Friday, June 22, 2012
Here we go...
The trip is about to begin! All week people have asked me if I am ready... I am now. I cannot wait for what the 10 days of our mission trip will hold. How will God work in the city of Mazatlan? How will He work in the hearts of our students? I am confident that there will be great moments and huge growth. I am also certain that there will be bumps in the road. There will be times of frustration and confusion, but through it all God will hold our team in His hands and will guide us. After months of planning and fundraising, the time has come. Here. We. Go.
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Home.
Yesterday was terrible. Not a great way to start a blog post, I know, but I don't know how else to describe the level of awful surrounding our travel snafus yesterday. I won't bore you with the details but suffice it to say that I was yelled at by a ticket agent in front of kids, cried like a baby, and we ended up with two large piles of bags in the waiting area that were not allowed to be checked until later in the day - you know, just in case we were bad guys. That was all before 10am. Later we had a flight group miss their flight and get re-routed through Houston where they almost missed their connection because of thunder storms. Terrible.
Yesterday was also awesome. The students did really well with all the upside down changes and we even had time to go to the French Quarter for a little bit. Everyone got home safe and sound. The planes were filled with laughter and conversation from students and leaders who had gotten close over the week. And that amount of awesome far outweighs the terribleness of flight snafus.
Now we are back and the team is spread far and wide. But one of my favorite things to do today, the day after, is to watch my Facebook newsfeed. I do this so that I can check out everybody's pictures, but I also do it because it is so great to see the connections being made. On the day after NOLA my newsfeed is filled with "So-and-So is now friends with So-and-So." Something really special happens on the mission trip - students go outside of their normal groups and comfort zones and gain new friendships. Students are willing to stretch themselves on their work sites and sweat through their clothes because they are working so hard. Its an amazing week and I love that when the team comes home they don't want to lose these new connections.
God is so good.
Yesterday was also awesome. The students did really well with all the upside down changes and we even had time to go to the French Quarter for a little bit. Everyone got home safe and sound. The planes were filled with laughter and conversation from students and leaders who had gotten close over the week. And that amount of awesome far outweighs the terribleness of flight snafus.
Now we are back and the team is spread far and wide. But one of my favorite things to do today, the day after, is to watch my Facebook newsfeed. I do this so that I can check out everybody's pictures, but I also do it because it is so great to see the connections being made. On the day after NOLA my newsfeed is filled with "So-and-So is now friends with So-and-So." Something really special happens on the mission trip - students go outside of their normal groups and comfort zones and gain new friendships. Students are willing to stretch themselves on their work sites and sweat through their clothes because they are working so hard. Its an amazing week and I love that when the team comes home they don't want to lose these new connections.
God is so good.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Late Night Update...
It is 12:32 am and I should be asleep! Bedtime in NOLA is 11pm, and at least I am in my bunk, but I couldn't go to bed without writing about tonight.
First, let me just say I am sorry for being the main author of this blog. We prefer to have students write it, but this year there just has not been time! We are busy busy busy all day every day. We get up at 6am to get ready for the work day. We have devos (personal guided devotion times) at 6:30am. Breakfast is at 7, along with lunch making and anything else we need to get done before heading out the door around 7:45am for the work site. We are on site from about 8:30-4:30. We get back promptly at 5:30 to eat dinner in our disgusting dirty clothes (you really cannot believe how filthy we are by the end of the work day.) Then its showers, followed by worship from 8-9:30/10 and an hour of free time/getting ready for bed. See! Very little time to blog. But the great thing about it is that we are getting so much done on the sites and so many great things are happening in our students' hearts as well!
Today I had to take junior Clara Kerrone to the ER because she has a sprained ankle. Clara is a trooper. She did not want to stop working to be taken care of (her injury did not occur on the work site) but we made her go. When we were talking for a moment before she headed off to X-Ray she told me that she was "going back to work. And I am working tomorrow, I don't care what they say! I want to work!" I smiled and said, "We'll see what the doctors say." Later, after she had her new splint and crutches as we were walking/hobbling to the car, she spotted a man in a wheelchair who was a double amputee feeding pigeons. She turned to me and said, "What do I have to complain about! He is so happy and his injury is much worse than mine. I don't need to feel sorry for myself." Then she hopped in the van and insisted on returning to work. On crutches. That is what happens here. Students rise to the occasion and then some. Of course we got the all clear from the doctors first and are keeping a careful eye on Clara, but she can't wait to work on our last day tomorrow.
