Nawlins06

This is a blog that will cover the preparations and actual mission trip of the First United Methodist Church in Borger, Texas. The church is sending a group of youth and adults to the New Orleans. Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ ” Matthew 22:37-39. We are going to New Orleans to Love our Neighbors.

Sunday, July 23, 2006

The weary Travelers have Arrived

The weary travelers have arrived, thus completing their wonderful journey.

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Progress Report 7-22-06, 6:00 PM

The groups progress as of 7/22/06 6:00 PM

Friday, July 21, 2006

The End of a Long Day

Just a quick update from Baton Rouge. We are safe and sound at a hotel, but we do not have a good diagnosis yet on the van. Our best guess at this point is a bummed out altinator or a battery. We are going to have the parts tested tomorrow and will attempt to get on the road again by mid-day.

The day has been filled with amazing displays of God's love their actons. The fact that Brandon knew a youth pastor here in Baton Rouge, only becuase they met at Ceta Canyon at camp a few weeks ago. The fact that the people of that chuch drove across town and picked us up, and offered to open up their homes to us... The fact that the dealership was able to get the van in on a Friday afternoon (the service manager had gone to South Plains College in Levelland). To the fact that a couple that were heading back to Houston to with their moving van turned around and brought all of our bags back to the hotel, more than 20 miles out of their way.

God's grace is good...

All will be well...

More adventures will surely follow...

Good night from Baton Rouge.

Friday Evening Update

Friday, July 21, 2006, 7:19 PM
Had a message on the machine from Brandon. It said, "Just wanted to let you know that we got the van fix and are rolling!"

Friday, July 21, 2006, 8:31 PM
Had another mesage on the machine from Brandon. It said, "Just wanted to let you know that I lied, the van is broken again, 30 miles from Layfette." Dean is currently working on removing the alternator...

Keep them in your prayers.

Below is a map that shows the progress that the van has made.

Friday Afternoon Update

Van is broked, fuel pump or electronic, not a 15 passenger van to rent... Still looking at options... keep praying for the van, and people.

Prayer Request

The church van has given up the ghost and is at the Ford house in Baton Rouge. Everyone is fixing to go over to a church to hang out for a while. Pray for the van!!!!

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Thursday Work Pictures

Shovelin' Sam

Those walls don't stand a chance...

Life in the midst of destruction...

Is it Minnie Mouse or Hamburger Helper?

Amberly

What an amazing transformation...

The big pile...

Lunch for the Bunch...

Smiles all around for a job well done...

Back at the first house...

Wed Trip to French Quarter Pictures

On the boat ride over...

The bridge over the Mighty Mississippi...

Boy she looks excited!

The Sunglasss Girls!

Burbon Street

Right before we got some rain...

At Cafe De Monde

Just to prove it was raining... hard...

We got Wet!!!

Thursday Afternoon Update…

Thursday was another great day in New Orleans. Probably the most eventful part of the day was the departure of J. We will miss him on the rest of the trip. Some of the girls stayed at the house to make sure that the houses looked up to par. After a group of 7 guys invade a house, I imagine their task today was harder than ours. Many thanks to ya’ll for doing that.

We were able to finish off the house, which was a wonderful feeling. With a great group of guys and gals working, it is AMAZING what wonderful works can be done. We were reminded last night that we are all part of the priesthood of believers, and that each of us has talents that are ours to use, so when you put that many people into a house and let them go to town! Watch out!

I find it amazing the transformation that you see over just two days. From a house full of clothes, toys, personal records, carpet, insulation, and a few mice, to one that is now clean down to its frame, is an almost surreal transformation. God is working in New Orleans, from the teams here to gut houses, to those here to feed the hungry. Many have descended into this town and unlike perhaps any time in the past few decades, God’s amazing love is being shown on a grand scale.

Life seemed to be beginning to return to the city in many other ways during the time we have been here. I have seen stores open, street lights repaired, debris removed, coming soon signs go up. Even though it looked bleak when we got here, I at least, think things are coming back to life. Perhaps even accelerating back…

The team took a trip by the first house to see it one last time, and we were amazed to find the trash no longer on the front lawn. It was a wonderful sign of life to see the house there, free of the debris that once rendered uninhabitable.

