Bethel Colony South Worship

We had an amazing time experiencing god's blessing at Bethal Colony, a transformation ministries for men with addictions, and watching them worship our lord. We also, had the privilege of serving them a great meal made by the Rhem family.

Here is a small clip of God's blessing to this ministry experienced through these men.

Enjoy,

God is Good All the Time

Christmas Shopping in July

Steve Jeantet took the Thompson family to Toys R Us this afternoon and told Jack and Julianna to spend some money.

St. Roch has a subsidized Christmas Shoppe that is open during the Christmas season. They offer gift items at a discount of up to 70% off the retail price for the community so they can afford to buy presents for their children.

The instructions that Steve gave Jack and Julianna was to pick out gifts that they thought the children would like and told them what the budget was. Jack and Julianna came up with a strategy prior to buying the gifts. First they wanted to check out the sale flyer. When entering the store they noticed the flyer box was empty so they went to the customer service window. They only had one flyer in the entire store, so the children had to study it before shopping. They had a “red hot” special going on with an additional 20% off any clearance item. Jack and Julianna each had a cart and headed straight to the clearance section. They thought carefully about each purchase and the children that would be receiving the toy. They made wise purchases and found some great bargains. Two carts were overflowing with bags of toys that God blessed us with. Our support money was infinitely more than we could ask or imagine so the community of St. Rock will be blessed.

--Patti

Home...

It is a bitter-sweet moment for the Shepard family as we are sad to be home because of the many relationships we have created with the residents of New Orleans and the family we have come to know and love.....the missions team. We spent a week with individuals that we only had a brief time during our meetings to get to know, to virtually knowing every little detail and uniqueness of everyone.
As for New Orleans, our family experienced a revelation in our hearts that is urging us to continue His work. We feel that the Lord has moved our hearts and passion into a different direction and we pray that He will continue this feeling and unfold His plan for our family. I myself felt very torn leaving because the work is not finished. I am already counting the days until I return to continue to minister in any way, shape, and form. So many ideas are swirling in my head at this very moment. I want to find new ways to help and minister to everyone in New Orleans, that it is hard to grab a hold of just one. This may be just "the new car" feeling because we have just returned and its fresh; however, I believe that He is providing so much more!!

We will continue to pray for the families in New Orleans, Steve and Kim, and the safety and health of Team 2. I cannot wait to read all about the ministry that Team 2 will provide to New Orleans this week. We will pray each and every day for you!!

***A special note for Billy - Let Mike know at Bethel Colony that I am looking forward to the mural to be posted and I apologize for not being able to see the finished product. We will pray for all of the men and leadership at Bethel Colony as well as all of those at St. Roch!!!***

Steve and Kim - Thank you for a wonderful and spiritual week. It was a great pleasure to get to know your family and we hope that this is not the end......Its only the beginning!

John and Dawn - Thank you for the support that you gave Steve and Kim and the leadership you have provided for all of us. We have grown and will continue to grow spiritually with the excellent leadership that you and the Jeantet's have provided during this short but powerful journey. (John - I know the Lord speaks through all of us in one way or another but thank you for speaking for him and selecting me for the many opportunities to pray for the team. He continues to bring us out of our "comfort zone" and encourages us to speak his word. Each time its get easier and the words become even more clearer.)

Thank you Team 1 and our Father in Heaven for opening our eyes and becoming our new family in Christ!!

This is a picture of Connor and a woman named Barbara. We met Barbara at Feed The Multitudes on July 4th. Barbara is a small elderly woman and was not able to carry her groceries from the rally to her bus stop. Connor and I had the priviledge to take a 45 minute walk with Barbara. She talked for a while and she seemed glad that she had someone to talk to. Barbara really opened up to us about her knowledge of God. She grew up in the Catholic Church. We discussed the many traditions of the Catholic Church and she came to the conclusion that the traditions distracted her from really knowing God in a personal way. She recently left the Catholic Church and is attending another another Bible Preaching church. After talking at length with Barbara, it was clear that she is a believer and has trusted in Christ and Christ alone for her salvation. Her house was totally destroyed by Katrina. A local church is now rebuilding her house - 4 years after Katrina. Barbara said watching people she doesn't know rebuild her house has strengthened her faith in God's people. Connor and I will never forget Barbara, the next time we see her will be when we are worshipping God in Heaven. John Hoopman

Within His Reach

Monday morning as I sat in a room filled with over seventy men recovering from drug or alcohol addiction I was shaken awake by the scripture, praise, and shouts of joy these brave men declared. Some were wide-eyed, some had heads down, and some seemed to be fixed on every word with eyes closed and mouths proclaiming words of truth and power. Their worship time was replaced that morning by a fiery preacher who is known for his extra long exhortations. The worship, which several on my team had experienced last year, was described as one of the highlights of the 2008 missions trip. I left Bethel Colony after Monday morning's chapel time with hope that I would experience their worship some time this week.