This evening when we gathered for worship it was obvious that the Lord was going to do great things. Branden Hendrix talked about the trouble with sin in our lives and about the grace of the Lord. It was just so great. I can't even tell you how great! So many of the kids dedicated or rededicated their hearts to Christ tonight. I will admit that I shed more than one tear seeing and hearing about the way that God is moving in the lives of our teens. Two students told me earlier today that they don't want to leave New Orleans. They are just going to move here. And that was after spending the hottest day we have had, with a heat index of 109 degrees, doing manual labor in a house with no power or air conditioning.
What a week! Tomorrow is our last day on sites and the students are ready to kick some tail! They will work so hard to get as much done as possible and they will return with full hearts at the end of the day knowing that they have made a huge difference in someone's life. Please pray for continued safety on the work sites, for a strong finish and for the fresh commitments these students made to the Lord! Parents, thank you for letting us have this time with your kids! Each one of them is wonderful and I feel very blessed to know them.
Until tomorrow,
Hannah
First, let me just say I am sorry for being the main author of this blog. We prefer to have students write it, but this year there just has not been time! We are busy busy busy all day every day. We get up at 6am to get ready for the work day. We have devos (personal guided devotion times) at 6:30am. Breakfast is at 7, along with lunch making and anything else we need to get done before heading out the door around 7:45am for the work site. We are on site from about 8:30-4:30. We get back promptly at 5:30 to eat dinner in our disgusting dirty clothes (you really cannot believe how filthy we are by the end of the work day.) Then its showers, followed by worship from 8-9:30/10 and an hour of free time/getting ready for bed. See! Very little time to blog. But the great thing about it is that we are getting so much done on the sites and so many great things are happening in our students' hearts as well!
Today I had to take junior Clara Kerrone to the ER because she has a sprained ankle. Clara is a trooper. She did not want to stop working to be taken care of (her injury did not occur on the work site) but we made her go. When we were talking for a moment before she headed off to X-Ray she told me that she was "going back to work. And I am working tomorrow, I don't care what they say! I want to work!" I smiled and said, "We'll see what the doctors say." Later, after she had her new splint and crutches as we were walking/hobbling to the car, she spotted a man in a wheelchair who was a double amputee feeding pigeons. She turned to me and said, "What do I have to complain about! He is so happy and his injury is much worse than mine. I don't need to feel sorry for myself." Then she hopped in the van and insisted on returning to work. On crutches. That is what happens here. Students rise to the occasion and then some. Of course we got the all clear from the doctors first and are keeping a careful eye on Clara, but she can't wait to work on our last day tomorrow.
This evening when we gathered for worship it was obvious that the Lord was going to do great things. Branden Hendrix talked about the trouble with sin in our lives and about the grace of the Lord. It was just so great. I can't even tell you how great! So many of the kids dedicated or rededicated their hearts to Christ tonight. I will admit that I shed more than one tear seeing and hearing about the way that God is moving in the lives of our teens. Two students told me earlier today that they don't want to leave New Orleans. They are just going to move here. And that was after spending the hottest day we have had, with a heat index of 109 degrees, doing manual labor in a house with no power or air conditioning.
What a week! Tomorrow is our last day on sites and the students are ready to kick some tail! They will work so hard to get as much done as possible and they will return with full hearts at the end of the day knowing that they have made a huge difference in someone's life. Please pray for continued safety on the work sites, for a strong finish and for the fresh commitments these students made to the Lord! Parents, thank you for letting us have this time with your kids! Each one of them is wonderful and I feel very blessed to know them.
Until tomorrow,
Hannah
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Leader's POV
**Written on June 29 - internet connection failed when we tried to post! Thanks for your patience!**
Writing to you this evening are 5 of the 10 leaders. It's 11pm and we are TIRED. We love your kids, but by the end of the day each one of us falls gratefully into bed ready for 7 hours of slumber before spending another day with your perfect holy children.
Branden Hendrix, trip speaker, has this to tell you:
"I am excited to see God at work through devotionals, worship, talks and small groups. But more than anything I am excited to hear about kids opening up their lives to Christ and looking at what they need to change when they get home to continue having a strong relationship with God. God is definitely moving here."
John Dilworth says, "I am amazed and impressed at the skill level and dedication of the students. I am also really enjoying the small group discussions we are having and how much the kids are opening up."
Stacy Geyer adds, "I am amazed at how much pride the kids take in doing a really good job. And they do a really good job! The kids really care about wanting it to look just right. It's cool! And of course there has to be laughter in the house... so it’s a good thing I am there!"
Kenneth Hubbell, intern extraordinaire, wants you to know this:
"I am thrilled about the genuine relationships made with each other and I am hopeful that these relationships will carry on into the next year, providing a strong foundation of faith and perseverance for the future."
