These are some of the activities at the boys ranch, as you can see that they are doing a good work there in some of Gods beautiful settings. They use some of the buffalo meat in their meals. Other animals include hogs, cattle, llama,mule, chickens, ducks (both domestic and wild), a swan, and loads of cats

ALERT! ALERT!! THE LONG'S ARE HEADING TO

Several quick notes for tonight: #1: Since we have no volunteers here at Camp New Life (Picayune,Ms) this week we are going too be visiting other Recovery Sites, to see how they are managed and work. We will be at Waveland on Wednesday and Thursday. Then at Gateway on Friday. #2: Please pray for Us,as next week we have 33 volunteers coming from Orlando, Fla. and they will be working on at least 3 different project spread out over Pearl River County and Picayune. #3: On Sunday Judy and I, took an excursion boat Cruise out of Gulfport, Ms. to West Ship Island in the Gulf ( we had such a wonderful weather day for this) . It was an hour each way to the island. We had about a 45 min. tour of the old Fort Massachusetts. (VERY INTERESTING TO JOHN). Then spent the next 90 mins on the South Shore gathering seashells and wading in THE GULF!!!!!!!. Or relaxing in our rented beach chairs ( Judy claims I was only in mine 5 mins. but I KNOW I was there longer, {smile}) Oh and then # 4: We have time available to be away from here, beginning June 15th, so we are headed to IOWA for 10 days to visit family and friends ( and so JOHN can get HIS racing itch satisfied by attending a major Midget Race in Iowa!) So we may be see some of ya'll SOON!!!!! GODS PEACE TO EVERYONE.

THE DODGE HAS GONE TO SEA

Just a short note tonight as not much going on in Picayune volunteer wise. Judy and I went to Waveland, down on the coast , this afternoon to meet Donna and Phil the camp Gulfside site coordinators. After visiting with them we went along the coast towards Bay St. Louis, for the Bridge across the bay reopening. We heard that since the bridge was opening again, the ferry that had been running from Bay St. Louis to Pass Christian was ceasing operations after today. So we decided to take it across and then bring the new bridge back across. Judy took some wonderful pictures,(WHICH I HOPE TO GET ON HERE SOON--- still having a snag) The ferry ride was about 20 mins to the other shore. Well I hope this isn't all boring but would like some feedback. Thanks and GODS PEACE to you all!!!!!! John and Judy

IN THE DEEP SOUTH

HI GANG: No I haven't forgotten how to type, just haven't had a chance since we left Pine Mountain Campground. The 1st couple of days we spent in Montgomery, Ala. There we took in the Capitol, and one of the most beautiful and fun Zoos in the nation. Then we moseyed on down to the Mississippi Gulf Coast so that we could have the time to take in all the effects of hurricane Katrina that are STILL very prominent. We arrived in Picayune, Miss. on Friday May 4th. We are going to be VOLUNTEER SITE COORDINATOR for Mississippi Disaster Recovery til mid July. We spent all of last week learning the paperwork and process of working with the volunteer groups as they come in to work. Judy Bezon, from upstate NY has been volunteering here in this capacity for around 6 weeks. (AND DID A MARVELOUS JOB) . Picayune is approx 45 mins north of New Orleans about 50 miles from the Gulf. The eye of Katrina came right through here and then turned and came back about 90 mins later causing severe wind damage, then water damage from heavy rains, that was too follow. The disaster site for the volunteers is in the Family Life Center of 1st United Methodist Church of Picayune. The FLC is a wonderful facility where there is a huge modern kitchen to feed the workers, and then we have four rooms for dormitory spaces 2 women's and 2 men's. Plus we have shower facilities and other rooms for activities and group meetings. The group (8) last week were from Waynesville, N.C.(hi y'all) and thanks again for the wonderful job you all did and we enjoyed getting to know you. This week there isn't any groups here but we are busy with meetings, going through procedures, and getting minor work done concerning the 5er. Judy's health seems to be more better days then bad ones. We had the pleasure of traveling down to New Orleans as guest of the Waynesville Team last Thursday evening for dinner and small walk around of the French Quarters (THANK YOU WAYNESVILLE for a great evening out). Then for our 1st Anniversary May 13th we grabbed the famous McDonald Senior meal and headed out to the Crosby Autobrium and hiked one of their many trails. Judy and I are both very happy how God has changed our summer plans and that we have an opportunity to be a service for HIM here. WE KNOW THAT THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN WITHOUT THE MANY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS FROM OUR MANY MANY FRIENDS AND FAMILIES. For those we thank you and think of you all so much.... please drop us line sometime cause WE DO MISS YOU!!! One lesson God has taught us this year is that GOD always has a PLAN B ready for you . God Bless til later!!!!! John and Judy

US CATS-----Chapter 2

Hi y'all: It looks like Mom and Dad has left us alone again today here at Indian Point campground near Gautier, Ms. They have taken the day to travel around Biloxi area and take in the devastation that is still there from Katrina (note it is a "K" and not a "C" so not related). We heard mom on the phone talking to her sister explaining how bad it is YET!!!!! We have also heard rumors that the folks are in line to take a permanent position here in Waveland, Ms after a few months training in Picayune,Ms. beginning on Monday May 6th. The folks will be working under the auspices of the Mississippi United Methodist Disaster Recovery Team. On the upside leaving Ga was a blessing to get away from those pesky Cardinals... but we sure hated leaving that BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY and VERY FRIENDLY FOLKS. ( Mom says when she decides to settle down too ONE SPOT we can return) We were watching Dad load pictures into the puter and we even had posed? for some maybe we can find a couple to add here. Just remember that Pebbles is the darker one.. LOL, look for our next post soon as we think Dad as forgotten that we can access this.