Missions: 2007 Katrina Relief

July 8th 2007 Blog by Ginny Mouawad: Day-1

Good Evening:   Ginny Mouawad here, I will be writing and sending out reports and prayer request on behalf of the Katrina Relief Team

It’s Sunday night and I just spoke to Zack and Clint at 7:43pm (our time)  they were getting ready for bed (lights out at 10:00) They were all well, and in one piece (Praise God!)   Zack and Clint reported smooth transitions throughout today’s journey. 

Everyone was virtually on time to the Airport this morning by 7:40am everyone had arrived!!  The airline took the group and checked them expeditiously through and each received their boarding pass.  Sherry Howser and I watched them all go through the security check point.  Nick was successful in transporting his pair of drumsticks, (Yay!) and Clint slipped quietly undetected through the metal detector with the ten inch steel plate in his leg.. (how that happens we still don’t know)  Take off was on time. 

Zack kept me informed of their arrivals and departures and reported many got sleep on the airplane.   They didn’t have a lot of time between flights so catching something to eat was not easy.  Zack then called me from the rental car on the way to the Church building in Slidell.  He said dinner was supposed to be waiting for them…. Clint tells me they had chicken sandwiches, they were hungry! 

Clint reports that the sleeping accommodations are “infinitely better” than last years.  They have air conditioning and have bunk beds with a nice foam mattresses that are too big for their twin size sheets to fit on.  He was happy and  they all were tired and had about ½ hour to chill until lights out.  (I heard a lot of happy noises in the background) Clint reports they are in a building off to the side of the main church building.  It has 4 showers!  Clint reports that they have been told there are two kinds of poisonous snakes prevalent in the area….   He suggested to pray for protection against those!  J 

Lisa Myers ended the day with  a text message:   “We’re going to bed now.  All is really well  :D” 

“And that’s the way it is…” *spoken like Walter Cronkite*   Until next time….. 

Praying on………….

Ginny

2007  Katrina Relief Team:  Slidell, Louisiana
Reporting for DAY # 2 - Monday July 9th

Both Lisa and Jeff report “things are going really well”  The Team has “great attitudes!”

Monday was Breakfast than off to Work Orientation.  They will be on the job from 8-4.  The Team has been split up due to their size and working at two houses, which are about 5 minutes apart from each other and 10 minutes from the HQ complex.  They regroup at lunch 12 or 12:30 and then off again to finish the work for the day. They are dry walling, mostly mudding and sanding with some taping.  Jeff and Lisa are on one site; Mr. Lester Vaultz house, and Julia and Stephen lead up the team at Gary’s house. (don’t know last name yet,,,I’ll report exact teams later..) Stephen is using some of his knowledge and electrical skills at their work site.  Since they are working inside it is cooler and it isn't as tough on them physically as last year.

*One of the houses they are working on.*   (note where truck is now!)

One of the house owners told them before the hurricane hit, his truck was in the front yard.  After it was over, his truck was in the back yard.  He said it was tsunami like, the truck went up and over the roof.   He told them when the storm was over the house was sitting in 2 ½ feet of water.  The house already sits 2 feet off the ground so basically there was 4 ½ feet of standing water after the storm receded.  Jeff reports the house was pretty much destroyed.  Zack is leading some of team to replace the windows at this house.

*Bryan comments:  “Paul sanding”

Lester has 4 young kids a wife and an older child (age?) they do not live on site.  Gary lives on site.  Gary’s mom died after the storm. Her death was unrelated to the hurricane.   Gary has no one to talk to, only two people have called him since that time.  He is on site and the team is visiting with him throughout the day.  This is another ministry within the mission of rebuilding the house. 

When they arrive back at HQ they clean up, have dinner and have a little down time, team meeting and off to bed.  Two other teams are staying with them at the same complex. One from Michigan and another from Kentucky (?).   It was agreed that the other team from Michigan would partner with them for dinner.  The Michigan  team cooks, then our Creekside's team cleans up.  (I could tell Jeff had a smile and chuckle in his voice J )  Bryan reports they had Lasagna for dinner Monday night and it was good!  Overall they are well and “drinking lots of water” (see prayer requests)
Jeff says there are about 75 people working who are staying at the complex and about 175-300 people working through the United Methodist group this week.  Bryan told us overall there are 70 homes being worked on through this organization right now.   