These leaders are reporting the truth to you! Students are really growing in their faith and working hard at the sites! They are tired every night and fall into bed, usually. It has been a wonderful week so far. I am so glad that we decided to come to NOLA one more time. I can't wait for you to hear about it from your kiddos on Saturday, and I cannot wait to go back to the site in the morning! Peace to all of you back home,
Hannah
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Keanu's Bathroom Adventure
Junior Keanu Rivera writing this blog entry.
On a New Orleans work site we are required to accomplish and perfect many jobs, but none are quite as tasking and physically demanding as dry-walling. Today myself, Morgan McAlpine, Roslyn Martin, and Maddie Theiss took on this tedious task and began an adventure which will go down as possibly the most daring feat of NOLA mission work ever: installing dry wall on a bathroom ceiling.
To begin our job we first had to cut out our pieces of drywall with razor thin precision. After crafting this amazing piece of drywall we went to place it on the ceiling, a job that was left for only me and Madi to do because the rest of our group were on one of a seemingly infinite amount of poop breaks. While fitting the drywall to the ceiling we quickly realized that we had no where near the strength to accomplish this task without our team members. We realized this when our arms gave out and the large piece of drywall came tumbling down and hit me on the head (causing me to go into, what I believe, was a momentary coma). I soon recovered and the rest of my group arrived, all satisfied with the poops they had just taken, and we went to once more fasten the drywall to the ceiling. After positioning the drywall perfectly and grinding it down to make it a perfect fit, we finally felt that victory was in our grasp... Little did we know we would have one more twist in our path.
We had forgotten to cut out holes for the air duct and light fixture, defeated we trumped back to the drawing board and put our minds together to carefully construct our ceiling. Finally, with help from the circle cutting master Kirin Foster, we had it! Our work group crowded around to watch this piece of artwork be fitted. Slowly the drywall rose through the air and fit snuggly into place. Cheers erupted from our spectators as we laughed and cried with pure joy. We were heroes, champions, victorious winners. This glory lasted only momentarily however, as we realized we had only done one piece of a bathroom ceiling's dry-walling and we still had several to go...
Thank goodness we get to go back tomorrow for more dry-walling!
Day One is In the Books! On to Day Two!
Sorry for taking so long to update the blog. What can I say? NOLA time flies like crazy! It is weird to think that we have been here for almost two days and that we are heading to our work sites for the second work day in just a few minutes. There is so much to tell. There are so many great stories waiting for you. But right now we are about to head out. There is not enough time to tell the stories. That will happen tonight, I promise! We will post at least one story written by a student, but for now, we have to fill our water bottles with ice, hydrate, and head out! I will leave you with just a few pictures of the first two days. More tonight! We covet your prayers and miss you all back home!
Peace, Hannah
On the plane, ready to be in NOLA! Spencer, Kate, and Sierra
Kenny and Jacob at orientation
Trista and Kirin on the work site! It's hot!
Courtney and Tyler Porter install a tricky piece of drywall with a local neighbor who wanted to help the cool big kids for the day.
Peace, Hannah
On the plane, ready to be in NOLA! Spencer, Kate, and Sierra
Kenny and Jacob at orientation
Trista and Kirin on the work site! It's hot!
Courtney and Tyler Porter install a tricky piece of drywall with a local neighbor who wanted to help the cool big kids for the day.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Getting There...
We leave in two and half weeks. Oh man. Here we go again. One last time in the Big Easy.
Every year as I prepare for this trip, I can feel my excitement growing over the months. First I am excited to start planning with the adult team. Next we start our team meetings and that is a big excitement. Then... the fundraising begins. That is one of the hardest parts of the trip for sure, but with each event that passes and with each students' total rising, my excitement grows. When the intern begins (this year its Kenny), I know that we are just weeks away and I am at an almost fever pitch with my excitement. I cannot wait for June 26. That day needs to be here.
And in two and half weeks it will be!
NOLA here we come!
Every year as I prepare for this trip, I can feel my excitement growing over the months. First I am excited to start planning with the adult team. Next we start our team meetings and that is a big excitement. Then... the fundraising begins. That is one of the hardest parts of the trip for sure, but with each event that passes and with each students' total rising, my excitement grows. When the intern begins (this year its Kenny), I know that we are just weeks away and I am at an almost fever pitch with my excitement. I cannot wait for June 26. That day needs to be here.
And in two and half weeks it will be!
NOLA here we come!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Marathon
This year the trip is more like a marathon than a race. In years past we would have been home by now; sleeping in our own beds, showering in our own bathrooms, doing the mountain of laundry that follows a mission trip. We stayed this year to take part in an event called Feed The Multitudes, which feeds and cares for thousands of homeless and needy people on the 4th of July every year here in NOLA. I am really hoping it will be an amazing experience for the students and leaders alike.
