 THE BILTMORE BAPTIST CHURCH TEAM WAS ASSIGNED WORK IN THE ALLENWOOD, NEW JERSEY AREA |
 A TEAM OF 14 EAGER AND COFFEE FUELED BUILDERS! |
 DAMAGED HOMES NEAR ALLENTOWN, NJ - ON THE "JERSEY SHORE" |
 DAMAGED HOME NEAR ALLENTOWN, NJ - ON THE "JERSEY SHORE" |
 DAMAGED HOME NEAR ALLENTOWN, NJ - ON THE "JERSEY SHORE" |
 DAMAGED HOMES NEAR ALLENTOWN, NJ - ON THE "JERSEY SHORE" |
 DAMAGED HOMES NEAR ALLENTOWN, NJ - ON THE "JERSEY SHORE" |
 DAMAGED HOMES NEAR ALLENTOWN, NJ - ON THE "JERSEY SHORE" |
 DAMAGED HOMES NEAR ALLENTOWN, NJ - ON THE "JERSEY SHORE" |
 DAMAGED HOME NEAR ALLENTOWN, NJ - ON THE "JERSEY SHORE" |
 HEADING FOR NEW JERSEY IN THE RAIN |
 TEAM MEMBERS, GLAD TO BE BACK TOGETHER AGAIN |
 CHECKING THAT ALL TRAVEL PAPERWORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED |
 BREAKFAST STOP AT MICKEY-Ds |
 THE TEAM ARRIVED AT THE GRACE TABERNACLE BIBLE CHURCH |
 THE MAIN SANCTUARY OF THE GRACE TABERNACLE BIBLE CHURCH |
 OUR LOGO/SIGN, DISPLAYED OUTSIDE THE CHURCH |
 AT THE CHURCH, UNPACKING THE TWO VANS |
 ONE VAN CARRIED OUR PERSONAL GEAR AND THE OTHER VAN CARRIED OUR TOOLS |
 HOME SWEET HOME - ONE OF THE MEN'S SLEEPING ROOMS |
 THAT'S MY SLEEPING CORNER ON THE LEFT |
 AFTER UNLOADING ALL OUR GEAR, WE FOUND A WONDERFUL RESTAURANT! |
 WAITING FOR THE FOOD AT VINNIE'S |
 SOME GOOD CONVERSATION AND REFLECTION ON OUR FIRST DAY |
 H-U-G-E PORTIONS! |
 AFTER DINNER, A QUICK PLANNING MEETING FOR OUR FIRST WORK DAY |
 AS YOU CAN SEE, OUR DAILY TEAM MEETINGS ALSO INCLUDED A LOT OF FUN! |
 UP EARLY FOR BREAKFAST THE NEXT MORNING |
 FIXING OUR BAG LUNCHES |
 WAITING TO LOAD UP FOR THE FIRST DAY'S ASSIGNMENT |
 ON THE WAY TO OUR FIRST HOUSE ASSIGNMENT, WE DISCOVERED SOMETHING INTERESTING |
 GOING INTO THE HOUSE FOR A QUICK EVALUATION OF THE WORK REQUIRED |
 "OH MY!" |
 THE HOUSE DIDN'T LOOK TOO BAD FROM THE OUTSIDE, BUT THE INTERIOR WAS QUITE ANOTHER MATTER |
 THE HIGH WATER LEVEL HAD PRETTY MUCH RUINED EVERYTHING IN THE HOUSE |
 VERY HEAVY BAGS OF SOAKED CLOTHING AND SHOES |
 UNCOMPLETED WORK BY THE CONTRACTOR |
 A LOT OF THINGS WERE STORED UNDER THE HOUSE |
 THE TEAM ALWAYS PRAYED FOR WISDOM AND SAFETY BEFORE STARTING WORK |
 AS WE TEAR OUT THE HOUSE, THE TRASH PILES UP IN FRONT |
 WORKING ON OUR FIRST ASSIGNED HOUSE |
 WORKING ON OUR FIRST ASSIGNED HOUSE |
 WORKING ON OUR FIRST ASSIGNED HOUSE |
 WORKING ON OUR FIRST ASSIGNED HOUSE |