Their accommodations are basically camp like. Nice kitchen and bathrooms, bunk beds and separate rooms for guys and gals, they get to take showers everyday!  Jeff says the climate is not as bad as last year, probably due to being further north and not as close to the bayous, It’s still about 90° however, the humidity is a little more tolerable but then an afternoon rain and the humidity rises.  There is “not as much standing water, not nearly as many mosquitoes.”  Conditions are good enough to have their morning devotion outside. 

*Bryan Braun Sent these pictures via his phone: 

Prayer request for the day are:
For Unity for the entire Team:  due to the fact the Team is split up into two groups and working at two different work sites.  Team unity within the split teams and for the Team as a whole.   Julia Paulson has been suffering from a migraine since Sunday.  Pray that is alleviated Zack M and James E. have knee aches (I have no details)
For Lester Vautz family and Gary – two work site home owners For the neighboring houses and families of each work site house.  That the Team may bring Hope to these families and radiate Joy. 

 “Lois Lane reporting”:  Until next time….. 

Praying on………….

Ginny

Picture of some team members working at Lester's House.

ALL PARENTS should be beaming with pride over these Creekside Youth. 
Their faith, patience and positive attitudes rock my world! 

2007  Katrina Relief Team:  Slidell, Louisiana
Reporting for DAY # 3 – Tuesday July 10th

I spoke with Clint and Zack and Lisa on Tuesday night.  They are seemed so happy and pleased with how things were going.  Clint said “everything's cool and we are all getting along really really well”  Lisa reported Everyone is working hard!  She sent this note with the following picture to Patsy today:

“Well, we're surviving :-)  I am here at the headquarters picking up more supplies for our group and was able to sneak in a couple of minutes of computer time to send you a picture of the group working at Lester's house.  Please pass this on!  Things are going well.  ALL PARENTS should be beaming with pride over these Creekside Youth.  Their faith, patience and positive attitudes rock my world!” 

“We'll be in touch.  The Mullins are coming to visit us tonight for a couple of hours.  YAY.” 

The Mullins Family is going to stop by and visit the team on their way to another destination.  The Team is very excited to see them especially since Will and Amanda worked with those that went to Louisiana last year. 

“They worked VERY hard today” Zack reported they got many significant little things done.  He and his team adjusted 3 windows and did a lot of sanding and mudding.  The previous team before them didn’t really know how to mud so the Creekside team ended up sanding most of it off and mudding again.  Evidently it “looked like it had been done by monkeys with a spoon”… so it was reported…  (names are left out to protect the innocent)

Bryan reports the team at Gary’s house  sanded down what they mudded yesterday. They fixed a bunch of mistakes the last team made. Then they hung drywall and started taping that. Tyler went in the attic that was at least 30 degrees warmer than below and drilled holes for an electrical outlet, so got some electrical done there. Did some plastering and cleaned up some.

Stephen and Alicia.. Julia on the side at Gary’s House

Some of the team were chatting with Gary and discovered he doesn't have a washing machine and his clothes are really dirty and tearing. Filled with compassion for him and his plight, they went to Walmart and bought him a bunch of underwear and socks and slacks and button-up shirt as he said he couldn't go to church because he didn't have anything to wear.   Clint said they were going to give the clothing to Gary on Wednesday.  They were all very excited to do this for him. 

Because Lester and his family are not at the house, the Team working there decided to visit the neighbors around and chat with them.   Lisa overheard one of the neighboring teenage girls comment to the team visiting.  “I know you’all, I saw you’all dancing in the rain”  Lisa commented on the obvious joy the team was exuding, and couldn't be prouder of them.  They intend to take the girls that they met out for “snowballs” today. (snowballs are like snowcones) 

Dale, the head man at the complex had told the entire team that listening to the people of Slidell would be a big part of their ministry not just the hard construction work.   He told them “with listening comes healing.”  The Creekside team is truly being Jesus with skin on!  (my opinion)

At a local church on Wednesday mornings there is a Free breakfast.  The Team intended to take part in this breakfast not only to eat, but to make themselves available to ministering and meeting more of the locals.  Lisa said this Team is evangelizing in practical organic ways.    

Everyday before they go to the worksites each makes their own sandwich.  Then they spend lunch with the entire Team.   Everyday there is at least 3 five minute devotionals both morning and night.  These are led by team members.  Each team member will be responsible for at least one of these times.  Lisa reports the devotions have been full of depth and meaning, and is so pleased with efforts being put into these.   It is hard to keep 20 young people focused on who is talking, and with so much going on, The STEM leader Jessica spoke to the team about respect for each other and who was speaking.  The team expressed their appreciation for the speakers and considered future speakers.  (prayer request)

Regarding prayer:  

Clint reported an exciting happening with prayer:  He was praying and thanking the Lord for what He has done already, and caused such wonderful living situations and weather, and was saying “look what You have done already, think what you can do with these people”….. immediately there was a loud thunder clap and the team all acknowledged the Lord was speaking back and listening!  How cool is that!!! 