Right now we are getting ready for church and eating breakfast. It feels like a luxury that we slept in until 7:45 this morning. When we come to New Orleans we are hosted by a church here that we have come to love: Celebration Church. Five years ago Celebration lost their building to the Hurricane Katrina and they have not been back to their main campus since. They have been very fortunate to have an alternate church campus - the Lord really provided for them. Anyhow, today is their homecoming. The building renovation is finally done and today is the first service back home. I could not be more excited to be here for this day.
As I have been reflecting on Celebration's five years away from their church, I have been wondering what it would be like for us at home. Where would Marine View meet if we lost our entire campus? What would church feel like if we lost 80% of our regular attenders? I just cannot imagine. It would be so hard. Celebration has made it through, however and they have even grown as a church. Most of their regular attenders have never even been to this new/old campus becuase they became a part of the congregation after the hurricane. They way that God has restored this congregation and this building is such a picture of the work He is doing in this city. It is Sunday - the day we remember the resurrection of the Lord and the day that this church is being resurrected. Let us worship.
Right now we are getting ready for church and eating breakfast. It feels like a luxury that we slept in until 7:45 this morning. When we come to New Orleans we are hosted by a church here that we have come to love: Celebration Church. Five years ago Celebration lost their building to the Hurricane Katrina and they have not been back to their main campus since. They have been very fortunate to have an alternate church campus - the Lord really provided for them. Anyhow, today is their homecoming. The building renovation is finally done and today is the first service back home. I could not be more excited to be here for this day.
As I have been reflecting on Celebration's five years away from their church, I have been wondering what it would be like for us at home. Where would Marine View meet if we lost our entire campus? What would church feel like if we lost 80% of our regular attenders? I just cannot imagine. It would be so hard. Celebration has made it through, however and they have even grown as a church. Most of their regular attenders have never even been to this new/old campus becuase they became a part of the congregation after the hurricane. They way that God has restored this congregation and this building is such a picture of the work He is doing in this city. It is Sunday - the day we remember the resurrection of the Lord and the day that this church is being resurrected. Let us worship.
Friday, July 2, 2010
LAST WORK DAY!!!
Good morning Washington! Today was probably the hardest day to get up and out of bed. The girls in my room have gotten really comfortable with each other, so we were up super late last night doing the usual girly things. It seemed super fun at the time, but no effense to the girls, I am regretting it now! Just kidding, I love the girls in my room. The mission trip this year has been so awesome. We haven't had any major drama, no little cat fights; everyone has grown together as a group! It has been really cool.
We are leaving in about an hour to go to our work sites. I work at the home of Mr. Lu Grange. He is always around his house, so we have had the pleasure of getting to know him, along with his family too. My group at the site is Team Win, consisting of myself, Kirin Fostor, Grace Shinn, Courtney Davis, Tyler Foster, Nathan Laske, and "Big" Mike Clark. This group is by far the best work group I could ever ask for! At first I thought that the guys would go off and do their own thing leaving us girls to ourselves, but we have all grown so close. Some may argure that we are too comfortable together now, but it has been a blast. We even have a team cheer, so ask us to show you when we get home (: Besides the best group ever, I was also blessed with the best site supervisor ever too. Thad (his full name is Thadius Maximus!) has been so great with us. The first day, we split up boys and girls, and Thad took us girls to work with him. From the very beginning, he was super funny and friendly with us. And he has been more patient than we could even imagine. We have been working on putting up dry wall, which is EXTREMELY hard if you have never put it up. Us girls are pretty weak, so we struggled a lot with it at first, but he was always willing to help us at any time. Sadly, we had to say goodbye to him Wednesday because he had to switch houses with another person, but he will always be the coolest supervisor ever!
Last year, I honestly couldn't wait for the last work day to come, but this year I am kind of dreading it. I am going to miss my group and getting to work with them all day! But we have already planned some more missions for when we return, so you will see more of us(:
After working, we will come home, shower, eat dinner, and hang out until bedtime. Also sometime today, we will be delivering our secret pal final gift and revealing our cover to them. I have Jeff Baklund and he has NO idea, so this should be fun >:)
I have 2 minutes until devos and I haven't had breakfast yet! I will check in with you when I get home!
Love,
Katelyn Dilworth
ps HI MOM AND DAD! I LOVE YOU!!!
