A card from Charlye

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Team Video

Watch a slide show/video from our trip

Click the link above to download and watch a video/slide presentation from our trip. It is 7 MB and will take awhile to load.

Party for Team Members, families and Prayer Partners

Thursday, 5:30
Bob and Sallie Gardner's House

Potluck (Robin is bringing the Jumbalia)

A video

watch video

I found this video on YouTube which was recorded 4 months after Hurricane Katrina. It is almost the same drive we took through the 9th ward.

Much of the debris has been cleaned up now but no reconstruction is going on except for the Habitat Homes.

REFLECTIONS: I Was Mistaken

My main realization upon coming home was how sheltered we all are up here in Maine. How many people do you know who actually understand the situation down there. I found it interesting that whenever I would talk about my summer plans with my school friends and would mention working in New Orleans the usual response would be "Oh well that's nice but isn't it all cleaned up its been almost two years". I find it amazing now that people could still think that way
Before we left I knew that we would get a lot of work done but not enough to make a difference on a grand scale it was only after our first day of working that I realized how mistaken I was and that every small act of kindness that we accomplish can radically change someones life.
-Sam Larrabee

Opening blog up to other team members

Hey Gang,

To this point, I've been the only one handling posts to our blog. Today, that changes. Other team members can now post from your own accounts and people will be able to comment.

Tell us stuff ... favorite memories, funny stories, post a picture, share a prayer need and tell us your thoughts.

Ready? If you got an invite by email, sign up and give it a go.

PICTURES: We had a "smelliest boots" contest at our work site on Friday. Jesse won!

Peace,
Scott

REFLECTIONS: Paycheck to Paycheck

When i start to complain about my life, a simple reminder of what i saw in New Orleans would do the job to quickly stop me and realize that what i have is not that bad. I thought it was funny how when we were driving through new orleans, we were listening to the local christian station, a song came on that most of you have heard. I dont remember the name of it though. haha.
Anyways the main line of the song was "cause all I have, its not that bad."

I thought that was perfect timing because it got me thinking about how what we have back home is not worth complaining about when there are other people in the world that are barely getting by living paycheck to paycheck and have to live in the smallest trailers. Hopefully i can keep that in mind as i go about the daily grind and live life. Hopefully i dont complain about the small things but instead pray to god about the little and the big things and thank him for what he does. One thing that i am carrying with me from the trip is that God takes the bad events and can turn them into good events in other ways. New Orleands experienced a devastating storm but it allowed christians to come in and spread the word and to help the people. Isn't that what God wants?

I've always been the kind of kid that has his faith but didn't necessarily talk about it with friends at church and didnt usualy talk about how i saw god work during the day. It was kind of understood that people in the church probably saw it too and there was akward to mention it. since i have been home i have been talking to various people that were on the trip with me and i have been talking to them about how god has been showing himself even since i came home.

This trip was a real life changing event. I can't say enough about how I feel after the trip. There is so much that i want to say, and because of that i don't know what to say. But to sum it up; God has reached me in a new way and changed how I look at things. I feel like I am on that spiritual high that we all feel right after church camp every year. I would like to ask that you pray for me that I don't lose that spiritual high and that I keep seeing God in different ways throughout my days.

- Colby Adams

REFLECTIONS: No words to explain

I'm honestly amazed to be home, I've been trying to think of how I can even start to explain my first reactions of being home, and they just are not coming to me. I'm still very stunned by this past week, and by the fact that so many people still dont have any place to call home. I am completely shell-shocked.
- Christy Russell

i found it odd to have all that i do, and take it all for granted.
- george grant

Did we accomplish anything?

Yes! When we arrived at Erica and Lester's house it was mostly just studs and was completely gutted. A huge pile of demolition debris sat in front of their tiny FEMA trailer. When we left, all but the bathroom and utility room were insulated, sheetrocked and taped and mudded. The pile of debris was gone. That made a HUGE difference in getting them into their home sooner.

Yes! The yardwork team transformed three homes, met a ton of people, worked in each of the other homes and brought hope.

