Thursday News
Hi everyone!
I’m super excited to have the chance to share with you the many, blessed opportunities we’ve had during our trip. We can’t believe we only have one more full- day here in Louisiana.
Just like most of the teens, this is my first mission trip. So imagine my nervousness about traveling to a new place, wondering how difficult or tiring the physical work of rebuilding a home may be, and then to have to help lead a group of energetic teenagers!!
I can honestly say I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. We are taken care of so well by the Reach Global staff. It is such a good balance of serving by doing some labor, of learning new skills (Phil will be so impressed at my ability to handle tools now J), of meeting new people, and of sharing Christ together. Brian asked me if I’d want to return, and I’m already thinking of my next break from school. The need for more volunteers and workers is great. For example, the home we’ve been working on will have to wait another week or so before any more work can be completed.
It’s been apparent that our whole group has been covered with prayers. Brian, Brad, Dana, and I are operating on 3-4-5 hours of sleep a night and yet we’re able to work AND hang out with these kiddos. Thank you so much for lifting us up!
It’s such a blessing to observe the bonding and growth made by our youth group. They are meeting so many wonderful people who are living out the gospel by dedicating their lives to help those in need. I just love looking around the room and hearing their laughter and joy on their faces. There are so many inside jokes between the two teams and fond memories. Be sure to ask about the mud fall, yogurt, singing Disney songs, touching the ceiling, fear of moths, bugs on the Levy, the spectacular April Fool’s joke, the discouraging generator—there are certainly more but I wanted to give you parents and friends some specific “conversation starters” (my team has probably had enough of my questions already!)
Beyond all the fun, there has been a focus on prayer and taking those steps to be bold for Christ and carrying out the Great Commission. Spending time with Dorothy (our homeowner) and meeting her family has shown our team that we’re all the same no matter what culture we share or where we live. We need to take the time to slow down a bit and be intentional in connecting with the people around us. We can’t share the gospel without first having some kind of relationship together. These are the lessons I’m taking home with me.
At the beginning of the trip, I was thinking we were all making sacrifices to be here. It’s the opposite. I want to thank you for the privilege to serve with our awesome Wildfire kids!
~Auntie Sam
Hello Friends and Family!
If you haven’t noticed, the blog posts have been short for words, misspelled and grammatically incorrect. What does that spell out…….kids! Of course as I write this I’ve already misspelled 3 words, can’t figure out how to post pictures and I don’t know what the password for the blog is.
I wanted to give a little more content for our trip so far. As the kids have said our days have been packed. We start with breakfast at 6:30am, devotional led by the Reach Global staff, prepare lunch then head to the worksite. Our drive is about 45 minutes into the New Orleans city proper from the warehouse where we’re staying. Add in about 6 hours of manual labor then back to the warehouse around 6pm. Most nights we’ve had some kind of training or activity as well as some team bonding time. Lights are supposed to be out at 10pm but I think 11:00 has been our earliest night so far.
The kids have been great! There’s been multiple times where flexibility is crucial and everyone has been quick to help and adjust as needed. Our group (Kaitlin, Emily, Meghan, Caleb, Auntie Dana and myself) has been laying tile in a large dining room for Mary Hart. It’s a blessing for me because tiling may be the only skill I have some experience with. It has also been a challenge though because it’s laying tile…….over…….and over……and over.
A couple of highlights for me came today. As half of our group went on a prayer walk we met one of the neighbors in the community and got to hear a little of his story. At the end we were able to pray with him. It was a cool experience just to meet him but for me, it was awesome to see the excitement from Kaitlin and Emily about our encounter. It was a practical way that we were able to share what we were doing and love on the community that we’re serving. The second highlight was the block party that we had this afternoon in a different part of town where the other team (Christian, Kristin, Karis, Karina, Auntie Sam and Uncle Brian) is working. It was a chance to spend time with the community and family whose house we’re working on. There were a lot of kids playing and parents hanging out which was fun and special to be a part of.