We are leaving in about an hour to go to our work sites. I work at the home of Mr. Lu Grange. He is always around his house, so we have had the pleasure of getting to know him, along with his family too. My group at the site is Team Win, consisting of myself, Kirin Fostor, Grace Shinn, Courtney Davis, Tyler Foster, Nathan Laske, and "Big" Mike Clark. This group is by far the best work group I could ever ask for! At first I thought that the guys would go off and do their own thing leaving us girls to ourselves, but we have all grown so close. Some may argure that we are too comfortable together now, but it has been a blast. We even have a team cheer, so ask us to show you when we get home (: Besides the best group ever, I was also blessed with the best site supervisor ever too. Thad (his full name is Thadius Maximus!) has been so great with us. The first day, we split up boys and girls, and Thad took us girls to work with him. From the very beginning, he was super funny and friendly with us. And he has been more patient than we could even imagine. We have been working on putting up dry wall, which is EXTREMELY hard if you have never put it up. Us girls are pretty weak, so we struggled a lot with it at first, but he was always willing to help us at any time. Sadly, we had to say goodbye to him Wednesday because he had to switch houses with another person, but he will always be the coolest supervisor ever!
Last year, I honestly couldn't wait for the last work day to come, but this year I am kind of dreading it. I am going to miss my group and getting to work with them all day! But we have already planned some more missions for when we return, so you will see more of us(:
After working, we will come home, shower, eat dinner, and hang out until bedtime. Also sometime today, we will be delivering our secret pal final gift and revealing our cover to them. I have Jeff Baklund and he has NO idea, so this should be fun >:)
I have 2 minutes until devos and I haven't had breakfast yet! I will check in with you when I get home!
Love,
Katelyn Dilworth
ps HI MOM AND DAD! I LOVE YOU!!!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Senior Thoughts
Today is July 1st. My best friends birthday, and the 4th work day here in NOLA. I am doing drywall. Sanding, mudding, sponging, sweeping, and odd jobs. This is my first, last, and only year to be here in Nawlins with Marine View. I am very regretful that I didn't go before but I am using this chance to its full potential. This is an amazing experience. The people here are amazing, they are all thankful, all friendly, and all have a story to tell. On Tuesday we found a stray pit bull, I named him Sniffles, then Geoff Stowe and I found him a home. Today Tank, the pit bull at our work site, got loose and I had to chase him down, catch him, and use my bandanna as a leash. It was exhausting.
Everyday there is something special that happens, normal insignificant things that seem extraordinary here. I have felt closer to God, closer to the team, and closer to the real me, ever since standing in that airport at 6 am. Time here goes by really strange, sometimes it feels like we have been here forever, other times it feels like its only been a few hours.
The food here is great, I'm more full than I can remember, and after a few hours the weather doesn't really bother you. On Monday it started pouring down rain, it was like a mini monsoon, but it was still warm, it was great.
I honestly feel like we are one big family, we are living together, eating together, sleeping and sharing and conversing together, its a wonderful experience.
I really didn't plan any of this, I just typed what I thought, but I have to go, its almost worship time, and Dave Martin, the birthday boy, is going to dance, ha ha.
I love you Mom, Dad, and Kayla.
Post written by Josh Adrian
Everyday there is something special that happens, normal insignificant things that seem extraordinary here. I have felt closer to God, closer to the team, and closer to the real me, ever since standing in that airport at 6 am. Time here goes by really strange, sometimes it feels like we have been here forever, other times it feels like its only been a few hours.
The food here is great, I'm more full than I can remember, and after a few hours the weather doesn't really bother you. On Monday it started pouring down rain, it was like a mini monsoon, but it was still warm, it was great.
I honestly feel like we are one big family, we are living together, eating together, sleeping and sharing and conversing together, its a wonderful experience.
I really didn't plan any of this, I just typed what I thought, but I have to go, its almost worship time, and Dave Martin, the birthday boy, is going to dance, ha ha.
I love you Mom, Dad, and Kayla.
Post written by Josh Adrian
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The Work
This year, the work is different. None of us are doing mold remediation, which is a process where you scrape the mold from the studs in a house while wearing a mask that covers most of your face. After scraping all of the studs are painted with a special primer that seals the posts and makes them resistant to future mold. It is one of the first steps in the rebuilding of a home. It is a hot, stinky, sweaty job. Last year, most of us did mold remediation at some point.
This year, the work sites are further along in the rebuild process. Mudding and sanding, scraping floors, installing flooring, floorboards, and finishing work is different. We feel like construction workers. Mudding has to be done super carefully and precisely. If we don't do it well, it has to be to be redone, so we are working hard on making it right the first time. Using the big saws to cut floorboards is scary and loud, but it's a new experience that helps get people home.
The work may be different but the feeling of accomplishment is the same. When we meet the home owners, people who haven't been home for 5 years, the work that we are doing takes on a bigger meaning. Suddenly it's not just drywall and floorboards, it's someone's home. We cannot wait to get back to work and do more to help bring people home. Finally.