Yes! Barbara's house needed sanding, mudding and sanding and by the time we left all the rooms were sanded and we primed 2 large rooms, a bathroom and a few closets. She was thrilled to see so much progress. She began to talk about preparing to move in.

But the greatest impact was probably the transformation we felt in our own hearts. We prayed that God would begin to give us His heart for people. And now we have discovered that His heart hurts when people hurt. We've always heard that about Jesus but this trip made us experience it firsthand. It came alive.

It was difficult. The heat was intense. The humidity was thick and heavy and we sweat more than any of us have ever sweat before. For many of us, it was the most difficult week of our lives to this point. Yet, it was also the most rewarding.

REFLECTIONS: Flying Into Portland

When I was looking out of the airplane window over Portland, it hit me that the city was the same as when we had left. This struck me because of how contrary it was to Katrina victims after the hurricane. They evacuated expecting to come home and only see some minor damages. Not being able to even find their houses was the last thing from their minds. Seeing an aerial view of Portland after spending a week in an area of complete devastation, made it all the more real to me. When I got home, I realized how fortunate I am. My refrigerator was full of food, my closet was full of clothes; I had so many things to be grateful for yet most of the time I take them for granted.

When we were coming down the escalator, I was really surprised to see so many people who had been praying for the team this past week. I was so happy to see my family, my friends, and my prayer partner, Rachel Miller, meet us at the airport. If it wasn't for everyone keeping us in their prayers, leaving comments on the blog, sending encouraging e-mails, and helping us get there in the first place, this trip would not have been the amazing spiritual experience that it was. I truly enjoyed growing closer to the team and the Lord, hearing and understanding the stories of Katrina victims, and helping people get a few steps closer to rebuilding their homes. This trip is something I will never forget.

- Laura Mason

REFLECTIONS: Thankful for Elena

It seems weird to be home. It almost feels like we never went because it’s such a different atmosphere down there than it is here, it’s almost like it was all a dream. Now I’m so appreciative of my home and all of my possessions. I almost feel guilty for having all of these nice belongings when some people from New Orleans barely have anything. When I got home I immediately just started thanking God for everything he has given me and I’ve been praying a lot more for all kinds of things.

People keep asking me if I had a good time and I hesitate on what to say next. I’ve been telling people that I had fun but also that it was pretty depressing to see all the devastation, which usually opens up the conversation and I start to tell them some of the stories that we heard and what we did. Most people I’ve talked to have been really interested in it which really surprises me, they’ve asked me questions about what still needs to be done and stuff like that.


It was really neat for me to see Elena, my prayer partner, at the airport. To know that she cares that much really means a lot to me. She already knew that I was sick and immediately asked me how I was feeling, that really meant a lot to me that she’d been keeping up to date on how I was. She helped encourage me so much for this trip and stayed involved. I couldn’t ask for a better prayer partner.


I really enjoyed this mission’s trip and it really motivated me to help others more. I’ve learned a lot and have become a lot closer with God which is what I wanted. I’m so thankful that God had me go on this mission’s trip.

- Kelsey Berglund

REFLECTIONS: Called to Help People in Need

Coming home was so weird. As we went down the escalator in the airport and saw all the family, friends and prayer partners who had come to welcome us home, I was so happy and grateful for everyone who had held us up in prayer through the week. I was welcomed back by so many parents and friends, each one giving me a huge hug, and after all our suitcases had been claimed, I didn't want to leave.

Since then, I've been pretty up and down. Almost immediately in the car ride home, I felt swamped by the demands and concerns of my everyday life as my mom filled me in. The week had gone by so fast, but I didn't realize how much I had gotten away from at home. I felt discouraged, having to return to everything that was waiting for me at home. Pretty soon after we got back, my family went to bed, leaving me alone in the house, tired, but not feeling ready to sleep yet. I started feeling pretty lonely, missing the teammates and leaders I had left only a couple of hours earlier, the spiritual high that was alive in our group, and being away from the problems and stress at home. I felt pretty lost, not knowing what to do with myself in my house that now seemed huge compared to Annie & Joe or Erika's FEMA trailer.

