Wonder Voyage 2009 Summer Blog

This trip has not ceased to amaze me, and now that we are at the halfway point, I want to emphasize that I’ve gotten an immeasurable amount out of this trip. My eyes are opening every day, seeing beyond the cataracts of doubt, ignorance, question, and even fear.

Today, despite the reluctance to wake up early yet again (welcome to a mission trip!) we early birds not only woke up, but also realized how worthwhile the waking was. Versatility induced in us a quite lively experience made unforgettable. We attended two church services back-to-back; a challenge to enjoy worshipping God in different ways while observing and identifying the ways we connected.

Franklin Avenue Baptist Church was possibly the most exciting and awkening -literally- service any of us have ever had the pleasure of being welcomed into. Not only was the sermon personable and enthusiastic, but also there was an aura of comfort and hospitality throughout the congregation.

Awake and alive, there was a sense of anticipation as to how the next service at Mt Olivet Episcopal would measure up to the whooping and Amens we had just been a part of. Even though it was a more 
traditional Episcopal Service, without a powerhouse men’s choir or bold open-ended praising like Franklin Avenue had, there was no denying a sense of comfort and familiarity in the prayers and hymns of the liturgy which are part of our Sunday mornings back at home. The two churches were vastly different, but it allowed us to reevaluate our connections in each church and appreciate the different, the new, the typical, and the old. As well as prompting us to reciprocate the kindness that we’ve continuously received.

Our fourth day in New Orleans was probably our most eventful yet.  Following our arrival at St Philip’s Episcopal Church in Algiers, we were put to work painting the interior of the Fellowship Hall. Part of  the team spent the day disinfecting and pressure-washing and playing  with all of the playground equipment. It was jaw-dropping to see the  contrast of the walls before and after we started working.

After stopping to indulge in New Orleans style Sno-balls of  innumerable flavors, we took part in St Philip’s Saturday evening Eucharist where people expressed their gratitude for what we did. It  was great to see their smiling faces when they first saw he freshly  painted walls.

After a delicious dinner and some play time near the Mississipi River, we made our way to the McDonoughville Cemetery- one of New Orleans’  “cities of he dead.” There we brought up the question of what it means to leave a legacy. Several of the youth and adults shared their stories and what this means to them in heir lives.

For the final surprise of the evening we found ourselves taking a ferry boat home after a very full day of fun and hard work.

It was just like any other morning. Waking up early not knowing what  Wonder Voyage had in store for us to do.  We reached the work site a bit wary of what we had to prepare for. Just after emerging from our van, we learned about the owner of the  house we would be working on. His story has a fairy tale ending.

When Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana many people were stranded in  their own homes. This man was no exception. Unfortunately, in the process of trying to survive he broke his leg. The lack of medical assistance allowed for infection to set in. He lost the use of his leg, and he was taken to a nursing home to recover. While there he fell in love for the first time; and he was married for the first time at the age of sixty plus years. What makes it more 
ronantic is that they were married on Valentines Day. His desire is to bring his new wife to a newly rebuilt home. We were there to help fulfill that dream, and that made this experience so  worthwhile.

Open our eyes, Lord. The heat in New Orleans this week should be no problem for our  fearless team from St Thomas Episcopal in Florida. They arrived safely and have hit the ground running. It is our hope that the entire week  will be filled with eye-opening experiences. Our home for the week is called The Center for Jesus the Lord. This retreat center is housed in  an old Carmelite Monastery on the edge of the French Quarter. There is something kind of soothing about sleeping within the  walls of a place where the prayers of the faithful have been lifted up  for almost 200 years.

Our pilgrims spent their first full day in service to the New Orleans Mission. Sorting, cleaning, cooking, hauling, smiling, and sweating were the order of the day. Every moment of service helped out the small staff of this incredibly busy and needed place.   We journeyed over to the Lower 9th Ward in the late afternoon to see  the path of the flood, and to see what has been accomplished and how  much is still left to be done post Katrina. Probably the biggest eye  opener of the day was just looking at vacant lots and green space  where there used to be hundreds of homes. Every act of service or  kindness this week will contribute to the hopeful recovery of this  amazing town. May God bless us with joy and tons of energy, as well as  the eyes to see what He wants us to see.