Post by Jasmine Walsh, Clara Kerrone, Nadia Ratkowski, and Hannah Snelling
This year, the work sites are further along in the rebuild process. Mudding and sanding, scraping floors, installing flooring, floorboards, and finishing work is different. We feel like construction workers. Mudding has to be done super carefully and precisely. If we don't do it well, it has to be to be redone, so we are working hard on making it right the first time. Using the big saws to cut floorboards is scary and loud, but it's a new experience that helps get people home.
The work may be different but the feeling of accomplishment is the same. When we meet the home owners, people who haven't been home for 5 years, the work that we are doing takes on a bigger meaning. Suddenly it's not just drywall and floorboards, it's someone's home. We cannot wait to get back to work and do more to help bring people home. Finally.
Post by Jasmine Walsh, Clara Kerrone, Nadia Ratkowski, and Hannah Snelling
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Good Night
We have finished our first work day! All went very well and everyone is really tired, so we will save any more updating than this for tomorrow. At this point, it's fair to say that everyone is excited about the work they are doing and can definitely see the difference they are making here. Please continue to pray for us; we are so grateful for your prayers! Now, good night from NOLA!
Good Morning!
Every year the chaos of the first morning is a bit intense for the students! We wake them up at 6am, which is always a real treat for high school students in the summer. They are pretty good about it however, because they know that the work they have been preparing to do for the past 6 months is about to begin.
We are sitting in the dining area right now about to start our morning devotion time. This is a special time of the day where we get to hear from different people from Celebration Church. They encourage us as we set out and they usually tell us their Hurricane Katrina story. It is an awesome way for the team to connect with the people of New Orleans.
Yesterday was a long travel day! The first flight group arrived at the airport at 4:30 am, and the second flight group finally arrived in New Orleans just after 8pm, so it took the team a collective 13 1/2 hours to get here, but everyone had good attitudes all day! This team is made up of an amazing group of people. It is going to be really exciting to see how they do on site! We will post again after the work day, but until then, please be praying for us!
We are sitting in the dining area right now about to start our morning devotion time. This is a special time of the day where we get to hear from different people from Celebration Church. They encourage us as we set out and they usually tell us their Hurricane Katrina story. It is an awesome way for the team to connect with the people of New Orleans.
Yesterday was a long travel day! The first flight group arrived at the airport at 4:30 am, and the second flight group finally arrived in New Orleans just after 8pm, so it took the team a collective 13 1/2 hours to get here, but everyone had good attitudes all day! This team is made up of an amazing group of people. It is going to be really exciting to see how they do on site! We will post again after the work day, but until then, please be praying for us!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Soon, So Soon
It is Friday evening on July 25 and I am sitting in my office at MVPC just about ready to walk out the door prepared for New Orleans. Today has flown by. I thought I would just stop in the office for an hour or two, but I have been here for 6 hours. That is what planning this trip has been like this year. I suppose it is to be expected when you are taking a team of 70 people 2,000 miles away from home for 9 days.
Every time I see that number - 70 - I shake my head in wonder. After our team of 50 in 2009, I thought the team might grow in 2010, but not to extent that it has. The wonderful part of having a team this big is how much of an impact we will be able to have, both in NOLA and here at home. When I tell people I am taking 60 teenagers on a mission trip, they are usually flabbergasted. They had no idea that many kids would want to take time in the summer to help others in need. But I am not surprised. This generation of teenagers is just like that.
As adults, we need to sit up and take notice of how awesome this generation is! They are bright young adults ready to take on the world with a attitude of fierce courage. They really believe that if they set their minds to it, they can accomplish anything. Imagine how wonderful it will be to watch them in action in New Orleans! Honestly, I can't wait!
In the next ten days or so, the team will post a lot on this blog! We will share with you how our trip is going, the stories from the work sites, how God is at work in our midst, and more. I hope you will check in frequently. It's going to be an amazing ride!
Peace to You,
Hannah (Youth Director)
Every time I see that number - 70 - I shake my head in wonder. After our team of 50 in 2009, I thought the team might grow in 2010, but not to extent that it has. The wonderful part of having a team this big is how much of an impact we will be able to have, both in NOLA and here at home. When I tell people I am taking 60 teenagers on a mission trip, they are usually flabbergasted. They had no idea that many kids would want to take time in the summer to help others in need. But I am not surprised. This generation of teenagers is just like that.
As adults, we need to sit up and take notice of how awesome this generation is! They are bright young adults ready to take on the world with a attitude of fierce courage. They really believe that if they set their minds to it, they can accomplish anything. Imagine how wonderful it will be to watch them in action in New Orleans! Honestly, I can't wait!
In the next ten days or so, the team will post a lot on this blog! We will share with you how our trip is going, the stories from the work sites, how God is at work in our midst, and more. I hope you will check in frequently. It's going to be an amazing ride!
