Diamonds in the Rough

Worship at St. Roch Church this morning was powerful. For those of us returning, we were immediately caught up in the changes in and around the church. Across the street, a huge construction site has been transformed into a park. Inside the sanctuary, the insulation that we purchased, installed and left exposed last year is now covered with beautiful walls and artwork. Instead of the sounds of hammers and saws, the sanctuary is filled with voices singing praises to a God who does immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.

I was encouraged by the ministry of this small congregation nestled in a community with such significant needs. We are running a race. Between this missional church, our Glasgow Church teams and other missions teams that have worked in St. Roch for the past 4 years, we just keep passing the baton. The work is progressing a step at a time and this church is growing.

But the lasting impression for me in all of these projects and activities is that the more we give, the more New Orleans has to offer. I stood in the sanctuary of St. Roch church this morning thinking of the words of Mother Teresa. She said, "Only in heaven will we see how much we owe to the poor for helping us to love God better because of them."

My heart feels full and we're just getting started.

Worship at St. Roch Community Church

This morning we were blessed to attend worship at St. Roch Community Church:


The park adjacent to St. Roch is no longer a messy, muddy construction site, but is now a beautiful community park, full of activities:


What a difference a year makes. Here is Pastor J.B. Watkins behind his pulpit this year:

Here is the team from last year with the exact same wall in the background with Pastor Watkins pictured on the right):

And so it begins...

After our long day of travel and a brief birthday celebration we got settled into Firehouse(our home for the next week). Steve and I were on shower guard duty tonight when it was so clearly revealed to us why we need shower guards. Two police cars rounded the corner and stopped a man on bike. They began a series of questions and patting the man down while Steve and I read 1st Peter and discussed what the next day's devotions would be. This would be the reason that we lock ourselves in at night! PSALM 27:5 says, "For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock." After all the excitement we revealed to team 1 a little about what their first full day in NOLA will look like. We will be attending church tomorrow at St. Roch, a PCA church plant located in the eighth ward. We will be able to start serving the people first thing in the morning by taking nursery duty so all of the congregation can worship together.

What to expect??

I must say that this experience has already been rewarding to my family and myself so far....With the anticipation of raising the donations that were needed to go, to which God has truly provided above and beyond, to this past week rushing, working, and finalizing every loose end in our material world...This has been a rewarding experience already. Our family looks forward to the time to mission to others and I personally have felt the Spirit motivating me from within. So what to expect? This question can only be answered by our Father's will and intentions he has for us. It is very humbling to see what I have seen so far. From the abandon and dilapidated buildings to the almost desolation we saw coming in to the our home for the week. Words cannot describe the ache I experience in my heart alone for what New Orleans has been through and I pray there was a way that I could just rebuild it all for them. The truth is, WE, can help build it, clean it, provide where others cannot, and mission to those who do not believe that there is a Lord God Almighty who is very real and sent us, as well as others, to help them rebuild......help them to believe!! I want to make this my mission and I feel empowered by our Father to do this. So....What to expect.....I cannot wait!!! Thank you to God and those who helped us to get here. More adventures to come.....

Fundraising Complete!

Before we get too far into this week, we wanted to stop and say thank you to all of you who have supported this trip with your prayers and with your money. Taking 50 people to New Orleans over the course of 2 weeks is not a cheap endeavor, but we have been amazed to see God provided. Our theme for these next two weeks is "infinitely more," taken from Ephesians 3:14-21, the passage we are all working to memorize together. Truly, God has done infinitely more than we could imagine by raising all the money we needed to pay our expenses and to be a blessing to the people of New Orleans. So again, thank you for your faithfulness!

Team 1 is here!

Just wanted to let everyone know that Team 1 has arrived. After a full day of travel, everyone is safe. Even the luggage all made it! Tonight was mostly setting the stage for the week to come, but we did get to celebrate Ryan Redcay's birthday Happy birthday Ryan! Stay tuned for more stories as the week unfolds.

"I lost everything"

As Kim and I were running errands around New Orleans today, I stopped in to get a haircut. Now, when women get their haircut, the person cutting the hair becomes some combination of stylist, counselor and confidant. Not really so for guys. It only takes about 10 minutes to cut my hair, so not a lot of talking gets done.

Today was different. Lisa was talkative. When she found out I was in New Orleans to serve, she was surprised and grateful. I asked her how the storm affected her life. Here is part of the story she shared with me...

I lost everything in the storm. I never had very much, but what I had, I lost. It made me realize that stuff is just not that important. It wasn't me that I felt bad for though. The house I owned before the storm had some mold that was causing health problems for me, so I was trying to sell it. I had some friends who had just renovated their houses and lost it all. I really felt bad for them.

One special thing happened to me. During the storm, the water in one closet rose just below a shelf and ruined everything except for that one shelf. On that shelf were some old home videos from when my kids were younger. My son is 20 and my daughter is 11. In those video, he is 9 and she is just learning to walk. For my birthday, I had all those videos put on DVD. It was really special for me.