I still can't believe the trip's over—we'd been preparing and getting excited for it for months, and now it feels like it's come to a dead halt. But I know God's working in me to use this trip to change my heart and to make it a "short term mission for the long haul." I'm trying to stick to the 3 rules we went by in New Orleans, but it's definitely a lot harder with my family than it was with the team. I know I'm vulnerable right now to snapping at my parents and siblings because I'm still putting pieces together emotionally and experiencing some shell-shock, but I'm praying about that and working to keep it all together.

I heard the song "The Twenty-First Time" by Monk & Neagle for the first time today, and it pretty much matched up to my personal experience in New Orleans. The song is about seeing people hurting and in need, but ignoring their needs again and again. The chorus says, "He may be a drifter, he's grown old and gray; but what if it's Jesus and I walk away? I say I'm the body and drink of the wine, but I pretend not to see him for the 21st time."

I don't want to be a Christian who gets so wrapped up in my own self-centeredness that I miss the people in my own life who need to see Jesus. The last verse is something I discovered on the trip: "This is a call for a change in my heart; I've realized that I've not been doing my part. When I needed a savior I found it in Him, He gave to me, now I'll give back to them." A big thing that I think our team discovered this week was that helping people out like we did isn't just a nice thing to do, it's something we're supposed to do; something Jesus called us to do. I'm so glad we had this opportunity, and I'm still praying for our transition back to our lives in Maine, and for all the people who are in need back in Louisiana.

-Heather Erdmann

REFLECTIONS: The Backbone of this Trip

I found it strange to talk to people who asked me how much fun I had in New Orleans. I eventually realized that a lot of this trip wasn't exactly fun.

It was more hard, saddening, overwhelming, and breathtaking than anything.

It is hard to have fun when you see homeless people, wrecked homes and driveways without houses. I never actually got to tell anyone this because it never hit me until I got home. When I saw Robbie, my prayer partner, I gave him a big hug and he said he was glad to see me. It was amazing to see all the prayer partners in the airport because I could finally see the people who were the backbone of this trip and who kept us going with their encouraging comments on the blog.

~ Michael Gardner

REFLECTIONS: Right There With Us

My thoughts and feelings:
- weird to walk in my room, and everything was nice and nothing was broken
- sad when I laid on my comfortable bed with the feeling of security
- lost when driving down my street, looking at all the nice houses

I talked to Robbie Miller and my mom so far about the trip in detail. Most of the conversations weren't too positive. Sure we talked about the funny jokes and endless games of knock-out, but the truth of what it's really like down there took away from the happy news.

My prayer partner wasn't there but I'm seeing him soon. It was really nice to walk down the stairs to all of our families and friends. They showed their love and how much they cared about us. It seems that they were so far away over the past week, but they were really right there with us.

-Scott Gardner

REFLECTIONS: Thankful

When I first got back, the ride home was so weird.. It was so different not looking out the window and seeing all these houses with x's on them. All of the houses were perfectly fine. I walked into my house and I looked at my room, and just all of the things I take for granted. I can't imagine having my whole house demolished and not having anything left.

When we walked down the stairs at the airport, it was amazing to see all of our families and also prayer partners. It was so great to see everyone back home, but I realized how great it was back in New Orleans just to hear everyone's unforgettable story. They were so happy to have people there to just listen to them, and all of the stories were so different.

All of my friends were like, "Oh, you're back! Did you have a fun trip!?" It's hard to explain to them. The first night when we went to Doug's grandmother's house, it was just devastating. Fun? Yeah, we had some fun, but we also got to see how much we take for granted back home, and how lucky we are to have everything that we do. It's amazing how all of those people are living in those little FEMA trailers with one bedroom, and we have these nice houses. It was devastating to see all of the damage throughout the city. I explained what I had learned throughout the week, but they just didn't seem to get it. God has taught me so much in the past week, and it's just hard to explain that to my friends who aren't believers.

The car ride home was just silent that second night in New Orleans. I didn't know what to think. I was just devastated. I can't believe that pretty much everything that woman owned was either destroyed or gone. It was amazing to see her room and the bits of clothes still hanging up, and that certificate from her college was still there.

