Katrina Relief Team 2008

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2008-10-27T21:00:00.001-04:00

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2008-09-26T10:17:00.001-04:00

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Now that we've been home awhile

2008-07-19T20:35:00.003-04:00

Being home is hard. I wasn’t ready to come home. I don’t want to be home. I want to be down there working, meeting more people of New Orleans to hear their stories and change their lives. I miss everyone more than ever and the pattern of life that had developed at Berean. There was something about being there that my heart clings to. It was the way we held on to God at each turn and strained to hear His every word. It was the way God blessed through us. It was those moments when everything faded away, but laughter and joy and God’s amazing grace.

Over the past week people have asked me about New Orleans and I struggle to find the right words. There is nothing I can say to sum up the trip and make them understand. It can be a little frustrating at times. Being home, I realized that I don’t want life to go back to normal. I want a new normal, one where I lay down everything that I have at the foot of His throne. I want to put others above myself and make them know I’m doing it all for Him.

There is still a lot to sort out and organize, but one thing I know is our God is so cool. He rocks and He has helped us do amazing things. I hope we will have the privilege to go back to NOLA. Who knows, God may have something else in store for us. I will follow where He leads me.

-Hannah Brown

It’s been almost a week since returning from my second trip to help the victims of hurricane Katrina. I can still see the faces of the many people that I was able to meet and hopefully be a refection of Christ to while I was there. I think about seeing the happiness and hope in Mattie’s face as the FEMA trailer that she had lived in for almost 2 years was towed off of her front lawn. I think about being privileged to hear about the storm and its aftermath from Ray, a soon-to-be-retired New Orleans police officer. I think about Carrie and her evacuation that involved a helicopter and airplane, and I think about all of her plumbing being stolen from her home. I think about Joe and Annie who, in spite of still waiting for their home to be demolished, greeted our team as if we were their own children coming for a visit. Yes, going to NOLA was truly about the people, not about the work, for me this year.

God spoke to me in NOLA this year. He told me to seek Him first and everything else will fall into place. He doesn’t want my good works, but rather he desires for me to be His hands and feet in this world. It needs to be God, others (family, friends, NOLA families, hurting families in Portland, ME, etc.), and then me. I so often get it backwards, but God is gently pulling my thinking in line with His. He also showed me that He will be faithful to His people if we seek His face. That’s my desire – to see His face in all things and in all people every day.

- Bob Gardner

It’s hard to explain all the feelings I have felt since we returned home early Tuesday morning. Happy, sad, tired, rejuvenated, eager…Although I have been enjoying sleeping in until ten or eleven everyday, I have missed getting up and going straight to work. My mom has had jobs for me to do outside the past few days that have help to bring back memories of NOLA. I have tried to attack all situations with vigor and enthusiasm after a week of seeing devastating living conditions. Even after being home for an entire week, I am still processing everything that I have seen, done and heard in the past month or so.

- Michael Gardner

Well, it's been a week or so now since I got back from New Orleans. I've been happier than usual. It seems like I have more to live for now. I feel more bold in letting people know about my faith. I also feel very close to everyone who went on the trip, and I thank God for the new frienships I made and the old ones that were strengthened. My relationship with God has been deepened as well. I really have a heart for missions trips and hope we can go somewhere next year!

- Kristan Bowie

After being home for a week and catching up on sleep, how lucky I am to have everything I do has really sunk in. I compare my life to those of the people of New Orleans and I realize that I've been living the good life. In New Orleans people are racing to bring their homes to the livable point before the deadline; meanwhile I'm living in my cushy Falmouth home relaxing in the AC. I feel guilty almost for living like this while others are struggling so much. Right now all I want is to be back down in New Orleans working in the unbarable heat, bringing Katrina victims hope. I want to be making a difference. I miss New Orleans and our NOLA 2008 team so much!

- Rebecca Howell

This past week (and a halfish?) has been so boring.. I miss waking up every morning with something to do.. We’re home now.. What do some of the people down in New Orleans call home? What about those people who have houses that are still untouched three years later? What do they call home? If that was my house, how could I just leave all of that behind? The trip went by so fast and I didn’t want to come home. I love waking up every morning and being with everyone and getting to serve. I love getting to meet/ talk with all of the people. When we gave Mrs. Shirley her card, it brought tears to her eyes.. and almost mine. The people at the school we were painting kept saying, “Oh, you’re not getting paid for this?!” Nope.. We’re not. This is what we’re called to do. It’s not for us.. but all for God. It’s about putting other people’s needs before our own. Sometime we’re so selfish and don’t even realize all that we have.. and that some people have pretty much nothing.

While we were there, it was great to see all of the improvements; there were so many less FEMA trailers and that was really encouraging. But it was also devastating to see that there are still houses completely untouched. Once again this year, I was so blessed with this opportunity and I will never ever forget it.

- Jesse Cinque

One week later I'm still putting the pieces together. I miss everyone so much! I made some awesome new friendships as well as renewed some, and I miss being around everyone 24/7. But what I miss the most is getting up everyday with a purposeno matter how hot it was, going out, getting dirty, and looking for the plans God had laid out for us, because we knew they were there. It seems different at home, although I suppose it really isn't. God's plans for us didn't end in New Orleans, did they? But somehow it's so much harder for me being here, where I'm not being held accountable or being reminded every morning that "this is the day the Lord has made," and to rejoice and be glad in it. I seem to have forgotten one of the lessons we learned, that our daily frustrations may actually put us in a place where God wants us. It's harder to remember God's calling for us when we're surrounded by the noise and distractions of our daily lives.

People have been asking me about my experience too, but I'm not really sure how to respond. I figured by my second trip I'd be able to communicate my experiences a little better, but it always seems it gets reduced to a quick summary of the manual work we did or a weather report on the week. I don't know how to make people understand the depth of what we were doing down there: what made Jimmy's eyes tear up, or what our emotional response to Mark Anthony's story was all about. I want to show everyone the pictures and walk them through the blog, to make them understand, but all I do is smile and say, "Oh yeah, I had a lot of fun down there." But I'm working on it. I'm just praying that I won't bounce back to the normal I lived before the trip, but that God will be creating in my life that "new normal" Hannah was talking about. In the words of Matt Thiessen, "Yesterday is not quite what it could've been, as were most of all the days before. But I swear today, with every breath I'm breathing in, I'll be trying to make it so much more." That's the prayer I have for our team.

- Heather Erdmann

A timeline of Hurricane Katrina

2008-07-14T15:00:00.001-04:00

http://www.nola.com/katrina/graphics/flashflood.swf

We stayed at the Berean Bible Church which is in the Algiers neighborhood. This presentation shows the events that led to the flooding.

A Video Slide Presentation of our trip

2008-07-14T11:22:00.002-04:00

Reflections made after Thursday July 3

2008-07-09T12:30:00.000-04:00

“Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.” - 1 Cor. 16: 13,14 I realize that God wants me to be me – to use the gifts that I have been blessed with and do all I can for Him. If I go to bed knowing that I have lived and served Him today, I don’t need anything else.
- Anonymous

Coming down to NOLA, I was so pumped to help someone get back into their home. When I first saw my jobsite on Sunday I was quite disappointed because we were told that we would be working mostly on things like yard work, laying down bricks and fencing. As we continued on through the week, I was reminded why I was here. Hurricane Katrina destroyed so many lives, not just homes. I was here in the name of the Lord to help someone get their life back together. My big “ah-ha” moment was figuring out that we are here for the people of New Orleans, not just to re-build some homes. Tonight this was driven more into my mind as we heard the story of our post-high school peers heading down to the French Quarter of the city to share the Word and some McDonalds with a few of those either living in the streets or living in horrid conditions. We learned about one of the hardest of hard, Mark Anthony. Hearing what he has lived through, and him not believing in religion is disheartening but, we don’t believe in religion either, we believe in God. B y the end of their conversation those with him were actually granted to pray for a softening of his heart. We are here for the people, like Jimmy and Mark Anthony, not just for the city and the homes.
- George

It is so amazing to watch God at work. To watch Him place people in areas where they wouldn’t choose to go, to watch His perfect timing, to see His love in caring for and protecting those who may not feel well. The most touching and more amazing thing to see and experience is His answer to prayer, in seeing even the smallest glimmer of hope and inquisitive looks from unbelievers we speak to. He is at work in these people’s hearts, and in all of our hearts. When you read this blog, and look at the pictures, remember that you are reading about and seeing Jesus Christ at work.
- Dan Larrabee

It has taken me two life changing trips to New Orleans to fully realize why God calls us places. I always knew that “it’s about the people, not the work” but it wasn’t until today that that became a genuine truth for me. It took the lack of a work site and the “real life” atmosphere for my heart to truly break for these people and turn my spirit over to loving them not what I am doing for them. They are what is real, what matters. This may seem an obvious and blatant truth for many but today my heart was turned upside down with the realization that I hadn’t ever fully concluded, accepted or embraced the fact that God calls us to serve people not cities. My thoughts are scrambled and my words are messy, but what it comes down to is that before a single home is repaired the immediate focus must be on these people, each individual one. The fact that I am just now realizing this is very convicting.
- Amanda Berglund

My moment of this week was, well, more than any one moment. It was the entire experience whether it was completing a window frame or putting a second coat of paint on a wall, it was all important. What was more important, though, were the lives that were touched throughout the week whether it was Pastor Elijah who gave us advice about carpentry and painting when he himself had little experience, he just wanted to help in any way he could. A moment I felt God’s presence was at Pastor Elijah’s house all through the week, talking to people on the streets of a very racially charged area and the initial willingness of the surrounding people in that neighborhood. On Wednesday we arrived at Pastor Elijah’s and there was an eerie feeling about the area, the once crowded streets and door steps were now empty and on top of that we received a “do not work” order from the government. We felt strongly that something was going to happen on that day and God was making us unable to work that day so we would not get caught in the middle of a bad situation. I still pray for the men we will not able to talk to again.
- Sam

In life, questions, problems we seek that moment when we “get it”. Right now, I’m not getting it. In other words, I’ve gained so much from this trip but up to this point those pieces haven’t concluded in a time when I can say “I see it now, God, that’s what you were doing …” I’ve also started to understand that when we don’t “get it” frustration becomes a byproduct. I know that it could be days or weeks before I see the big NOLA picture. Maybe years from now something will click, but, in the meantime, I need to keep frustration and confusion at a minimum and know that someday I’ll understand.
- Hannah Brown

I finally realize I could not care less about the house I’m working on because I care so much more for the people. In five, maybe ten years, the lawn I worked on will be gone. It’s through the work that I get to meet people and witness to them. When I wrote my paragraph I saw the houses and neighborhoods as the base. I could not have been more wrong. The people are the base and nothing could be more unique and flavorful as the souls and personality of the people. (Acts 1:8) - Jake Linscott

I have lost my sense of time down here. What seemed important at home is now something that feels different. We have been working hard, but what has touched me the most is how the Lord uses us in unique ways and how we each can be used to glorify Him in different ways. This was definitely evident tonight during our reflection time. I pray that God will continue to unite us as one body.
- Andy Berglund

When I met Carry, the homeowner of a house I worked at, I could see right away she was a very upbeat, positive person. She was so thankful for the little she had and she was so happy even after all the horrible things she’s had to live through and endure. She was inspirational. At that moment of meeting Carry, it really sunk in that we weren’t here to repair houses. We were here to spread His Word and to love the people. Her amazing outlook and positive attitude towards life and the future really made me realize the people are what matter. That’s why we’re here.
- Rebecca
Today was a day like no other I’ve experienced. Hope, encouragement, sorrow and death. A spiritual death so heart wrenching that only a miracle can save the man whom the devil has taken hold of. Hypocrisy and racism has left this man with a heart of stone. He cannot trust anyone or anything for so many people have blinded his path. This man, Mark Anthony, knows the Bible but cannot trust because he has been let down so many times before. It’s my prayer that God will soften his heart and he will trust in the one truth that will make him alive.
- Josh Larrabee

What a week! I began the week full of energy and joy. It turned to heartache while getting a look into the life of a young child here who seemed so angry and hard-hearted already at 4 years old. It’s been a week of very mixed emotions and, at times, I’ve grown weary. Tonight after listening to the kids speak about their experience ministering in the streets, I am so hopeful and feel very blessed with our kids – how they are a light and are bold enough to shine for Him in some of the darkest places. What blessings they are. To God be the glory!
- Alicia

This week my eye opening experience was during my trip to the French Quarter to witness to the homeless. The first few people I met were eager to talk and were believers, but as we went it got harder. As we ventured from security to unfamiliar places of evil, we began to see how dead the lost really are. Jackson Square was one of the most beautiful places and, yet I felt threatened by evil while there, not by the people rather the evil that exists there. The eye opener occurred while speaking with Mark Anthony, a street- hardened, homeless man. I realized how genuine and cheated he was and, yet he is a dead man because the streets have driven him scared of trusting anyone but Jack Daniels, Jim Bean and others.
- Jake Groom

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: We aren’t here to do the work on homes so much as we are here to minister and witness to people the love of God. Every day I find it more and more evident. Maybe, just maybe, we aren’t supposed to be working in a certain area because God doesn’t want us there or he wants us somewhere else. I constantly have to remind myself that it is not about putting up the closet shelves while I am there, but it’s about sharing God with people like the homeowners or people nearby. This is nothing new to me, but God is working it into my heart more and more every day. It’s not about the house, but what we do to the house is in God’s name.
- Colby Adams