This is now the 3rd consecutive summer that Kim and I have been in New Orleans. One thing that has struck me each time I've been here are the stories of real lives. We've all seen the pictures of the devastation Katrina caused. It's another to hear real people share their lives. I'm grateful that I met Lisa today. Not only did I get a nice haircut, but God used her to soften my heart to the ongoing needs of this city. Pray for our team. We believe God has infinitely more planned for his glory through our time here than we can even imagine. May we have compassionate hearts and eager hands that are ready to serve toward that end. Who knows. There may even be someone like Lisa for whom we can help create new memories to replace those washed away by the storm.

Week 1 Team - Tuesday Prayer Meeting

Some members from the Week 1 Team met tonight to pray for our trip, for each other, for the Jeantets, and for the people we will meet in New Orleans! We leave this Saturday and there were many praises for how God has been faithful and working mightily in our lives, as well as some of the challenges and barriers we're working through. We were reminded of God's word:

"Now to him who by his power within us is able to do infinitely more than we ever dare to ask or imagine - to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever, amen!" (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Missions at home

The call to missions is not just far away from home. In fact, it starts in our own backyard. The NOLA missions team is committed to serving here, in Delaware, as well as in New Orleans. That is why we partnered with the deacons at Glasgow Church for the "Judea Project." The Judea Project is an extreme home makeover for a family in Wilmington. When I first entered the house, there was nothing - no carpeting, no furniture, no beds, no dishes - nothing. Our team came in and patched the holes in the wall and painted the whole house. New flooring and carpeting is going in this week and furniture will be delivered soon. Here are few pictures from our day serving with the Judea Project.

2009 Mission to New Orleans!

Time has passed. The national focus and priorities have shifted. And yet, in New Orleans, there are still people desperate for hope, desperate for help.

Glasgow Church is responding to this call by going - in force and on a mission. This summer, over the course of two weeks, 50 people from Glasgow Church will be going to NOLA to serve. The first team in NOLA from June 27 through July 5. The second group will arrive July 3 and be there until July 11.

Pray that God would use us in amazing ways. As a team, we have committed to memorize Ephesians 3:14-21. In that passage, we read that God is able to do "infinitely more than we ever dare to ask or imagine." We are asking that God will do amazing things - infinitely greater things - than we can even imagine in and through us. Follow this site to see the pictures and read the stories from our trip. And finally, pray for us!

A few more memories

Here are a couple of videos to remind everyone of the trip and maybe to continue praying for these ministries:


St. Roch Community Church Plant



"Glory, Glory" at Bethel Colony South Transformation Ministry

Slideshow from New Orleans

Enjoy this little slideshow from our trip - God really is doing great things in that city!

Passing the Baton

We've been home for a few days now, but there is one thing that happened right at the end of our trip that I can't shake. We were at Enterprise, returning our rental cars, and I was standing at the counter waiting to pay. There, next to me, was a group that was picking up their cars. It seemed obvious to me that they were a church group, so I asked them where they were from. "Delaware," came the reply, to which I said, "Oh really, where?" "Newark." There, right next to us at Enterprise, just arriving, was a group of 23 from a church in Newark, ready to serve the Lord in New Orleans. After all that our team had accomplished in our week there, it was almost like a passing of the baton as another church just down the street from ours was showing up to continue God's work in that city. That was so encouraging to me.

I'm not sure I can event count the times in our week in NOLA where I heard, "If it wasn't for the church coming to serve, this city would not be where it is today." Time and time again, from pastors to community residents made the same comment. It brings tears to my eyes and as I think about God's passion for these people and how faithful his church has been at extending compassion to them. That truly is what it means to be salt, light and a city on a hill. That is the very purpose for which God has placed us here in this world. When God's people serve those who are hurting, outcasts or outsiders, they are bringing God's kingdom to bear on the earth, and that is cause to celebrate!

Home Safely

We're tired, sad, excited, grateful and more, but we are home safely. Thank you to all who prayed for our travel yesterday. Keep your eyes on this site as more stories will continue to be posted. God bless each of you today.

Consequently...

Ephesians 2:19-22

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."

Here are some comments on this passage from Pastor Thabiti Anyabwile at Modern Reformation Magazine that I read on the plane ride home tonight. It is right in line with Steve's teachings on Revelation, dealing with The New Creation and our New Dwelling in Christ:

"What is consequent to new life in Christ individually, and new reconciliation and unity with others and God through faith in Christ? Three things: citizenship; membership; and dwelling.

Our citizenship has been changed, which is what Paul's been reflecting on all along in Ephesians. But Paul concludes with another reminder of that fact here in verse 19: "No longer foreigners and aliens (sojourners), but fellow citizens."

"No longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow... members of the household of God." The imagery grows more intimate. It's not just that we've made it inside the borders of a new kingdom or territory, but by God's grace we have been brought into the King's household-and not just as mere servants, but as members of that household. We have been adopted into the family as heirs together of this kingdom with Christ (Rom. 8:15-17). All who are in Christ are made a part of one family-God's family, God's household. Far from being at war, hostile and threatening, we sleep securely under the roof of God our King as his children. This is the future of all who love and follow Jesus as their Savior.

