August 1, Day 3

Day 3

Projects are wrapping up today as we see team members learning new skills. It is the greatest thing to walk through the rooms and see women using tools of all kinds and completeing amazing projects. It has been very hot for three days, but the women are real troupers.

We thank God for so much this week:

• our encouragement team, Sue, Joan and Kris who have kept us fed and healthy and happy


• our runner Ingrid who has jumped in a hot car anytime we need her to run to Lowe's...even if she just got back


• the residents we have met on Seneca Street and their inspiring stories


• His provision of money, prayer, furniture, transportation for all of it, health and so much more


• patient family members back home
• women from our congregation who have been sending us desert every day!

Just one more day to wrap everything up!

Hard work today

Unloading on Seneca Street

Trip Day 1

Day 1 was full of treats and surprises. It was a beautiful morning when we arrived in Pontiac. After unloading the bus, we toured each of the homes we would be working in. Then we got to work. It was delightful to meet some of the residents of the homes. They were interested and excited to meet us and hear about our plans for their living spaces.

The big house had a repaired and operating air conditioner, that was a very welcome surprise! The teams spent the morning taking old furniture out of the homes, washing walls and taping for painting. The kitchen team in the big house spent a long, hard day scraping adhesive off the floor, making ready for new tile.

First Presyterian Chuch let us come have lunch in their air conditioned dining room, it was a nice break mid-day. It got warm in the afternoon, but alot of work got done. Most of the rooms are ready for painting, two have been primed and the team in the upper apartment finished a room before we left at 5.

One challenge presented itself today. In the apartment, we had planned to do the kitchen, the living room and one bedroom. The other resident was sad that we are not doing her room. We did not understand why it was assigned to us that way. So, we are going to do our best to do something for her in her room. Please pray that we are able to be effiicient in our time and money so we can do that.

Prayer requests:

- safety and health for all of us

- that we are able to find ways to encourage all of the residents in the homes we are decorating

Thank you for praying and encouraging us!

This is it!

We leave tomorrow morning! Several team members loaded supplies on the bus this afternoon. It is packed with cans of paint and ladders and tools and cabinets. The weather has turned hot and we are praying for the best. Pontiac, here we come!

Prayer requests:

- we all make it through the heat of the day

- work goes smoothly

- we are focused on God's work

Thank you all for you prayers!

Preparations are Almost Complete

In the last two months, there has been alot of garage saling, painting, finishing, and sewing. Plans are coming together in all of the teams and excitement is building.

Prayer requests:

• all rooms will be completed within budget
• cool weather for the trip
• our final support to come in

Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes!

Designing Begins!

May 20, 2007

The teams met today to get acquainted with their assigned rooms. There was exitement about wall color, new furniture, redoing old furniture, and art. We have begun to collect donated furniture and plans were made for fixing and painting.

We learned a little about working styles and now know that no matter if a person has pinpoint focus, makes a game out of the work, or does it with choreographed military precision, the job will get done. Different personalities are needed on a team and understanding each other helps the process flow smoothly.

Prayer needs:

• Please pray for each of us to keep connected to God, who is the Leader of our Mission Trip team. Please pray that we will follow His will for this project and not get carried away by the excitement of it, focusing on our own agendas.



• Please pray for God's provision of materials and furniture we need to complete the rooms we have been assigned.



• Ask God's blessing on those who are donating.

Many thanks to those of you praying for us!

Our assignment

4-30
Our rooms

We have been assigned 7 rooms with some adjacent stairways and hallways in three homes on Seneca Street. These homes are about 100 years old and they have wonderful character in the unusual windows and doors and ceiling lines. The outsides of the homes have been redone beautifully, making Seneca Street a step back in time. The insides are not bad, just a few repairs in our rooms. We hope to add decor fitting to the beauty and character of the homes. For the most part, the rooms are all painted white, lacking furniture, especially storage, and lighting. We will add color, comfort and function.

Our current prayer need:

• please pray for team members as they are gathering prayer and financial support

Mission Statement

April 25, 2007

Divine Design Mission Statement

Divine Design is dedicated to serving the residents of Grace Centers of Hope by redecorating living spaces with compassion, humility, love, and encouragement. We will use our gifts and talents to create a nurturing environment of friendship and fellowship with each other. We will depend on God for direction, with the ultimate goal of strengthening our relationships with Him, giving Him the glory in all we do.

First Team Member Meeting - Divine Design

Sunday, April 15, 2007

What: Divine Design, Mission to Seneca Street

Where: Grace Centers of Hope, Pontiac Michigan

http://www.gracecentersofhope.org/html/grace_centers_of_hope.shtml

When: July 30, 31, August 1,2

What: an encouragement mission trip to decorate rooms

How: with guidance and direction from God

We met this afternoon to connect as a group and to write our mission statement. Preparations for our trip to Grace Centers of Hope have begun. We will be painting, building funrniture and lots more. Look out Ty Pennington!

Our prayer requests:

• Please pray for God's provision as we begin this week to gather a prayer and financial support team.
• Please pray for each of us to focus on God's plan for this trip.

Thank you!