Missions Home and South

The Crew that went south last weekend to use some chainsaws!

You thought that getting dirty for a weekend and working hard would not be fun. But tell that to the bunch of youth and adults who went into Baton Rouge last weekend to clear trees and debir from elderly people's homes. They worked hard. Actully harder than the chainsaws! They burned a few up and dulled all ten chains. There is so much more work to be done in southern Louisiana and Texas. May we not forget about them. Also those who are still rebuilding after Katrina. We have been doing releif work for the past three years are still not finished with that.

THE WHITE HOUSE

For the past few weeks a few of us have been getting together to do homework help at a home in Cedar Grove. Here is a picture of Nikkita. She is in the second grade. I have been working with her on her math and vocabulary. You wouldn't believe how much of impact that this is having on these kids as well as those who go to help. We started up this fall when school started with a hand full of them. This past Tuesday we must of had 15+ as well as 5 youth who came to help. What would happen if just a few more people would dream and give to those who have been forgotten? How would it change the lives of those children, their families and ours? Well we really don't know what will happen. But it sure is good to be involved in that change!

Worm working on homework!

Auggi helps Winikka with homework.

Nikkita poses if front of me after working on the white board on our math.

Hurricane Gustav

Hurricane Gustav...

We certainly have been living in Hurricane recovery mode here at Grace. We spent much of last week supporting two local shelters here in Shreveport. Thanks to everyone who volunteered in time, resouces and gifts of supplies. We were certainly able to accomplish much more as a collective group than as individuals. Also Sarah, Pastor Rob and I were able to travel to Baton Rouge and further south on Friday and Saturday. We set off on a video shoot to collect stories and asses the damage caused to our friends in the south. The destruction is much worse than what is being reported on the news. We witnessed the destruction and devestation from the wind of the storm. Many trees, power poles, roofs and complete homes were destroyd from the wind. There were spots of flooding. But the most distrubing aspects was the destruction of the poorer neighborhoods and the lack of communication of help to these people. However we did find communities and familes that were coping with their needs and situation. This storm was not going to ruin or take their hope. They were cleaning up and coming together to help each other in this time of need. We will certainly be sending groups into these areas for recovery, clean-up and rebuilding. Grace will be sending teams throught the UMCOR office which is working directly with the UMC Disaster Office. Due to the weather this weekend they have suspensed any teams in coming in this weekend. We are gearing up to go the following weekend. If you are interested please call the church office 318-865-2070 and talk with Sarah or Sione. (I will be upadating soon with pictures from our trip.)