It is Saturday morning and we are in Hayti, Missouri.
Departing yesterday from Central City was bitter sweet. We feel great about all that has been accomplished, but know that our work is not done, and we feel excited to return. We were able to complete the framing upstairs, almost all the drywall already has 2 coats of mud, and the job site was left clean and ready for the next teams.
We wanted to do something special for the men of the Nehemiah program. On Friday when we were saying our goodbyes we presented them with journals, sketch pads and dictionaries. During our week together many of them had so many great questions and insights that helped us grow, and showed they were working through some of the core issues in their lives.
We've had a few hours sleep and are getting ready to start the long trek home. Grateful for the chance to serve, and humble for God's daily provision in our own lives, we return to share the stories and pictures of lives forever changed.
Still glorifying God....
Team 2
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Thursday!
We find ourselves on Thursday wondering where the week has gone. We have been getting a lot of work done, but our priority has been and continues to be, to just love on the people we have been serving to and with! We are so blessed to have this experience. The men of Nehemiah are like family...and it is always hard to say goodbye to family!
Tonight we are headed to Trinity Church in Covington to hear the Katrina Story and some testimony about how God has been working in New Orleans since the storm. Its a powerful and moving evening.
We had Lunch at Reconcile Cafe, and one of our team members just might become staff there!!! We have continued to frame and hang sheetrock. The men of Nehemiah have been essential to our success, working shoulder to shoulder with us. We can't wait to share our pictures and stories.
Keep praying for us, we are so grateful to be God's bond servants.
All for God's Glory!
Tonight we are headed to Trinity Church in Covington to hear the Katrina Story and some testimony about how God has been working in New Orleans since the storm. Its a powerful and moving evening.
We had Lunch at Reconcile Cafe, and one of our team members just might become staff there!!! We have continued to frame and hang sheetrock. The men of Nehemiah have been essential to our success, working shoulder to shoulder with us. We can't wait to share our pictures and stories.
Keep praying for us, we are so grateful to be God's bond servants.
All for God's Glory!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Connection!
We're finally connected! We have been making connections here in Central City with the Guys at Nehemiah and with the people we are coming in contact with.
We've had a great first couple of days. We arrived safely on Saturday and went to church on Sunday here at Living Witness. We have James and Joy Williams joining us from Florida. They are here to learn about what we are doing in Central City and take what they learn back to their church and spread the vision of what God is doing in New Orleans. It has been so great to spend time with them and partner with them. Pray for them, as they will be heading back to Florida today.
We have been exploring St. Charles Street, and the lower ninth ward. The weather is glorious, and a repreive from the long winter.
Our team worked on hanging sheetrock on the ceiling upstairs, and putting in a new door. We ate lunch with the guys and had authentic Red Beans and Rice. They treat us like old friends and it is such a privilage to come back and renew these connections with our friends. Seeing some old familiar faces and even the new faces does our hearts good! God has been blessin' us "real good"!
We are using Brother Bob's computer, and therefore can't put any pictures up yet...but we will keep trying. We are obviously having technical difficulty, but we will persevere! Thanks for the prayers...we have so many stories to tell, and look forward to sharing them all!
We've had a great first couple of days. We arrived safely on Saturday and went to church on Sunday here at Living Witness. We have James and Joy Williams joining us from Florida. They are here to learn about what we are doing in Central City and take what they learn back to their church and spread the vision of what God is doing in New Orleans. It has been so great to spend time with them and partner with them. Pray for them, as they will be heading back to Florida today.
We have been exploring St. Charles Street, and the lower ninth ward. The weather is glorious, and a repreive from the long winter.
Our team worked on hanging sheetrock on the ceiling upstairs, and putting in a new door. We ate lunch with the guys and had authentic Red Beans and Rice. They treat us like old friends and it is such a privilage to come back and renew these connections with our friends. Seeing some old familiar faces and even the new faces does our hearts good! God has been blessin' us "real good"!
