New Orleans Updates

The Rest of the Story (pics are down with the others…)

I apologize for taking so long to update, but as you might expect, things have been running at a fast pace the last couple of days…Here’s an outline of our last few days down South and our trek home…

Thursday we showed up ready to finish our project at the apartments.  By the early afternoon, we had totally gutted the front rooms of six apartments, cleaned a lot out of the back rooms and upstairs, and filled five giant dumpsters with the former contents of the apartments.  We felt a great sense of accomplishment, but also had the intense realization that, despite our four days of hard work, we had only made a dent, that there was (and is) so much yet to do.  However, we were pleased that we could contribute in our own small way.  That afternoon, we went to a new housing project and played with neighborhood kids for almost two hours.  They were SUCH a joy!  Lots of coloring, football and basketball games, piggy-back rides and pictures taken 

Thursday evening we went back to the French Quarter, again riding the ferry across the river.  This time, we ate at the world-famous Ralph & Kacoo’s, an epic journey through delicious cuisine    Most of us tried alligator tail, fried pickles, oysters, and a range of other seafood choices, and ended up leaving with boxes of food left over for later that night    After roaming the city a bit, mostly doing souvenir shopping and getting last-minutes pics in, we settled in for the night, preparing for our big adventures Friday…

Friday morning we got to sleep in some (quite the blessing, let me assure you!) before driving about 25 miles south to take a Swamp Tour.  Our guide and boat-driver was really funny and very knowledgable, but for awhile we were a bit disappointed.  You see, we had come here to see live alligators, and for the first 20-30 minutes, there were no gators in site.  Then, he pulled into a little “bay” and started calling out, and here they came!  We saw PLENTY of live (and large) gators on the tour, and even got to hold a baby one, Elvis.  Surprisingly, he was pretty soft and a bit squishy    Our guide fed the wild gators marshmallows (who knew?!?) and we all left more than satisfied.

After a brief stop for a lunch of Po’ Boys, we were off to the Mississippi coast for some “real” Spring Break — the beach!  We were the only ones there that day, but that didn’t stop us from having a great time sunbathing, swimming, throwing unsuspecting victims into the Gulf, and then eating a casual meal at a favorite local restaurant.  As the sun set, we had our final devotions down by the water, and stories flowed about what the trip meant to people, and how so many of our lives had been changed because of it.  What a great group…We then came back to the house, and shared in a circle hug, where each person was given the opportunity to share with others individually about their impact, and then we made a dash for the beds, trying to catch a few hours of sleep before…

Leaving for home @ 7:30 AM.  The drive back wasn’t very glamorous, but we arrived safely in St Louis @ the Bel Nor Community of Christ in time for a scrumptious meal, then off to member’s houses for a well-deserved evening of unplanned relaxation.  Sunday morning, we led the worship there, and the sharing was profound.  The rest of the day was spent traveling all the way home, with stops along the way to drop off various groups.  By the time I finally pulled in to my parking lot @ 11:30pm, I was exhausted, but filled with gratitude.

More reflections on the overall trip coming soon…

 

 

Thursday, March 19

So, it’s been awhile, so here’s a quick fill-you-in…

Monday evening we took a stroll from our house up into the Garden District to visit Borders Bookstore.  The Garden District is filled with huge, beautiful houses, complete with wrap-around porches, collonades and, of course, gorgeous gardens.  Along the way, we found lots of Mardis Gras beads, and enjoyed the sights of the city.

Tuesday we continued our demolition of the apartments, making HUGE strides.  In fact, we ended up leaving early because we had filled the dumpster with couches, wall boards, lamps, etc.  So, after coming home to clean up, we decided to go to the French Quarter for the evening.  Our friend Jon took us on the ferry, by the aquarium, and to the St Louis cathedral and Jackson square.  Then, we ate at the delicious Bubba Gump’s restaurant, where we were treated to real Southern cooking, from po-boys to cajun chicken to every kind of seafood.  The rest of the evening was spent touring the French Quarter, Bourbon Street and all, including the festive St Patrick’s Day Parade (lots of funny stories from THAT!)  Exhausted and happy, we came back to sleep SOUND.

Wednesday we were back at the apartments, still shoveling, scraping, pulling and lifting.  Though it is hard work, people seemed really enthusiastic about the impact we are making.  It seems like the reason for the work is serving as strong motivation for us, and it is a joy to watch people working together for a common goal.  We paid a visit to the Franklin Ave Baptist Church for a Black Gospel teaching service, then hung out for the rest of the evening, with some going out to a movie and others playing a myriad of games.

One thing we have been doing every night is devotions, with each person getting one small glass pebble per night symbolizing a person who has impacted them that day.  Combined with journaling, this practice has helped us refocus each night about our purpose on the trip and the way it is impacting us. 

Pictures!

Just a sample of some of our great pics! 

 

Monday, March 16

We are in New Orleans!

Sunday we shared with the very hospitable Peace Chapel Community of Christ in Memphis, TN, leading them in worship and eating their wonderful potluck food!  It has been quite awhile since I’ve seen that big of a spread, and they were so generous in their invitation and fellowship.  Sadly, we had to get on the road soon after church, and it was straight through Mississippi to New Orleans. 