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world … like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.” (Eph. 2:1-3) Dead. Without Christ, we are dead. The sermon this Sunday centered on this verse and this week we have perhaps begun to understand it. Even though we, the body of Christ, are alive in Him, we are surrounded by living corpses screaming for a Savior. And all the while we stand by holding a pitcher of living water in our hands. When will we become confident enough to share this water?
- Anonymous

After stumbling over trial upon trial upon trial, whether they were physical, mental or emotional, I believe the Lord has begun to reveal my “AHA” moment to me. Although I can’t ever fully grasp what the Lord is thinking, I can come close. It’s not about the houses we are building or touching up; rather it’s about the people we come into contact with. God isn’t shown when a group comes, rebuilds then leaves without talking to the people they’re serving. God’s love is really shown when someone’s life is changed through words and prayer. Many people have missed this concept and are not able to affect someone’s walk with the Lord. For faith without works is dead. The cop-out answer for a mission’s trip is, “we’re going to rebuild”. However, when you really look into a mission’s trip and its deeper meanings, you will find that the correct response is, “we’re going to change someone’s life through rebuilding their homes and cities.”
- Michael Gardner

Today I got the chance to see some of the 9th ward. As we drove through it, Scott pointed out the fact that house after house once had been there but now what remained were fields of grass. In some of these places the grass was so tall I couldn’t see any of what was behind the grass. Then Scott and I drove by a neighborhood that, since Katrina, had not received any work at all. To look and see what many use to call home with nothing left broke my heart and my heart when out for these people. This evening also added onto my heart going out for these people as Josh Linscott shared about his day ministering to the people of New Orleans on the street. As Josh shared, he sang a song he wrote about a man who’s been so hurt that his heart is hardened and he is full of rage. After listening to the song most of us here were brought to tears and we prayed for this man’s heart to be softened, that he would come to know Christ as Savior. Throughout today, I have felt and seen what we are here for this week and that is the people. And it hasn’t been just today but all this week as I have been serving other for God. The lost and broken need to know Jesus. The Christians here need to be encouraged after all they have been through. Tonight my prayer has been, “God, make my heart break like Yours for the lost and help me shine You to those in the dark because those who don’t know You so need you, Lord, they really do.
- Dali Tauwala

I don’t know if I really had, what could be called, an “Ah ha” moment. I know we worked hard and served people well. For me, the most significant part of the week was watching our students grow in their faith. It is amazing that every time I serve with the students, it is clear that they are not only the church of tomorrow but also the church of today.
- Rus

Shocked. Pained. Awestruck. I almost can’t breathe. But why now? How can something that seems so right be countlessly rejected by so many? Why haven’t I been strong enough to share the light? Where are my words? Who am I now and why can’t I be who I must be? Where’s my heart at? Why am I confused? Why am I hurt? (Proverbs 10:20)
- Scotty

Today we were able to go to Carrie’s house to do some work. We painted parts of her shed and house and installed a door and some closet shelving. We were able to talk to her and hear her stories about Katrina … how she survived it and the steps she’s taken since then to gain some sense of normalcy in her life. My heart really broke for her and what she’s had to go through. It’s been almost 3 years since the hurricane and she is still fighting to get back into her house. She has tried so hard to get her house fixed, yet has been set back due to multiple thefts and contractor dishonesty. I was amazed at her upbeat attitude through it all. Her stories and her perseverance made me want to do everything I could for her. My prayer is that her good attitude will remain through all this, and that her main focus will be on God and that she will be a light for Him in a neighborhood of darkness. I pray that she will be back in her house by her deadline of the end of August and may she once again be able to sit on her porch and watch the ships come up the Mississippi River.
- Ben Adams

God has proved again and again how he guides us with every single moment and event in our lives. The rain that kept the group inside and gave them a chance to talk to this broken, dead and hard man is such a blessing and shows God’s real power to show us what we are really here to do. Change and touch lives.
- Jeremy

The story of Mark Anthony gave me the feeling of sadness because of his not being saved. All of the people in the world who don’t know God are spiritually “dead”. I need to share the story of Christ and help those who have not yet been saved. There are many kinds of people, some have heard about God and some haven’t. It is important to show them the way so that they can choose salvation.
- Annie

God, you are awesome. Wednesday night when we were singing with the kids from Florida, I realized that it was amazing how we were all different, yet we all were worshipping the same God. That was one thing we all had in common. It was humbling to realize that. Also tonight, when Josh told us about his experience with a man named Mark Anthony, I was reminded of the song ‘Tears of the saints’ and how we should be sad for those who are spiritually dead.
- Anonymous

Before we left, I prayed so hard that God would use me to change someone. But God’s will is perfect. He changed someone today and it was me. I’ve wanted to see those in sin as dead all week and today I did. God has broken me down in a way I didn’t think possible for me. Through the story of my friend, Marc Anthony, I saw a man who was dead. He couldn’t have been angrier or more hateful. My heart broke for this man; I pray constantly that God would soften his heart. I hope that maybe a seed was planted today and I know God can save this man. Today I also know how terrifying it can be to know, if he isn’t saved, where Marc Anthony will go.
- Anonymous

This year has been different from last year. Last year you could still see the devastation from Hurricane Katrina everywhere you looked. This year you can see some renewal, less FEMA trailers and more neighborhoods returning to normalcy, it makes one hopeful. That is until you enter the 9th Ward and you find still 3 years later – it is untouched. Then you can feel the anger and the hopelessness. You can see the untrust in the eyes of people. It’s then that you realize this is not about rebuilding lives. Only when we share the love of Christ can we truly rebuild New Orleans.
- Robin

I feel that through all of my quiet time reflection, through all of my conversations with homeowners, and through the processing of my team’s experiences, God has clearly been teaching me to seek Him first. I need to feed and nurture my relationship with Him in order to be able to do that which He has called me to do – whether that is as a husband and father, or a worker or a person trying to serve others in NOLA. Going half-way is not an option. If I’m in, then I need to be given completely over to Him. I see glimpses of that in me this week. I find that the people mean more to me than anything else, both the people of NOLA and my team as well as my family at home.
- Bob Gardner

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, open the eyes of my heart, I want to see You. My ah-hah moment was this morning when brother/Pastor Lawrence met for a 2-3 hour prayer/opening God’s word session. Stuff clicked and that just translated into the street evangelism today that own team of seven did. One man in particular the Lord let to us. Hardest of hard, yet after almost an hour, he started sharing. He didn’t soften, but he opened up and we listened, and then prayed with him. The love we were able to show to him didn’t break through his shell, but he trusted us. Pray for Marc Anthony! May the Lord open the eyes of his heart, that he may see the Father!
- Adam

I’ve learned so many new things this week that it’s hard to keep track of them all. I believe God has called me down here for many reasons. One reason I believe is to bring me closer to Him because over this past year, I’ve felt distant from God. But glancing over this reflection, I see the biggest thing God has brought to my attention over and over again this week which is how many times I say “I” in a day. Constantly my focus is only on me and this week God has made me realize that that’s not right. My focus needs to be on Him and Him only.
- Kelsey Berglund

Jimmy briefly told us his story on the day he took us on a tour. He said that as he was going to his house he was thinking, “It’s only a house, it’s only a house.” What would I have been thinking? When people lost their houses/possessions, they didn’t lose everything. They didn’t lose anything at all. If they have all of their trust completely in God, there’s nothing to lose. He’s there through the calm and through the storm. That’s why we’re here; to let these people know that there’s hope. God has a plan. I’m praying that we’ll be a light to these people and their hearts will eventually soften and they will know the truth.
- Jess Cinque

I pray that as I return home I remain broken. How great a blessing to actually tear for the lives of others. If I would share my faith with Marc Anthony, the man the hardest of hard, homeless man here, why not share it with my roommate? My friends? My co-workers? Maybe I will change someone this week, but now I pray that God will bring change as He wills to further His kingdom. “For do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21)
- Josh Linscott

Thanks for such a great welcome!

2008-07-08T16:47:00.004-04:00

It was so awesome to see everyone waiting for us when we pulled into the church at 1:30 am! Thanks so much. Thanks to Lilley's Limosine for donating three stretch limos to bring us from Boston. And thanks to Peter Therrien and Peter Sorensen for driving the bus down to get our luggage. It was an amazing may to end our trip.

Last leg

2008-07-07T23:35:00.000-04:00

We should pull in at 130.

******************
Scott Linscott
Sent from my mobile PDA device

NEW ARRIVAL TIME ESTIMATES

2008-07-07T21:13:00.003-04:00

Arrival in Boston - 11:15

Arrival in Portland at FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 1:15-1:30 ish

We are no longer going to the Amtrak station but are going directly to the church where you can meet us.

Peter Therrien is bringing the church bus for luggage and Dan Decosta, of Lilley's Limosine, has donated limo service to get us home.

Just left NY more then 90 minutes late

2008-07-07T19:27:00.001-04:00

That means, unless they have some way to makeup time, we get into Boston around 1130.

******************
Scott Linscott
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ARRIVAL CHANGE!

2008-07-07T18:46:00.001-04:00

We will be arriving at First Baptist Church courtesy of Lilley Limosines!

Our train has yet to leave NY and is at least an hour late. This means would have missed the last train to Portland.

The Lord knew this well in advance and had arranged this surprise for us even before we left Portland for NOLA. Rus and I held the secret close so it would be a surprise for the group when we got to Boston.

I let them know just a few minutes ago when the stress was building as it became clear that we would miss the Boston connection.

Arrival time? That's unknown still. It depends on when we get to Boston. I am estimating 100 am right now.

God is good and provides for our needs before we even know them!

******************
Scott Linscott
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Our Memorization Champions!

2008-07-07T15:41:00.002-04:00

Eric Mason and Jake Linscott were our Bible memorization champs. It was quite a playoff to whittle it down to two. These guys were fast and good!
Congrats.

We're in New York!

2008-07-07T14:45:00.003-04:00

Snoozers.

Do you think Rus is enjoying the train?

That's a lot of bags.

Colby Adams and I are sitting in Penn Station while the rest of the gang is out touring a bit with Bob Gardner. Pray for Colby ... he's feeling sick. I feel bad that he's missing the New York City fun.

Good Morning from Viginia!

2008-07-07T13:46:00.001-04:00

Our team is starting to wake up . We'll have breakfast in the dining car and then settle in for our final day of travel. I imagine most of us will do a lot of sleeping over the next few days.

We do have a few who love sleeping on the train. They will be ready to roll

So good to be in the same time zone

2008-07-07T07:18:00.001-04:00

It's 1140 and all is quiet Everyone has settled down for a night of sleep - which is not easy on a train. If you ever hear that coach is easy to sleep in because of the reclining chairs and foot rests don't believe it unless you are under 5 foot 7 inches. It's tough to fnd a comfy position if you are taller.

Most of us are so tired we could sleep upside down in a tree!

PARENTS AND ALL WHO ARE meeting us in Portland - be sure to check the blog at 1030 Monday night for an update of our arrival time. We've learned that trains may not arrive when scheduled - we've been early and late on this trip.

******************
Scott Linscott
Sent from my mobile PDA device

Saturday's block party and French Quarter fun

2008-07-06T16:05:00.001-04:00

Outside the Cafe du Monde a trumpet player had us sing "This Little Light of Mine" with him.

The Cathedral.

A human statue. He had just spooked the kids when I snapped this shot.

Can you hear me now?

2008-07-06T15:56:00.001-04:00

Riding a train across the country makes you realize just how many places there ar that do not have cell service.

Half our group is in the dining car eating lunch and the rest of us will go after they get back.

You can tell that everyone is tired. There are lots of snoozers all around me

I think we're all excited to get home but also sad to leave NOLA when there is still much to do.

When your kids get home they might not talk a lot. Or, they'll only talk about the pleasant stuff and the fun. That's normal. It will take them awhile to begin to talk about all the painful things. Just give them time and it will start coming out.

We're in Alabama right now and only have about 36 hours left. At least we're not sitting by the bathroom this time. That will make the trip better than the trip down.

******************
Scott Linscott
Sent from my mobile PDA device

Our last day in NOLA

2008-07-05T22:06:00.000-04:00

We had a great day today. We spent 3 hours in the French Quarter, played games with kids at the block party, enjoyed a BBQ and then packed and cleaned and had our last worship session.

I will try to update when I get cell service on the train. Keep the porch light on, we're coming home!

******************
Scott Linscott
Sent from my mobile PDA device

How has the money we raised blessed others?

2008-07-05T01:25:00.002-04:00

AJ and Gaynel now have new windows and a ceiling fan for their home, in addition to all the mudding, sanding and scraping we did.

Jimmy is very close to moving into his house and said this week has restored his faith in teenagers and strenghtened his faith in God. Jimmy's house has a new lawn, new brick walkway, a fenced in patio, plants and flowers, painted walls and doors and more. He was crying as we said goodbye.

Carrie's house has new shelves and fresh paint. Her bills are astronomical and challenges in restoring her old house are huge. We will leave her with $3,000.00 to help her continue to move forward.

The Fisher School has two freshly painted classrooms and a nicely painted office. They also have new playround balls. Once things have settled out we will send additional funds to help this school which was taken over by the state because of it's poor condition, buy the "non-essentials" like crayons, cleaning supplies and teaching materials. Miss Shirley also shed tears with us when we left and said she was so thankful by how God had blessed her.

Future teams here at the mission headquarters now have five new GPS units to help them find their way to their jobsites more quickly. Time lost while driving is time lost in working.

The BBC also has a new commercial ice maker and commercial fridge for teams to use thanks to all who have supported our trip.

