PRESBYTAT III

Third Edition

 

By:  Jimmy Glockenspiel

 

 

“Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends, we’re so glad you could attend, come inside, come inside.”

 

Saturday, March 8, 2003

 

Dear Readers,

 

Well, I am back.  From where? You may be wondering.

I just got back from being a B-list celebrity judge of the Hawaiian Tropic suntan contest in Maui.  Might I say, sweet.  It is good to be me. 

 

When I returned to the Habitat house that Presbytat is currently building, I was astonished to see all of the efforts of the great folks of the Presbytat committee coming to fruition.  The house has been dried in, the electrical and plumbing is well on its way to completion, the insulation and tub/shower are in as well as the duct- work.  An amazing transformation has been slowly taking place right before our eyes.  You must go out on a Saturday to see God in action.  It will warm you heart on these hot and muggy days.

 

Upon my arrival today, I was greeted with cheers and packets of sweet n low and rose petals.  Why, I don’t know, but I was.  I was touched that I was missed.  Len WIEBE, that crazy Canuck from the north, jumped on me, slapped me about the face and explained that “i” is before “e” except after “c”.  Sorry about that clerical error Len.  It will not happen again.  But it is all Phyllis Gilbert’s fault.  I did not get to have her wonderful English instruction in 9th grade. I had Mrs. Brawner.  Boy could she swing a board.  But I digress.    

 

Hoping to blend in and observe for a while, I assumed the position of foreman.  I found a shovel, rested my well-chiseled arms upon it and waited for the morning coffee break.  During the break, I had the opportunity to do some real investigative work.  Not like that 60 Minutes junk, but real work.  I looked around and found my first victim. Bruce Whitney, pastor and chief cook and bottle washer for First Presbyterian Church of Auburndale.

 

I asked Bruce why he felt like this work was important to the community.  He said, “it is a joint effort between the congregations”.  His church uses it as part of their mission and outreach programs.  I then asked why it was so important to him.  “Because”, he said, “the Habitat program is a fantastic way to put mission in action.  It puts a face on mission.  It is also fantastic fellowship.”

 

Bruce was next asked what benefit he has gotten from his work on the house and he responded that “he has received and openness to sharing with others”.  “When you are pounding nails together with them standing right next to you.  That is important.  It puts into action what we say we need to be doing”.  I then asked him if he would do this again and without hesitation he said “absolutely”.

 

I found Jim Lammer, one of the job foremen, sitting in his jeep, drinking mint tea and “jamming” to the melodic sounds of Jimmy Clift.  I asked him what he would like to see more of and he responded, we need some of the youth to get involve and let Habitat touch their lives.  It is important that we get some young folks out here with the geezers and weezers to learn some skills.  He said if we can get 10 youth out here next Saturday morning he and the crazy Canuck will eat 50 hard boiled eggs in one sitting.  Now that I gotta see.  So kids, come on out, meet some incredible folks, learn something and make some new friends.  You may be working for them in the future.

 

Just so you know, Bob Grode, a Habitat board member and FP of WH church member was not there.  He has been assessed a $4 fine which shall be applied to the building materials and will appear on the next edition of Fear Factor.

 

The address of the home is 277 18th St, NE.  To get there, go out Dundee Road to 17th St and turn left (this is the street between the Circle K and the Jj Tack Shack).  Go to the first street and take a right.  Follow this street as it turns left and the home site is the last lot on the left.

 

Work begins every Saturday at 8:00AM unless it is raining.

 

This is a very worthwhile endeavor and worthy of your time.  It really is.  I would encourage any and all of you to come out and lend a hand.  You don’t need any particular skills, just a willingness to work.  There is always something to you to do.  Even if it is putting on band-aids, getting some one a soft drink, picking up scraps and taking them to the dumpster or just saying “at a boy” when the heavy lifting starts.

 

CYA Saturday at 8:00 AM.

 

To be continued……….