Well, the team is tired, but happy to have made a difference. We will be leaving early in the morning, and have not decided yet whether we will push on home tomorrow or on Saturday.

We look forward to sharing out experiences with everybody, and will see you in a few days!

The Man…

When the team asked me to put up a word about how much we appreciated what J did for us this week, I was not really sure how to put it into words. And although I am still not sure, I will try. J, I know that God was using you this week to speak to us. Each and every one of us has learned something about God’s commitment to us during this week. Your devotionals were awesome, and so dead on to what we needed to hear. This week would not have been the same with out you. We are closer to each other and to God because of your love and devotion. So, to you Jo Jo. We thank you… Hope your trip home was safe and smooth.

See you back in Borger!

The Team

Wed Work Pictures

Sam

Thursday Morning Update

Thursday, July 20, 2006 12:46 AM

(Currently all of the men are sound asleep, and I am not sure about the women, but I say that it is safe to go with, they are all asleep.

Monte wanted to send everyone a warm greeting…

The team went to the French Quarter this evening. Again, we rode the ferry across the Mississippi river. We walked through the area looking at the shops, sights, and the people that were out. We had coffee at Café de mon, under an honing, while it rained. The rain continued to pour down until we got on the ferry to come across the river. It was fun running and walking in the rain with the rest of the city. Everyone made it onto the last ferry to cross the river.

The praise and worship, devotional, and discussion were awesome tonight, several people who had not be vocal chimed in with their thoughts on the subject. Praise God.

We ask that you continue to pray, and cloche us in pray, for it is only though Christ that we are able to accomplish what we have here in New Orleans.

1 Peter 2:5 and 2:9

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Wednesday Afternoon Update

Wednesday, July 19, 2006, 3:37 PM

We started at a new house, in a different part of the city this morning. This neighborhood was primarily made up of brick veneer homes that looked to be, on the outside, in relatively good shape. It had been flooded up to the ceiling, and was full of debris, and mud from the storm. The owner of the house, Andrew, was waiting for us when we arrived, and we visited with him off and on throughout the day. Andrew said that he had live in that house for 33 years, and shortly before the storm he had the kitchen rebuilt, and new tile floor put in the house. He evacuated town to Houston during the storm, and was staying at his sister house that was “down the road a little bit.” His daughter also lived a few blocks away and had sustained damage, but they had gotten back into their house. Andrew was ready to offer soft drinks to us each time we took a break. He was genuinely appreciative of the work we did.

The work today relate better to everyone because of the situation, and the fact that Andrew was there. I feel that today in particular we really reached out to an individual, as well as the city and society of New Orleans. Each of us showed our love to him, and he did not know any of us…

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Tuesday, They Day it Snowed Indoors...

At first we thought the camera was dirty, but upon further review... it was snowing insulation!

Knocking down Some Insulation

Sharron cleaning up...

J working in the bathroom...

Earl, looking cool...

I almost think you can see a smile behind the mask!

Dean, Shelby and Monty watching the insulation fall from above...

Jen swinging the sledgehammer...

Chelsea shows off her posing skills...

After the hard days work, we are all tired, but are having a great time! Until Next Time...

Tuesday Afternoon Update

Tuesday, July 18, 2006, 3:32 PM

It was another hot and humid day in the Big Easy. We worked hard to change the name from the Bog Easy, to something else, because we worked hard all day. It was a true team effort today, as all of the work crew was in the same location. As you can see in the pictures, there was dust fly, sheet rock coming out, and insulation falling; it looked like the snow in Borger mixed with a little carbon black. It is impressive to see everyone working hard together for a common cause.

We asked Dean cook if he had any deep thoughts, or words of wisdom. His response, “If only I was not so dirty I’d…”

Monday Pictures, Vol V.

Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting Mr. Brian Mills

Chelsea and Sharron are hiding behind masks

Jana Pronger is hard at work removing nails, it is amazing how many nails are used in Sheet Rock. (Espically when you have to remove them!!)

Monday Evening Report

Monday, July 17, 2006 11:55 PM

The team had another great evening filled with one shopping trip, showers, and excellent dinner that consisted of Lasagna, French Bread, and Salad.

After dinner we had a time of praise and worship followed by a devotional/daily wrap-up discussions. The discussion was very heart felt and full of ideas, and emotions.