 WORKING ON OUR FIRST ASSIGNED HOUSE |
 WORKING ON OUR FIRST ASSIGNED HOUSE |
 DISASSEMBLING AND CUTTING UP A RUSTED METAL STORAGE SHED IN THE ALLEY |
 AN ALIEN VISITING THE WORK SITE? ...... NOPE, JUST ME! |
 SOMEONE HAD TO CRAWL UNDER THE HOUSE |
 VERNON IS "THE MAN"! |
 REMOVING MOLDY INSULATION |
 REMOVING DAMAGED FLOORING |
 A MESS TO CLEAN UP AT THE END OF THE DAY! |
 TAKING A WATER BREAK |
 WE HAD ABOUT REACHED THE SATURATION POINT IN THE FRONT YARD PILE, BUT STILL NO DUMPSTER DELIVERY |
 A BREAK FOR WATER AND FRUIT |
 DESPITE THE HARD WORK, WE STILL MANAGED TO HAVE A LOT OF FUN! |
 A LOT OF STUFF FOR THE DUMPSTER! |
 BACK TO WORK |
 CARRYING OUT PARTS OF THE OLD BATHROOM |
 FINALLY, THE LONG AWAITED DUMPSTER ARRIVED! |
 A SPECIAL SADNESS |
 TAKING A LUNCH BREAK ON THE STEPS ACROSS THE STREET |
 DURING THE LUNCH BREAK, WE FIRST MET PAUL AND HIS DOG, ROSIE |
 THE LUMBER COMPANY DOWN THE STREET GRACIOUSLY ALLOWED US TO USE THEIR BATHROOM FACILITIES |
 BEGINNING THE ARDUOUS TASK OF REMOVING THE FLOORING AND SUB-FLOOR |
 SOME SERIOUS ROT IN THE FLOORING AND SUB-FLOOR |
 TEAMWORK FOR FLOORING AND SUB-FLOOR REMOVAL |
 CHECKING PIPES |
 PULLING UP THE FLOORING AND SUB-FLOOR |
 MUCH MOLD AND WET INSULATION UNDER THE SUB-FLOOR |
 MY NEMISIS! |
 IN NEED OF SOME HEAVY DUTY MOLD SPRAY/TREATMENT |
 THERE WASN'T MUCH INTERIOR LEFT WHEN WE FINISHED |
 SOME OF THE SUB-FLOOR HAD TO BE CUT OUT |
 THE HUGE DUMPSTER WAS COMPLETELY FILLED AND WE STILL HAD A LOT LEFT IN THE FRONT YARD |
 PACKING UP TO RETURN TO THE CHURCH, AFTER A LONG, BUT SUCESSFUL DAY |
 OUR "JERSEY GIRLS" |
 BACK TO THE CHURCH FOR DINNER, WITH B-I-G APPETITES! |
 EYE "SURGERY" |
 OUR INTREPID TEAM, AFTER BEING WELL FED |
 THE NEXT MORNING, ARRIVING AT OUR ASSIGNED HOUSE |
 THE KITCHEN COUNTERS, SINK AND APPLIANCES HAD TO BE REMOVED |
 REMOVING SHELF BRACKETS SO THE DRYWALL CAN BE TORN OUT |
 PIECES OF THE DRYWALL WE REMOVED, SHOWING TWO DISTINCT TYPES OF MOLD |
 THE GARAGE HAD TO BE EMPTIED TO FACILITATE REMOVAL OF THE MOLDY DRYWALL |
 DEFINITELY A TEAM EFFORT HERE! |
 CLEANING UP THE GARAGE AFTER REMOVING THE DAMAGED DRYWALL |
 A WATER BREAK BEFORE CARRYING EVERYTHING BACK INSIDE THE GARAGE |
 THE TORN OUT KITCHEN |
 A TIME TO "TAKE FIVE" AND REST |
 AS ONE OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS TALKS WITH A NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE STREET, THIS MAN CAME DOWN THE STREET WALKING THESE BEAUTIFUL DOGS |