New tools to make future teams more efficient include a 12" chopsaw, table saw and stand, compressor and finish nail guns. All were purchased to help continuing rebuilding efforts.

It's hard to believe that our work week is over. It seems like we just got here and there is still so much to do. I know today will have opportunities of its own.

Thanks for your partnership in the gospel and caring for your fellow man. I wish I could show you just how much the funds you gave helped in so many ways.

Scott

Our top ten

2008-07-05T00:07:00.007-04:00

1) Jake Linscott

2) Jesse Cinque

3) Josh Linscott

4)Heather Erdmann

5) Josh Larrabee

Tied for the final 5 spots

Sam Larrabee

Kelsey Berglund

Rebecca Howell

Laura Mason

Eric Mason

We have been working on memorizing 20 verses of scripture this week. Tonight we had our playoff to determine our championship round for Saturday night.

The first five to buzz in fastest and recite 2 verses correctly will move into the finals. Then, in that five, the first two to buzz in first and correctly recite four verses will be crowned our champs.

We're having a lot of fun, working hard and memorizing verses that we will carry for a lieftime ahead.

SATURDAY SCHEDULE:

9:00 Breakfast

10:00 Head downtown on the ferry across the Mississippi

2:00 - Head back to Berean Bible Church

3:00 - 5:00 Block party, cookout where we will be giving balls and toys to children.

Evening:

Pack-up, cleanup, return rental cars, write postcards...

What an amazing week it has been.

We started off our morning praying for Terrence (middle behind #260). Our street team met him downtown yesterday and shared and prayed with him. Today he was rejoycing to be turning a new leaf and beginning a new life. He wanted to pray with us before boarding a bus for Mississippi.

We set a goal today to try to capture the elusive Laura in a picture today. She avoids pictures like a gnu avoids moutain lions. Heather final wrestled her into a shot.

Heather came down with Humongousfootitus while we have been down here in NOLA.

How The Streets Can Change a Man

2008-07-04T11:24:00.005-04:00

During last night's debriefing time, Josh shared a song he wrote in the two hours since he got back with the street team. During their time of connecting with people downtown and handing out burgers to the hungry, they ducked into the famous Cafe Dumont. Lawrence, a pastor here at the mission, noticed a man sitting away from the outdoor cafe and tried to wave him to join the group. He refused.

Lawrence told the group that this man was a very hardened and bitter man that he had come across numerous times. He was so hardened that even the street people stayed away from him. He had no interest in being around Christians and had no trust for anyone.

Soon the afternoon thunder storm hit with a torrential downpour. Lawrence called to the man again and this time the rain drove him in to sit with our team under the cover of the outdoor cafe. For the next 45 minutes the team listened to his angry ranting about all the people who had hurt him or deserted him. They heard about his being abused by what he called "religion." His anger boiled as he talked about the racism that has cut him time and time again. They sat and listened.

His name is Mark Anthony. He told them that he will not turn the other cheek and that he won't even turn the first cheek. He will kill or be killed.

Our team talked with him and, for the first time according to Lawrence, allowed the team to pray for him and pray that God would soften his heart. Our kids prayed like they had never prayed before. They prayed with God's heart and truly felt His love for Mark Anthony.

Josh shared his new song with us. Forgive the cell phone video quality... it may help you to follow the lyrics below the video.

How The Streets Can Change A Man
by Josh Linscott

I walk down the streets today
Backpack on my back
All I can do is pray
I barely can do that
I hear you calling me
The voice that whispers in my ear
Says to me it’s time to stop
stop and listen

Mark Antony will kill
Before he turns his cheek again
I don’t understand, I never will
How the streets could change a man
Mark Antony will kill
Before he turns his cheek again
I don’t understand, I never will
How the streets could change a man
How the streets could change a man

Is there any hope for the heart that's frozen
Is there any hope that his eyes will open
You keep calling me
Put the whisper in my ear
telling me it’s time to stop
stop and listen

Mark Antony will kill
Before he turns his cheek again
I don’t understand, I never will
How the streets can change a man
Mark Antony will kill
Before he turns his cheek again
I don’t understand, I never will
How the streets can change a man

Pictures from Thursday

2008-07-04T09:51:00.003-04:00

Dali at the Katrina - Rita Hurricane memorial. The posts mark the rising water levels during the flooding.

Mudding and Sanding at Al's.
Friday we are taking Al shopping for new windows for his house.

Carrie's house in the historic district. She has had her copper pipes stolen and her house stripped. She has to renovate to historic standards and restore.

Fridge delivery. We delivered a fridge and filled it with $200 worth of food.

New Orleans late afternoon traffic and thunder storms.

Tears from the saints

2008-07-03T23:35:00.000-04:00

Tonight's team time was sweet with many tears and a powerful time of sharing.

I will try to update Friday as I'm too tired to sit at McDonald's tonight.

******************
Scott Linscott
Sent from my mobile PDA device

9TH WARD

2008-07-03T13:14:00.001-04:00

Ben's team is working in the 9th ward today and tomorrow at Carrie's house. She has a once-beautiful home in a historic destrict. She paid a man to replace her windows. He took her money and ran. Then someone made off with all the copper pipes under her home. She talked to a plumber and he want's $14000 to do the job. Ben says that is more than double what it should cost. But, with so few laborers, those who are here are price gouging and talking advantage.

We decided to bless Carrie with $1000 to help her. I drove to a Walmart to get her a prepaid card but discovered an abandoned Walmart store with portable trailers set up in the parking lot. In fact most shopping areas in the 9th ward are eerie ghost towns with tall weeds growing through cracked asphalt. Here it is 3 years later and the 9th ward has years to go to get the the recovery we've seen in other parts of the city.

Prepaid Visa cards put a steep fee on purchasing so I decided a cashier's check would be easier. But, guess what? I went to the bank of Louisiana with cash in hand and told them what we are doing. They told me that since I have no acount with them that they will not let me get a check. How frustrating! The Lord is allowing me to experience some of the frustrations locals are having trying to get things done. I will now try a third route and see if we can give Carrie some money. At this point it looks like a personal check might be the only route.

Our school team is treating the janitorial and office staff to lunch today. They are having Popeye's chicken and soda.

Gotta run ...

******************
Scott Linscott
Sent from my mobile PDA device

It is about to be Thursday already!

2008-07-03T00:20:00.003-04:00

Wow. Thursday is upon us and we just finished getting Monday's blog entries up.

Ali flies home Thursday morning. She's had a great week with us but we're sad to see her go.

Thursday's Teams:

Street Contacts - Josh, Josh, Adam, Jake, Amanda and Shara are heading into the city on Thursday with 5 burgers in each of their packs. They will be feeding the hungry and having conversations with some of the NOLA street people. They will be taking a 3 hour class together in the morning to talk about how to best show love with people who are normally overlooked and forgotten.

AJ's House - Dan's crew continues the work at AJ's helping with painting

Jimmy's House - Bill's gang is getting ready for finish work.

Carrie's House - Ben's team is heading to a new project.

Fisher School - Robin's team will be gaining Sam L. because Sam has an infection in his foot. He is on an antibiotic to clear it up.

We had some exciting things happen today. We went on a shopping spree to help the mission work here. We were able to purchase a new chop saw, a table saw, some nail guns and some other tools that will be very helpful to us as we finish. Other teams will be able to work much more quickly as well. We spent about $1500 on tools to leave for the work here in NOLA.

We met a family that is cleaning up an old fridge to put in their house. The fridge was donated to the church. We filled it with food by supplying a $200 Walmart gift card.

We heard from a policeman who has seen so many changes in the city he loves. His name is Ray and he is very discouraged by the rising crime rate and the decay he has witnessed since Katrina. Pray for him if he comes to mind.

We also had an ice cream party with a team of Floridians who leave for home tomorrow. We played games with them, sang some choruses and then gathered around their group to send them off with prayer. It was sweet to hear our students pray for their Floridian brothers and sisters.

We will work Thursday and Friday and then sleep in a little on Saturday before going into the French Quarter for Begneits. Saturday afternoon we will be joinining a block party and giving out the toys and balls that the children of FBC collected at VBS.

Thanks so much for your prayers. We were tired and cranky today and had a few conflicts. We talked them out and are committed to doing a better job being united tomorrow.

- Scott

DAY ONE REFLECTIONS - The final bunch

2008-07-02T23:57:00.005-04:00

Being here the second time is odd. It feels like we never left. All of the memories and lessons that I had forgotten suddenly came flooding back this morning as we got to work. The main lesson that I learned last year and once again learned today is to never take anything at face value. Today we were in a neighborhood where we did not feel safe and we learned quickly that we cannot judge people by their surroundings or circumstances and being unfortunate does not make you less human.
-Sam Larrabee

Love. That word has been coming up in discussions, readings, devotions and quiet time. Everything is pointing towards love. The discussion Scott and I had before leaving was of one of his books in which a Jehovah witness and Muslim said it was the action of love that brought them to Christ. In the book we read on the train there was a statement “love is a verb”. It has been the active form of love that is transforming New Orleans. God is showing me that in order to show his love I need to be actively loving others. If I am following Him I should be actively loving and showing the love of God.
-Robin Linscott

Still waiting to see.
-Eric Mason

I’ve seen the pictures of devastation, I’ve heard stories from last years team…but to see first hand the empty homes and broken neighborhoods brings it all into my heart. God is now showing me the people of NOLA. From Strangers in the stores who stop to say “thank you for coming down”, to the woman at the school who has praised God for our help, to the others who can’t fully grasp why I would take vacation time to come to NOLA to work for no “pay”. I’ve only been at work for one day and God has blessed me. He has laid it in my heart to pay attention more to the people of NOLA and the work is secondary. My heart is full of many emotions. I am thankful He has led me here to serve.
-Alicia Berglund

I believe that I am here now to make an impact on the lives of the people at the school that I worked at today. Trey and “Lamama” are in 6th grade and preschool respectively and their parents work at the school so they spend a lot of time there. However, I am willing to accept anything else God wants me to do.
-Jeremy Lydick

One of my biggest fears going into this trip was the sight of a lack of progress from a year ago. Having been here for two days that fear has been wiped away. No longer are FEMA trailers sitting in front of a devastated house. There are no more piles of debris taller than me. God has answered that prayer and has also answered others. My prayer for the rest of the week is that I’ll be able to continue to have conversations with people from New Orleans and really be able to connect with them like the people we talked with today.
-Josh Larrabee

It’s amazing to see the way New Orleans is coming alive again. Its still in great need, but it is great to see God rebuild. I was frustrated today at times. I can’t imagine how frustrating 3 years of living in a trailer or living out of a suitcase would be. They say God is changing this place. I believe it. It's already changing me. Acts 16:31
-Andy Berglund

Sanding

2008-07-02T23:41:00.001-04:00

Pictures from today

2008-07-02T23:24:00.002-04:00

Thirsty?

Dig those colors!

Fischer School

Loading up new tools purchasedfor the rebuilding shed.

Working at a new site.

Is it possible to serve selfishly?

2008-07-02T13:29:00.002-04:00

We've been talking about that some. When we serve out of a motivation to satisfy our own needs, we serve selfishly. If we serve for the feeling we get ... we serve for the wrong reason. If we serve for the thanks ... we serve for the wrong reason. If we serve to achieve an emotional high ... we serve for the wrong reason. If we serve because we want to represent Jesus and bring honor to Him, we get it right.

Imagine serving day after day in a soup kitchen, on the streets or in a small room where no one ever saw you or praised you for your efforts. Would you still do it? Imagine coming back to New Orleans year after year after year until every home was rebuilt. Would you do it? Why are we here?

Some of us are recognizing that our motivations and expectations have been based on what we expect to get out of the "experience." Is that what this is? Is it just another experience? Are we using the people of the New Orleans to meet our own needs? That is just not right.

The Lord is again taking us from where we were working to gratify our own needs to a place that is surrendured to Him and meant only to bring glory to him. That is worship. Worship is not about tingles or experience, it is about surrendering ourselves to God to be used each and every day in whatever way He desires.

- Scott

Anna and Drew - here's a picture for you!

2008-07-02T13:22:00.003-04:00

Hi Guys,

Kelsey and Amanda are working hard this week and getting to have fun too, Why would they give a week of their summer vacation to come here and work for other people for no money? They are doing it because they know how much Jesus loves them and wants them to share that love with other people.

Thanks for sending them a message!

