Waterford Central United Methodist Church

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In Mission

CUMC VIM Team in Georgia

Pictured above, Jim Hinsberg, Pat Loomis, Bud Leverenz, Jim March, Cathy Hazen, Jim Kellermann, James Abbell, Bruce Hazen, Don Stoughton, Vicki Cook.

Scroll down for photos from our VIM 2010 Cobb County Georgia Team

Watch VIM 2010 Video

Volunteer In Mission Back from Georgia

There is a phrase in an old gospel hymn which says, "The rains came down and the floods came up." This is exactly what happened in September of 2009 in northern Georgia. In a twenty-four hour period over twenty inches of rain fell resulting in what Georgians are calling the 500 year flood.
The Central 2010 VIM Team spent a week in the area surrounding Austell, Georgia, helping to make it possible for persons to begin to return to homes which had been flooded last fall. Like experiences VIM Teams have had in past years working in the Gulf Coast area, it is hard to imagine the devastation caused by natural disasters unless one sees it and hears the first hand accounts of what happened.
The ten members of the Central group worked long, hard hours doing a number of projects in four different homes. Windows and doors were installed, stairs and railings were replaced. Insulation and dry wall were hung in a home that had been completely gutted by groups that had gone before us. The goal of each project was to ready the home for the owners to begin moving back in after seven months in a motel or living with friends and relatives.
Every VIM trip has highlights and this was true again this year. One of the joys of the week was sharing our work with a VIM Team from First United Methodist Church in Biloxi, Mississippi. Yes, these were folks who were giving back and sharing the love of Christ as so many had done for them following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Members of the Biloxi group had homes severely damaged by Katrina and knew first hand what the Georgia folks were experiencing.
A new experience for the Central Team was being housed in a Lutheran Church rather than a UMC. We were graciously hosted by our Lutheran friends and their fellowship hall, classrooms and kitchen were ours for the week. To show their appreciation for our helping their friends and neighbors, the congregation treated us to a delicious pot luck dinner on Thursday night. It was an opportunity for us to get to know them as well. An interesting side light is that most of them were mid-westerners who had relocated to Georgia which made for interesting conversation.
Volunteer in Mission trips would not be possible were it not for the support of the Central church family. Your generous gifts, in addition to the contributions of each participant, cover the costs for the trip. Your prayers are appreciated and felt as we travel and work. The members of the 2010 VIM Team thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your support allows Central to be about God’s work where ever there is need. Thank you for your part in helping Central United Methodist Church BE the church as we reach out to those in need!

-- CATHY HAZEN, VIM 2010 TEAM

Pators Log from VIM 2010, Cobb County, GA

4/30/2010

We hung ceiling sheet rock in two rooms today, both with odd angles and illogical consruction. Also did some foam insulation in the basement. (pink stuff). Dinner out tonight and an early start tomorrow. We are healthy and happily tired. Jim

Note from Jim, 4/29/2010

Last night (Wednesday) we went to see the church house our sister team from Biloxi is staying in and had dinner at their host church. It was their version of Central Cafe. Good food and fine hospitality. Tonight the church that is hosting us brought in a great potluck (some of the pictures are of that.
Yesterday and today we have been primarily installing insulation in the walls and ceilings of a house that was completely gutted. While most of us were doing that others were hanging doors (four of them requiring some skill and wisdom because they were standard openings or stable frames). With the insulation in we will turn our attention to the dry wall/sheet rock, working first on the ceilings, always fun. Our tiredness is only exceeded by our rejoicing hearts at the gifts we receive for our spirits health. Anthony Balzano, a Waterford Central transplant has stopped by to chat. We are well fed and happy. Our plan is to leave by early Saturday morning (6-7 if possible) and be home in our own beds by midnight give or take an hour or so.