Annie's house was horrible to see too. When we walked in, you could look to the right and see photos on the wall of her children. There was so much stuff just all over the floor, and she said she'd gone through most of it to look for important stuff, which must have been long gone. Her house was getting demolished within thirty days, and she didn't even know when. She was going away for a while, and when she got back, her house could be gone.
I don't know how I would be able to get through all of that if I was living down there at the time. A house that I had grown up in all of my life just washed away, with all of my belongings, and memories. It's amazing how those people are just so strong, and they're so willing to share their stories.

From now on, I will never look at the hurricanes or any storms the same. I
will always think about New Orleans and all of the damage and devastation, even two years later. I never thought that it was that serious, and I wasn't expecting to see most of the things that I did. I will never forget the car rides up and down those streets and just looking at all of the houses that either had no roof, or had been gutted and were waiting to be demolished. It was also hard to look at the slabs and stairs that had been left, and the house numbers. So many people's houses were just gone.

It felt so good though, to be down there to help, even if we made the smallest difference. I felt bad that all of the people were thanking us so much, and they make this sound like we're coming out of our way, but I learned that this is what we are supposed to be doing. This is what Jesus would be doing, and that's what we should do. We got up, and actually put our faith into action.

I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to come on this trip. I've learned so much, and I'm so thankful that I got to meet so many great people, and just help out the people who are in need, and have nothing. I'm also glad that I got to go with the group I did, and I got to know them more.

Overall, I'll never forget this trip, what I saw, the people I met, and what I learned. I will continue to pray for all of those families in New Orleans, and I continually thank God for all that he has done in my life, and all that I have.

-Jesse Cinque

RELECTIONS: A Wasted Week of Vacation?

One of the most diffucult things for me to deal with is working with people that thought I wasted a week's vacation. I missed the "team" and our times of prayer and devotions. I miss being appreciated for our efforts to make a difference. I feel guilty for all the things that we have that the folks we saw didn't have.

Thank you for letting me come along on this trip. I think we all grew in many ways. I pray that we all stay sensitive to those that are in need around us here!

- Bill Simpson

REFLECTIONS: Wanting to go back

i was watching the espys and one of the categories was best sporting moments and the winner was the New Orleans Saints winning their first game back at the superdome. they showed footage of when katrina hit and i found myself thinking, i was just driving by there yesterday and had just been helping the people affected by it. On several occasions, i found myself wanting to go back and help out the people and finish with lester and ericka's house. I was happy though to sleep in my bed.

- Josh Larrabee

REFLECTIONS: "Shell Shocked"

When i first got home i didn't say much. i felt like if i opened my mouth to tlak i would start to cry, that probabaly had a lot to do with being overtired. The thing i noticed most was how big and spread apart the housese here are. Even though they don't seem like it to us, compared to neighborhoods down there we have tons of room! i feel really drawn to go back and feel like i cant really appriciate being home because all i think about it was happened down there and the people. I will get back in the groove but like Scott said i have a little "shell shock" right now.

- Amanda Berglund

REFLECTIONS: What we are called to do

Rounding the corner of the airport and seeing a huge group of family and friends holding signs and cheering for us was an amazing feeling. As soon as I saw them I realized just how many people had been praying for us throughout the week and I felt a strong urge to go hug every single person and personally thank them for all their support. Amidst all the hugs and all the excitement to see and talk to everyone I couldn’t help but feel a little weird. Usually big groups like this only show up to welcome people when they've won a National championship, come home from war or done something heroic, but we didn’t do any of that. We gave up 8 days of our summer to go and do what God has called us to do, we did some lawn work, dry walling and painting and hopefully touched a few lives, but after seeing all of the devastation and destruction of New Orleans and all the work that needs to be done our work seemed miniscule, insignificant and certainly far from heroic.

Leaving N.O. I was heart broken, I wanted to do more, I wanted to stay longer and make a bigger impact. I feel that I probably gained more from this missions trip than any of the people I helped and for that reason my excitement was somewhat tainted to be welcomed home with cheers, posters, cards and balloons.

