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Hello from Cleveland!

The flights home offered many challenges, but we are all here - safe and sound, which is the important thing. Long story short, a cancelled connecting flight from Atlanta to Cleveland caused a flurry of activity. We slept on chairs in Atlanta most of the morning - said our 'long goodbyes' to our Alabama friends - then ten of us flew to Detroit and took taxis to Cleveland. Fr. Marcus (donning his collar) told his tale of an anxious wedding party needing him in Cleveland tonight and he was able to move some mountains and get to town sooner. Justin Gaydos and his bride were anxiously awaiting his arrival to their rehearsal tonight. He was able to get there, around 5pm, thank goodness.

We arrived in Cleveland after about 30 hours of travel - but with a FULL HEART. We were so welcomed and appreciated - and loved - by our new 'family' in Homer. We had a moving final prayer at the site after breakfast on Thursday. Long hugs were shared - and tears were shed. As we drove away, they stood in front of the building site while waving and yelling their goodbyes and well wishes. Many memories from our 12 days will stay with me for a very long time - yet this image was one of the most profound.

I hope to post some of the final days pictures this weekend.
Thanks for all your love and support while we were away. It was incredible.

Linda

We're Done and on our way home.

After two days of beautiful sun, Wednesday was rainy. We got quite a few odds and ends done on the church, but we didn't get the decking on the roof. Once we were set, the rain made it too unsafe for anyone to be walking on a wet piece of plywood on a 10/12 pitch. so we got a door in and cleaned the place up quite a bit for Eucharist on Wed. evening.
It was an incredible blessing to make & share Eucharist in this shell of a building. We started with Evan at the front door reading a letter his Grandmother had sent with us. It was about Evan's Grandpa (He was the architect for St. Matthew's) and how she was proud that Evan was building a church like his Grandpa. Evan also stamped the church with his Grandpa's stamp.
For the Prayers of the People, we prayer walked around the building as the prayers that the "Youts" wrote. We especially prayed for the Saris family and for the community of St. Augustins'.
We passed the Peace and went inside to make and share Eucharist. It was indeed wonderful.
Today, Thursday, the parish is having a last breakfast for us at the Lutheran church (which has been so hospitable) . It will be tough to say goodbye to all our new parish family...and the awesome food. But God is God of us all and we will be bound in love forever to these beautiful people and the House of God we built together!
We will leave Anchorage tonight at 8:30 and get back to Cleveland at 11:45 a.m. if all goes as planned. Please pray for safe, restful travel.
We are going in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord and each other!
Peace,
Fr. Marcus

Pictures - Monday - and Wed's notes

It's up!

Monday night - the view from Lori's house. A St. Augustines parisioner - who hosted everyone to dinner. She has the view of 3 glaciers. She is giving up this view and moving to Washington DC in a couple weeks.


Wednesday morning -
Hi everyone. It's our last day here - so much to do and not much time to blog. I posted as many pics as I could - going up to Monday night. The building is spectacular. As Fr. Marcus mentioned, the windows and all the roof trusses are now in place. They are working on the door installations this morning.

Our time here has been a dream. For me, it was definitely a life experience that I will keep with me always. This afternoon, some from the group are going to do some servant evangelism at a grocery store - passing out $10 grocery cards to anyone who will take them. No strings attached. Just the idea of doing something kind without wanting a thing in return.

This morning's Homer Tribune featured a half page article about our project. Large pics and everything! It is not in their online version yet - but here is a link to their site: www.homertribune.com Unfortunately, there wasn't enough mention of Fr. Rob's church in Alabama - but we are still appreciative for being noticed here!

If I do not have a chance to come back online - thanks so much for your thoughts, prayers, and support while we are here. We have felt it.

Tomorrow we'll have a day long trek back up to Anchorage to catch our flight back home.
We'll be back in Cleveland mid-day Friday.


Lots of love from the group.
God bless.

Linda

Pictures - More Monday manpower

The hat boys were integral with the success of the task of raising the 4th wall truss.
Ray had an important role stabilizing it from a platform.
Still holding on.
Fr. Marcus, Richard, Mike pushing it upright. Looks like Eric has a direction (or two) to give.

Pictures - Monday manpower

The 4th wall from the outside.
The outside truss above the 4th wall was installed by shear manpower!!

Through the front door and another doorway inside.
Gettin' 'er up there took planning - and the strength of every man.

Pictures - Monday

Open Trusses for sanctuary - Keith and Ray are planning something important, no doubt.
The 4th wall is UP!
While it is being secured and leveled, many hands are needed to stabilize it.
The complete Alabama contingent. Keith, Lynn, Julianne, Fr. Rob Iler, Jacob Iler, The Rev. Diane Hill.

Pictures - Monday

Anne - outside her cottage. She is sharing the space with Fran.
The church from afar. Before the roof trusses went up. You can see them laying in the foreground to the right of the building.
Sleeping teenagers - this time, it is Naomi and Chelsea.
Lynn and Rob add beams to the top of the entire structure.
Lynn. (Again - sorry I can't turn the verticals.)