Dear Madeline,

Our time in New Orleans has come to a close, but there are so many cool things to remember.  One of those things is how well we all blended together into one unified group.  We worked hard, played hard, and prayed hard.  We cleaned, sorted, organized, re-organized, pulled, hammered, shoveled, cut, mowed, chopped, bagged, and sweated. Some of the work we did was really tedious; some of it was really hard. We saw some unique things here in the city; we talked to some incredibly kind and very grateful people.  We ate an enormous amount of good food, and through it all we sought the face of God.

Our last day in the city was one for fun and exploration.  We went to the Wax Museum in the morning, and we rode on the Steamboat Natchez on the Mississippi River in the afternoon.  In between, we explored the French Quarter shopping and, of course, eating. In the evening we shared the moments of the trip that had impacted us the most. It was a special time.

Today we had to say goodbye…that’s sometimes the hardest part of a trip like this.  After a week of sharing space, meals, work, laughter and tears it is really hard to say goodbye, but we must.  If I had to pick a favorite part of the week it would be hard.  God was with us all the time. My favorite part was the laughter.  Even when it was super hot and we were really tired, we were still laughing alot.  I think that sound of joyful laughter is really music to God’s ears.

I’m sorry that you were unable to come with us to New Orleans, Madeline. I think your prayers for us helped us to have such an amazing week.  I know the students from St Lukes are really exicted to share their stories and pictures with you. Thank you again for lifting us up in prayer.  I hope that you will join us next time on the adventure. 

Molly

NOTE: Our blogs from New Orleans this week will be written in the form of letters to Madeline- a team member from St Lukes Dallas who was prohibited at the last minute by health issues from attending the trip.

Dear Madeline,

A thank you cannot be singled out as one thing. A thank you comes in many different forms from a wave, to a phrase, to a smile, or even a gift. The possibilities are infinite. As we finished our work week today, thank yous poured down, literally. It was touching to see the neighbors walk by and light up with hope, waving as signs of their gratefulness. A former homeowner miraculously appeared as we weeded through her childhood memories. 

Not only did the people give thanks, but midway through the 105 degree heat index of the day, God opened up the heavens and allowed it pour down rain. As we sat on someone’s old porch, we looked back on this week through the falling plaster and the towering weeds & recalled that we too are thankful for this experience. The locals may feel that they are the ones who owe the thanks, but we feel we should be the ones thanking them for the opportunity to enlighten our lives and see the truth in them.

We have been blessed with such great leaders and such a great team. Each and every experience this week has truly made an impact upon our hearts. Day to day we watched our ‘never back down’ team work side by side with the hopeful locals, and we saw miracles unfold. It truly has been life- changing. God is great, and we are blessed.

Katie & Blakelee

Some quick doughnuts and coffee and the team from Saint Michaels and All Angels were off early in the morning for their long drive back to Dallas. It was a whirlwind week serving a new church in the 9th Ward, exploring Algiers and the French Quarter, gutting multiple houses in the 7th Ward, and trying not to get bit by wild gators. The Lord created many opportunities for the team to see how he is at work throughout this amazing city of NOLA and as the team loaded the bus to head home they carried with them the stories of lives changed and hope delivered.

Today started with a bang, or a bite. The team from Saint Michaels and All Angels spent the morning with an Louisiana tradition, a swamp tour. Right when we arrived we were greeted by a 10ft gator sitting on the river bank antagonizing a local cat. It was a hot trip, the hottest day on record, but the gators were wild and the time was full of suprises.

In the afternoon the team spent the day exploring the French Quarter picking up a few things before we headed off to our celebration meal at Busters Soul Food. That night at our Pass the Candle event the team reflected on their week, remembering Wonder Moments that challenged them and brought them closer to Christ. The week was coming to an end but the adventure of life in Christ was only just beginning.

First thing in the morning the team from Saint Michaels and All Angels started back on the houses they were gutting the day before. The goal for the day was to finish off one house and get another ready for the next group to come in. Teamwork, corrordination, and sweat brought everyone together and we finished the day with sno-cones in celebration of all the hard work.

In the evening the team spent some time at Cafe du Monde, exploring the NOLA landmark and trying to find tables they could sit at. The week of service was coming to a close but as this day ended the team reflected on the hope they had brought to those still suffering from Katrina. They were “Jesus with skin on” for families throughout the 9th ward and many other places in the city.