The Rest of the Week...

Apologies to our blog followers...once we left campus on Wednesday for New Orleans, the area had a storm, and the power was out for five hours. Internet access was not restored on campus for the rest of our stay. Here's a brief update from the rest of the week:

Wednesday we worked with Catholic Charities to distribute around 580 boxes of food to seniors throughout the community. We also did some work in the Depot packing health kits. After lunch, we drove to New Orleans, and took a short driving tour of the 9th ward, the area most devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Following that, we drove to the French Quarter and walked by St. Louis Cathedral, Bourbon Street, and through the shopping district. We ate dinner at Hard Rock Cafe, bought souvenirs, and had a great time.

Thursday brought more work projects. Chris and Dean worked in the community, replacing screen doors on a home. Jay, Andrew, Josh, and Rachel returned to do more exterior painting at their site. Lori, Sam, and Max worked at the Depot. Amanda worked at the women's crisis shelter, cleaning closets and sorting clothing. After lunch, we took a break and went to the beach for the afternoon. The water was warm, and everyone had a lot of fun. Thursday night, we had vespers on campus, with people from all of the groups participating in worship leadership. Max did the call to worship, Chris read Scripture, and Jay led communion and played.

Today, we worked in the morning. Andrew, Jay and Josh went back to the house and did some touch-up painting and scraping. Another group will finish the painting and trim next week. Chris and Dean replaced another screen door on their house. Max worked with the staff to clean up a cemetery next to the property, and everyone else worked in the depot on health and layette kits. After lunch, we visited the gift shop and headed out. We arrived in Memphis just a few minutes ago, and are going to get some sleep before heading out in the morning.

Thanks for your prayers. More pictures will come soon!

Tuesday

Today was an interesting day, because we really were spread out in three different directions. Dean and Chris went to the trailer where they had worked yesterday, and installed a floor in a room. Lori and Sam went to the UMCOR Depot and packed health kits and boxed them to be sent out. Andrew, Max, Amanda, Rachel, Josh, and Jay all went to begin exterior painting on a home about 7 miles outside of Baldwin (see pictures below).

The family's story is amazing. The woman we met lives with her mother, father, and brother and two sons at this home. The home actually belongs to her parents. Her home was destroyed by a tornado. Her brother is a quadriplegic, and her father is blind. Despite these physical and environmental hardships, they were getting by. Her two boys came out to "supervise" our work this morning (about ages 3 and 5), and actually wanted to help us paint this afternoon. As you can see, we didn't get all of the work done, but did get an excellent start.

We are looking forward to our work and play tomorrow. In the morning, we will help distribute 640 boxes of food to seniors 60 years of age or older. We will head off to New Orleans in the afternoon for a time of relaxation, sightseeing, shopping, and eating. Thanks to all of you for keeping us in your prayers!

Pastor Jay

More of Monday

Monday

Today was really fun. I went to the beach and swam in the ocean. Luckily, I didn't see any sharks or jellyfish, but I couldn't see anything, because it was really dark. My friend was giving me a really creepy smile all the way there. The ride was supposed to be 20 minutes long but we took a detour and came across a condemned bridge, so the trip lasted 2 and a half hours. The ocean, was worth it. The water was like 92 degrees and had really cool waves. Oh yeah, there's a no talent talent show tomorrow and I'm not looking forward to that.

Josh Immke

We're Here!

We arrived in Baldwin, LA, about 4:00 this afternoon! We have a wonderful host and hostess at the dormitory hall, who showed great hospitality to us. We have three rooms in the dormitory for our group. There are also groups from Tennessee, Arkansas, and North Carolina working this week and staying in the dormitory with us.

Things are very relaxed here. We are able to choose where we want to work, and on what days. Tomorrow morning we have an orientation after breakfast that will take most of the morning, and we will work in the depot during the afternoon. If time allows, we will take a short trip to the coast for an hour or so tomorrow evening.

The campus of Sager Brown is really great. Besides the dormitory, there are a number of buildings on campus, including a dining hall, computer lab, gift shop, gymnasium, chapel, administration, and the depot. Tonight, we had a brief orientation, went to town for dinner, and are now back on campus. Some people are playing games inside and out, some are fishing, and some relaxing and talking/texting with family.

We're grateful for your prayers during our travel. We'd love to have you pray for us as we serve this week, and for the people we will serve. We will do our best to provide you with daily updates, some pictures of our ministry, and have you gain each mission trip participants' perspective. Thanks for following us!

Pastor Jay

Day 1 - Travel

As I sit in a hotel in Tennessee with a garden that seems to grow more than one type of plant, if you know what I mean, and soda a year past the date, and a pool which left my foot feeling a little bit numb, I think to myself "THANK GOD I AM OUT OF THE HOUSE!!!!"
With love,
Max ',=^{D

We're in Memphis for the night. On to Louisiana tomorrow!

Getting Ready to Go

Tomorrow's the big day! We're gathering at the church parking lot at 9:00 am, loading the vans, and heading out for our first day of driving. We will spend the night in Memphis, Tennessee, about halfway to Baldwin, LA.

Everyone is busy packing, going through their lists, and making sure that they have all necessities. The weather forecast is sunny and in the mid-90s for the entire week. Thanks to those who packed health and school kits for us to take to Sager Brown. They will certainly be used!

Pray for us as we head out, and keep us in your prayers throughout the week. We will do our best to provide you with daily updates during travel and while we're there, and include some pictures of our work.