My hope was fulfilled the next evening. After our team prepared and served dinner for this same group of men, we joined them for worship. The room was small. The humidity was high. And the sound was nothing I've ever experienced before. But what my senses took in was nothing compared to that of my spirit.

It's taken me a few days, but from that experience came this poem.

Within His Reach

Where have you been, what was your path to arrive in this place?
Did you know Him before and find yourself trapped
in a world with claws of torment, demons in disguise?
Or did you land here against your will, taking Him in for the very first time?

Whatever the route, you're here now and He has you...
held captive by the Word of truth and songs of praise,
and by those who have preceded you in a similar trap
crafted by the enemy of our souls, yet sifted through the very hands of God.
Those who have been taken from darkness into light
right here in this place.

You're here now and He has you...
transforming by the power of His spirit
building the bridge day by day from destruction
to redemption; casting your sins from east to west
and soaking you with crimson drops of pardon.

He has you... and the evidence is clear,
illuminating smiles and bright songs of joy
declared aloft air so moist and dense
the Words of truth and praise to Him on high
just sit and hover and linger and tell the story from where you came
and where you are...
now.

You're here now...

and He has you.

We're Home!!!!!

Well we just arrived home! We are all safe and sound at home. Guess what!? It is 67 degrees here in Delaware. On the plane the pilot said, "We will be arriving in BWI airport shortly. It is 67 degrees and sunny so we should be on time. Thank you!" When he finished, we all gave a good "whoop!" since it had been at least 105 degrees EVERY DAY!

When we got to the church everyone had to say there good-byes. It was hard for us all to split up because we have been a family for a whole week living and laughing with each other. Anna was telling me and I agree that it is going to be weird waking up and not having everyone to say good-morning to, or prepare breakfast with, or say "You snore and you know it!!!!!!!!!!!". I'm defiantly going to miss that. I'm going to miss everyone and everything about them. I hope that even if we are miles apart phisically, that we will stay together as a family in our hearts and minds.

Washing Feet

The past two weeks have been amazing. It has been such a blessing as a leader to watch the lives of both the people of New Orleans and of Glasgow be transformed. As team 1 is getting a few hours of sleep before they fly home and team 2 has crashed after a long day in the sun, I finally have a chance to reflect...

Today was awesome. We were at Feed the Multitudes, a free food festival for the poor of New Orleans. Four thousand guests poured through the gates of the Lakefront Arena today and were overwhelmed at the display of unconditional love before them. They were offered assistance writing resumes, health screenings, haircuts, manicures, and pedicures. There were huge water slides, balloon animals, snowballs and face painting for the kids. Guests ate endless portions of jambalaya, red beans & rice, chicken and hot dogs under an entertainment tent that was bigger than any one I've ever seen. And when they left, they were offered prayer and not one, but two loaded bags of groceries to take home.

Our team was spread out among almost all of these activities and so was I, but it was at the end of the day when the festivities were almost over that I had the chance to be Jesus to a woman named Agnes (pronounced Ahn-yes). Under the spa tent, in the heat of the afternoon, Agnes came to my station for a pedicure. It was the first pedicure she had ever had. I washed her dirty feet, massaged them, filed them, and polished them. I listened to her story and told her parts of mine. But it wasn't until later that I realized that that was the exact example that was given us by our Lord Jesus. He didn't just preach and perform miracles from on high. He came to where the people were and loved them as they were. He washed the dirty, grimy feet of the disciples. He called us to kneel as servants to others and love them unconditionally. And that is why we are here.

When Glasgow invaded N'awlins

Just when I was feeling the drain - after all, 2 weeks of intense missions work in a place where it is flirting with 100 degrees everyday is exhausting - God surprised me a boost. Team 2 arrived today. Just the thought of their arrival got me going, but it was bringing the two teams together that overwhelmed me.