Peace to You,
Hannah (Youth Director)
Monday, August 10, 2009
Culture Shock
Since the team arrived home Saturday night I have been in my car a lot. On Sunday I drove to Bremerton to have lunch with my family and today I drove to Seattle for a seminary class. As I've been driving around I've found myself reflecting on the scenery. The most remarkable sight has been the normal (yet always beautiful) views of the evergreen trees that give our state its nickname. In New Orleans, the most remarkable sight is quite different.
Of course you would expect that, as it is a different climate and region with its own vegetation, but the sight that stuns me when driving in New Orleans is not beautiful, but sad. Every where you go there is still destruction. Houses that used to be homes are now empty uninhabitable shacks. Sometimes there isn't even a house anymore - the demolition has already taken place, so all that is left is an empty lot with a foundation. One street my team drove down every day had five such empty lots in a row and that wasn't all.
Hurricane Katrina destroyed homes without prejudice, so from affluent neighborhoods to the lowest of slums, New Orleans is still a city that cannot escape the results of the storm. People have asked me several times why we keep going back to New Orleans. They seem to be wondering why the city isn't finished being rebuilt or if there is still work to be done. There really is. These people need us to remember them, to pray for them, and most of all, to keep coming back to them. Though we have only been home for a few days, I am already counting the days until we get to go back...
Peace, Hannah
Of course you would expect that, as it is a different climate and region with its own vegetation, but the sight that stuns me when driving in New Orleans is not beautiful, but sad. Every where you go there is still destruction. Houses that used to be homes are now empty uninhabitable shacks. Sometimes there isn't even a house anymore - the demolition has already taken place, so all that is left is an empty lot with a foundation. One street my team drove down every day had five such empty lots in a row and that wasn't all.
Hurricane Katrina destroyed homes without prejudice, so from affluent neighborhoods to the lowest of slums, New Orleans is still a city that cannot escape the results of the storm. People have asked me several times why we keep going back to New Orleans. They seem to be wondering why the city isn't finished being rebuilt or if there is still work to be done. There really is. These people need us to remember them, to pray for them, and most of all, to keep coming back to them. Though we have only been home for a few days, I am already counting the days until we get to go back...
Peace, Hannah
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Reflections...
Today is our last day in "Nola." We slept in until 7 am this morning - that is one more hour of sleep than usual! Now we have had breakfast and are in the process of packing up. Soon we will spend a few hours debriefing and revealing our "secret pals!" Every year we assign secret pals before the trip. Once on the trip we give our pal a gift every day and today is the day we do the big reveal! Expectations are running high! Its a silly little part of the trip, but we all love it! Then it's off to the airport and back to Washington.
Meeting the people of New Orleans and hearing their stories of the storm has a big impact on us this week. One person's story that had a big impact on Jasmine was that of an army officer who was away on assignment and came back to a ruined home. It was also tough to see Charlie, the home owner of one of the houses we worked on all week, living in a trailer in his front yard. He has been in there for a long time now - about three years.
When we come home tonight we will all be excited to sleep in the comfort of our own beds, but we won't forget that the people of New Orleans are still waiting to come home. It has been almost four years since Hurricane Katrina destroyed this city, but the people here are still filled with hope. We hope that soon they can all be back home.
Post brought to you by Jasmine Walsh and Hannah Snelling.
Meeting the people of New Orleans and hearing their stories of the storm has a big impact on us this week. One person's story that had a big impact on Jasmine was that of an army officer who was away on assignment and came back to a ruined home. It was also tough to see Charlie, the home owner of one of the houses we worked on all week, living in a trailer in his front yard. He has been in there for a long time now - about three years.
When we come home tonight we will all be excited to sleep in the comfort of our own beds, but we won't forget that the people of New Orleans are still waiting to come home. It has been almost four years since Hurricane Katrina destroyed this city, but the people here are still filled with hope. We hope that soon they can all be back home.
Post brought to you by Jasmine Walsh and Hannah Snelling.
Friday, August 7, 2009
THE BEST POST BY KIRIN AND TAYLOR!!
GREETINGS FROM PLANET NEW ORLEANS: AKA ZEE BEST PLACE EZAIRRRR!
Today, we returned to our original site, Charlie's house. We finally finished killing all of the mold in his house, painted moisture resistant paint, and said goodbye to our successful hard work. (We gave the frame work a big hug and kiss... really.) It was cool to look back at everything we had done this week, like destroyed the ceiling and walls, de-molded everything, and helped Charlie on his way back into his house! We also went to the store and bought Charlie some food, an inspirational book, and wrote him some goodbye notes.
Although it was our last workday, we worked just as hard and sweated buckets. There is no obstacle we can't conquer! We are sad that we are leaving tomorrow because we love hanging out with the team, but we are excited to see our mommies and daddies. Fear not parents! We will be home soon enough!