 WHILE GETTING READY TO BREAK FOR LUNCH, WE MET SYLVIA, THE "NEIGHBORHOOD ANGEL" |
 IN SYLVIA'S BACKYARD |
 OUR "GANG OF 14" GETS TO SIT DOWN AND ENJOY LUNCH |
 AND THE VIEW FROM SYLVIA'S BACKYARD WAS INDEED GORGEOUS! |
 A VERY INTERESTING BOAT, DOCKED ACROSS THE LAGOON FROM SYLVIA'S HOUSE |
 COFFEE, CAKE AND BISCUITS (COOKIES), PROVIDED BY SYLVIA |
 NEW FRIENDS! |
 SYLVIA'S HUSBAND, BOB, TALKS WITH SOME OF THE TEAM MEMBERS |
 BOB AND SYLVIA - OUR NEW FRIENDS AND GUARDIAN ANGELS |
 WHEN WE ARRIVED AT OUR NEXT HOUSE ASSIGNMENT, WE DISCOVERED A SAMARITAN'S PURSE TEAM WAS ALREADY WORKING THERE |
 OUR TEAM VISITED AND "TALKED SHOP" WITH THE SAMARITAN'S PURSE GROUP, BEFORE HEADING TO OUR NEXT ASSIGNMENT |
 NOW, THAT'S A GOOD LOOKING GROUP OF FOLKS! |
 OUR NEXT HOUSE ASSIGNMENT |
 GETTING DOWN TO THE INTERIOR'S "BARE BONES" |
 WE HAD TO REMOVE THE REST OF THE FLOORING AND SUB-FLOOR AND TAKE DOWN SOME CABINETS |
 THE REMAINING DAMAGED PORTIONS OF THE HOUSE WERE TAKEN OUT TO THE FRONT FOR LATER PICK UP |
 GETTING READY TO TEAR OUT THE REMAINING SUB-FLOOR |
 WHEN WE TOOK A WATER BREAK, I FOUND THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE! |
 IT WAS A LONG CLIMB UP FOR ONE OF OUR "VERTICALLY CHALLENGE" TEAM MEMBERS! |
 "HEY! ..... DO YOU WANT TO SEE MY TARZAN IMITATION?" |
 AS USUAL, THE MOLD WAS EVERYWHERE |
 WE SAVED ALL THE METAL FROM THE TEAR OUT FOR RECYCLING |
 GETTING READY TO LEAVE - HOW MANY TEAM MEMBERS DOES IT TAKE TO LOCK THE FRONT DOOR? :-) |
 SHOWER TRAILER |
 ARRIVING AT OUR FINAL HOUSE ASSIGNMENT |
 RELAXING, WAITING FOR DINNER TO BE READY |
 A BIT OF "TRASH TALKING" BEFORE DINNER |
 MY FAVORITE VIEW AT THE END OF A LONG DAY! |
 ONE OF THE FEEDING TEAM MEMBERS LEADING THE EVENING DEVOTIONS |
 BACK AT THE HOUSE, INSTALLING THE NEW CEILING - IT'S EASY WHEN YOU HAVE THE PROPER TOOLS! |
 THE TEAM WORKS LIKE A WELL OILED MACHINE! |
 DEFINITELY A GROUP-SIZE OPERATION HERE! |
 MAKING CRITICAL MEASUREMENTS |
 WHEN INSTALLING SHEETROCK, YOU SOMETIMES HAVE TO GET A BIT CREATIVE! |
 CALLING IN TO HEADQUATERS FOR SOME MORE SHEETROCK |
 A VERY SPEEDY SHEETROCK FROM THE "BLUE HAT" (THE BIG OPERATIONS BOSS) |
 PLAYING WITH "MUD" (SCREW HOLE AND SEAM FILLER) |
 MAKING SURE THE SHEETROCK SCREW HOLES HAVE THE PROPER "DIMPLE" FOR MUD SMOOTHING |