Tomorrow is Feed The Multitudes, the big event that we scheduled both trips around. Tonight they had a rally for the volunteers who will be serving tomorrow. It was there that Team 1 and Team 2 first intersected and let me say, "Wow!" We are now just shy of four years out from Katrina. That day - that event - stands as a scorch mark on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in this city. Enter the people from Glasgow Church some 1800 miles away. Amazing.

Last year, 21 of us came. This year we have 50 people spanning the two teams! What a blessing and what an encouragement it was to see all 50 of them in the same place, eager to serve. Tomorrow will be Team 1's last day of ministry here while doubling as Team 2's first day. For that one day, Glasgow Church is invaded N'awlins, making the invisible kingdom visible through the feeding of the hungry, the preaching of the gospel and the call to repentance. Pray for us - all 50 of us - as we serve together, to the glory of God.

Caution: Kids at Work

All of the kids have been working diligently to help with some pretty difficult projects, including tiling the offices at St. Roch and helping to refurbish one of the properties the church owns and plans to provide for former residents from the neighborhood.

Random Fun Pics...

Dr. "Shep"....Jared is doctoring up Sue Carty. (**note the doctor gloves**)

"Randy vs. Wild"

MUST.....SHUT......DOWN.......NEED SLEEP NOW!!!!

"You were supposed to go to New Orleans....Why does it look like your at Walt Disney World?"

"I think we need more paint..."

Thank you everyone for a great missions trip...Our Lord God Almighty has a plan for each and every one of us....grab a hold of what He commands us to do and do as he wants done. Amen


"Attitude check..........Praise the Lord" (courtesy of Bethel Colony)

St. Roch Painting Party

Thursday morning was our group's beginning on the St. Roch Community Church painting renewal project. We started by painting the white trim onthe front of the church office stairs.

Posters, Flyers and Prayers

All the teams have been taking turns going out into the neighborhoods of the Eighth and Ninth Wards, to get the word out about the Free Food Festival this weekend (aka Feed the Multitudes).
As we've been going out, we've met the residents, prayed with them, listened to them, and shared with them. The people of New Orleans are extremely friendly -- friendlier than any other people that I've come across. And with their friendliness also comes an openness to share their prayer requests.

Today, we prayed for a woman with Parkinson's, a 90-year-old woman whose home was taken by the city and demolished due to taxes when her husband died, a family that has been separated in three states since Katrina, and numerous other severe health and financial requests.

While the needs are great, their thankfulness and praise for the things they still do have is just as strong. Everyone has a story to tell and most of those stories include both trial and praise. It is a blessing to be meeting each and every one of them.

What a wonderful week......

What a wonderful week....
*Tuesday - as other blogs showed....tore down a 2 car garage. Went to Bethel Colony and was moved and inspired by the energy and humbleness of the men of Bethel Colony. What a joyous and Godly event to experience. Men that have been completely broken down by the Lord only to be brought back loving our Father Almighty...That was awesome. I do not want to give to much away because the 2nd team is not here yet. They need to witness this powerful display of God's work.

*Wednesday - Back to the ROCK!! (St. Roch that is) We moved Ben's office and the storage room out and continued the tile laying process. God's work continues to move us in many ways we never could have imagined. Wednesday night was free night...we enjoyed group time in downtown New Orleans. It was hot and humid but we had so much fun. We ended our night as a group at the Oceana for dinner and fellowship...It was a great experience. The whole night was a great experience (right S. J.)

*Thursday - We started at the ROCK!! again...but this time God's plan had Tom, Marshall, Tucker, Elaina, Becky, Levi, Ian, and Jerry to report to 9th ward to hand out flyers. What another awesome experience. The people of the 9th ward were so receptive to the invitations for "Feed the Multitudes" and willing to share their stories with us. Becky had a wonderful visit with a couple of ladies and asked if they had any prayer requests....again, God's will and power put us all there today to lift the spirits and renew hope for those who are still suffering. It gave us the opportunity to let those who are suffering know that God has a plan for them and trust and believe in his word. *Friday - We shall see........