More reflections from Monday

2008-07-02T13:20:00.001-04:00

Right now I have a mixture of feelings. I’m happy to see all the FEMA trailers that are no longer lining all the streets. I’m also happy to be helping people out. And I know that essentially that is why I’m here. But last year the first day of the trip I was already experiencing a “life changing” trip. But three of four days into the trip I still don’t know exactly why God called me to go on this trip. I pray that He will show me that throughout the week.
- Anonymous

After a long train ride, we made it, and as soon as we arrived, I looked around and everything looked so familiar. It seems like just last week we were going over that same bridge to help out different people. Today I got to help out at Mattie’s and it brought back so many memories of all the unforgettable stories from last year. I keep thinking about Charlie, Annie, Erica & Lester, and Barbara… How are they doing now? It’s been so great to see all of the improvements. There’s a lot less FEMA trailers which made me feel so good that we helped them get out of those, although it’s still amazing that all the devastation is still here. I’m glad to be here again and I can’t wait for the rest of the week to see what God has for all of us.
- Jesse Cinque

My reactions to coming down here and actually seeing some of the houses that were damaged by Katrina were just that I was shocked. I thought it was pretty unbelievable at what the conditions of these houses were 3 years later, I expected to see the neighborhoods put back together and the houses rebuilt for the most part anyway. But when we drove by some of the neighborhoods, the houses have still been untouched after all this time. Although there has been a lot of progress it was sad to see some people have given up trying to rebuild, but very encouraging to see the church groups, and home owners haven’t.
-Nicole Mason

Last night the youth pastor from Berean talked to us about some of what has been happening here. He told a story about girls bringing sandwiches to homeless people while she was here. When she gave one man a sandwich he asked her where she was from and went on to ask if they had homeless people there. Of course she said “yes”, at which point the man proceeded to say “oh well you must do this type of thing all the time.” So many people take the perspective that Katrina was sent to change New Orleans and bring them a revolution, but Doug posed the question that maybe it was also sent to revolutionize the church and Christians. Not only can this storm allow for the people here to see Jesus, but it can also help the Christians realize that we not only need to see and believe in Christ, but also follow him and try to be Him. God calls us to do that not only here in NOLA or on a missions trip, but everywhere. This has been on my heart since last night. Who am I serving here? Are there people like them at home? Do I serve those people at home too? How can I serve and be Jesus not only here, but everywhere?
-Shara Linscott

Some more

2008-07-01T23:12:00.000-04:00

More pictures

2008-07-01T22:42:00.002-04:00

Ali is a nut.

Jordan is a workhorse.

Brothers.

Visiting with Annie and Joe. We worked on their lot last year. They are STILL on the waiting list for demolition of their house and living in their FEMA trailer.

Pictures!

2008-07-01T22:05:00.002-04:00

At Fisher School.

The FEMA trailer gets hauled away!!! Yahoo!

Dan steadies "John Jones."

Andy types in blog entries.

Elephant ear plants from Annie and Joe's.

Several more initial reflections

2008-07-01T17:10:00.003-04:00

Last year I felt like God was showing me what ‘s important in life, what serving is, and that my life is not all about me. This year , already, I feel like He is introducing a couple new things. We are here to serve these people by rebuilding their houses plus other things to the property even if they seem insignificant. It’s about the people, giving them hope, and if tilling their yard and starting a small garden does that then we have done our jobs. They have new hope and light that they’re one step closer to moving in. Serving isn’t conditional, it is unconditional.
- Sarah Krabbe

I am glad to see fewer blue tarps. You have to look for the trailers in the neighborhoods. My prayer is that progress is getting people in their homes and not just people giving up. It’s sad to see empty houses left behind with nothing done to them . It’s sad to hear of the red tape that is in the way, governmental or inspections being waited on. It is humbling hearing the stories of gratitude from the Body being the prominent group coming to help. Not PTSM, not Park Street Church- the Body of Christ. I just hope that the giving of the Body has been something that has been duplicated back at the homes of all the team members returning home at their church’s and neighborhoods.
- Bill Simpson

I really think God is trying to get me to go out of my way and share my faith with someone , even a complete stranger. I feel that he wants me to bring others to him through my words. The physical helping gets things started. But my words are going to be the final thread. I’ll be looking, and I know he’ll have me ready.
- Scott Gardner

Today it felt so good to drive down the street that my work house was and see no F.E.M.A. trailers. As it is written on the Katrina Memorial “We will come back!”. It feels as if I’m turning the last pages of the book of the effects of Katrina for at least one person. Years from now I pray that kids will only remember Katrina when driving by the memorial. For evidence that the hurricane ever hit, I want them to have to ask.
- Jake Linscott

As we arrived and settled in and later toured the city, it dawned on me that the devastation is now familiar to me here. I expected an eye opening experience in touring as God provided me with last year, but this year as I am here and ready, the shock value is not there. Last year I learned and grew where as I feel this year God is calling me to grow and learn through speaking and teaching the locals about Christ. I was excited for the childrens team but when that did not work out I realized it was not what God wanted and I must be flexible.
- Jake Groom

When God opened the door for me to come down to New Orleans this year I was very curious and excited to see what he had in store for me once I arrived I was in shock at the amount of damage still left after 3 years. This was a huge eye opening experience for me. After three years, people were still living in trailers, X’s remained on untouched houses, and houses completely abandoned by the owner. As the youth group pastor at Berean Bible Church put it, this was the best thing that happened to New Orleans due to the amount of Christian groups coming down. I knew God wanted to expose me to this and give me my first real chance to share my faith with others.
- Rebecca Howell

So thankful for your comments and encouragement

2008-07-01T00:02:00.004-04:00

Thanks so much for leaving your encouraging words for our team. It is amazing to watch these kids put their faith in action and work to be like they believe Jesus would be if He were working alongside us. This is a generation of action. They are not satisfied to sit and absorb. They want to get out there and rub shoulders and make a difference.

I believe your support of these kids will impact their lives forever. They are much more likely to lend a hand now that they are seeing how rewarding it is to live selflessly. It's so exciting to see kids discovering purpose and learning that they can make a difference right now.

We have so many stories to tell. Some make us laugh and some make us well up with tears. Others give us a sense of righteous anger as we see injustice right before our eyes. Through working to help others and bring them hope, we are also experiencing change.

Today, Jeremy met a little girl at the Fisher School who decided he was her husband. Jeremy was so awesome with her. I wish you could have seen this athletic young man showing compassion and patience as he played with her. She says she has two daddies and two mommies living at her house and talked about one who had gone away because he was giving her mommy "whoopins." She is five years old and has a sassy mouth on her and has already lost so much childhood innocence. Jeremy played with her, laughed and played house. At one point she wanted him to carry her around like a husband would carry a bride across the threshold. He was trying to accomodate her but she decided he wasn't doing it right. She finally made her frustrated demand and yelled, "Hold me like a woman, Fool!" We all got quite a laugh about that one. What an awesome thing it was to see Jeremy being so gentle with this little one who has had such a difficult life already.

Ben's team showed up at a "house" of sorts in a very rough looking neighborhood. Grafitti on the front door made it clear that it was a racially charged neighborhood. To be honest, it was scarey. But, the team had the opportunity to talk with three men next door who were working on a car and pray with them. Dan Larrabee pointed out how sad it was that we judged them by the neighborhood before we even met them. Tomorrow, the team is bring the guys some coffee and donuts to start off the day.

I enjoyed watching Jordan working so hard to help. What a strong young man he is! I thought he was going to toss a fridge into a house by himself! It's clear that God is opening up a whole new realm for him and helping him see just how valuable he is.

Our "quiet girls," Dali, Hannah, Nicole and Annie, are blossoming and growing very comfortable. They are joking with other team members, smiling and sharing. This is one of my biggest prayer concerns for this trip. Our next core group is right there. I have been praying that God will knit them together and unite them in purpose.

Our reflection time tonight was sweet. Our sharing time was powerful and our quizzing time of memory verses and trip trivia questions was a lot of fun.

I will head back from my spot here in the McDonald's parking lot and call it a night early since it is only 11:40 (haha). The gang had lights out tonight at 10 but then the church alarm went off at about 10:45! Doh!

We will awake for breakfast and be back on our job sites by 9:00 am. We've had many changes in our teams and have had to be flexible. People have moved here and there.

- Scott Linscott

Reflections from Day 1 of work PART ONE

2008-06-30T23:34:00.007-04:00

Thanks to Heather and Jesse for typing these in for me! They got about half of them done tonight while Hannah, Dali, Colby and Sam and I took a WalMart trip. We will work to upload the other half tomorrow. - Scott

Praise the Lord! Our first entry... How do I feel? Well, I feel like bubble gum. I’m chewing some right now, but seriously. First, you start with this hard chunk of stuff. I have a mindset of how things should go. Then you start chewing and, well you get stretched. Then your plans get chomped. Then you find your place; then you get stretched again. Praise the Lord! Hey, I haven’t been spit out or run out of flavor. God is and will still continue to use me. Challenges have come up, assignments have come that I feel right off are way, way out of my zone. What do you do then? You trust in an almighty God. And what has become of me now? God has stolen my heart. I see the pain in NOLA. And I know I must help God’s people; his creation. All to You Lord!! Isaiah 6:8. .. Use me Lord!
-Adam Bridges

During the time we have spent here in New Orleans, God has really reinforced the idea of service in me. The homeowner at my worksite today said how much he appreciated our group for coming to help out people we didn’t even know. This really stuck with me and made me question myself why anyone would do that sort of thing. It’s because we are all created and loved by God and I want to show that love with the people in New Orleans. My faith needs to be more than just going to church and praying once in a while. I need to be like Jesus and help people, even strangers.
-Laura Mason

This isn’t what I pictured it would be but I would not hesitate for one minute to do it again and again… The feeling you get from helping people truly in need is unmatched by any other feeling I’ve ever had. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2.)
-Jordan Rogers

There are two children we met in Day 1. The little girl I was able to meet is just a little younger than Elizabeth. She is very excited to see a picture of Elizabeth tomorrow. This little girl will grow up hearing about Christ at least from her grandmother. The second little girl may never hear of Christ, except through what she hears this week from us. As I think of my family and those so close to us it is so clear how blessed we are. One of our memory verses says, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” I pray that we begin to notice each of these families we come in contact with. May we meet their needs this week in New Orleans, and then, that I dare to do the same in Maine.
-Rus Willette

It is heartbreaking to see how much still needs to be done, so many abandoned homes that have not been touched. I think about and pray for these families. We talked to men today who were a block away from where the levies broke. They explained to us their trials through the hurricane and afterwards, everything from having to break through their roofs from their attic because it was the only way out to having to live in the unsanitary Super Dome. They were so open to us even though we were kind of apprehensive to them in the beginning. It made me realize that we all often worry and complain about foolish things when we have so much to be thankful for.
-Dan Larrabee

Today, the first day of work, was great. Now, looking back, I can think about the house we were at and our homeowner Maddie. I loved Maddie’s outlook on the devastation and loss: these are God’s things. He gave them, took them away and is now giving it all back. Maddie has helped me gain perspective. I’ve seen the pictures and gone through the streets, but until I was in Maddie’s house I never understood. Listening to her talk about her children, play with her granddaughter, hearing her on the phone with friends all made me realize these people aren’t defined by what has happened to them. They are just the same as us. They have lives and stories and families. Everyone is a real individual.
-Hannah Brown

When I thought about why God wanted me back in New Orleans I wrote about wanting to bring a family back into their home. Arriving on our site I very quickly felt as though I wasn’t doing anything that was going to be helpful: tilling a yard, rebuilding a patio, planting a garden, and putting up a fence. Although through the day I have thought “why am I doing this?” and eventually another team member pointed out that this trip is about rebuilding someone else’s home, and bringing them back into their life.“Where he leads me I will follow.” God has lead me to a place in which I can get a man back into his home, now I must follow Him.
-George Grant

I think something God has impressed on my heart already this week is the fact that even through the devastation of Katrina, He was in control and had a plan. We’ve talked with some Christians, homeowners and church leaders alike, who are confident in their belief that God did not permit Katrina to judge New Orleans, but rather to wake up the American church to His calling on our lives, as well as to provide an incredible ministry opportunity to “soften the hard soil of New Orleans.” I have seen more hope in the eyes of the Christians we’ve met here this year than I think I saw last year. Their commitment to make the most of the opportunity God has given them is truly inspiring to me.
-Heather Erdmann

On Sunday we had a tour of New Orleans after church. As we drove around it was sad to see the work that so needs to be done but is not. There are many homes that have not been worked on at all and others that have much work still to do before being complete. I am glad I am here to help because of what I’ve seen. I am thankful to God that I have this opportunity to help these people.
-Dali Tauwala

After just one day of work, I can see my purpose for working in a pretty junky neighborhood… to share with those who live in poverty. Today our team had a tremendous opportunity to talk with and pray with the neighbors of the building we were working on. I saw them earlier and said to myself, “Wow, I’m not talking to them!!” But clearly God thought otherwise. We talked to the three men for around 30 minutes and learned amazing things. I believe God is trying to teach me not to judge people based on their looks, but to look deeper inside their heart. We should try to help and minister to them but only by God’s grace can they be saved. “By grace you have freed me, I will not suffer anymore.” (Inhale Exhale)
-Michael Gardner

Starting off our trip to New Orleans it felt like I had never left; but now that I’ve been able to spend some time down here I’ve realized it is going to be much different than last year. I feel God has taught me so much already. One of the things I feel God has shown me so far is that not only should I be helping people during this one week we’re down here but when we return home also.
-Kelsey Berglund

I came to New Orleans to serve others and serve God. Today, we did. I realized what not a small, convenient sacrifice can feel like, but a major one. I realized I have a warped perspective of helping others. Giving up a free day of summer to help a stranger doing physical labor in the heat is a true sacrifice. I feel like this is one of the times in my life I will begin to comprehend the ultimate sacrifice Jesus did for us. It was a very rewarding feeling to know that you are doing what Jesus would do.
-Annie Criscione

This year seeing the devastation for the second time, there just wasn’t the same shock value of what we saw. Don’t get me wrong, my heart was still crushed to see it, which later got me thinking. To myself I thought, if this seems so “old hat” to me, I can’t believe how people live through in every day. This year I am realizing that this isn’t a quick struggle they fell into. So far it’s lasted 3 years. I laid awake last night thinking of how people make this their everyday life and that there is nothing that we up North would consider “Normal life.” How do they get through it and how can I help?
-Colby Adams

After driving around and seeing the city over the last 2 days, I have seen a city that has made a lot of progress. I don’t see as many blue tarps on roofs or as many FEMA trailers in front yards. But the work is not done yet nor close. We can still see houses that haven’t been touched since the storm. Today I noticed the sound of nail guns as we drove through different neighborhoods. So I’m encouraged by the work that’s been done, but also glad that we are able to help the people who aren’t back to normal yet.
-Ben Adams

As we toured the city, my face was glued to the car window watching all of the pictures I had seen of New Orleans turn to life. The trailers, the weather-beaten houses, the torn people. But why has God sent me here? Maybe to paint, do yard work, and get a lot done. But maybe it’s to talk to at least one person—to have a lasting impact on his or her life. I met a little 5 year old girl today. Did I plant a seed? Maybe. God has that figured out. I’ve found that I am down here to do what God has planned.
-Ali Strayhorn

There is progress!! I was so worried it’d all look the same. Not only is there physical progress but more importantly spiritual progress. Doug said last night that the government, the insurance companies, and the contractors all let the people down but it was and continues to be the church that truly cares about the people. Before Katrina very few people here were Christians but through the rebuilding process and process of bringing hope Christianity and God have become more than a bunch of talk but something real and true.
-Amanda Berglund

Day One Reflection: I was nervous today as I found out I was leading a team doing more than “unskilled work.” We were hanging sheetrock, ripping up tile, patching drywall, etc, and not being a contractor, I was nervous I wouldn’t know what to do. But God has shown himself over and over to me in this one day that he has given me all I need to lead this team. Additionally I’ve had a burning desire to call Joe and Annie from last year ever since we left them. Tonight I called them. She sounded so very happy to hear my voice even though her home has STILL not yet been torn down. She told me my team is working in her area and basically made me promise to stop by tomorrow. I can’t wait!
-Bob Gardner

12:45 AM and time to head back to the church

2008-06-30T01:42:00.002-04:00

Alright bloggers, if I don't leave now (1:25 AM) I will fall asleep here in the McDonald's parking lot. Be sure to scroll down because I added some videos from the train and placed them before posts you may have read already.