Please continue to pray for us. Thursday will likely be the last day at our sites. We’re scheduled to help at the warehouse on Friday morning which means that Thursday will be our last chance to finish our projects. Please pray especially for the tile to be completed in the room.
Thank you all for your prayers and support. My two prayers for the trip were for relationships within the team to grow and for chances to share the gospel in different ways. God has been good in answering both! Praise him for that!
Uncle Brad
Block Party
So today was day three of working and we had a packed day. So after a day of tiling grouting, sanding and painting we had a block party at Ms. Dorothy Murray’s house. It was a blast. We set up a few tables and made hot dogs for the community. A lot of little kids showed up and it was really fun to play and interact with them. At the end we prayed with Ms. Dorothy and her family. 
Let’s get down to buisness!!
Today we got the opportunity to split into two teams and work on Mary Hart and Dorothy Murray’s houses. Throughout the working hours we were able to walk through the neighborhoods and see great work that has been previously done to rebuild the community. Now you can hire us to put in your tile or put up your dry wall for just minimum wage 😉
Mary Hart’s House
Dorothy Murray’s House
![DSCN0713[1]](https://katrinareliefteam.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/dscn07131.jpg)
Can’t wait for day two of working!
Blessings in disguise!!
Hi ya’ll!!
It’s only the 2nd day and there have been several blessings already! From having good health and weather, being at peace during Karis’ first flight, to the whole team being able to travel together… God has definitely been at work already, and we can’t wait to see what else he has planned for us this week!
Today we went and visited the partner church to Reachglobal, Trinity Church!
Don’t we all look extremely spiffy?!
We have had an excellent 2 days filled with great tasting of New Orleans food such as beignets, poboys, and Texas toast! We’re excited to see what else is in store for us! Tomorrow we start working on the homes!
Uh Oh! We have to go! Lights out at 10. We need our beauty sleep! Especially Uncle Brian and Brad 😉 HAHAHA
Returning Home…
(Pictured above, Chelsea, Jen, Kevin, Mark, and his son, Caleb)
It was a whirlwind calling and then a whirlwind week. It’s hard to believe the week is over and we’re back at home. In His time, He may reveal the full purpose of our trip to New Orleans, but up to this point in time, there are a couple of specific things He is teaching us. This past week, because we were not part of a team that we brought from Lifesong, we were able to serve both the team from Pennsylvania and also serve the TouchGlobal staff. By doing this, we were able to take a peek into the lives of the missionaries of TouchGlobal. Even though you might not immediately think of the TouchGlobal staff as missionaries because they live in the city with all the conveniences of a big city, they are definitely missionaries in every sense of the word. By spending time with the TouchGlobal staff, we had the privilege of getting to know them and see a little of their heart for the people of New Orleans. These missionaries all raise support, even though they are not living in a foreign country like what one’s perception might be. They have a heart for the Gospel and those who don’t know Him. They give their lives, whether it is full time or part time, to serve those in need and help others to serve God in this way. It was an amazing week, how God opened our eyes to see the life of an urban missionary. It has been a privilege to be sent back to NOLA by God and the Lifesong family. We are so grateful to be able to serve Him and TouchGlobal this past week and blessed by your support.
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:3-5
Meet Ms. Bonnie
We met Ms. Bonnie today, the owner of the home we are working on, and were able to pray with her. Afterwards, she told us of how she left her home the day before hurricane Katrina hit, but didn’t return for several weeks. Her mom and sister who live in the neighborhood, however, had to be rescued from a two story house by boat. While Ms. Bonnie has gone to church her whole life, she said it wasn’t until hurricane Katrina hit and she lost all of her physical belongings, that she realized that the only thiing that REALLY mattered was her relationship with Jesus. It was touching to hear about the growth of her faith in the midst of such tragedy and sense the peace and joy she now has.
Field trip!
Brian and I were able to take a field trip with Mark Lewis , the Director of TouchGlobal today to the lumber yard. He was picking up lumber so they could re-roof a house. It brought to reality all of the things that need to be done on a daily basis that often go unnoticed or often times are thankless jobs. All of course, which are for His glory and Kingdom, so never go unnoticed by Him!