This household is "being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." Notice how the imagery grows yet more intimate still. It's not just that we're now citizens, and it's not just that we're members of God's household; we are the house or dwelling of God (vv. 19-20). We are a "household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets..."

Notice too that this dwelling, this household, is founded "with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." Christ is the Chief Apostle, sent by God the Father to die for the sins of his people and to preach the good news of peace. Christ is the Chief Prophet foretold by Moses in Deuteronomy 18. He is the fulfillment of Israel's hope and the One who brings the Gentiles near to God. He, then, is the cornerstone. He anchors the entire building, and he keeps it level and sturdy. As the cornerstone, he is the foundational element that joins together the walls of Gentile and Jew. It is upon Jesus that the entire edifice is raised (vv. 21-22).

Here is the glorious end of it all! All of history is about God building for himself a holy temple, a dwelling place. That dwelling is not made by hands, does not suffer construction delays or need weather treatment, or require bricks and mortar. The temple of God is built on the cornerstone of his Son, Jesus. It is laid on the foundation of his sent messengers, apostles and prophets; but it is raised with the "living stones" of the once dead now living, once alien now citizen, once hostile now reconciled followers of Jesus Christ! The one people of God-Jew and Gentile; black and white; male and female; young and old-all of God's people of all time through faith in Jesus Christ have become the temple of God indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God.

This is the destiny of all who repent of their sins and turn toward God through faith in Jesus Christ. We are destined to be his dwelling place, until we hear that final proclamation from the throne of heaven (Rev. 21:3)-

"Behold, now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God."

(source: Modern Reformation Jan/Feb 2008)

For The Glory of It All

going home but new orleans we will return

today is a great day but also a sad day because we have to fly home but we dont want to leave because there is still so much work to be done here in new orleans as rebuilding and touching lives and souls for christ,there are so many memories i will never forget like going to bethel colony,to helping gloryland baptist church and changing pastor dunbars life that he can very soon get his churcha and congregation back to start to worship God but alot still needs to be done to get the church back,helping st.roch community church and knowing pastor jb watkins will be ok because soon he will reopen his church to the community that wants its church and neighborhoods back and they arent letting hurricane katrina stop them from the vision they have after such a devesating storm but God and the church have gotten new orleans back on there feet.
i have been touched and so humbled by the outporing of love from the communities and neighborhoods that everyone has a story to tell and they just want someone to listen and love them and let them know everything will be ok and that were here to help and God will be so honored by us helping others when they need it.
"LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING BUT THE UNDERSTANDING OF GOD"
steve ledden

Feed the Multitudes

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me" (Matthew 25:35-36).

Those verses, printed on the back of the tshirts from Feed the Multitudes, captures not only yesterday, but even the spirit of our time here in New Orleans. Feed the Multitudes was an amazing event as thousands of the poorest people in the city came to or were bussed into City Park for the event. Our task was to hand out bags of groceries for people to take home with them so that not only did they get a meal, haircut and more at the event, they also went home with 2 bags of groceries. However, as the prayer tent was understaffed, several of our team had the privilege of sitting in the tent praying for people who came asking for prayer.

After the hard work of drywalling, insulating, mowing and more that we have done all week, our week culminated with the chance to feed and pray for the people of the city. What an incredible blessing. One member of our team commented it seems like at some point, we should get to be more of a blessing than we receive in return. And yet that is the very power of radical obedience and love of people is that as we do so, God is forming his character, heart and passion into us.

As we near the end of our week, thank you to all who have followed us, prayed for us and supported us. We have been the hands and feet of Christ to a city in need and have encountered the living Christ transforming us as well. Thank you.

God of This City

Each day we've had the incredible privilege of worshipping with one another. On a few occasions we've worshipped with local believers, and daily as a team we've been led by our incredibly gifted worship leader, Bruce Jeffers. 

Of all the amazing songs of worship and supplication that we've sung, everyone here agrees that "God of This City" is by far our team favorite. In fact, it has become our theme.  

Below is a video of Chris Tomlin's version put together by another group of folks who we don't know, but were helping out somewhere in another city. As we prepare to serve tomorrow for the July 4th festival here in NOLA, we are reminded that our true freedom is found in Christ alone, who truly is the God of this city!

Feed the Multitudes for the 4th of July

Tomorrow is the 4th of July and our whole team will be serving along side Victory Fellowship, a local church here in New Orleans. The event is called "Feed the Multitudes" and takes place annually at City Park. 

Please pray that it doesn't rain all day long and that all of those in need will be able to make their way to the park.

Our team will be serving specifically by passing out groceries. And there is so much more going on. So watch this video to see what it is all about it:

Pictures, Pictures and More Pictures

We've been trying to share some of the pictures that we've been taking throughout the week, but there are more (hundreds more!). This slideshow will move scroll through them. To see the whole library, click on the slideshow.