Thanks so much for all the encouraging comments. I will read another bunch to the team in 7 hours when we sit down to breakfast.

Pray for us today. We've got our work projects and had to rearrange teams a bit to accomodate unexpected challenges. It's exciting to see the kids bonding so well. I wish you could have heard them share their thoughts after the tour this afternoon. The first-timers were especially struck by the devestation.

Random Stuff

2008-06-30T01:00:00.002-04:00

"Bye Jeffrey! ... um, or was it Jimmy?"
New Orleans downpour over the Miss River Bridge
Smashing the dumpster trash down.
Cleaning the church, getting ready.
"ooka ooka hoose!"
Deuce Doohickeys (horse drawn carriages)
Ever had to pee so bad you thought you might die? Now we have.
Groomer taking on the locals in basketball.
Our leaders have gone insane! (Alicia and Robin lost in French Quarter and laughing til they cried)

A couple more

2008-06-30T00:01:00.002-04:00

Thank the Lord for McDonald's WiFi!

2008-06-29T23:45:00.002-04:00

Here I am experiencing deja vue. I am back at McDonald's again this year while everyone heads to bed after a very busy day. I will upload some pictures and add a comment here and there as needed.

Po' Boys sandwiches. A taste of New Orleans.

While progress is visible we still saw houses that have been untouched since Katrina hit.

On the shore of Lake Ponchatrain (is that spelled right???) The group visited the first levee break site today.

Team touring

2008-06-29T14:48:00.001-04:00

I am writing this from the airport where I am meeting Rus. The teams are touring Nola and getting lunch with Jimmy. We will be working on his home this week.

One of those little "coincidences" ... Dan's team is working with a man who recently had surgery. The man does not want others working while he can't.Gee ... Seems like Dan was just in that same spot several months ago! Pray that Dan will be able to connect with this man and share his Hope.

******************
Scott Linscott
Sent from my mobile PDA device

Cleetus got us lost!

2008-06-29T11:48:00.001-04:00

After a brief detour, we found Shoney's and had a very filling breakfast. We read about Jesus serving by washing feet and are now in the morning worship service

******************
Scott Linscott
Sent from my mobile PDA device

Shoneys!

2008-06-29T10:10:00.001-04:00

We are at Shoneys for breakfast, going to church and then planning sessions

******************
Scott Linscott
Sent from my mobile PDA device

No decent connection

2008-06-29T01:17:00.001-04:00

Train was more than an hour late, rental car place took forever and it's now 1215 central time and feels like 115 for me. No decent web connection and two tired to head to McDonalds.

All are here, all are safe and all are sleeping. I'm heading to bed too. Big day tomorrow!

******************
Scott Linscott
Sent from my mobile PDA device

Passing Time on the train

2008-06-29T01:00:00.000-04:00

Almost there

2008-06-28T20:32:00.001-04:00

We're sitting on Lake Ponchitrain waiting for a freight train to pass.

I'm hoping to get some pictures posted late tonight after the kids get settled.

We are due in at 830 central time.

******************
Scott Linscott
Sent from my mobile PDA device

Good morning from the south!

2008-06-28T12:25:00.001-04:00

We slept, we ate, we played Uno ... Long night but fun.

Pray for the cranky ones who are not morning people. Pray for Amtrak employee Deborah.

Hopefully I can get service long enough for a blog update with pictures soon

******************
Scott Linscott
Sent from my mobile PDA device

I am not called?

2008-06-28T11:15:00.006-04:00

We are riding the rails through beautiful countryside at the moment. Green trees, mountains, meadows and “red dirt.” You can ask Laura why the dirt is red. She knows. Sam thinks the “dirt fairy” came through and sprinkled it all to make it pretty.

Here is a quote from the book we are reading. It has made us think. “Not called!” did you should say? “Not heard the call,” I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go…” This from William Booth as quoted by BJ in his blog when he was just fifteen years old.

When Christians put their “ear” right down to the Bible to search for God’s heart in His Word they discover God’s heart for the hurting, his compassion for the oppressed and His desire that His followers get active in loving others.

BJ’s story is inspirational. The book, “I Would Die for You” is a quick read. Our hope is that our team members, through reading this book, develop even more of a hunger and thirst for serving others and impacting lives. So often we Christians sit in our padded seats in our brick buildings learning week after week that God really does care for people. Yet, when we interact with people who are enduring trouble, feeling hopeless and dry from thirst, we tend to walk right by without lending a hand or giving a drink. We don’t want to do that anymore.

We’ve had numerous conversations with people already. One man talked tearfully about losing his home to Katrina. But it wasn’t the storm that caused his eyes to well up, it was recounting the fact that a crew of Jesus-like teenagers came to help him in his time of need. He told us that their actions changed his mind about Christ.

On the other hand, one man was lightly teasing us about our matching shirts and asked what we were doing. When we told him that we were bound for NOLA to help rebuild after Katrina, he said matter-of-factly, “You’re too late.” He laughed and went on his way.

With 40,000 families still in FEMA trailers, we know we are not too late. In fact, because fewer and fewer teams are coming to help, the need is becoming more desperate. People think the work is done. The New Orleans Rescue Mission went from 20,000 donors last year to 3,000 this year!

It is interesting that so many people now see the church of Jesus as a place where “hate speech” is taught. That impression will remain until we support our words with actions. It is difficult to dismiss someone who refuses to stop loving and helping you.

A less than favorite train noise

2008-06-28T01:34:00.000-04:00

This was the sound we heard every time someone went into one of the train bathrooms. Locking the door was a little tricky but it was possible without slamming it. But, most on the train preferred the slam method.

Endurance and wisdom needed

2008-06-27T22:50:00.001-04:00

It's nearly 1030 and the kids are still going strong. Maybe it is adrenaline. We leaders, however, are getting pretty weary.

We are learning a lot about train travel! We learned that packing light is important. We learned that sitting near the bathrooms is not a good idea. We learned that we can have great conversations with people we don't know.

We're praying for a good night's sleep. It is 1045 now and all is quiet. I am thankful for answers to prayer that occurred while writing this entry. Now, if I can just get a cell signal briefly, I can send it to our blog.

******************
Scott Linscott
Sent from my mobile PDA device

Pictures from our morning

2008-06-27T14:29:00.002-04:00

Just click on the image to see a larger photo.

Our bus left Portland at 3:20 AM

Heather enjoys a slice of pizza while we wait for our train at South Station in Boston.

Robin pretends to be a stewardess and reads the emergency info to everyone while pointing out the exits.

On our way to New York City.

Heather and Shara leading the "No-neck Buzzard" song on the platform in New Haven. A chance to stretch our legs.

What a good looking group!

Jeremy said he doesn't know any songs to lead except "Happy Birthday to You."

We are all reading the book "I Would Die For You." It is the amazing story of a teenager who made a significant difference in his world.

Some fun on the train

2008-06-27T08:30:00.000-04:00

Memorizing Verses

2008-06-27T03:55:00.001-04:00

Okay bloggers, we have a challenge for you. We are working on memorizing 40 key Bible passages this summer. We dare you to do it along with us. Today's verses are:

John 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

John 3:3 - In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

350 and everyone's asleep. I can't sleep without my CPAP sleep apnea machine. Not to worry though, I have it with me for using on the train.

We make a stop at Logan to drop off a handful of passengers and then it is on to South Station and the start of our train adventure

******************
Scott Linscott
Sent from my mobile PDA device

It's 315

2008-06-27T03:18:00.001-04:00

Good morning!

It was so good to see parents and others bright and early. We had a special time of prayer, got some delicious cookies from Peter Therrien and boarded our bus - all 33 of us!

Our adventure begins and everyone is very excited. We'll update the blog throughout our trip.

******************
Scott Linscott
Sent from my mobile PDA device

Ben Adams - Trusting

2008-06-26T21:00:00.000-04:00

Last year I went to New Orleans and had a tremendous experience. My team worked very hard sheet-rocking a couple houses. I don’t think I have ever sweat that much in my life. The work was very hard and exhausting but it didn’t seem to bother anybody on the team. Some actually wanted to skip our sightseeing day in the city to keep working and get more done. We saw a city in need. In need of repairs, but also in need of hope. Our goal was to share the love of Christ with them.

When the opportunity came for me to go back down to New Orleans again this year, I immediately said YES followed by a BUT… I have a lot of responsibilities at home. Can I leave that all behind to help somebody else? I have a wife and an 8 month old at home, and a job that is the busiest in the summer. How could I leave them behind and how could I afford to take a week off from work? Some people thought maybe this was too much for me at this time.

I think God had a different plan and a different vision for this week of my life.
I told Scott this was going to be a leap of faith that some things would come together to allow me to go. God blew me away with his provisions and basically said “why don’t you just trust me with the details?” I’m confident He wants me to go and has amazing things in store for us. I just couldn’t say no to the people who need so much.

- Ben Adams, adult leader

Some helpful details for train travelers

2008-06-25T17:52:00.002-04:00

Amtrak Info
· There are electrical outlets in the cars, but not at every seat
· You may bring your own food and beverages on board. However, you can only consume food and beverages purchased in Dining and Lounge Cars in those cars. Personal food and beverages are allowed in the upper level of Superliner Sightseer Lounges.
· Schedule change: Bus leaving Portland, June 27 @ 3:15AM, arriving Boston @ 5:25AM. Train leaving Boston @ 6:15AM and arriving in NYC @ 12:20PM. Remainder of schedule is the same.
· There is one ticket for the group.
· The leader of the group is to identify himself to the conductor to receive seating instructions upon boarding.

· Baggage:

1. Identification must be securely attached to each item.

2. Carry-on luggage is now limited to 2 pieces of baggage per passenger, even if checked service is not available. No item of carry-on baggage may exceed the standard plane size carry-on. The following will not count toward the 2 allowable carry-on items: purses, laptop computers, camera bags, books or other reading material, necessary medical equipment. Passengers are requested to stow these under seats when possible, leaving overhead racks for larger items.

3. Where checked baggage is available, passengers may check per person, up through 1 pieces at no charge. Maximum weight per piece is 50LB and maximum size per piece is 36”x36”x36”.

NOLA TEAMS - Here they are!

2008-06-25T15:39:00.004-04:00

Here's our plan for NOLA teams. One thing that last year taught us were that our plans sometimes make God laugh. He has a plan and will do whatever He wants with us when we get there.

Team 1 _ Children's Ministry / Food Prep
Robin L (driver - minivan)
Alicia B
Shara L
Ali S
Amanda B
Jake G
Josh L

Team 2 -
Ben A (driver - minivan & pickup truck)
J-Larr
Colby A
Scotty G
Heather E
Rebecca H
Sam L

Team 3
Bill S - (driver - minivan & pickup truck)
Andy B
Jake L
George G
Jordan R
Kristen B
Laura M

Team 4
Dan L (driver- minivan)
Rus W
Sarah K
Michael G
Eric M
Nicole M
Dali T

Team 5
Bob G (driver - minivan)
Adam B
Hannah B
Annie C
Jesse C
Jeremy L
Kelsey B

Scott Linscott (driver - pickup truck)

Rus Willette - A Range of Emotions

2008-06-25T15:30:00.003-04:00

I have a number of memories from New Orleans. I remember Erica and Lester. I remember the thousands of people still living in trailers. I remember the fact that almost 3/4 of the work force in New Orleans never returned to that area. It makes me wonder why we bother. We cannot fix much in a week. It creates in me a frustration that we cannot do more. I remember missing my family. I remember clearly how much there still is to do. I remember how tired I was. I remember a man at Lowe's that we spoke to for almost 15 minutes while we waited for the truck to be loaded. His story was about escaping from his home through the roof with his children tied to him. I remember all the people who said thank you. I remember the heat and humidity. I remember the humility (maybe humiliation) that comes from experiencing loss at a distance. I remember the home we walked through still in ruin from the flooding two years after the storm. I remember the sorrow of seeing the fields of grass where homes stood. I remember all these things so clearly. My emotions range from frustration, to humility, to sorrow, to resolve. I want the love of Christ to be seen in me. Please pray I am aware enough, through all the emotions, exhaustion, heat and work, to recognize the opportunities He presents me. I remember being blessed beyond anything I could imagine. I have confidence that God will bless all on this trip in the same ways. Here's to another hard, hot and tired blessing.