With every cloud....there is a silver lining! :-)

Flyers

Today I went to the neighborhood of the church we worked on last year. Each day last year we worked in the church but had never met the people who lived around this church. I have to tell you it felt a little scary last year working in this neighborhood but now it felt okay to walk around the neighborhoods with the children and one other adult.

We took 4 children and 2 adults counting myself. The children were fearless. They ran to each house ringing the doorbell in anticipation of telling people about Feed the Multitude event on Saturday. I marveled at how they were enjoying what many adults like me are scared to do. I thought no wonder that the Lord said about children, "for such is the kingdom of heaven." I even watched as the children flagged down cars and the smiles on the drivers who took the flyers. I was so glad to be a part of their day.

During our morning walk-around I met a man loading a lawn mower. He allowed me to tell him of the event and then he told me, " I wished your group was staying past Sunday or I would invite you to my church." A little stunned I asked him if he was a minister and he said yes. We talked some more and then I asked if I could pray for him. He quickly took my hand and asked me to pray strength for him. I did not know what he was facing but it was a privilege to hold his hand and go before the Father and pray for him.

I met a lot of friendly people this morning. Everybody smiled and listened to me or the children. Not one person refused to take a flyer or to refuse to have us pray. I wished my own neighborhood was this friendly. My first impression could not have been more wrong.

We went back to St. Roch Church for lunch. The sun felt like it had fried my head. The one thing I forgot to bring was a hat and my scalp was paying the price. Yet I could find patches of shade every now during the morning. I was relieved to get out of the sun and heat but my spirit was soaring from all my morning meetings.

Before I continue I wanted to share with you that this was so far out of my comfort zone that three years ago, I don't think I could have done it. Talking with strangers on cold calls was just not something I would have thought I could do. But today and this week I was enjoying meeting these people and sharing my faith. As I walked I prayed to meet more people and not empty homes. If you have fear about sharing your faith, prayer for God to give you courage and strength. He will give you the words to say. He will give you courage and you will be blessed. I felt like God had given me a very special privilege to represent Him to the people of New Orleans. Many of them touched my heart.

I met Melvin the man who had diabetes. He had lost part of his leg and his left thumb. He was very thankful for somebody coming by and praying for him. He promised to come to the event on Saturday. We met Paulette who was so gracious to us. She asked for prayer for her family for these difficult financial times. The last family we met the daughter was in a battle with her family over her mom. The daughter was over fifty and her mom was in her later 80's. She cried as she shared their struggles. We came in and met her mom and we prayed for both. She was very grateful for our visit and also promised to come Saturday.

As I looked back after the day was over I recalled the faces of people facing difficult times but who smiled and shared their story with us. It reminded me how much these people needed a Savior. "How will they know unless someone is sent." "Who will answer the call?" Is it you? I remembered something I heard before I left, "God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called." On this trip I am so grateful to my Lord because He called me and He qualified and I say this very humbly because I know who I am - a sinner saved by the grace of God. It is nothing special in me except for the Holy Spirit given to me by God. God doesn't need me to do a miracle but His love for us allows us to be part of His miracles. He can qualify you too if you answer the call. We truly serve an awesome God that nothing is impossible for Him!

Please keep praying for all of us. The second team is coming on Friday so we will all be here. God is doing great things. I wish you all were here.

Take care and God Bless!

Tom Bendler

Hope in Christ

It's hard to believe but we are in the back end of our trip to NOLA. It's been such an honor to help lead and serve along side this team. We have been reading and studying 1 Peter this week. What more encouragement do you need than the words of joy and hope that Peter offers in 1 Peter 1:3? We are called into a living hope of eternal life. What a great message to deliver to the hurting souls of NOLA that if you trust in Christ no matter what pain and suffering you may experience in this life it is not your final experience. Eventually they will live with Christ forever!

My prayer for this trip was that Christ would change our hearts - the hearts of the people in this city and hearts of the people on this team. Being here is so much more than just being a strong back. We have done several work projects in order to further the Kingdom, however it's easy to lose site of the goal of humbly glorifying God and to become prideful about the work we have done.

We have been praying especially for the people we are ministering with. These men and women are such an encouragement. We show up like a whirl wind and are gone in a week. They are diligently working at these ministries 52 weeks a year. Their ministries are on corners where drive-by shootings occur. They are watching young men who have walked a path into addictions, show up at their doors pleading for help. They need us all to be praying for them.