We are using Brother Bob's computer, and therefore can't put any pictures up yet...but we will keep trying. We are obviously having technical difficulty, but we will persevere! Thanks for the prayers...we have so many stories to tell, and look forward to sharing them all!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
A Wonderful Wednesday
It's Wednesday morning, and our group is super excited to start another productive day down here in New Orleans. We were able to sleep in a few minutes later this morning, as we will not be having breakfast at Castle Rock as usual.... We have "top secretly" been invited to join the Cafe Reconcile team this morning for breakfast - YES INDEED! :-) While at Cafe Reconcile we will be able to chat with fellow inner city kids, getting a brief introduction as to how Cafe Reconcile has influenced their lives, sending them on the path to a successful future. For those of you like myself who have never heard of Cafe Reconcile until now; it is not just a "cafe" so to say. Not only does it provide yummy food to the locals, it also works with kids in the neighborhood, teaching them skills such as how to write a resume, interviewing skills, time and money management, proper etiquette.... The list goes on and on. It will be so great to see this program in action... We really have been fortunate to have received this invitation. Just an extra FYI about Cafe Reconcile is that they are known nation wide for their program.... They have been filmed for several documentaries and written about numerous times in well known magazines and the big one is that Laura Bush recently visited! Yes, that is correct.... The First Lady!!!!
Breakfast at Cafe Reconcile will be a wonderful kick off to the day, and then we will be back at Living Wittness Church, working hard to help them achieve their dream. It is going to be another great day.... I can feel it! :-)
Breakfast at Cafe Reconcile will be a wonderful kick off to the day, and then we will be back at Living Wittness Church, working hard to help them achieve their dream. It is going to be another great day.... I can feel it! :-)
Monday, April 7, 2008
Report #1 from CB - "A" TEAM!
Greetings all!
Well, we've finally been able to get to a place where we had both enough time ... and an internet connection to take a little time to write the blog!
The "A" team is doing well after their first full day at the ministry site. Actually its our second full day in New Orleans, and for some of us, it undoubtedly feels like we've already been here half our lives ... well, at least longer than 2 days!
I think that it can truly be said that many people here in Central City, and especially at the Living Witness Church welcome our Cedarbrook teams like "family!" The greetings we receive and the depth of love and relationships that are being built grow more heartfelt and stronger with each team.
As far as experiences so far, our trip down was great!! ... although we did have to take a "slight detour" in Tomah on Friday morning as we made our way to Rockford, IL where we were scheduled to meet "Big Mac" and "Brother Brent" from Northern Wisconsin. I (Dave) felt the Explorer start to sway back and forth a little, and it wasn't long before people were honking and waving ... and a radio check from Bill notified us that our right rear tire was nearly flat. We were able to pull into a Wal-Mart, where they told us that they couldn't fix the tire for at least 2 hours! We told them we didn't have that kind of time, so we asked them if we could use their floor jack and their tire tools. The tire definitely had a hole in it, and we were able to get it fixed ... for free!! ... and get back on the road in less than an hour! Praise God for His provisions, and a "flexible team!"
Holly got a tire-changing lesson from Dave and Steve in the Wal-Mart parking lot!
God treated us to a glorious "entrance" into New Orleans, as we watched the sun go down over Lake Pontchartrain. We give you that as our "parting shot" for this first post. Thanks to everyone for your love and prayers! We can sense your presence with us, and we want everyone to know that you are a part of this team as well! God is using Cedarbrook Church to change lives and welcome people into His love! Stay tuned for more posts ... hopefully tomorrow ... and check out our album on the link on the side bar, we should get some pics up soon.
Well, we've finally been able to get to a place where we had both enough time ... and an internet connection to take a little time to write the blog!
The "A" team is doing well after their first full day at the ministry site. Actually its our second full day in New Orleans, and for some of us, it undoubtedly feels like we've already been here half our lives ... well, at least longer than 2 days!
I think that it can truly be said that many people here in Central City, and especially at the Living Witness Church welcome our Cedarbrook teams like "family!" The greetings we receive and the depth of love and relationships that are being built grow more heartfelt and stronger with each team.
As far as experiences so far, our trip down was great!! ... although we did have to take a "slight detour" in Tomah on Friday morning as we made our way to Rockford, IL where we were scheduled to meet "Big Mac" and "Brother Brent" from Northern Wisconsin. I (Dave) felt the Explorer start to sway back and forth a little, and it wasn't long before people were honking and waving ... and a radio check from Bill notified us that our right rear tire was nearly flat. We were able to pull into a Wal-Mart, where they told us that they couldn't fix the tire for at least 2 hours! We told them we didn't have that kind of time, so we asked them if we could use their floor jack and their tire tools. The tire definitely had a hole in it, and we were able to get it fixed ... for free!! ... and get back on the road in less than an hour! Praise God for His provisions, and a "flexible team!"