- Rus Willette, adult leader

Colby Adams - What It's All About

2008-06-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

It's not about rebuilding. It's not about painting and cleaning up. It's not even about giving people in need money to spend to get their lives back together. It's about sharing our faith with others and spreading God's love over all else. Yeah, I want to help rebuild, and yeah, I want to give people money to buy appliances with, but that's not the focus here. That is what I am trying to focus on as I prepare myself for this year's mission trip to New Orleans.

Last year's trip to NOLA was a life-changing experience. The biggest thing I learned from the whole experience is that God can take the seemingly bad, and use it for good. When people say "this trip was life-changing" they don't mean it was life-changing for that week or ten days we were there. It changed how we think and how we respond to things in our lives.

So that was last year; I cant wait for this year!

- Colby Adams, grade 12

Dan Larrabee - These Teens' Attitudes Are Contagious

2008-06-23T07:00:00.000-04:00

Proverbs 150:6 “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”

I am praising God for the opportunity to be on this Missions Team. Last fall when recovering from heart surgery my spirits were low and the prospects of returning to work were unknown at that time. And then one Saturday something changed for me, I was one of the monthly “service projects”, about 20 students and leaders came to my home and spent the morning raking leaves. And while it was great to have the leaves taken care of, nothing meant more than being ministered to by all those teens, they represented Christ love in such a real way by their actions and encouraging words. I am praising God today for restoring my health and giving me the opportunity to do for others what has been done for me. I ask that you pray for our team, that we would be united together in all we do for Christ and that He would make me a bolder person – stretching me to be more outgoing.

- Dan Larrabee - adult leader

Commissioned and Ready to Go!

2008-06-22T14:37:00.003-04:00

Who's ready to test Rule 1?

2008-06-20T13:42:00.001-04:00

Woohoo! The adventure begins! I just got a call from Amtrak. Because Boston is doing bridge construction now it has slowed everything down.

We now have a new departure time. Ready? 315 am. Yeah baby! That means we need to arrive by 245 am!

Now go read the first part of James.

Gorham folks. Want to consider carpools or sleep overs with Portland locals?

******************
Scott Linscott
Sent from my mobile PDA device

Eric Mason - A Matter of Trust

2008-06-20T07:00:00.001-04:00

Probably the most important thing you can do from home for us while we're in New Orleans is pray. Money is certainly helpful, yes, but prayer is direct communication with God, who happens to be in charge of everything in the universe. Please pray not only for team safety and well-being, but also that we are challenged by God to work for his plan. Last year we saw God work in amazing ways – I'm sure you've all heard the sheetrock story before – and I'm really looking forward to see what He'll do this year. For me personally, I hope someone can pray that I'll be willing to step out of my comfort zone and strike up conversations with people we meet to tell them what we stand for.

It's really a matter of trusting God and ignoring whatever I'm telling myself to do, which is usually to not do anything at all. I'm excited to see what God has in store for the team and New Orleans itself, but we can't possibly do anything if we don't listen to His word. Like Robin said, pray that we can make ourselves available to Him.

- Eric Mason, grade 12

Jake Groom - Nothing as rewarding

2008-06-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

After last year's NOLA trip I knew there was no way it would be my last missions trip. Thus far I have yet to experience anything as rewarding or as challenging as the week we spent last year in New Orleans. For me going back will be the highlight of my summer, although I know it will be exhausting work and draining heat. I also know that the memories of the work we get done and the lives we touch while we are down there will remain with us long after we are back to our mild Maine summer. I hope that we can help restore some normalcy to lives and show love while doing so.
- Jake Groom, 2008 grad

Sarah Krabbe - Learning to Serve

2008-06-18T09:30:00.001-04:00

I had the chance to go to New Orleans last year and seizing that opportunity changed my life. I immediately saw the vast devastation, the countless homeless people, the innumerable amount of tiny FEMA trailers, houses still ripped apart around every corner, and the overall sadness of the city. It didn't take long for me to realize that my comfortable life back in Maine isn't all that I should be concerned with and focused on. By the end of the trip I started to truly believe that it's really not all about me.

During last year's trip, I learned a lot about myself but mostly about serving others. God clearly calls us to serve and spending a week doing all types of work in the various conditions that we were in taught me not just how to serve, but how challenging it can be, too.

Now I can say all of those things now, remembering how the trip impacted me, but I don't have the same feeling of change that I had when I returned from the trip last July. One of the reasons why I want to go back is to be able to regain that feeling and apply it to my life in order to make me more like how God wants me to be. I also want to go because I know how badly people are in need still, a few years later, and I don't want them to give up. I want to give them hope. I want to share God's love.

In general, please pray that our team is able to work together, get along, and that most things go smoothly (last year we learned that not everything will). For me, personally, please pray that I won't get distracted by things back home. I have a busy summer coming up and I don't want the complication of trying to fit my plans together (brother's wedding, family trips, work, field hockey) to distract me from the real reason and purpose of why I'm down there.

- Sarah Krabbe, grade 12

Details Shmeetails - FAQ

2008-06-17T19:42:00.004-04:00

What time should I be at the bus/Amtrak station?
By 2:45 AM on Friday, June 27.

What should I pack?
One casual outfit for church Sunday morning.
Work Shorts
Work T-shirts
1 pair of work pants
2 Towels
Steel-toed shoes (Walmart has sneaker type)
Toiletries
light blanket and sheets
small pillow
bible
notebook
Personal first aid kit
PJ's
Sunscreen

What should I pack in my backpack for train ride?
Some breakfast - (one on those insulated lunch bags is helpful)
Personal water bottle
Snacks
Toothbrush
Team reading assignment & mem cards
Small travel games. Electronic games, MP3 player
Earplugs for when you wanna sleep.

Can I bring more than a backpack as carry-on for train ride?
- Yes, airplane style/sized carry-on is allowable but we do need to pack light because we have to take all our luggage with us when we leave the train and on the subway on the way back when we reach Boston. You have to carry what you bring. You may want to share carry-on space with other team members or family members. Heavy carry-ons will be a bummer in Penn Station when we get to walk around. Try to get it all in your backpack if possible. Or, bring your backpack and a shoulder bag.

What will we eat?
You will get $60 for the trip down and $60 on the way back. This will be your meal money. We will be eating in the cafe car, dining car and in NY. When we get to NOLA you will turn in any unused funds. You can also bring some spending money but it's your responsibility to keep track of it.

How much money should I bring?
Enough to buy your youth pastor some cool gifts! Noooo, just kidding. You will want to pick up a gift for your prayer partner while we are there. Other than that, there's really not a lot of time to shop. We will try to get to the outdoor market and French Quarter before we leave to head home.

What should I know about train travel?
You can look around http://www.amtrak.com and check out their FAQ and policies.

How will we travel in NOLA?
We have 5 minivans and a full-size pickup truck. We also have GPS units but could use one more if your parents have one we could borrow. Check with them.

What will we do in NOLA?
We will have one children's ministry team of 7 and 4 work teams doing everything from drywall to installing baseboard and door frames to painting. We will also serve a meal in a soup kitchen and get to present some music and share our faith. And, of course, we will be ready to help and do whatever is asked of us no matter where we are.

Did I miss anything? Just ask!
- Scott

Robin Linscott - Easy to Intellectualize Suffering

2008-06-17T10:24:00.003-04:00

Last year as we headed home from New Orleans I remember looking out the airplane window at all of the blue tarps covering roofs and the abandoned neighborhoods thinking that after two years there was still so much work to be done how could we be leaving. I had an overwhelming sense that our job was not done and that if I had the opportunity I would return to New Orleans. The pictures and stories we brought back could not adequately describe the situation facing the people of New Orleans.

It’s so easy to intellectualize the suffering of our fellow humans, “there are hurting people everywhere”, but when you come face to face with the reality of such overwhelming loss it touches you deeply.

It makes you realize how inadequate you are. Fortunately God does not ask us to be adequate he just asks us to be available and if we let Him he works through our inadequacies so we can experience His power and love through serving others. Returning to New Orleans was an easy decision for me, I was probably one of the few people glad our original plans to go out of country had fallen through and we would be heading back, all year I’ve felt a yearning to return. Now God had provided the opportunity and I needed to be available. So here I am available and waiting to see what God plans to do with me, with our team, and with our trip. This year brings with it new experiences, new challenges and new interactions pray that God will help me to meet each challenge, experience and interaction with grace, compassion and love. Pray that I will not be overwhelmed by the task ahead of us and that I will remember it’s more important to love the people of New Orleans than it is to complete the task. Finally please pray for our team’s health, safety and physical well being.

- Robin Linscott, adult leader

Dali Tauwala - Thinking of Others

2008-06-16T11:21:00.001-04:00

A couple days before Scott told me there was a spot for me on the team I was singing "Right By Your Side," which is the first song l ever wrote. The chorus of the song goes:

And God is with you there to see you through
He is there for you through the bad and through the good
And he will be by your side, All throughout your life
Like he has all the time, to see you to the end

When I originally wrote the song I was in 4th grade and the message helped me remember that God was there for me through the teasing I endured. I never really thought about who the other people were and what they might possibly have faced that needed the songs messages; of God being with them. But as I sang the song, the few days previous to joining the team, I thought of the NOLA team and the fact that they were bringing down the message of hope, the message of God being with the people of New Orleans though their hardship. Realizing this I got really excited just to help raise money for the NOLA team, to support them how I could and to pray for them. Then when Scott told me I could go I was even more excited. I can't wait to go to New Orleans with the NOLA team, to help New Orleans recover from Katrina. I am looking forward to the opportunities the NOLA team and I will have to share with the people the hope and truth, that God is with them.

- Dali Tauwala, grade 11

Ali Strayhorn - Just Part of the Plan

2008-06-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

I’ve been hesitating writing this paragraph for a few weeks. I worried over not thinking of an inspiring metaphor or beginning story to tie into my overall thoughts of New Orleans, and I couldn’t gather all or any of the thoughts I wanted to say. But then I realized how creatively I wrote wasn’t the point at all. So I’ll just say what I need to say, straight from the heart.

I’ll admit, I’m nervous to go to New Orleans. I didn’t go on the trip last year and I’ve found myself in the small group of “rookies” who hasn’t had the experience and who is somewhat naive of what lies ahead. I’m one of those people who likes to know what to expect, and in this sense, I know nothing at all. All I can do is let God prepare my heart, and willingly let him use me in his great plan. I am anxiously excited to see God’s plan for our team and for the people in New Orleans to unfold. I pray that I will be strong and courageous, that I will be healthy and energetic, and that I will be willing and able to follow God’s calling. We are called to serve, and that is what I’m going down to do.

- Ali Strayhorn, 2008 Grad

Jeremy Lydick - Kind of Nervous

2008-06-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

I’m Jeremy and I want to go New Orleans because the other kids in youth group who went last year said that it was a life-changing experience and I want to help all the people in the city who have not been able to rebuild because of the sheer amount of work there is to be done. I am nervous about meeting people and explaining my faith to them and why I am personally there (kind of like this blog entry). I also want to help some kids be able to play little league again so I am hoping that we will be able to put on a baseball clinic while we are there. I hope that we will be in your prayers.

- Jeremy Lydick, grade 9

Jake Linscott - Rebuilding the Stock

2008-06-13T07:00:00.000-04:00

“Stock is everything in cooking, at least in French cooking. Without it, nothing can be done. If one’s stock is good what remains of the work is easy; if, on the other hand, if it is bad or merely mediocre, it is quite hopeless to expect anything approaching satisfactory results. The cook mindful of success, therefore, will naturally direct his attention to the faultless preparation of his stock.” – Auguste Escoffier

That paragraph, as a metaphor, can be applied anywhere. I read it and think of New Orleans stock. When Katrina hit approximately three years ago she completely destroyed the stock of the Big Easy. Now, using this cooking metaphor perspective, I’m returning to continue working in New Orleans. I’m going down to rebuild the stock to make sure it is done right. If no one does anything the base, or "stock," of New Orleans will become bad or at best mediocre. So as a culinary student mindful of excellence in the kitchen, I will direct the same attention to the faultless preparation of the stock of NOLA. I’m going back to rebuild the New Orleans stock so that the culture, music, faith and people can rebound. I plan on making the stock out of the best ingredients there are; faith, love and friendship.

- Jake Linscott, grade 11

Kelsey Berglund - Not Hesitating

2008-06-12T07:00:00.000-04:00

Last year when we went to New Orleans I was very nervous and was worried that I wouldn’t be able to take the heat and all the work. However, while we were there God proved me wrong. I became used to the heat and I became determined to do the work because of the people it was helping and because I knew we were doing what God wanted us to do. So to me serving down there became an enjoyable experience. I loved seeing the progress we made and seeing the smiles we put on people’s faces. So this year when I found out another group would be heading down I didn’t hesitate to say I’d be a part of that group.