As my family drove home from the airport I found myself looking out the window the whole way home. I found myself expecting to see boarded up beat up (or abandoned "for sale") houses, FEMA trailers lined up by the street, giant Xs on the houses, piles of garbage and moldy old construction material, blue tarps on the roofs covering escape holes and overgrown lawns with 5' tall weeds. Instead what I saw was one nice house after another and it seemed really weird to me, there was nothing even remotely resembling the destruction I had seen all week wherever I went in New Orleans.

When I got home and walked through my lovely house I couldn’t help feeling bad, I couldn't help thinking of Ericka and Lester and wondering when they'd get to return home and what about all those people I hadn’t met who might have years before they get into their homes? I was "uncomfortable" (if you could even call it that) for one week before returning back to my damage-free house, but these people have been suffering for 2 years and will continue to suffer for who knows how much longer.

After getting settled in at home and eating supper I went to bed, looked around my bedroom and into my open closest. I thought about all the other rooms in my house and everything they contained and tried to imagine losing all of it. I tried to imagine having water as high as the tallest pole from the memorial in my house. I thought about what it would be like to have to evacuate my house for every storm warning. How would I feel watching the news and seeing my home underwater? What would it have been like if I had been one of those people who stayed during the storm? What would it have been like to see my stuff quickly being overtaken by water? What would it have been like to watch my dad or my brother cut a hole in our roof so we could escape? How would it have felt seeing my neighbors trying to escape or just wondering if they had? Would my whole family have made it and what about my little dog Skittles? Would we be separated? What would it be like to stay in the Superdome with all those people? What would it be like living in a tiny little trailer in front of my destroyed house after the storm? How would I feel driving around and being reminded of the hurricane everywhere I went?

After thinking about these things I found myself thanking God for everything he has given me, he has blessed me with so many amazing things and I know that I definitely appreciate them more thanks to this trip.

Today I found myself feeling extremely lazy and wishing I were doing something useful. A part of me was longing to be back in New Orleans finishing Ericka and Lester's house (or anybody's house) so they could move back in. Throughout the day I kept checking the blog and looking over the old entries, looking on Facebook to see who had put their pictures up, looking through my own pictures and looking at all my dad's pictures. I couldn’t help but keep going over everything I'd seen and experienced while in New Orleans, all the people I'd met and all the stories I'd heard. Sights that I had seen kept flying through my head, the giant "field" that used to be a highly populated neighborhood with housed only 20 feet apart, the man sleeping on a bench of a bus stop with nothing but a small bag that he was using for a pillow and the clothes on his back, Antoinette with the metal apparatus on her face who had gotten her jaw broken when she was mugged for five dollars, and so many more.

I also found myself remembering (I don’t think I'll ever forget) the people of New Orleans and their attitudes, how they were filled with hope and gratitude, how they were so welcoming and had such positive attitudes...thinking about this encouraged me, even though I was one of many people who have gone down/will go down to help, every single person I talked to genuinely thanked me and this is one reason that I know that our team did make an impact even if it seems small.

I'm so glad I went on this trip and feel blessed to have been given the opportunity. God taught me so much and displayed his power in so many ways. I came away from the trip having strengthened relationships with my team mates and with God and I took away so many memories and stories and for that I am extremely grateful.

- Shara Linscott

Looking back two years to Katrina

REFLECTIONS: Did you have a nice vacation?

Here are my first reflections since I've been home:

o I couldn't wait to go through all my digital pictures last night with Sallie and explain each and every one of them.

o I didn't really miss watching TV for 9 days

o I was brought to tears while reflecting on Thurston's story with Sallie this morning.

o It was great to be welcomed home by my family and prayer partner. I've felt very much like I've been held up in prayer all week.

o I've been going through the names, faces, and stories of all the people that I met last week over and over in my mind.

o My job seems quite insignificant today.

o God showed up big time for our team, prayer partners, and families last week.

o Will we go back?

Several people at work have asked how my trip was by saying "Did you have a good trip?" or "Did you have a nice vacation?" My reply has been to say how overwhelming, humbling, and rewarding the trip was I've been describing the enormity of it all by saying "If you go to Deering High School and destroy all the homes within a one-mile radius and then multiply that by 1000, you might be approaching what the devastation is in New Orleans."

