo” site in the Lakeview neighborhood.  A completely contractor rebuilt home has to be re-gutted because the contractor used contaminated drywall imported from China.  Each sheet has to be unscrewed, photographed and a small sample preserved for testing.  Once this is done new drywall will be installed.  The kids love this work because the results show progress and are tangible.

The day ends at St. Anna’s, known locally as the murder church.  The rector, Fr. Terry, and his staff have collected the names of everyone murdered in New Orleans each day and their names, death date and cause of death are handwritten on a large board outside the church.  This is always a sobering way to enter the sanctuary, but the service is lively and inclusive.  Many mission trips are in the pews and we sing to a  dramatic piano beat.  After the healing service at the end we retire to the served dinner and local all-girls Rastafarian band.  As we leave the phrase “You are now entering the Mission Field” appears above the exit door.

We close the place down and return to Annunciation to celebrate Skye’s 16^th birthday.  She tells us it’s a wonderful way to end a most memorable day.  Compline is in candlelight with sharing of memorable moments from the day.  The house is a little quieter tonight – too tired to stay up late.