This is Pat…
Pat is the nice man with the Southern accent that helped Mark Lewis and Brian fill TouchGlobal’s lumber order. He said in his beautiful Southern draaawlll, “Good thing you’re from the *Free* church, (our church is with EV FREE Church of America) otherwise this wood would cost a lot!”
Day 2 – “The Other Side”
Hi y’all! Greetings from my second home in New Orleans.
As I reflect on my time here I can’t help but remember all of the ways the Lord has moved here with the past Lifesong teams. While I serve on “the other side” with TouchGlobal, it makes me appreciate all that this ministry has done to serve Christ and to be used as a vessel to touch lives here in New Orleans. There have been many teams and people that have been changed by this ministry. Needless to say, it has been a blessing to be a part of the fruit that I see all around me.
He continues to teach, break, heal, stretch and show His sense of humor as He has paired me up with 5 teenagers from Pennsylvania to hang drywall. I guess He is preparing me for teenagers. It has actually been a blessing as everyone continues to bond and grow as the week goes on.
Tracey, on the other hand, has the harder task as she has been up every morning at 4:30 to cook for the teams, help with office work, then off to the site with me. She ends the day helping with dinner. I know I wouldn’t be able to do it. It is a blessing to see her serve and also to serve alongside each other.
Please continue to pray for:
Discernment in how to lead the team from Pennsylvania
That we would be a light to the community at the Block party tomorrow night
To focus on relationships and that the work would be secondary
That Tracey and I would be vessels and not get in the way of His plans
Blessings, Brian
“He commanded us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead.” Acts 10:42
Note about the picture: Behind us is the warehouse where TouchGlobal houses visiting teams, their offices, and tools and equipment. As it is Tracey’s first time seeing all of this, and she was amazed at how organized not only the tools were set up in the warehouse, but how much work/organization it takes to run this ministry. By serving in this ministry, we see how true it is that those who come to bless others become blessed themselves.
Getting caught in His whirlwind!
Katrina Relief- July 8-13, 2012
Sunday July 8 , 2012
To say this trip to New Orleans was a pleasant surprise from God would be an understatement. Isn’t it funny how He can orchestrate things effortlessly when it’s His idea to begin with? Within one weeks time, God made the call to us, we answered (almost in disbelief) and He sent. That’s it. Period. Kinda cool, huh? For the two of us, God didn’t just open the door for us to return to New Orleans to aid in Katrina Relief, He kinda blew the door off. All things lined up for us to go. Starting with the actual “call” or email invitation from friends from TouchGlobal, (check) to the details such as where would our 3 boys be? (check) to Brian’s work schedule (check) to “is He really calling us? (check, check) to the support of our family and our church body (a big, fat check on that one!)
So, thank you! We are so grateful for your excitement and support for us on this journey!
Brian and Tracey
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
Thank you for all your prayers and support.
Here is the link to the video of our trip May 19th to 26th.
5/25/12 Friday Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight”.
When the Lord asked who should He send to tell the people about Him – Isaiah said, “Here I am, send me”. I read this verse many times and always thought of the dedication of the many missionaries that go to foreign lands to preach the gospel. I would think, “that’s nice”, but never thought of it as a challenge or a request of me. I have had numerous opportunities over the years to do something but never have. When Kenny went last year and told me all about it, I said,”I wished women could go”. So this year I signed up because now it was allowed. Who will to go to New Orleans this year and tell the people about Me. I said, “Here am I, Lord, send me”. I have been so blessed for going.
Linda
5/25/12 Friday Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Since I am a second timer here in New Orleans, I found it to be a little different from the previous one. It was still a great week to see God working through us as we served Him working to fix Ms Valerie’s house up. We were blessed as God gave us opportunities to meet some of the people living in this area (to listen and pray for them). The people were very receptive to our prayers, and glad we came.