Bob Gardner

Adjusting to life back at home

I felt weird coming home. I was definitely ready to be back but I missed everyone last night (mostly all the girls) =) But as soon as I saw my house it looked huge and when I walked in I immediately tried to picture everything I owned underwater, but I couldn't even imagine.

I went on the computer but for some reason I didn't want to go on IM or facebook, and still haven't. And when I laid in my bed, it felt so good and I fell asleep almost immediately. But before I went to sleep I took the time to thank God for all that I have and how fortunate I am.

Seeing my prayer partner and all my friends (including grown ups & parents,
family) I was overwhelmed with happiness and just wanted to hug everyone. It was really cool to know that all those people had been praying for us. It was hard to leave the airport because I didn't want to leave everyone. I haven't had many conversations yet besides with my parents & siblings but through the blog they got to know a lot of stuff I did already but I know there will be a lot of more conversations over the weeks/ months to come.

And I am especially excited to share some things with some of my friends. I am hoping that when I go back to school people will see a change in me.. Today I don't know what to do with myself. I feel weird just laying around doing nothing. But in my head I am still going over all the things that happened in N.O. and trying to let it all sink in, because it still hasn't quite done that. It went by so fast.

Well, I can't wait to see everyone again, I just miss everyone. And I have already had circumstances at home where I used those 3 rules. I think it's harder to use them at home but it makes me feel better to use them. I have really learned to like putting others before myself.
I feel just so excited for life right now.

Kristan

Some more disheartening pictures.

Amanda prays for Erica and Lester as we leave. We were able to leave them with a $1200 gift card for Lowes to help continue the work. We were able to insulate and sheetrock every room in the house except for the bathroom and utility room. It was very difficult to leave them.

The full team outside of Erica's home. She an Lester live in a small FEMA trailer on the front lawn. August 29 will mark two years since Katrina hit and thousands of homes remain unliveable.
A large field? Before Katrina this was a densely-populated neighborhood with houses as far as your eye can see. The houses were only 20 feet or so apart. ALL of this area was washed away, not demolished later. It is in the 9th ward which was the area worst hit.

9th ward

On the side of a stucco home in the 9th ward. The wood-built homes all washed away.

How amazing that we read a story in USA Today on our return trip that rebuilding jobs in New Orleans are "drying up!" It may be true that the paid jobs are becoming scarce but there are thousands of people who lost everything and have no insurance money to rebuild with.

Insurance companies gave money if water damage was caused by a hole in the roof, but not for rising flood waters.

The Berean Bible Church used to pay $18,000.00 a year for flood insurance. Now they pay $36,000.00 per year.

What a welcome!

Thanks so much for such a warm welcome when we got back to Portland! It was so awesome to see everyone waiting for us.

We will be having a party in the coming weeks to share the details of our trip and all that God did to change our hearts and melt us.

Beignets at Cafe Du Monde

FLIGHT DELAYED

We now fly out of JFK at 5:25 and they say we arrive at 7:17.

We're on our way!

We are at JFK!

The blue poles represent the rising water levels until they came to their highest point on the left. The 9th ward, the poorest area of New Orleans, was the worst hit. Homes were completely washed away.

We are now at JFK and eating lunch. Our plane will begin to board at about 4:00.

We are due in to Portland at 6:40 pm and are praying that thunderstorms will not delay us at all.

Leaving New Orleans was bittersweet. Most of us had a sad feeling as we left feeling like there is so much more to do. Then, when we got to the airport we saw a USA Today headline saying that rebuilding jobs are drying up in NOLA. That may be true but it is only because the people have absolutely no money to be able to hire anyone to do the work they need. There is still PLENTY OF WORK to be done but homeowners need help.

Wrapping up

We had a rainy walk through the French Quarter, shopped and came home for Jumbalaya. After a time of worship and reflecting, we cleaned up and packed for our 7 am departure.

Pray that we can drop our rental vehicles off quickly. We did damage the pickup truck some. (wait til yopu hear that story!)

Looking forward to some long hours of sleep tomorrow night.