We got to the House of the Risen Son, a large building owned by Youth With A Mission, or YWAM, and were greeted by their coordinators, Bronwen and Steve Niles.  This huge house has four large bedrooms with bunk beds, spacious bathrooms, a comfortable meeting room, and big kitchen that was able to fit us all!  We went over some details of the week, had a time of devotions, then the rest of the evening was free.  We are enjoying the perfect weather — warm, but not hot, and a light breeze to keep us refreshed.

This morning, a crew went shopping for groceries, then it was a whirlwind as we made lunches and scarfed down some breakfast.  Then, we were off to our worksite!

East New Orleans was one of the areas hit hardest by the hurricane, so it seems appropriate that this would be where we would work.  Our worksite is an apartment complex, with five-unit buildings facing each other.  None of these residences have been lived in since before Katrina, and you could certainly tell!  The stench was almost overwhelming, and there were literally things strewn around.  In fact, it was hard to walk through some of the apartments, because there was so much furniture, clothes, broken dishes, etc everywhere.  Yet we jumped right in, face masks on and hammers in hand.  While some people moved out the big furniture items, other began tearing up carpet while others went to work tearing down the walls and ceiling material.  We had a local businessman, George, bring us several dozen donuts to thank us for our work.  He is the owner of a donut shop and the apartments we were working on, so he was obviously so thankful for us being there.  It certainly lifted our spirits to talk with him and hear his story…

We have just come back to the house to clean-up and get a bit of a rest before we go downtown to help feed the homeless and go on a tour of the 9th District.  It’s my turn to shower, so I’d better get going     

 

Saturday, March 14

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and God’s righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you — Allelu, Alleluia…”

As I’m writing this, this song is playing from the piano in the sanctuary, and the words couldn’t have been more perfect.  We are here at the Peace Chapel Community of Christ congregation in Memphis, TN, weary but happy after a long day’s journey.  Our day began, after a very short night, at the Pleasanton congregation just outside of Lamoni, where we met last night to meet and go over some details.  7am this morning, we were on the road and, after driving through the hills and meadows of Missouri and northern Arkansas, we pulled into Memphis by about 8pm tonight.  Though the people in my van slept a lot of the time, we also had ample opportunity to share stories, listen to music, and just get to know each other better. 

One conversation keeps sticking in my mind, though.  As we drove the windy roads of far southern Missouri and northern Arkansas, we kept seeing houses that weren’t much by worldly standards.  In fact, we questioned whether some of them were actually houses, or instead toolsheds or other storage spaces.  Sadly, we reasoned that many of these we probably people’s homes, and the full weight of our trip and our task hit me smack in the face.  We live in a world of poverty, destruction, and inequality, and have many neighbors who barely cling to subsistence.  Literally along the road, we discover them, the beloved children of God, and we are asked, What will you do?  How will you respond?

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God.”  This kingdom is a place where there is no more poverty, where wounds are healed and life is lived abundantly.  It is an upside-down kingdom where we put the needs of the least at the top of our prioroties, where people who are passionate about peace and justice work tirelessly alongside God to mold this better world, and where no one goes to bed hungry.  In our small way, we are seeking to put God’s kingdom first in our lives by responding to the Spirit in service to our fellow people. 

Tonight for devotions, each person was given a small pebble, symbolic of them.  We then each offered prayers to God that God would be our strength for this trip and that everything we do this week may be done out of love and for the good of the world.  We are so excited to arrive in New Orleans tomorrow to get to it! 

 

Thursday, March 12

It is the night before we leave, and my living room is a disaster.  I have pulled out a dozen things which are still in need of spaces to be packed into, and this is an improvement!  My checklist is complete, I have been running through details in my mind all afternoon, making sure there isn’t anything that still needs to be done (let this be public record: I totally expect that I have forgotten something, haha…), and I have finally reached a point at which I am comfortable to go.  In the midst of the chaos, papers, and fresh laundry, I find myself asking, “Where are we going again?” and “Why are we going there?”

Ah, that is the real question!  Why, exactly, are we going to New Orleans?  Sure, there are several key aspects.  We feel a desire to help people in real need.  We want to build a genuine community of friends who will treasure these days forever.  And yes, we just want to get away to someplace warmer!  Yet I believe that the REAL reason we are going to New Orleans in 24 hours is because the Spirit has called us.

One of the blessings of the Holy Spirit is that is empowers the Church for mission.  It also stirs our hearts to compassion and prophetic witness of God’s love and peace for all people.  To say that the Spirit has called us to service isn’t necessarily a summons to a specific task and a special opportunity, but rather a call to exemplify the grace, generosity and healing of God in every aspect of our lives.  As we respond to the Spirit’s beckoning, we cannot help but feel drawn to help those in need, to follow Christ’s example of risking “it all” for the sake of others.  I realize that, while my physical preparation is critical, even more important is my spiritual preparation for this trip.  All the planning and paperwork and packing and driving will be for nothing if we don’t remember why we are doing it. 

The scriptures say that the Spirit will guide us into all truth…I am excited to discover what truths God is longing to unfold on this journey.  Let’s get going! 

Wednesday, March 11

Two days until we get ready to head out for our service trip to New Orleans!  Lots to do still… 

Check in here for updates every day, hopefully including pics!