It's been awesome watching the kids on this trip emerge into young missionaries. Stepping out of their comfort zones to hand out flyers to complete strangers. Steady working in the 112 degree heat to help beautify neighborhoods. Levi and Ryan have also mastered tasks requiring precise measurements and extreme attention to detail.

I can't wait to see what God has planned for the rest of the trip! We are excited about Feed the Multitudes coming up this weekend. I'm confident that God has come before us and He will do infinitely more than we ever dare to ask or imagine!

Flying FTM (feed the multitiudes) Flyers

As the group of, Elaina, Levi, Ian, Tucker, Marshall, Tom, Becky and Jerry we passed out flyers to people in the Gentilly Ward they we overwhelmed with happiness and joy of hearing of the upcoming event Feed The Multitiudes.

We were going up to people in there houses and they we welcoming us in. We we flagging down people in their cars and they we overjoyed to hear about the event on July 4th. We were so glad to be going out handing out flyers to citizens who were interested. We thank the people who said that they would come.

Also we want everyone to pray for a woman we met named Linda. She was going through a tough time when Katrina hit because her neighbor and her lived in a boat outside of her house. We also want people to pray for her great grandson who just had open heart surgery who is only five years old. So just be praying for them.


Levi

Meet Wanda

Today (Thursday) we were passing out flyers for the event this weekend called Feed the Multitudes. We saw Wanda sitting on her front porch. We walked up to her to give her a flyer. We said hello and gave her a flyer. She looked at the flyer for a minute and said "Wow, this is going to be a beatiful event." She said this over and over again. When we seized the opportunity, Mrs. Massey asked Wanda if we could pray for her. She said "Oh yes. Could you pray that I get a job and a home." "Isn't this your house?" asked Mrs.Massey. "No. This is my mother's house. My home was destroyed in the storm." Wanda answered.

After we assured that we would pray for her she continued to comment on the Feed the Multitudes event. "I can't wait to see this. This is going to be wonderful." she went on. "I'll definately be there"

Unfortuantly we asked Wanda if we could get her picture but she was a little uncomfortable with the idea. I wish I could have shown you the smile on her face.

As we walked away I think I still heard her saying,"This is going to be beautiful."

Worship with Bethel Colony Tranformational Ministry

First Responders

Today I pitch-hit for First Responders with John Long. We visited many firehouses today. With each visit we listened to their stories of how they lost their homes and some their firehouses. They did not complain but simply told us how they did what they had to do to rebuild their lives. Many of the firehouses were rebuilt by volunteers who cam along side them and help them rebuild. They were very thankful for all the help.

Two things really came out from this day. The first was how we were not finding firehouses where they should have been. It could have been frustrating but we both said that this must be God's timing. Then we finally came upon the next firehouse. The entire crew was washing the firetruck. We had heard from a previous firehouse that a dump fire required all the houses on the East side of New Orleans to fight a dump fire. We knew these guys must be tired and we almost thought we should pass them by but something or I should say Somebody stopped us. We walked up with First Responder material and they welcomed us into their firehouse.

They were very eager to hear about our mission. Even though they must have been physically tired because it is very hot down here but they were very attentive to what we had to say. At the end they even asked us for more material as they spoke out names of people who could use these CDs. It just reminded me that we should never go by our "own understanding. Trust in the LORD with all heart. In all our ways acknowledge Him and He will make our paths straight." Proverbs 3: 5 & 6. You see it was the Lord's timing for us to meet these men when they came back from the fire and now we hope seeds have been planted.

The other thing that I noticed was how quickly and warmly these fire fighters greeted us when they heard John say he was a fire fighter too. I could see how firefighters are a part of a larger family beyond their own firehouse walls. They share a common bond with one-another. They welcomed us in and shared their stories of Katrina and also their experiences fighting fires. They made us feel welcomed and also listened to what we wanted to tell them.

Again this was a fine example of what we are called to do in the Church. We should welcome those around and make them feel like they are part of a larger family - our family - the family of God. To reach out and greet the person next to us because they could be a visitor passing through our area or had just starting attending our Church. We are part of a bigger family and we share a common bond in Jesus Christ. Don't let the opportunity pass us by to make somebody next to us feel like they are part of God's family and welcome them in the Name of our LORD. Please keep praying for us. May the grace and peace of God be yours in abundance.
Tom Bendler