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Sent from my PDA device
Scott Linscott

woohoo

We're on a trolley!
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Sent from my PDA device
Scott Linscott

New plan

After our tour the kids decided that spending 500 dollars to eat at a New Orleans restaurant is not what we are going to do. They want that money to go to hurricane relief.

After we made that decision Melissa came through the doors offering to make us jumbalaya for supper!

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Sent from my PDA device
Scott Linscott

We just toured the 9th quarter

It is pouring here. It looks like we need to adjust our plans.

We just toured the 9th ward where mile upon mile of homes washed away. We spent some time at the hurricane victims memorial.

We've been driving for two hours. That is the scope of the desolation that remains even two years later. The kids are already talking about returning to the church and assmbling another team to return with contractors and builders. Be prepared to hear story after story over the coming months.

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Sent from my PDA device
Scott Linscott

Saturday morning

It felt good to sleep in this morning. Most of us started feeling aches and pains that we hadn't noticed much during the week.

Pray for Kelsey. She has a cold and is sniffling.

We plan to head out to the French quarter at around 11. The kids are all playing knockout now.

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Sent from my PDA device
Scott Linscott

Who's tired?

Lessons

This week I discovered the faces behind the storm. Before we came I looked more at what the physical damage of the storm was!! Since being here and talking to those affected, I have begun thinking more about the people than the actual physical devastation.
-Ben Adams

This trip has taught me to fully rely on God and know that life always has a plan. I have learned that there is always a reason behind everything that happens. I have seen God’s amazing power in so many ways.
-Shara Linscott

As of this week, not only have a learned new skills, but I have a whole new outlook of life. The world is full of hurting people, but it’s not hopeless at all. I can actually make a difference to someone. My relationships with the people here on the team as well as others in New Orleans have strengthened immensely. I’m also excited because for the first time in ages, my faith is on fire. Here in New Orleans people are so open with their stories, and I will never forget their smiles amidst a tragedy.
-Christy Russell

This trip has made me realize that the things I go through are not that big in comparison to what could happen such as Katrina. I have realized that this isn’t just a nice thing I’m doing, but it is what we are called to do. I have really seen God this week, and once again realized that God uses the bad situations to create good situations. Katrina caused devastation to the area but it is allowing Christians from all over to come in and spread the word and show that they care, it’s still going, but most of all, God cares for them.
-Colby Adams

Everything I think I will ever see is as overwhelming as New Orleans. I will always remember the hope I saw in Lester. Storms will make me reconsider my life and ‘’bad’’ it is.
-Jake Linscott

I’ve noticed that people will always genuinely share their lives with someone who is willing to actively listen, not just pretend to listen. My prayer is that I will continue to be an active listener genuinely interested and caring about the concerns of others.
-Robin Linscott

I am no longer the center of my world. I always knew it was good to serve others; I now want to. I’ve learned that one of the best ways to become closer to God and glorify him is to serve others.
-Amanda Berglund

I don’t think that I will ever forget the devastation. I still can’t believe that two years later things are still not back together, and the people are just heartbroken. I will never forget their stories and how friendly and welcoming the homeowners were. They were so happy to see us. I’m glad we got to meet them, pray for them, and share the love of Christ. If they just trust in God everything will be fine. If they pray, God will answer their prayers. I never realized that there were still people down here with nothing, and that I was just so selfish. I have learned to put others before myself, and that God has provided me with everything that is needed.
-Jesse Cinque

I don’t think that I will ever take anything for granted anymore. I can never know when a storm would hit my home. Sometimes I expect my parents to pay for a camp or for something else. I don’t think I will expect any money to come from my parents to be spent for my entertainment or pleasure anymore.
-Michael Gardner

This week I’ve discovered the power of prayer and how it can affect people, whether it’s praying for strength during the work day or for someone who is struggling.
-Josh Larrabee
I never thought that serving others is what we are supposed to do. I just always thought of it as something nice to do. This week I’ve learned that I should always be serving others in any possible way I can. I will definitely continue to serve as much as I can throughout life after this week.
-Kelsey Berglund