I am so looking forward to going down again and helping more people. I’m so thankful that we’ve been given this opportunity again. Last year I got sick half way through the week and wasn’t able to do as much work as I had hoped to so I am very excited to go to New Orleans again and do even more work than I was able to last time. I’m also very pleased with the team God has given us and I’m looking forward to seeing all that we can accomplish.

I ask that you pray that everyone stays healthy and that our team is able to connect with one another. Also that we will be able to accomplish as much as possible while we’re in New Orleans and that God presents us with some great opportunities.

- Kelsey Berglund, grade 10

Nicole Mason - Moving Past Fear

2008-06-11T07:00:00.001-04:00

I decided to sign up for this trip because last year when my brother and sister came back, they had so many great stories to tell. The team was so moved by it all, and I want to have that experience too.

I want to know what it feels like to truly help someone, and be an example of God's love. When the team came back last summer I could tell that the trip meant something, and this year I want to be able to share that moment with them. I'm hoping to see God in more places than just church. I really feel like this trip will change my life, and make me look at things in a whole new way. I think that by seeing what the people have been through, it will make me become grateful for what I have instead of always asking for new things. I want to be able to just go up to people and start a conversation with them about God, and I think this trip will open my eyes and allow me to do that.

Right after I signed up for this trip, I got scared about talking to strangers and going down to a place I've never been before. But as I started going to the meetings and making it a priority to keep going, it got easier and now I'm not feeling that scared. I'm so excited to be apart of this years team, and to make a difference in people's lives, even mine.

-Nicole Mason, Grade 9

Laura Mason - The Right Decision

2008-06-10T07:00:00.000-04:00

When I found out that our youth group would be returning to New Orleans this summer, I knew that I wanted to go again. Last year was such an amazing experience for me. I learned so much while I was there and strengthened my relationships with the team members and with God. By going to New Orleans, I had to trust God with everything because the trip was a huge step out of my comfort zone. I am so glad I did because only good things came from my experience. When our team met the people living there, I gained a new perspective of the disaster. It put the destruction on a personal level. I came back home with a heart for service, and now I can't imagine myself not going. Although I have a hard time seeing myself contributing much to the team because of my lack of strength and skills, I know that I am making the right decision to go. I would much rather put my comfortable life on hold for 12 days to help someone else than spend those two weeks doing most likely nothing (or just nothing worthwhile). I pray that I and the team as a whole will keep our focus on God and look for those opportunities to reach out to people this year. I am so thankful for having the chance to go back with such a great group and to have the incredible support of our friends and church family.

-Laura Mason, grade 11

Rebecca Howell - Answering the Challenge

2008-06-09T06:00:00.001-04:00

When I first learned that there was going to be a trip down to New Orleans again this year I thought to myself that it was going to be a lot of fun, and that I should try to sign up for it. Soon after that I forgot all about it and signing up got pushed way down to the bottom of my to-do list. Eventually all the spots got filled up, and I remembered how I had really been interested in doing it. I figured there really wasn't much I could do about it, and if God had a plan for me to go down to New Orleans then he would open a door for me some way.

It was later in the year at Snow Camp that Mrs. Linscott asked me if I would be interested in taking part in the trip, and that if I was I could be put on the list of alternates. I told her that I would definitly be interested in going and she was free to put me down as an alternate. Maybe around a month later at Power House I was greeted by Mrs. Burglund saying "I'm so happy that you decided to come to New Orleans with us! We're very excited!" This was the first I had heard about me going to New Orleans. I asked what she meant, and she said that she saw my name on the list of people. That was when I realized that it was God's plan for me to go to New Orleans, and I knew I couldn't possibly refuse.

I viewed it as my challenge from God to do this. This is the first time I've really felt like this is something God wants me to do to spread His word and love to others. I know that this isn't going to be a laid-back easy trip. I'm going to face many obstacles and inconveniences, but it's something that I can learn and spiritually grow from. I can't wait to go and face this challenge and follow God's will for me!

- Rebecca Howell, grade 10

Josh Linscott - Connecting With People

2008-06-08T06:00:00.001-04:00

There are about 3 weeks left until we leave for NOLA. I'm starting to get pretty excited. I guess I'm kind of a rookie on the team this year. Last year the rest of the family went, but I stayed in Maine to work for the summer. By the second day they were gone I knew that had been a bad decision. Going down and helping would have been far more rewarding than any weekly paycheck could have been. When the opportunity came around again this year I had no hesitation in joining the team! I'm looking forward to going down and getting a lot accomplished this summer, but more importantly I'm looking forward to going down and seeing what God has in store. I feel like every missions opportunity is amazing and unique in it's own way. I have no clue what will happen down there this year, but I know it will be worthwhile.

Most important to me in NOLA will be connecting with people. I'm praying (and hope others will pray for me) that I'll get a chance to come in contact with a lot of different people and that when I do I will be able to connect with them. I'm hoping to connect as more than a friendly worker though. I pray that God would give me confidence to bring up things like spirituality and beliefs. I know the trip will be one I will remember forever, but I hope that I could make it one to remember for some else while we're down there. Lastly I'm praying the team doesn't attempt to kill me in my mischievous ways on the 30 hours of train ride.

- Josh Linscott, adult leader

Kristan Bowie - Making a Difference

2008-06-08T05:35:00.000-04:00

I went to New Orleans last year with our youth group. It was an absolutely amazing experience. It was one of the most challenging things I have ever done..emotionally and physically. I learned so much while I was there. I'm excited to have another opportunity to make a difference is somneone's life.
Right now I am very excited. I can't wait to see what God has in store for us.

- Kristan Bowie, grade 11

Josh Larrabee - Not for Us

2008-06-07T06:00:00.002-04:00

"This is all for you." That says it all. That's why we are going to New Orleans. To serve and honor God.

I heard these words sung by Leeland so many times but never did they have such an impact as when I heard them for the first time after being accepted to the team to go to New Orleans. The words are so simple but mean so much. This isn't for ourselves to try and make us look good. It's not to exalt us above others.
It's for God. To serve him and share his love to the people who are still in dire need of hope three years later.

When I found out I was going to be going back to New Orleans again, I was flooded with excitement and joy. After leaving last year and returning home to my cozy, spoiled life in Maine, I couldn't help but feel empty knowing there was still so much left to do. Now that I have the opportunity to go back, I want to make every effort to help rebuild more than homes. I know that God is going to help us minister to people like he helped us last year and give us the opportunity to minister to those who need it most. My hope for this trip is that as a team, we will become closer and connect in a more spiritual way and that we can give the people of New Orleans hope through God that they so desperately need.

- Josh Larrabee, soph. Univ. of Southern Maine

Bob Gardner - It's NOT all about me!

2008-06-06T06:00:00.002-04:00

My thoughts, disjointed as they may be, as I think about my venture back to NOLA next month...

I was watching the season finale of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" a couple of weeks ago. The team was in New Orleans working on a family's home as well as a church that had been destroyed when Katrina hit. The overwhelming theme that jumped out at me was that there is still a lot of work to be done with few workers to do the work. Ed, the designer/carpenter from the U.K., summed it up at the end by asking the viewers to not forget about the people who are still struggling to survive from that storm that hit nearly 3 years ago.

Since going on this trip last year, I have found that some of life's greatest pleasures are found in putting other's ahead of me. Life is not all about what I want and what makes me comfortable and safe. Life is about our relationship with Christ and our relationships with others including my family, friends, and those in need.

The Prime Time group came back from NOLA last year with "service" as our motto. Our focus all year has been on serving others both within the FBC family and in the community. I believe I said that my reason for going to NOLA last year was the people, and I would have to say that hasn't changed at all. Last year it was all about Charlye, Margo, Erika, Lester, Barbara, Annie, and Joe. Who will it be this year?

I am returning to NOLA this year excited to see what God had done in that area as well as seeing what God will do this year through our expanded team. Last year I was able to see first-hand how God works in the lives of those that are going about doing his will. Last year I was able to see God literally answer prayers within minutes of their utterance. This year I have already seen God provide funding above and beyond our goal. He’s got something specific that he needs us to do. How exciting is that?!

I ask that people pray that our team will have eyes that will see what God wants us to see, hearts that will cause us to act on what we see, and the strength to persevere when we're hot, tired, and hungry.

Service in NOLA is all about using our hands and feet to help others so we can be salt and light for Christ in this world. Hands. Feet. Salt. Light. Four things that I desire to be as I seek to serve others in NOLA in the name of Jesus.

- Bob Gardner, adult leader

Amanda Berglund - More than Hammering Nails

2008-06-05T06:00:00.000-04:00

Although this will be my second time working in New Orleans I am experiencing many of the same feelings I had when we were preparing to leave last year. There is still a sense of doubt in me even though I've done it before. It's a very daunting task and I wonder how I could ever be of any influence. I know what we do is of great influence and very helpful but with the amount of devastation it seems like we barely scratch the surface.

These feelings of doubt are often suppressed by remembering how wonderful it feels to help the individual families and what our service did for them. It may not have been the entire city of New Orleans but to those people it meant the world to them. It's very exciting to think of the progress that has hopefully been made since we've been gone and exciting to think of the people God has planned to put in our path. So much of the reason we go down there is to not only restore homes but to restore hope and that is the most touching part of the whole experience. I'm really looking forward to making relationships with people down there, hearing their stories and sharing my faith.

Last year New Orleans was so far outside my comfort zone that I could barely board the plane. Now that that's over I have to go even further outside of myself. For me, that will mean initiating the conversation with people and not just leaving it up to others on the team. Instead of hoping the people we meet just start opening up and asking about Christ I want to push myself to ask questions, continue the conversation and let them know how interested I really am.

Please pray that God would supply me with a strong sense of self confidence through which I will be able to push myself outside my "comfort zone" and go deeper than the surface with the people we come across. This trip is about so much more than hammering nails, it's an opportunity for us to witness to these people who have little to nothing and try to give them a glimmer of hope. I ask that you pray that God helps keep that as my focus through out the duration of the trip.

- Amanda Berglund, 2008 graduate

Andy Berglund - Finishing the Work

2008-06-04T06:00:00.002-04:00

I have been very blessed over the past year becoming more involved with FBC student ministry. I have met some incredible kids and made some really great friends along the way. I was very impressed and touched by the powerful effect the NOLA mission trip last year had on my two daughters; Kelsey and Amanda. Not that they aren't hard workers, they are, but I thought the trip to NOLA would be a stretch for them. It was a stretch but I have seen God continue to work in them in such powerful ways over the past year. They have a hunger to go back despite how hard the work and conditions are.

I have been reading the book of James. James talks of perserverence and finishing the work to become mature and complete. I see the maturity in my daughters and how God has been working in their lives. I feel I am growing in my Christian walk daily but can become quite complacent not recognizing the areas of growth I may need to work on. I am looking forward to what God has in store for me in New Orleans as our team tries to help the thousands of people that still struggle daily due to the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

- Andy Berglund, adult leader

Shara Linscott - God's Plan in Uncertainty

2008-06-03T14:22:00.000-04:00

Initially I wasn't planning on going on the trip to New Orleans this summer. I was graduating and said to myself "I don't belong on this trip, I don't want to take someone's spot.", "I have to work.", "I have to prepare for college." Today, as you can see, I'm on the list. I'm going to New Orleans. Those things that I initially said to myself and a few more still constantly come to mind, but I'm still going. I'm not entirely sure why I am going to New Orleans this year and how God will use me, but I know that God has a plan. I'm looking forward to seeing the progress that has been made since last year and hoping to see fewer of those ominous X's on the doorways to the houses. I'm looking forward to serving others, bringing hope and changing lives.

- Shara Linscott, 2008 graduate

Is there anything left to do in NOLA?

2008-06-03T13:11:00.000-04:00

PICTURES FROM 2008

Bill Simpson - A privilege to go Back

2008-06-03T12:26:00.002-04:00

People asked me last year why I would "waste" a weeks vacation to go off and help strangers in New Orleans, and this year they are beside themselves that I would return. I usually ask them when the last time it was that any one of them had done something for nothing for someone. Then I ask them what they would do if they were forced to live in a small camper. I remind them that it has been YEARS that thousands of families have been doing it!

We actually lived in a trailer for a month or so when we were waiting to move into a house a number of years ago. We were always getting in each other's way, and going totally stir crazy with no place to go. I can still see the trailer at the site we worked at last year, with Lester and his Mom's entire life stored away in a 20 foot trailer. I count it a privilege to go back to serve a stranger or two again, and try to bring a little hope to those that are waiting to get a new start!

Heather Erdmann - Working as a Family

2008-06-03T06:00:00.002-04:00

When I found out that there was going to be a return trip to NOLA there was no question in my mind about signing up. Last year God revealed himself to us in amazing ways and I don't want to miss being a part of that this year. It's a different experience going back though, as I'm able to look forward more to the trip rather than worry about it. I pray though that this more relaxed attitude won't lead me to depending on my own strength, because I know I can't do it alone. I'm really excited to see what God has in store for us this year (train ride? hmm) and I'm so pumped about the new team members!! My prayer is that this year we'd really be able to put aside relational issues among ourselves and realize that we're all a family in Christ, just doing what we've been called to do.