We miss you and will see you soon!
Love,
Taylor Daniel and Kirin Foster
Today, we returned to our original site, Charlie's house. We finally finished killing all of the mold in his house, painted moisture resistant paint, and said goodbye to our successful hard work. (We gave the frame work a big hug and kiss... really.) It was cool to look back at everything we had done this week, like destroyed the ceiling and walls, de-molded everything, and helped Charlie on his way back into his house! We also went to the store and bought Charlie some food, an inspirational book, and wrote him some goodbye notes.
Although it was our last workday, we worked just as hard and sweated buckets. There is no obstacle we can't conquer! We are sad that we are leaving tomorrow because we love hanging out with the team, but we are excited to see our mommies and daddies. Fear not parents! We will be home soon enough!
We miss you and will see you soon!
Love,
Taylor Daniel and Kirin Foster
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Half Day
Yep, that's right! Carl PC and Katie B here reporting on this Thursday evening!!! But first off, I, Carl Peralta-Clark do solemnly swear to return ALL of your children... I promise. Back to this posting...
Today was our half work day! We spent our morning at the Kingsley House, an adult daycare facility. Our time there started with just spending time and chatting with the folks. We then helped out with the cake walk game: ten paper numbers were placed on the ground and there were kids walking for disabled elderly. When the music stopped, you found the closest number to stand on. If your number was drawn a kid chose a dessert to give to their "new adopted friend." Hearing the oldies music and singing along as well as our own chaperon (Denise) groove to the music getting down to boogie was fun. Carl and Mollie led the group in some worship songs, even some songs with motions to include the adults. At random times, two of the women started singing old hymns pacing back and forth down the aisle. There were also random of scripture readings and lots of praying by basically anyone who could talk. One of the adults wanted Chelsea and I (Katie), to take him out bowling and to lunch and cried when we had to tell him no. It was quite an interesting sight to see adults being fed, some even ate mush (depending on their diet), and one woman who was 103 years old eating her meal unassisted.
After our time at Kingsley, we headed downtown for our "secret" afternoon activity; a trip down the the Mississippi River on a steamboat! We spent 2 hours looking at the sites. After we disembarked, we walked to dinner at the Cajun Cabin for a meal of authentic Louisiana cuisine. Well, some opted for the all-American hamburger! The rest of our evening was spent walking around the shops and such buying everything in sight (except for Katie, who only spent under 25 dollars, which surprised even her!). Almost everyone tried the delicious beignets at Cafe du Monde - Yum!
Now we are off to bed, ready to attack our final day of work! The trip has gone so fast we can hardly believe it!
Love, Carl and Katie
Today was our half work day! We spent our morning at the Kingsley House, an adult daycare facility. Our time there started with just spending time and chatting with the folks. We then helped out with the cake walk game: ten paper numbers were placed on the ground and there were kids walking for disabled elderly. When the music stopped, you found the closest number to stand on. If your number was drawn a kid chose a dessert to give to their "new adopted friend." Hearing the oldies music and singing along as well as our own chaperon (Denise) groove to the music getting down to boogie was fun. Carl and Mollie led the group in some worship songs, even some songs with motions to include the adults. At random times, two of the women started singing old hymns pacing back and forth down the aisle. There were also random of scripture readings and lots of praying by basically anyone who could talk. One of the adults wanted Chelsea and I (Katie), to take him out bowling and to lunch and cried when we had to tell him no. It was quite an interesting sight to see adults being fed, some even ate mush (depending on their diet), and one woman who was 103 years old eating her meal unassisted.
After our time at Kingsley, we headed downtown for our "secret" afternoon activity; a trip down the the Mississippi River on a steamboat! We spent 2 hours looking at the sites. After we disembarked, we walked to dinner at the Cajun Cabin for a meal of authentic Louisiana cuisine. Well, some opted for the all-American hamburger! The rest of our evening was spent walking around the shops and such buying everything in sight (except for Katie, who only spent under 25 dollars, which surprised even her!). Almost everyone tried the delicious beignets at Cafe du Monde - Yum!
Now we are off to bed, ready to attack our final day of work! The trip has gone so fast we can hardly believe it!
Love, Carl and Katie
Wednesday Blog from Dave!!!
Wednesday was a very special day for me. On our site we painted walls blue for hours on end. There was a mini mart a block from the house that we would go to and make the owner mad every time we used the bathroom and never bought anything. Our homeowner made us Poboys today. In case you don't know they are amazing 3 foot sandwiches. Later that night, the group that didn't go to the kids thing went to the epic youth group with about 300 kids. It was very inspirational and a new experience. Overall, it was a great night!
Love Dave.
Love Dave.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)