God is good and faithful. To see His love and compassion flow from our lives out to these people was truly amazing to witness. I praise God for allowing me to come here again and serve Him with my fellow team members. I praise God for His enabling power.
Kenneth
5/25/12 Friday Matthew 10:19-20
“But when they deliver you up, do not become anxious about how or what you will speak, for it shall be given you in that hour what you are to speak. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.”
There were so many amazing experiences throughout the week, but what stood out for me the most is the power of giving and receiving prayer. Prayer “walks” and praying out loud among a group is not something I am very comfortable with, but witnessing my team members delivering heartfelt prayers to people throughout the community and those individuals desiring to receive those prayers brought more confidence to me as the week went along. Most importantly, I actually saw so many prayers being answered for both our team and the local area we came to support.
Thanks to all our supporters and church family for your support and PRAYERS!
Alan
5/25/12 Friday Ephesians 2:10
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
I would like to thank my supporters for their prayers and financial support. I really had a great time here in New Orleans helping out in doing home repairs, yardwork, and meeting people in the neighborhood. Doing prayer walks was a step out in faith for me. Wearing a t-shirt that clearly stated you were there for Christ really exposed you to the neighbors. I really felt the prayers of my supporters keeping us safe and helping me share our faith with others.
Stan
5/24/12 Blessing’s keep coming
So much has happened in such a short week that it is hard to explain on a blog site. Here it goes:
Throughout the week over and over we are reminded of the devastation that is still here. There are still so many opportunities to share the Love of Christ with people. We thank God that we can be His hands and His feet this week while we are here. But in order to serve the broken we must first be broken. He lavishes His mercy upon us as He breaks us and puts us back together. The team has experienced some challenges both physically, spiritually and emotionally. It’s been difficult, but God is so good. As we lay it at all at His feet, He finds ways to grow our character in times of weakness. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” 2 Corinthians 12:9
Why must we come all the way to New Orleans to experience this? Because God has called us to do so and in return rewards us with glimpses of Him while we serve in numerous ways. Many relationships have developed with team members, TouchGlobal staff and within the community. When we are able to set aside our differences and show Love and compassion to one another, He blesses us with His grace. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
5/23/12 Schwing’s Restaurant
Happy 18th Birthday! You finally made it!
- “No bread pudding for you!”
Wednesday 5/23/12 Prayer Walk
Prayer walking through town
- Covington Plaza
- Pastor Miguel
We met with Pastor Miguel in the morning to prayer walk in this quaint little town. At the very end of our walk, we prayed for Connie, his wife and their four children (two of which who are doing mission work), his Grace Chapel Church plant location, and the start of his campus ministry for the surrounding three colleges that neighbor this city.
Wednesday 5/23/12 Block Party
I asked Linda to reflect upon her experiences so far:
“…It occurred to me that this was the first time I would be openly declaring my faith in public in a different evironment. It was kind of scary for me.”
“Never would I have pictured myself here in Louisiana serving and praying for the people in this neighborhood. This was really outside my comfort zone. However, I did not feel fearful. I knew God was with me, and some people did express gratitude for the prayers. Today, I got to talk to a little boy named Scooter. I taught him a song and to say the Lord’s Prayer which he knew from memory. In serving the people here, it made me think of how Jesus loved all people regardless of their status in life, men, women, children, the rich or the poor. It was a full and exciting day!”
Tuesday 5/22/12 The 9th Ward workers
http://www.efca.org/reachglobal/reachglobal-ministries/touchglobal
“Pink?”
“Hey, I got this…”
“High five!”
Tuesday 5/22/12 Doing God’s work
Our brother Ken has had time to reflect upon the past few days. He shared some of his thoughts on what the Lord has been providing to him so far:
“…I thank God for giving us safe travel to work, and praise Him for the opportunities to talk and pray for the people we have met. God has been faithful in directing us to people to bless them with prayers. We have also been blessed with these encounters as well. We are touched by a woman named Mary. The joy of the Lord shows through her face…Thank you God!…Praise the Lord!”
Katrina Relief Team 