-Heather Erdmann, grade 10

Going Back to New Orleans

2008-06-02T19:38:00.000-04:00

Scott Linscott - A Sad Face is Good for the Heart

2008-06-02T06:00:00.001-04:00

I am a "glass-half-full" type of guy. I am generally able to have fun and make others laugh no matter where I find myself. But last summer in New Orleans, I found myself experiencing true sorrow. While I knew that the Bible tells us that a sad face is good for the heart (Ecc. 7:3), I had never understood until my summer experience in New Orleans. Somehow, through the ache in my heart, I connected with God's desire to minister to hurting people. It was a mystical and wonderful experience that helped me better understand God's character and the motivation of Jesus that often gets lost in the institutional church.

I cannot say I am excited to return. I can say that I am compelled to return. When we understand Jesus and have a relationship with Him, His love and grace compels, pushes and prods us to serve. It's not out of guilt and not to somehow earn heaven, it's simply an outflow of His love that we have experienced. I learned that last summer.

Please pray for my health and for strength. Fat guys and heat tend not to get along.

- Scott Linscott, Associate Pastor/ Student Ministries

Kids processing life after returning to New Orleans

2008-06-01T13:17:00.007-04:00

Look at this neighborhood. It's nice and green. It looks like a nice place, as it seem. Nobody is here. Nothing is here. It is so quiet, that the rats are in fear.
Robert age 12

From the Kid Camera Project
http://www.kidcameraproject.org/index.html

The New Orleans Kid Camera Project was created to address the psychological and emotional impacts of Hurricane Katrina on children returning home to New Orleans. Through the use of photography, creative writing and mixed media, children from flooded neighborhoods explore their environment and express themselves, their stories and feelings with their friends. This project provides a venue for growth and recovery. By teaching the children tangible skills and exposing them to new means of expression, we hope to empower them to impact their lives and environment.

Michael Gardner - Hungry for More

2008-06-01T06:00:00.001-04:00

Leaving New Orleans last year left me hungry for more. I was Hungry to serve and reach out to the needy. Then I was told we were going back and at that moment, I decided I wanted to go back again.

________________________________
"When I am sitting at home, I feel like I'm useless and I'm not making an impact like when we were down in New Orleans. "
______________________________

Last year's experience really showed me how much I enjoy helping and serving people. Upon returning home last year, I felt a sense of longing to be with the people in New Orleans. When I am sitting at home, I feel like I'm useless and I'm not making an impact like when we were down in New Orleans. I'm constantly wondering how the families are doing that we helped last year.

I was asked to write a poem in English class this year and it was supposed to be about a moving experience. So, I decided to write about my trip to New Orleans last summer. I really put my emotions down on the paper when I wrote it. The poem was filled with anger, anxiety, sympathy and judgment. That was one of the moments during the past year when I wanted to be in New Orleans the most. I am worried about being useful to the team and not being a hindrance to the leaders. I don't have any elaborate explanation for why I would like to go to New Orleans this summer other than wanting to serve other people and make a difference.

- Michael Gardner, grade 11

Annie Criscione - Putting Faith First

2008-05-31T06:00:00.001-04:00

It was just another Sunday morning and I was going to the "what we learned at the movies" Sunday school class with Scott. It was a few minutes before 8:45 and I was sitting on the couch tired and lethargic. Scott asked me what I was doing this summer and I replied with the typical answer "nothing". He said, "Well, there is a team going to New Orleans this summer and we have a spot."

I was very excited to go, I checked with my parents the moment the class was over. I had heard about the trip and thought what an amazing experience it would be to serve God and develop a better relationship with him, Katrina victims and the team; but, there was always that voice in me pointing out the "what ifs" and negatives of going. I failed to think about the positives and favorable chances that going could entail. Now, I see nothing that could defeat everything that can come from the trip.

I am extremely thankful that this opportunity was presented. All of the work weekends and fundraisers have brought me tremendously closer to God. Before, if I missed an event I didn't think about how God felt. I just saw what I was doing as more important. The team taught me the way God feels if He is not put first. The team is set up to serve God, teammates feel disappointed when you are not there for them. God feels disappointed when we are not with Him, just like our teammates. I learned something that I thought I knew but never really stopped to think about. I learned that God loves and wants us and that if we are doing something for Him there won't be any "what ifs" or negatives that can't be overcome.

- Annie Criscione, grade 9

Scott Gardner - Looking for Opportunities

2008-05-30T19:00:00.001-04:00

Last year's NOLA trip really impacted me personally. Since we landed back home, I haven't been able to see myself and those in need in the same way.I was able to see how fortunate I am and how I need to help others by showing God's love. The best part of this feeling is that I don't just feel like I need to make a difference, but I really want to.

Being allowed to go back down to NOLA has been such an exciting thought in my mind. I really want to try and go out of my way to talk with people I meet down there. I'm longing for a chance to sit down and even have a one hour conversation with someone I see walking down the street.

Please pray that God will give me multiple opportunities to show His love, and that I will not hold back. I also need prayer that I will be smart in how hard I work and that I'll be sure to drink enough water.

- Scott Gardner, grade 12

George Grant - Helping a Family Get Its Life Back

2008-05-30T06:00:00.002-04:00

Our team has, both last year and this year, been told that our helping the people in New Orleans is useless, that there is so much work and that we are not doing anything. We have been told that the people living there should just get over it and move on.

When I arrived in New Orleans last year I realized that the rest of the world just had not seen the neglect that the people of New Orleans had endured. Their homes were completely decimated, their schools, workplaces, everything that they owned was destroyed.

When I found out that I was going to have the opportunity to return to New Orleans this year, I got myself signed up as soon as I could. I was so excited. When I first went I was very moved by the stories we heard and the vast destruction of the city. I am extremely excited to go back down there to get a family, who has been stuck living in a trailer for the past few years, back into their home.

Over the past few months I have been struggling with some major family difficulties. My prayer request is that this trip can help me out with some of my issues. I hope that while I am gone nothing else can go wrong with my family.

-George Grant, grade 11

Alicia Berglund - With a Joyful Heart

2008-05-29T06:00:00.001-04:00

I have always had the desire to go on a short-term missions trip. In the past I have prayed that God would open a door for me. When it came down to the wire back in February and I had to decide “will I go with the team to NOLA” I had so many doubts. “Will I have the patience? Do I have what it takes? Can I deal with being tired and hot without getting cranky with those around me?” The answer to those questions (and many more) is – probably not - on my own. But HE has the patience, and He has what it takes. And HE is always with me. Over the last few years the Lord has made it very clear that He is always with me and is never leaving my side. That I will always fall short, but he’ll pick up the slack. And very clearly that His faith in me is much stronger than the faith I have in myself at times!

About a month ago another leader asked me if I was excited about the trip. I said a cautious “yeah”. After our weekend in Castine working with the team, learning more about those we were serving, and the knowledge that we were all serving HIM through our hard work was such a blessing. I now look forward to serving Him in NOLA and would answer that question with a much more emphatic “YES”! This is such a wonderful opportunity to share the love of Christ.

I ask that you pray that God would provide us many opportunities and the words to minister to the people of NOLA and those in need of hope that we meet along the way. That He would keep us mindful of the needs of others and to put aside our discomforts in order to serve with a joyful heart.

- Alicia Berglund, adult leader

Jesse Cinque - What We are Called to Do

2008-05-28T17:20:00.003-04:00

When I heard that there would be a team returning to New Orleans this summer, I knew that I wanted to be a part of it. Last year I was really unsure about going. I saw the trip under the upcoming events, and I thought that it would be fun to grow closer to everyone else and also to God. In the back of my mind I was still thinking, ahh, working all the time.. in the heat.. Do I really want to do this? I was on the waiting list at first, and I just prayed about it for a while, and soon enough, I was sending out those support letters. I was nervous, excited and I didn't know what to expect at all. The trip was unforgettable. We got to meet so many people with amazing stories and got to serve-- what we're called to do. James 2:17 says that without action, our faith is dead. I'm so glad that I took advantage of the opportunity last year to go to New Orleans, and I'm so glad that I'm able to return. I can't wait to go back! I'm so pumped to see what God has for us this year. So many amazing things took place last year and I'm confident that they will happen again.
- Jesse Cinque, grade 10

Sam Larrabee - Cycle of Change

2008-05-28T16:02:00.004-04:00

Change is a cycle which is slowly but constantly moving. Rebuilding New Orleans is a constant reminder of that fact the cycle continues until it reaches its end. We continued that cycle last summer and people came after us but since we are going again I feel an obligation towards the City of New Orleans and to myself to
rejoin that cycle and to help all of the people that I can along
the way.

I do not want to just sit by and watch events unfold without knowing that I have played a part in the big plan that God has set up for all of us. This is bigger than any of us and it's not about the houses we rebuild or the lawns we clean, it's about the people we meet, the lives we restore and the Hope that we return To New Orleans.

- Sam Larabbee, grade 11

Adam Bridges - It WILL be Today!

2008-05-28T15:20:00.003-04:00

I got an e-mail from our team leader today. The thing that struck me was the subject heading. "Who will it be today?" I read it as "will it be today?" That's been sort of my theme for this whole NOLA experience. Way back, my plans were all set up. I was taking the summer to go work at a Christian camp like I had for the last two years. I loved it; the kids, the staff; it was life. ...but then...

Working as a youth leader at one of our Rock and Jock nights at Prime Time, I was asked by one of the students if I was going to New Orleans. I was like, "No!?¿...I have camp! It's God's plan for my life!"

That night I had a LOT to think about. And this question was going through my head, "Will it be today that you serve me? That you let go of your life and give it to Me, the Author and Finisher of your faith?" I realized that these plans that I had made looked good to those around. But why is there an "I"
there? The plans "I" had made. When had I really gone to God with my plans?
Oh, He was right there when I made my them...but they were my plans, I hadn't even gone to Him for counsel about it.

So Will it be TODAY that I trust in Him? Today that I go to Him for everything that comes across my path? That would be my prayer. For those that read this, please pray for our team that we continually seek His will and see God in even the little things. And for me personally, that I seek after the Man who's got the plan.
God Bless,
~Adam Bridges, New England Bible College

Hannah Brown - From Panic to Peace

2008-05-27T20:39:00.004-04:00

I sat in the pew on New Year's Eve, not really knowing what to write down as a prayer for the year. So I scribbled down a few things about being faithful to God, to be courageous and step out, knowing He had my back. I wanted to learn to trust Him more. As I walked out of the church that night I kept in mind that God would not give me trust and faith and courage wrapped up in a nice box with a bow on top. No, I knew that He would give me opportunities.

What those opportunities would be, well, that is a whole other piece to the picture. In February Scott approached me and casually asked if I was going to New Orleans with them. I was panic stricken even considering being part of the team. I told him I would think about it. After a few days I decided I would, at least, help them raise money, get ready to go, etc. Well, that wasn't enough; it just didn't feel right to compromise. I was either going to do all or none. I was absolutely terrified. After handing in my application to Scott, I passed Keith Moore's office door. Out of the blue I remembered that the prayer I wrote in January was somewhere in that office.

Then, just for a moment, I struggled to even recall what I wrote. In the most amazing few seconds I pulled all the parts together. New Orleans was part of the answer to my New Year's Eve prayer. The awful knot in my stomach disappeared, replaced with an easy peace and a few butterflies.

Now, as the trip draws nearer, that calm has lasted and helps me to forget the scary things that make me nervous so I can enjoy the amazing ride I am on. God answers prayers; I am learning to trust.

- Hannah Brown, grade 9

Thank you for helping us raise $3800 this weekend!

2008-05-26T10:03:00.004-04:00

Our yard sale weekend was a huge success! We're so excited to see what the Lord has planned for us in New Orleans.

$3800 is enough to sheetrock a few houses. It's enough to buy and install appliances in two or three homes. It's enough to rent some heavy equipment to demolish a house and remove debris, or put on an entire roof or ... wow, I could go on and on.

The bottom line is that we raised enough money this weekend to really make a significant difference in helping a family on the road to recovery.

Our goal was to raise a total of $35,000 before leaving for NOLA. It looks like we are going to surpass that goal. We're pretty sure that means we are going to get the opportunity to meat some very large needs.

Someone asked me how much is needed. My mind flashed back to pictures from last summer and then to the 40,000 families still in FEMA trailers today. I thought of all the kids breathing dangerous air. How much is needed? Every single penny we can raise is needed!

I had a conversation with one man who told me we are just wasting money by helping the people of New Orleans. That's pretty easy for us to say up here in the beautiful state of Maine where we get pounded by terrible snow storms or deep freezes and then make national headlines. Maybe the rest of the country could say, "They should just move, we're wasting our money by helping them get heating oil."

We can debate the politics all day long. We can talk corruption and talk about what "should have been done." But we believe that our faith compels us to action. We cannot put people on hold while we debate, open think tanks and draw plans. The reality is that people are homeless, stressed and hopeless and we're going to do all we can to bring them hope and show them love.
Thanks so much to everyone who helped us raise close to $4000 this past weekend with our car wash, yard sale and plant sale.

In a month we're headed to New Orleans to make a difference and help people right where they are. We're so thankful for all those who are supporting us and making this trip possible.

Yard Sale Time!

2008-05-21T09:48:00.003-04:00

The weather forecast is looking stellar and mounds and mounds of treasures are piling up in the gym as we speak. Let's pray that our yard sale, car wash and plant sale are a big success this weekend.

ITEM DROP OFF:
M-TH - 8:30 am - 4:00 PM
FRI - 8:30 am - 7:00 PM

SATURDAY MAY 24
6:30 am - Team arrives to bring everything out to the front corner parking lot.
8 - 2 pm - Yard Sale, Plant Sale and Car Wash

We need everyone on hand, team members, parents, Prime Timers. It's going to be a very busy weekend.