Holly got a tire-changing lesson from Dave and Steve in the Wal-Mart parking lot!
God treated us to a glorious "entrance" into New Orleans, as we watched the sun go down over Lake Pontchartrain. We give you that as our "parting shot" for this first post. Thanks to everyone for your love and prayers! We can sense your presence with us, and we want everyone to know that you are a part of this team as well! God is using Cedarbrook Church to change lives and welcome people into His love! Stay tuned for more posts ... hopefully tomorrow ... and check out our album on the link on the side bar, we should get some pics up soon.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Continuing the Connection!
After a few months of planning and preparation, Cedarbrook is once again sending people down to New Orleans to continue serving our friends there. There will be 2 teams going in April. The first team leaves on Friday, April 4 and the second a week later. Sixteen awesome servants will make up these 2 teams and they are "crankin' it up!" in preparation of their ministry in New Orleans.
To kick things off, they held a bake sale between and after services at Cedarbrook this past Sunday. Almost all of the 30 feet + of incredible baked items were taken home by people who made generous donations! Thanks to everyone who supplied baked goods, as well as those who donated! Your contributions are a big encouragement and help to get things going!
Our next event will be a silent auction and spaghetti supper on Sunday, March 30. Actually, silent auction items will be available to begin bidding on after services at Cedarbrook on Sunday morning, with the final bids being received at the spaghetti dinner on Sunday evening. The spaghetti dinner will be held at the First United Congregational Church - 420 Wilson Street in Menomonie, WI. Tickets are available from team members for $10 each, or $25 for a family.
Stay tuned for more updates (and becoming much more frequent!) as the teams finish their preparation time and head out. We're looking forward to seeing God do some great things!
To kick things off, they held a bake sale between and after services at Cedarbrook this past Sunday. Almost all of the 30 feet + of incredible baked items were taken home by people who made generous donations! Thanks to everyone who supplied baked goods, as well as those who donated! Your contributions are a big encouragement and help to get things going!
Our next event will be a silent auction and spaghetti supper on Sunday, March 30. Actually, silent auction items will be available to begin bidding on after services at Cedarbrook on Sunday morning, with the final bids being received at the spaghetti dinner on Sunday evening. The spaghetti dinner will be held at the First United Congregational Church - 420 Wilson Street in Menomonie, WI. Tickets are available from team members for $10 each, or $25 for a family.
Stay tuned for more updates (and becoming much more frequent!) as the teams finish their preparation time and head out. We're looking forward to seeing God do some great things!
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Whew!
Hello all of you blog followers!!!
These past 2 days have been great!
Tuesday.......
We started out with another great breakfast by our host Caleb (he is a great cook!) Then we were off to work....Well actually everyone else got to work while I got to go the fish market with Shorty, one of the Nehemiah Guys that works at the Living Witness. WE picked up 20 pounds of shrimp to cook up for lunch. That was pretty cool! I don't think I have ever seen shrimp that fresh right off the boat! Then When we got back, I got to learn how to peal the shrimp with Nivel, one of the cooks, and peeled talked for over an hour. We all worked hard in the heat and got a lot of plumbing done and finished painting the house. We breaked for a great shrimp lunch. After that we got into a bible study. The rest of the afternoon we spent finishing up some projects to get ready for wed.
That night we got to drive over the Causeway (which is the 26 mile long bridge over the lake) to go to Trinity Church to hear how God has worked in their life. It is so amazing how God and work his hand through people's lives through disaster! This hurricain not only destroyed lives and homes but also brought to attention the poverty of this city that was here long before Katrina hit, which I think was God's plan. He knew it would take something drastic to get the world's attention to get help to make a change! Well it worked! Trinity has worked with over 10,000 volunteers since Katrina hit! Isn't God amazing!!!!
The rest of us were so tired when we got back to Yellow house, most of us went to bed!
Wednesday
Today we had a lot of work ahead of us. We had a great breakfast and went straight to work. We were finishing prepping for concrete and started setting up the brackets and truses for the second floor. Today... I don't think that I have ever sweat this much and it feels great!. We are drinking water and taking breaks and staying strong! We had a great lunch and headed into bible study. We all talked about our favorite names for Jesus and what motivates us to be down here. Then we went back to work! That afternoon the Nehemiah boys came out to help and we got so much done!! We are ready for concrete tomorrow and may even start putting on the plywood on the second floor. Things are coming together! We worked a little later today until about 5 because we had dinner at 6 and a worship service at living witness at 7.