Prayer requests:

Bryan mention to Dave that the Team will be taking a tour of New Orleans on Thursday, so heads up on that prayer!

Julia is feeling better!  Yay God! 
(1) Stephen slipped on grass, scraped elbow, pray for quick healing
(2) Julia feeling a lot better today
(3) Everyone stays hydrated
(4) Gary, the man who owns one of the houses they are working on.
(5) Stay focused during devotion times
 (6) For accomplishing the goals of each day

(7) Praise for what God is doing in the hearts of the Team

And “That's the news. Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow”

Babwa Wawa  weporting! 

Praying on………………..

Ginny

2007  Katrina Relief Team:  Slidell, Louisiana
Reporting for DAY # 4 – Wednesday July 11th

It was an interesting day for the Team:  They began their day by having breakfast at a local church that provides a free breakfast to the community.  Lots of relief workers were there, along with local residents.  The Team went with high hopes and excitement to communicate with the locals who participate.  Clint reports that one of our young men in the Team sat down at a table and was asked where he was from and what he was doing there in Slidell.  When our team member responded to his question, the gentleman was quite abrupt with him and told him he didn’t want to have anything to do with that “E-Van-gelical” business. (I didn’t get the exact words) except the “E-Van-gelical” part) got up from the table and left.  Of course that rather shocked our Team.  Clint also reported that a couple of our young ladies sat down with a group of several at a table and when they sat down the entire table got up and left..  They didn’t know if it was just coincidence or rejection.  Running into obstacles such as this first thing in the morning kind of made for an odder day.   Hit by a strange reality that some may not accept the goodness the team has to offer through Christ, was eye opening. 

On a bright note:   Clint said “Guess what mom” “Guess what!”  “Guess how many mosquito bites I have?”  … I said … I don’t know… two?.... “hey how’d you know?!”  “It’s great! And they aren’t swelling!”  “The mosquitoes really aren’t as bad as last year.”.  I asked them if they saw any snakes yet or odd bugs.  He said, “no, there are a lot of wasps but they pretty much aren’t bothering us.”   “The fire aunts have stung a few of us”  by the sleeping house.  “but it’s too not bad.” 

When speaking with Zack and Clint I could tell they were tired.  Its been really hot and the team has been “really sweaty” (previously confirmed by Bryan) They’ve been frustrated by the previous… *sarcastically spoken by Clint*… “wonderful job” (He’s trying to speak less negative of the previous team)  of dry walling done by the team before them, and have had to compensate or redo a lot of that work which takes a longer time to see accomplishments.  (perhaps the other team thought they were to “texture” the wall?)  They seemed a little discouraged today by the setbacks in accomplishments.  Zack told me they tried and tried to reset a large window in Lester’s house but will have to work on it again Thursday. 

The team at Gary’s house “gave clothes to Gary Wednesday morning when they got there.  Gary teared up and said they shouldn't have bought the clothes until they gave him the underwear, and he said, "Oh, I needed those!".  They finished mudding the one room they were working on and drywalled another room.   Clint and Stephen ended up driving back to WalMart to exchange sizes for some of the clothing articles giving to Gary and picked up more supplies.  Giving the clothes to Gary made them all feel helpful and purposeful.  Jeff’s Team at Lester’s house joined them for lunch and Gary ate with all of them.  The team ended up leaving the worksite early, (they ran out of water) picked up the team at Lester’s house because Lisa and the girls used the van to take some of the neighborhood girls to get “snowballs.”  Stephen’s team tried to help with that obstinate window, but just couldn’t get it to “fit.”

*Lindsay, Mike and Nick mudding at Gary’s house*
… photo courtesy of Bryan Braun’s camera phone!

All of the Mullins were there tonight (Wednesday night)  - they were headed to Florida for vacation.  And said “Hi” to all of us Creeksiders!

They are to work ½ a day today (Thursday) and then tour “N’Orlens” (New Orleans).  Another full day of work is planned on Friday and Saturday is  ½ day. (this may be the day to see the DeHart family?) 