Seeing the effects of the storm two years later impacts me most by simplifying life’s priorities. What is most important? While the experiences, the miracles, and the stories strengthen my personal faith, it is my home and family that I value most deeply, as I see those who have lost theirs.
-Rus Willette

I don’t think that I will ever forget destruction, emotionally and physically, the storm had on the people and the landscape of this city. The people seem to be happy but you could tell that they were covering emotional damage and those who were physically damaged can’t really cover it up. The rest of the city is pretty much a mess, people’s lives in shambles, their houses, belongings, everything is destroyed.
-George Grant

This trip has changed me greatly. I never again believe that I will be able to look at the swing in my side yard without remembering the pain and sadness I felt looking at the swing across the street from Doug’s grandmother’s house. I also do not think I will be able to see natural disasters the same. I will never forget Lester and how depressing it was to me that he thought that playing with a flat soccer ball in a broken house was so amusing or that he may never play little league, and that he still has joy in this situation.
-Jake Groom

I’m still amazed to see the devastation that remains nearly two years after the flooding. My mind is thinking in a “split screen mode” – one screen is what I see- the other is of all the comforts I enjoy. To see the resolve of so many people to smile in the midst only inspires me to look for needs all around me and not look past them. .
-Bill Simpson

I don’t think I will ever think the same way about natural disasters. Now I will know that what the news shows only scrapes the bare surface and the true horror is too grim to put on TV. I also will always remember the people that I have met and spoken to and have their perspective painted their true story.
-Sam Larrabee

I will never forget this trip. I have never seen God work in so many ways around me, not that he doesn’t every day. The care and thoughtfulness of everyone in our group shows is overwhelming. But from this trip, I will never forget the grave sites I would see every day while driving to my work site. The houses boarded up are people sitting on their front steps waiting for a miracle. But the greatest part is that we are giving hope in God’s word to the people we are serving, something that they may never have witnessed before. Barbara will never be forgotten as I see storm warnings on TV.
-Scotty Gardner

This trip has really changed my perspective on the affects of Hurricane Katrina. I saw the storm and the flooding on TV. The media showed burning buildings, murders and looting. As I came down to New Orleans, I learned that people had lost their homes and a life time of possessions and had to basically start over their lives. While talking to people, I was shocked by the reality of the destruction and death that it occurred here and how it changed people’s lives. It made me think of how fortunate I am to have the things I own and the family and church I am a part of.
-Laura Mason

I’ve seen God do some amazing things this week in my life, as well as in the lives of my teammates and the people of New Orleans. But what I’m coming away with most of all is that God answers prayers in amazing, powerful, and unexpected ways. The way I think about prayer has been changed. God hears each of my prayers and I know that I will continue to see him answer them amazingly and powerfully, and rarely how I expect him to.
-Heather Erdmann

By experiencing and seeing so many different, shocking, sad, and overwhelming things over this week I have learned to be thankful for everything that I take for granted in my life. Now, whenever something seems so terrible I know I’ll look back to this trip and think of all of the stories and situations of the people I’ve met and talked with. I know I won’t feel so bad for myself anymore. I’ll remember those people down here and how their lives were thrown upside down and yet they’re still moving on. I know I’ll be thinking of these people often and remembering that my life isn’t so tough after all.
-Sarah Krabbe

I don’t think I will ever forget Annie and her attitude. She said that God allows devastation but in the end he shows his beauty. She lost everything but chose to have a positive attitude. That really impacted me. Also every time it rains or I hear the word hurricane I will think of New Orleans and all the peoples’ stories I have heard. I have also learned that if you pray to God for… let’s say, patience, he won’t just “bam” give you patience but he will give you situations that challenge your patience. This trip has also taught me to see God in everyone.
-Kristan Bowie

This week has made me see that I must do all I can with what God has given me to serve others. Each person is created by God and is eternally precious to him. I have to reach out to the poor and needy without judgment. I will also never see any disaster, especially a hurricane, the same way ever again. Finally, my heart has become even more compassionate toward those who are in need to a point of action.
-Bob Gardner

I will never again be able to see a natural disaster without thinking immediately of the people.
- Scott Linscott