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
Thursday, July 3, 2008
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6 comments:
Thanks for the pictures and comments about what happened yesterday. Sam, I'm praying for quick healing of your infection. Andy, I'm still praying for your health. Amanda, Shara, Jake, Adam, Josh, and Josh, I'm praying for each person you connect with today--that you'll sense God's leading in your words and actions. I pray that God would give you courage as well as common sense as you encounter people who need God's love so much. I'll be excited to hear about the connections you make today. And please remember that usually we only see a small part of God's plan. Only God knows how all the parts fit together for His purposes. You guys are being faithful with your part! We trust our All-Powerful God with the rest.
Robin's team, Bill's team, Dan's team, Ben's team--does Bob have a team?--anyway, as I prayed for you knowing what I read about your day ahead, I just asked for God's BEST for your team, your work, and everyone who you meet. I still remember Scott's words to you as we were standing outside the bus station last week--they're actually God's words from Philippians--"Consider others better than yourselves." Represent our Lord Jesus well today.
Love, Sallie
We're missing you, Dali. Just this morning, David was looking at the calendar and figuring out how many more days until you're home.
I saw your summer soccer coach this morning (Nicole's, too) and he asked "Are they having fun?" Yes, I suppose you are. But that's not the point of what you're doing. I shared quickly with him about all the tools you've purchased to leave for other crews, and about handing out balls and toys tomorrow, and about the pictures on the blog of spackle- and paint-covered shirts and hands... A two minute conversation just can't sum up what any one of you is doing there, much less the "why".
May God grant you unity amongst yourselves today, and enough strength to complete the physical work set out for you with grace that'll shine right through to the homeowners and neighbors around you as you work.
"Daddy looks dirty!" says Elizabeth "He should take a bath". Sorry, I am sure she has heard that at some point! And what goes in comes out! It is so good to hear that God is giving you so many new opportunities to minister. I know they maybe different from last year, but they are opportunities and people that God has given to you. And I am thankful for that! Today we will pray for grace! I am sure you have reached the point in your trip where, yes you are tired, but also that "honeymoon period" is over. The newness of your teammates is, not only wearing off, but also wearing thin. I pray that you will extend the grace that you have for the people down there to your team members. I know that the strength of the relationships you are building with each other will be so much stronger because of this time. Even the disciples struggled as a group in their service- Luke (not out Luke, but the one in the Bible) 9:46-50.
Elizabeth said she missed talking to you yesterday and she hopes you "are still with the kids and helping the people from the storm". All is going well here. I even remembered to water the plants!! I know you are proud of me! We are missing you all (and Rus), we are looking forward to your return. - Jen, Elizabeth, & Luke (mini-Rus)
Thanks for the great day by day accounts of the happening in N. O. Pictures are really letting us know the hard work going on. The blogs are great by the kids. God is working in the hearts of all the team, and sounds like He's doing a bit of stirring amongst the victims of Katrina. Great to know kids are making contact. We will pray that lasting decisions will be made by everyone. We are praying for unity with the team today. The weather and physical conditions I'm sure lend to uneasiness, but with God's grace and understanding today can be a better day. I've seen the faces of two Mason's, but I know there's a third one. Where is she? Is she camera shy? She's there somewhere because she wrote a message on Monday.
One more day of hard work and then a little time to unwind before coming home. I'm sure each will count their blessings and see what God has done.
We are praying that each will know they are doing what God would have them do this week , show them more of what faith, trust and commitment is
about. Just a smile to some lonely, discouraged person can be all they need to know that you kids
have the greatest gift anyone can possess, and open the door to tel that person of Jesus love.
Have a great day. We look forward to tonight's comments and pictures.
Love and prayers for all,
Jean and David Stewart (Gramma & Grampa)
Hey... just checking in after work to see how your week was going and I can't believe that Thursday is almost gone already... I hope that you all are ok... Sam, I hope your foot feels better... I can't wait to see you all again... Keep strong!
HELLO TEAM!
I'm home and I'm missing all of you and New Orleans already. I was sad and frustrated to have to leave the team, but I found today that God had a bigger plan. Sitting on the plane, I was finishing up my NOLA postcards (its about time... haha) and the man sitting next to me asked why I was writing postcards and where I was coming from. I told him about our team and the work we've been doing this week, and I finished up with saying that I felt that God had lead us down there to help the people of New Orleans and to share Christ's love. Our conversation ended after I offered this piece of information, but he uttered a "huh", and I could tell he was deep in thought. I prayed for this opportunity all week, but I didn't expect it to come after I had left NOLA. I just wanted to encourage you guys who are still looking for that opportunity- because it may come when you least expect it. Here's a verse from our devotions that has stuck with me this week- it's from Luke 14:34 "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. 'he who has ears to hear, let him hear'". So go out and be salty. I'll be praying for you.
Much love,
Ali
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