Today our group was split into four separate teams. One team worked for the second day at finishing drywall. Another team returned to work on their deck. Another team returned to build corners, headers and nailers for walls for the framing inside Patty's new house. A 4th team of 4 people were asked to paint ceilings and walls.
Everyone kept very busy. We were able to divide up with enough coolers of water and make it to all the job sites. We had another day of extreme heat and humidity. We again had three of our team members not feeling well because of the heat.
We did get some relief in the afternoon with another good rain. This was also our afternoon to do some sight seeing. We met up back at camp for showers and a quick lunch, then headed off to New Orleans. I know that we all expected to see many things still uninhabited there, but it was still shocking to see how vast the devastation is STILL in that area.
One of the most important lessons learned on this trip is to keep instilling hope in as many as possible in this area. We have been told over and over again that many people here think they have just been forgotten . . . that hurricane Katrina is old news. To actually see the devastation first hand is something none of us could ever forget. I am sure that is why the team number has increased this year, and those of us here for the second time still have a special place in our hearts for those in need and those we have been able to help.
Tonight our group was lucky enough to enjoy some coffee and beignets (french doughnuts) at Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter area of New Orleans. While we were there, two young men came to our table to ask if we were with disaster relief. Their group was as well. They were from Texas and have been working in this area all week. We were happy to meet them and see how excited they were to be doing what they could to help out.
There are a few new pictures from today and this evening. If you haven't yet viewed the video of our team mascot (Beacon the Pelican), please take a few minutes to watch. Beacon has been sending messages back home to our Vacation Bible School children. (Links are added each day, either in the late evening or early morning).
We have breakfast and dinner duties tomorrow evening. Dinner is an hour early tomorrow because the entire camp will then travel to the sister church of Orange Grove Presbyterian for a prayer service, which will replace our evening devotions.
Until tomorrow . . .
Blessings,
~Your Faith Team
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Gulf Devastation
Seventeen members of Faith United Presbyterian Church in Monmouth, Illinois, have set forth once again to give hope to those in the Gulport, Mississippi area whose lives were devasted by Katrina and Rita. Begin your journey with us June 9, 2007.
"Instead, whoever wants to become among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:26b-28, NIV)
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2007 Mission Trip
Gulf Devastation
About Us
- Faith UP Mission Trip
- Monmouth, Illinois, United States
- Faith United Presbyterian Church began their mission to this area June of 2006 after the horrific devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Adding five more people to their crew from last year, now totaling seventeen, they will once again embark on a memorable experience where they will offer hope to many.
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