Wow that service was amazing. Our very own Jeremy and Kristen lead worship. They were so great. I could hear the Word of God coming through their words. God's presence was so strong there. The worship teams jumped into the song "blessed" and the congregation was jumping and yelling and clapping, even our own Cedarbrookers! God is truly amazing! WE came down here to serve this chuch but in return they have blessed and served us! They are such inspiring men! To have gone through the things that they have and still be a live and praising God with everything that they do. It is so amazing to me to see them so filled with God that they just cannot sit still they cannot contain themselves because the light of our God is so strong inside of them. I feel so privelaged to be able to be down here to learn from and with them. Our team has become so close and strong through God and continues to grow every day! Thank you God for all that you have done in our lives and we look forward to what is ahead of us for the rest of this week!
So now for the nicknames...
Sazam
Giggle Box
Buba Uno
Grandma
Plumber
Tone Bone
Narrator
Grandpa
Waterboy
Rhino
Toe
Princess
With all of God's Love and Blessings!
Steve
Kristen
Dave
Joyce
Tony
Sarah H.
Bill
Helen
Andy
Sarah B.
Jeremy
Kelsey
Dennis
Kaitlyn
John
Susanah
These past 2 days have been great!
Tuesday.......
We started out with another great breakfast by our host Caleb (he is a great cook!) Then we were off to work....Well actually everyone else got to work while I got to go the fish market with Shorty, one of the Nehemiah Guys that works at the Living Witness. WE picked up 20 pounds of shrimp to cook up for lunch. That was pretty cool! I don't think I have ever seen shrimp that fresh right off the boat! Then When we got back, I got to learn how to peal the shrimp with Nivel, one of the cooks, and peeled talked for over an hour. We all worked hard in the heat and got a lot of plumbing done and finished painting the house. We breaked for a great shrimp lunch. After that we got into a bible study. The rest of the afternoon we spent finishing up some projects to get ready for wed.
That night we got to drive over the Causeway (which is the 26 mile long bridge over the lake) to go to Trinity Church to hear how God has worked in their life. It is so amazing how God and work his hand through people's lives through disaster! This hurricain not only destroyed lives and homes but also brought to attention the poverty of this city that was here long before Katrina hit, which I think was God's plan. He knew it would take something drastic to get the world's attention to get help to make a change! Well it worked! Trinity has worked with over 10,000 volunteers since Katrina hit! Isn't God amazing!!!!
The rest of us were so tired when we got back to Yellow house, most of us went to bed!
Wednesday
Today we had a lot of work ahead of us. We had a great breakfast and went straight to work. We were finishing prepping for concrete and started setting up the brackets and truses for the second floor. Today... I don't think that I have ever sweat this much and it feels great!. We are drinking water and taking breaks and staying strong! We had a great lunch and headed into bible study. We all talked about our favorite names for Jesus and what motivates us to be down here. Then we went back to work! That afternoon the Nehemiah boys came out to help and we got so much done!! We are ready for concrete tomorrow and may even start putting on the plywood on the second floor. Things are coming together! We worked a little later today until about 5 because we had dinner at 6 and a worship service at living witness at 7.
Wow that service was amazing. Our very own Jeremy and Kristen lead worship. They were so great. I could hear the Word of God coming through their words. God's presence was so strong there. The worship teams jumped into the song "blessed" and the congregation was jumping and yelling and clapping, even our own Cedarbrookers! God is truly amazing! WE came down here to serve this chuch but in return they have blessed and served us! They are such inspiring men! To have gone through the things that they have and still be a live and praising God with everything that they do. It is so amazing to me to see them so filled with God that they just cannot sit still they cannot contain themselves because the light of our God is so strong inside of them. I feel so privelaged to be able to be down here to learn from and with them. Our team has become so close and strong through God and continues to grow every day! Thank you God for all that you have done in our lives and we look forward to what is ahead of us for the rest of this week!
So now for the nicknames...
Sazam
Giggle Box
Buba Uno
Grandma
Plumber
Tone Bone
Narrator
Grandpa
Waterboy
Rhino
Toe
Princess
With all of God's Love and Blessings!
Steve
Kristen
Dave
Joyce
Tony
Sarah H.
Bill
Helen
Andy
Sarah B.
Jeremy
Kelsey
Dennis
Kaitlyn
John
Susanah
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