Monday, June 6, 2011

...Moonddaay..... (Katie's Title)

Lori says, "What should today's title be.."
Katie says, "Hmm...  Monday."

OK

I guess it has been a long day!

We started out the day with a great breakfast of eggs and sausage, then moved to devotions and group time.  We are liking this time of the day, because we are all together. Pat, Carley and I were VERY happy to have some coffee this morning, thanks to a director named "J" - We had been missing it Saturday and Sunday. 

We then heard from the head pastor about poverty and the mind set of the people.  The goal of this ministry is to give the kids a safe neighborhood where kids can ride their bike.   He said the hardest people to love are those that need it the most. 

After some free time, mostly playing basketball, we heard from Urban Bell.  He shared about what culture is, and that we should be careful judging others culture.  We need to find out if it is working or not before we try to change anything.

After lunch, we started day camp.  Some of us worked with the kids, while others did a prayer walk.  Some of us went to the new church area that they have purchased and cleaned up.  The buildings have not been touched since the hurricane.  The new buildings used to be a Catholic Church, school, and convent.

This evening we did our first challenge circles.  There are three of them around the city, all block apart.  It is basically a big Awana Circle with all the kids from the projects, with the interns leading and the kids are the line leaders.

Thanks for praying.  We can really tell.  Everything seems to have gone great today.  No complaints except for some of the interns seem to not be here for the right reasons, and it is obvious to some of the kids.  It kind of bothers them, but we are learning that our attitudes come through with our actions.  It has also shown some of the kids that others are watching them, like we are watching the interns.  They are learning it is important to be a good example.  Everything happens for a reason!  Praise God!!  Even frustrations are blessings.

I am trying to get pictures of everyone.  We are in different groups most of the day so you can probably tell who I am with.  I am sorry that I don't get everyone doing their various activities, but hopefully you can see a variety of what we are doing.

Thank you for your comments.  The girls have read them over and over.  Keep them coming.....

I am TOTALLY facinated how the houses that have been untouched since the flood have plants growing out of them, straight out of the wood.

The kids are having a great time playing basketball.

Working in the new church area was hard, but great to see a change when we were done.


Katie had her face painted with sidewalk chalk by the little girls at Challenge Circle.




Rene dunking the ball.
The boys had a backwards pushup contest.

12 comments:

  1. I am still praying for you! This blog was an awesome idea! I love being able to see everybody, seriously I have checked this like twice daily every single day you guys have been gone.... :) And Katie, chalk makeup.... who would have thought..I am going to have to try that some time! :) Love you all!
    Kaylee

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  2. Thanks again Lori! I went to see if there was a new post right away this morning. Very happy to get an update on what the kids are doing. Warms my heart to see the pictures. Just curious - what are the interns' "wrong reasons" for being there? Give my kids a hug from me and tell them I love them!!
    Heather

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  3. We love you all and miss you very much!

    It sounds like the experience has been a real eye-opener in many ways already. I can't imagine what it is like to see Hurricane Katrina damage still un touched. The picture of the the plants growing out of the house is a great one.

    I also can't imagine what it is like to enter such a different culture and try to make a difference for Christ. Keep being "zealous for good deeds"--that the difference Christ makes in us. (Titus 2:14)

    Please be sure you're drinking enough fluids. Zhenya, Sarah and Matt, we learned this morning that your Aunt Kathy is in the ICU in a Kansas hospital for heat-related illness from working in the garden center of a hardware store in 100 degree heat.

    With much love,
    Mom/Mrs. R

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  4. Hi all- praying that you are serving with the strength that God supplies and not your own. That hearts would be changed and drawn close to Jesus. That those whom God has predestined will turn from their idols to serve the living and true God. That you all would be a fragrant aroma of Christ to God among those you are serving. : )
    ps-- hi carley, we all miss you!! love mom

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  5. Love the posts, love seeing the pics, and love all of you. Praying for faith and strength and Stamina and attitudes. Praying for all who God gives you. Praying for his nearness and super abundance of grace. Praying that the door of utterance be opened up before you, that you will be full of God's great measure of the Spirit of Grace. Confident that God is working in you to will and to do of His good pleasure for indeed He is a very present help in time of need. And all our needs are met in him and by him through Jesus Christ as you bring Christ to the ears and hearts of New Orleans. Hallelujah!

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  6. Remember: Jesus emptied Himself so that we might live eternally. He is our example to follow. We all must press on here in Iowa or there in Louisiana to do everything for His glory and name sake. We are no longer slaves to sin, but slaves to Christ. Slave means with out option or choice-we've been bought with the price of our precious Lord's blood.

    God gives grace to the humble. Pray for this humility and grace in these difficult times to serve and endure for His name's sake. He gives exceedingly abundantly more than you can ask or imagine to those who ask for the right reasons!

    We love you all. And, we also love those whom the Lord will call to Himself through your witness in Louisiana or in Iowa.

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  7. Dear Elisabeth,
    Love you tons and missing you
    more everyday I'm thankful for that
    one hug you gave me when you left I would
    have loved to see you off I felt all the uncomfortableness of the previous night just melt away I felt like crying when I remembered how long you'd be gone. Work here's been good the sandbag wall is three feet high and you should have seen the amount of people who showed up to help. Each morning we wake up and make more sandbags that is Me and A did I mention there's no piano lessons because the piano is now in the garage. we miss you tons and hope that you touch many the lives of the people of New Orleans.
    Your Sister
    S(Aka Poem Girl)

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  8. Heyyy! I'm so glad you made this blog Mrs. T.!! I love reading all the updates and seeing all the pics! I'm so glad that you all made it down there and that you're making a difference in people's lives. This trip is definitely going to change your life. You're in my prayers daily! Love and miss you all!!!
    ~mattea

    PS get some rest tonight! :P

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  10. This comment is from a grandma who is following this trip with interest as my Granddaughter Liz is on board with you all.

    The pictures are great and it is great to see Liz's happy smile. What an experience for you all, one that you will have for your lifetime. The good you will accomplish by touching other lives and the memories you will come home with will be priceless. We pray for continued successful activities, safety so far from home, and for you all to stay healthy. (Drink plenty of water and get your needed sleep) Its fun to see your pictures and know by them that all is well. God's Love to you all. Grandma J and Grandpa D.

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  11. Hi all,

    Thanks for all the updates. Aaron and Mocha and I enjoy reading about your adventures and seeing all your beautiful smiling faces! (I like the mustache Katie!) These pictures bring back lots of good and great memories of working in Pearlington a couple summers ago with some of you! I hope all of you are as blessed as I was on this trip. I am praying that God will draw those of you who are not His children to Himself, that He will call you His own. I am also praying that you will each be a witness to the world that there is Someone bigger and better than ourselves, that people will be drawn to you because they see that you are all set-apart. Most of all, I am praying that you will each see just how BIG God is!!
    I love you all and miss you guys a lot.
    Love,
    Anna
    PS - Zhenya, Sarah and Matt, I have been thinking much about you three and want to hear all about your trip and your experiences when you get back. I love you three!!

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  12. Excellent blog, thanks for all you write and the pictures to this is very good. Keep coming back and enjoying over and over.

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