Prayer requests:

 - mosquitoes are coming around, pray they are mild

 - some of them have been bitten by fire ants, they are a little uncomfortable

 - Zack’s knee has some kind of abscess, not sure if it’s a bite or something else. 

- strength to keep working since when it gets warm, they get tired fast

- safety on the worksite since as they get tired they are not as careful

- hearts of the locals to receive the gifts the Lord has for them

- hearts of the Team to not be discouraged and “run the race” and “fight the good fight!”

“For the entire Channel 4 news team, I'm Veronica Corningstone”

Praying on…………..

Ginny

2007  Katrina Relief Team:  Slidell, Louisiana
Reporting for DAY # 5 – Thursday July 12th

Today’s report is Short!

Today was a hard and moving day.  ½ days work and a tour of New Orleans.  “How am I going to go home and explain this to everyone?”  It was intense and impacting.  The devastation that remains was unbelievable to their eyes.  The Team is exhausted and fatigued.  The heat and humidity is taking it’s toll and the physical labor arduous.  Many of the Team examined their lives today, core beliefs and heart changes were established along with personal strongholds being destroyed.   GOD IS MOVING through this TEAM and “spirits are strong.”

Prayer Request

Pray for Alicia, she had a migraine today and stayed at HQ with Lisa.  Lori chose to stay behind with them while the rest of the Team toured New Orleans. 

Lisa has fire aunt bites on her toes that are causing her feet to swell. 

Zack reports his knee is “way better”  and that they are “super tired”

Pray for strength and endurance… Friday is a full day of work yet to be done.

Pray for hearts of the Team that have opened to the Lord.

Continue to pray for the Neighbors and the House owners. 

I’m Diane Sawyer, and this is Good Morning America.

Praying on…………..

Ginny

2007  Katrina Relief Team:  Slidell, Louisiana
Reporting for DAY # 9 – MONDAY JULY 15th…. COMING HOME!!!

THIS JUST IN:   ………… via the net….
Bryan Braun reports for Saturday July 14th.. 

The Lester house group came to Gary's house, so Lester and Gary got to meet.  Gary asked the previous team there to write their names on the studs before putting drywall up in one of the rooms, and he wanted the Creekside group to do the same.  Kids decided instead to write their favorite scriptures!  This way Gary's house is "surrounded' by God's word!

They worked half of the day (Sat) and went back to where they were staying to cleanup and do some laundry, and debrief with the STEM leaders. 

Sunday’s Conversation With Clint, late in the evening July 15th
*Clint imitates with Whezzzing sound* ,   “You go’n try so’m gri’itts boy?”…  “That’s how old people talk here!” 

Sunday they dropped their luggage off at the W Hotel in New Orleans (I believe in the French Quarter (?)), and made their way to the DeHart’s House.  

They had a fairly productive day there, According to Clint.  Not a lot they could do for them in one day..  The Team painted one wall, and a did a few other small chores.  Clint reports:  “apparently we were the last team to work on the house” so it still looked in similar condition as they left it.  But, “Rodney had taken up some carpentry and has a real talent for it”  He “pretty much made an entire new kitchen”  

I asked what else they did and he said “they threw a bunch of rocks in the bayou and saw 4 gators”.  We went to a restaurant and “we got it on the floor”…. (translation: danced and had a good time) ….. “Guess what I ate?”  ….. “Real gator!”   I asked him what it tasted like, he said “kind of like calamari”   how was it fixed?  …. “it was grilled”…  I commented it wasn’t fried?  “No, I had enough fried stuff”  … Oh?....  “Last Thursday when we ate out in Slidell, I had fried crawfish and chicken Ya, Ya”

Clint and those in his room sounded like they were having a good time!   Both Clint and Zack reported that they had “many stories to tell, but didn’t want to tell them on the phone”  “many good stories!”  (nothing like leaving one hanging in suspense right?) 

I asked Clint:  You glad you went… “yes I am!”  he replied

10:32 a.m….right now on Monday morning here in OC… and Zack just texted:  “Almost ready to leave the hotel. Juuuust checkin in.” 

They are all looking forward to getting home.  It’s been a rewarding trip in many ways

Prayer Request: 

Safety for return trip

For the coming week when the Team will be separated and reflecting on their experiences.

For continued strength, encouragement and boldness of faith. 

For the Newbies in Christ

For the Chicago ummm… Creekside Tribune:   I’m Brenda Starr

Or was it Lois Lane??  Veronica Lake??...... I’m sooooo confused! J

Blessings and Praying on…………….

Ginny