I’m on Long Island, New York this weekend with a group from our church to help out another church that was devastated by Hurricane Sandy. The canals flooded, bringing 3 feet of dirty water and debris into their church building.
The building doesn’t look too bad from the outside…it’s actually a very charming church and I was immediately in love with the shingles.
My team of three teenage girls and I spent the morning cleaning up trash from the building, the property and the parsonage. And we got a pretty healthy pile built up over the course of the day. Trash sitting around is sort of a pet peeve of mine, so that’s the kind of work I can really plow into.
This corner was full of canoes, trash, leaves, branches, etc. and now it’s cleaned up…
We then sanded the drywall to prep for priming and painting…
…followed by priming and painting…
I was so proud of my girls and how hard they worked. Covered in paint and dust. Without complaint. They were a great example of working with joy.
Isn’t it awesome how so many good things can come out of something so devastating?
24 Responses
I live on Long Island. We were wothout power for 3 weeks. It was freezing, but we didn’t lose anything but food. Nothing like this church lost.
Thank you to you and the girls.
~Nancy
Me too, Nancy. I’m in Wantagh and we went without power for 12 days. It was horrible. Thank heavens for people like Marian!
Jeanine
Helping others is such a wonderful thing. I know they appreciate your hard work. We have built some habitat houses through our church and we felt so blessed to be able to help. It helps you to realize how blessed we are compared to the suffering of others.
Blessings to you and your team!
What a neat church. My grandsons church, Gateway Christian, St. Louis, Mo is planning a mission trip there this summer. I wish I could be there helping you. Love doing that. Have worked on many churches in Mexico. God Bless
Looks like a very fulfilling first day! Our church is planning another trip up North for the same project. I hope I can go along on this next one. Worked with teens for 24 yrs and miss some of those activities!
What a great thing! That is a beautiful church with the shingles 🙂 My hubby and older daughter head to Staten Island next month to help with relief efforts there. I’ll do my part by holding down the fort at home 🙂
I’m on Long Island as well, Rockville Centre. Thanks for your help! You provide so much more than furniture inspiration ~ inspired you, indeed!
Thank you all for your service. Lifted my heart, what an inspiration!
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!! Thank you for sharing yourself and your time for something so needed. Hugs to the girls who are giving themselves and their time instead of doing what they want to do. All have earned MANY jewels in your crowns:)))
Blessings and prayers for a safe trip home.
What a giving, loving thing to do, and having fun doing it as well….Kids are great arent they when they are doing for others. You have to be so proud!
I’m from Long Island and my Mom still lives there. Thank you!!!
Love to see you mentoring these girls in life skills such as painting as well as showing them how to serve with your talents. Good job.
when ye are in the service of others, ye are in the service of your God.
Awesome girls….AWESOME!
(and couldn’t help but notice the simple stained glass windows. nice!)
Marian – You are an awesome lady, taking time out of your super busy life to help others in need. Blessings to you, Patti@OldThingsNew
Looks like you had quite a full day and accomplished quite a bit. I am sure the congregation of that church appreciates all your hard work. May you both be blessed and a blessing on this service trip!
Thank you Marian…I grew up on Long Island. So wonderful of you to go help.
xo,
Kelly
Marian .. God Bless you and your girls. Wonderful mission.
Hugs,
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures
“Working with Joy” ~~~ I love that Marian and once again you inspire me!!
My brother’s family experienced the devastation on the Jersey shore. They are fortunate to be in the process of rebuilding — after several feet of water (and sand) rushed through their home. The destruction to property was unbelievable. It is difficult to view pictures of destroyed rooms where family has gathered for such happy occassions.
So much of the area is still totally shut down. It is heartbreaking. But — It does serve to remind us of what is important, and that it is not man who is all-powerful, but of course God Who is. Give thanks to God in all the days, for God is good. And out of the darkness comes light.
Thank you for your contributions to the clean up on Long Island.
What a blessing to that body of believers, and what an awesome example you set for the girls who look up to you. Thank you for being that kind of leader, and modeling a servant’s heart!
I have a fondness for old churches. You have inspired me to take a brief look around for a simple service project that I could do for someone else. Thinking that Habitat might be a great way to do some good this summer. Glad you and your girls could be so helpful.
Between my three girls, they have gone on 12 missions trips around the world. I have yet to go on one since the cost is high and sending my girls was always my priority. Next month my youngest graduates from high school so I am thinking I will focus more on me. Marian, you have inspired me to just get busy helping someone, it doesn’t have to be out of the country. We have people in need right in our own backyard. You are awesome and I love your attitude!!
marian, i am on the south shore of LI, and we did have a good bit of damage, and we are also in the process of rebuilding. thank you for taking the time to come to our community. I would love to have met you and helped out, but i am in ireland for a few weeks looking after my mom, recovering from cancer and pnumonia
helen
I’m a huge fan of your blog & also live on Eastern Long Island! Thank for your help & daily inspiration! Im a stay at home Mom of 3 boys on a fixed budget who also shares your passion for refinishing furniture & DIY projects. Please let me know if you ever have a workshop on LI! I’ll bring pizza! :)Thx Wendy!