2018-08-07
Brooke Strong
Work Camp Report – Mackinac Band – 2018
So, as you have likely gathered, the house upon which we descended was of the variety of:
· Remove the door knob
· Step away from the house
· Tear down the house
· Build a new house
· Put in a new door
· Reinstall the door knob
· Job done.
·
Actually, it was not as bad as all that, but it was one of the most challenging projects we, as a work camp team, have ever taken on. And, it was all that the Mackinac Bands of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians had in their joint, community possession to work with. As John Bourisseau said, “we did more in a week than they had been able to do in a couple of years.” And some of you were why that was able to happen. Thanks for your donations and thanks for your prayers.
We knew before we arrived that we would not be able to complete all the work that needed to be done. That was a given. With that, I think this team accomplished far more than we expected.
The initial needs for the house were apparent. Siding replacement, windows and a new door, permanent removal of an old door, priming and painting, and some serious work on the foundation. Plus, to accomplish the vision of creating a large, open space for gatherings, nearly all of the interior walls were removed and a beam had to be installed along the ceiling to replace those bearing walls. Complex stuff. This was the expected.
The unexpected was that window sizes were not compatible with windows we could buy so each of the five windows had to be reframed. The door had to be reframed. And as we tore out the door, we revealed a whole new area of rot, which had to be replaced. Which meant a new floor joist installed under the house in a creepy crawl space. One project start would reveal another needed project to make the original one work.
And yet, the kids and the leaders never hesitated. We would rub our foreheads and dig back in. Another trip to the lumber yard. A 50 mile trek to the closest Lowes for windows not available locally. Moving our supper to the job site on two evenings so we could put in more time on the job. Truly inspirational.
And after work one of the Band, Jim, came to help. Another man, Chris, took vacation to work alongside of us installing electrical outlets and running wire. The Band executive, Lisa, was nearly always there to lend her support.
By the end of the week, we totally changed that house. From rot removal and replacement, to scraping, priming and painting – the team got it done. From tearing out a furnace, concrete steps, old windows and walls, to making a new space for spiritual and social gatherings – the jobs got done. We added sweat from our efforts into each gallon of paint and each nail we drove. And Bob Abley did much the same, but he used blood to make his mark as he gave his daily sacrifice with cuts and scrapes. One a day Bob, we could call him. The team invested so much. Each one truly gave their all. And each kid, or young adult as they truly are, hit that project as if it were their own home. I could give you a very personal account of each of the 12 young adults who came to work. Each one made a wonderful contribution.
And as the week came to an end, we realized that something miraculous was happening. And I wrote down that impression on this piece of siding at the jobsite.
Our investment of sweat came back to us in new friendships, in the learning of new skills, in become accomplished in work that just a week before we may never have done before. Stumbling first efforts – like wrong cuts on a saw or trying to prime wood that had not been scraped, or pulling out a bent nail, were later handled in a new level of workmanship than what was seen early in the week. Competence and skills were developed. There was discovery and vision, and we all began to see something of worth and great value in this old, decrepit house.
We learned that the house was giving back to us. Each drop of sweat and blood were returned to us in change and growth. Each moment of labor and toil, every frustration and problem were returned to us in the gift of creative solution and problem solving. As we changed the house, the house began changing us. It was giving us a purpose and we were seeing the hope that the Mackinac Band had envisioned in this new community center and gathering place.
My wife Kathy recently shared a quote she heard on the radio. The speaker was talking about tough times and situations, and one of the panelist, when asked if he believed that there was any hope in the troubling issues being discussed, responded by saying, “Hope is a verb with the sleeves rolled up. You work from a deep place.” In other words, hope is not hand wringing and looking for a break in the rain. It’s grabbing the problem and making the needed change.
We changed the house applying hope as a verb. And the house changed us showing us that hope can happen when effort is made beyond dreaming about a change.
Jesus told his followers that He was the Bread of Life. He was the return on the investment of commitment and faith. He was the life-giving source of growth needed by those who called themselves His disciples. The Gospel message is that Jesus loves me, this I know. That is the invitation. Come and be with me and I will make you ambassadors. I will send you out to give others hope. And along the way, remember that I am the Bread of Life, giving nourishment so that no one need go hungry.
And so it goes. My sisters and brothers – the Table of our Lord is now open and I welcome you to come and be part of the feast of change. Amen