Day 1

Straight to Work:
Our T-minus dating system was blown off-track by the Feb 16-17 blizzard which hit Southern WI. We had our eyes on the weather channel, and Cathy spoke to Doug Gosseau (sp) the meteorologist from channel 12, who recommended an early departure to avoid the heavy part of the storm. So, we departed Minocqua Wednesday evening about 8:00pm.

The snow came hard by 10:30pm North of Madison. We slowed down, stayed on course and settled in for what would be a long drive. By 2:30 am we were near Rochelle, Il, so we pulled off for the night. By morning, the cold front progressed to our doorstep, and we were awakened with thunder, lightning, high winds and about one inch of pea-sized hail. The good news is that the worst of the storm was yet to come, and we were still ahead of it.

Nancy K. and Liz also left Minocqua on Wednesday, and our two vehicles were now traveling within one hour of one another. As we kept in touch by cell phone, we continued to update and encourage one another regarding the deteriorating driving conditions. By the end of Illinois we were all ready for another night's rest. Friday brought a great day for driving, and we all arrived in Covington within 30 minutes of each other. We had time to relax for a short while, we enjoyed a wonderful meal prepared by Compassion staff colunteers, Liz & Nancy were involved in a short mission orientation, we found a spot on the floor for our air mattresses, and soon it was 'light's out'.

Today Mark & Cathy worked in the church office, building relationships with the Compassion staff and finalizing our heaps of paperwork for the five weeks of teams, but Nancy and Liz (Thelma and Louise) went straight to work in downtown New Orleans gutting a house with a group of volunteers from our host church, Trinity EFC. They worked like they were "Spirit-driven", removing debris, drywall and piles of sopping-wet household goods and clothing. The floodwaters have been gone for SIX months, but much of the home's interior, furniture and closet items are still soaked with moldy, bacteria filled water. Safety is always an issue, but we are prepared with N95 masks, safety glasses and rubber gloves inside of our work gloves.

The two photos on today's post were taken yesterday by my new friend Trent. This is still what much of New Orleans looks like. Some parts still look like bombed out neighborhoods, and other areas have strange sites like houses that floatedup and landed on top of cars. Every where you go you see a 'water line' across the tops of the home, and the streets are void of people. Power poles and power lines still litter the streets and there is no running water. After 6 months, the work in New Orleans is just beginning.

Here in Covington, about 35 miles to the North, life looks almost normal from the outside. There are resurants open and there is a buzz of people everywhere. But the reality is that the spirit of many people is still bruised, damages or broken. These people need encouragement, kindness, and compassion. This is the REAL work that we are here for. The shovels and wheel borrows are just a way to help these people and open doors for caring conversations. During the past few weeks, many people (about a dozen) have come to know Jesus because of the kindness and sharing of a work crew while working on someone's home. AMEN!

Please continue to pray for the people of New Orleans, Covington and Southern Louisiana. God is moving in a big way down here. We are extremely happy and humbled to be a part of His work. We could not be here without the help of our home church, and the people who helped send us. We praise the Lord for your faithfulness!
- Mark