 A BOYS NIGHT OUT TO THE BIG BOX "TOOL TOY STORE" |
 LOOKING FOR PLUMBING PARTS |
 "I WANT ONE OF THESE.....ONE OF THOSE.....AND SOME OF THOSE!" |
 EVERY FUEL STOP FOR THE VANS WAS EXPENSIVE, BUT THOSE DIESEL ENGINES GET DECENT MILEAGE |
 A LOT OF TOOL BAGS, BUT THE TEAM MEMBERS LIKE TO USE THEIR OWN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT |
 QUITE OFTEN, TEAM MEETINGS ARE MORE LIKE A COMEDY CENTRAL ROUTINE! |
 LUNCH BREAD AND A NICE PLAYGROUND ACROSS THE STREET - WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED? |
 PRAISING JESUS ON THE SHORE - I DON'T THINK HE CARED IF HER HANDS WERE COVERED IN SHEETROCK "MUD"! |
 REACHING SOME OF THOSE SHEETROCK SCREWS WAS A STRETCH! |
 FINISHING SHEETROCK ON A DOORWAY |
 THE TEAM INSTALLED A NEW BATHTUB AND SURROUND |
 INSTALLING THE NEW BATHTUB AND SURROUND |
 HAULING AWAY THE TRASH AND TEAR OUT MATERIALS - THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ARE NO LONGER PROVIDING PICK-UP SERVICE |
 STIRRING UP THE "MUD" FOR SHEETROCK APPLICATION |
 A BILTMORE TEAM MEMBER LEADING AN EVENING DEVOTIONAL PROGRAM |
 THE BILTMORE TEAM HAS DEFINITELY EMBRACED THE LATEST TECHNOLOGIES! |
 ARRIVING AT OUR FINAL HOUSE ASSIGNMENT |
 WHEN WE DID ROLL CALL, ONE OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS WAS MISSING - WE SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND HIM IN ONE OF THE VANS! |
 THE "JERSEY GIRLS" INSTALLED NEW INSULATION IN ALL THE EXTERIOR WALLS |
 OF THOSE HOUSES ASSIGNED TO US, THIS ONE WAS THE LARGES |
 AN IN-CAMERA PANORAMA, TAKEN DURING A DISASTER RELIEF TRIP TO NEW JERSEY |
 MAKING A BETTER SHEETROCK CUT |
 WE WERE ABLE TO USE LONGER PIECES OF SHEETROCK, WHICH MADE THE WORK PROCEED MUCH FASTER |
 TAKING A LUNCH BREAK ON THE FRONT PORCH |
 SOME OF THE MORE ADVENTUROUS MEMBERS OF OUR GROUP WENT ACROSS THE STREET AND FOUND A BETTER VIEW FOR LUNCH |
 OTHER MEMBERS DECIDED TO PLAY A LITTLE "ROUND BALL" DURING THE LUNCH BREAK |
 A GOOD SHOT! |
 SAYING OUR FAREWELLS TO PAUL |
 LEAVING WAS EMOTIONAL, BUT WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO RETURN TO THE AREA FOR ADDITIONAL WORK |
 OUR NEW FRIEND, PAUL, AND ROSIE |
 ON THE WAY HOME, WE GOT A NOT-SO-SUBTLE REMINDER THAT WE'RE ONLY ON THIS EARTH FOR A SHORT WHILE! |
 IT WAS A VERY REWARDING TRIP - AND, GOD WILLING, THE BILTMORE TEAM WILL BE BACK! |