Family in Christ
Serving In Gulf Coast
June 12, 2021
Community: Lake Charles
Partner: Mount Olive Baptist Church
Staff: Liz Drennan, Natalie Wych, Rachel Judson
Welcome to Louisiana!
by Liz Drennan | June 12, 2021 10:43 PM
We made it to Lake Charles safely after an early wake-up and long day of travel. We settled into our home for the week - Mount Olive Baptist Church. Mount Olive has become a hub for relief work in the community after the chain of natural disasters that have struck Lake Charles. After an orientation meeting, we headed to downtown Lake Charles and walked to our lakefront dinner location. We are headed to bed with hearts ready to serve this week!
Sunday Morning
by Liz Drennan | June 13, 2021 11:45 PM
This morning we joined the congregation of Mount Olive for their Sunday service called Fresh Wind. It was obvious that the church and its members were filled with the joy of the Lord, despite the circumstances of the past year in Lake Charles. We loved getting to worship with them in a different way than we are used to. After church, we got the chance to spend some time with Brother Gregory and Pastor Harris and hear a little about their experience of the past year, and how the local church is mobilizing to meet the needs of their community.
Getting to Know the Community
by Liz Drennan | June 13, 2021 11:58 PM
This afternoon we walked around the neighborhoods surrounding the church to invite community members to our VBS program. We were able to see firsthand some of the damage to homes after two hurricanes, an ice storm, and the floods in May.
Today was a great day to get to know the community where we are serving. One of the kids we met out walking joined us at the church for dinner, where we also were able to share a Bible story with her. We also had the opportunity to spend some time with her and let her know how much Jesus loves her, what a privilege!
While she was just one child, we were reminded of the parable of the lost sheep, where the good Shepherd will leave the flock of 99, to go after the one lost sheep, and that just one more heart for Jesus is something to celebrate.
We are prepped and ready to begin our work projects tomorrow!
Yard Work
by Liz Drennan | June 14, 2021 10:08 PM
We spent our morning and afternoon working to clean up yards at some homes in Lake Charles. Most of these houses are vacant because they still have storm damage that hasn’t been repaired yet. Since these families are living elsewhere, they aren’t able to tend to the yards and they’ve become overgrown. The homeowners commented what a relief it was to have one less thing to worry about. It was hard and hot work, but it became fun while working as a team. We can’t wait to continue to serve and work tomorrow!
VBS Fun!
by Liz Drennan | June 14, 2021 10:19 PM
This afternoon we hosted VBS at Mount Olive Baptist Church. We had several kids from the community join in, word is getting out that we are here! We loved leading the kids in fun and games, but most importantly, we loved telling them about Jesus walking on water. They learned a memory verse from Hebrews “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul.” We had a big spaghetti dinner together with the kids and their families afterwards. It was such a great time together, we ended the day with full hearts and full bellies.
New Family in Christ
by Liz Drennan | June 15, 2021 7:51 PM
This morning we started our day at Mrs. Tammy’s house. We helped her move out some of her salvageable items and furniture into a storage unit on her property. She works full time and her husband is disabled, so while this was a simple task, it was a massive help for her, as it was something that she just couldn’t get done on her own. A future team is going to be able to work to gut their home in preparation for it to be repaired. While working with her, we got to spend some time getting to know her and her mother. She even promised us a Cajun treat of boudin tomorrow!
Prayer
by Liz Drennan | June 15, 2021 7:52 PM
Ships and Shore
by Liz Drennan | June 15, 2021 7:55 PM
Done, but Not Finished
by Liz Drennan | June 16, 2021 9:00 PM
Today we continued working on cleaning up yards of homes where the residents were still displaced. We split up to try and get as many homes done as we could. Though we are done with our work today, there is a team following behind us next week to continue this much-needed ministry in Lake Charles.
Youth Outreach Night
by Liz Drennan | June 16, 2021 10:08 PM
Tonight we held our youth outreach night for the community. We spent time together playing games, sharing testimonies, and grilling out burgers and hamburgers. We had some great fellowship and conversations. At the end of the night we even had a youth who had been coming all week accept Jesus! That makes our entire week worth it. Tomorrow we are heading out to see some of the beautiful scenery God created in the great state of Louisiana!
Crabbing
by Liz Drennan | June 17, 2021 10:31 PM
We started the morning at a park on the Lake. We participated in a local tradition of crabbing. We lost a few, but caught several of them!
Gator Sighting!
by Liz Drennan | June 17, 2021 10:33 PM
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Comments
Kaitlyn McKee
June 18, 2021 9:12 PM
So proud of all of you guys!!! ❤️
Morgan Kellum
June 17, 2021 8:30 AM
Good job, team! Enjoy your sightseeing day. Can’t wait to see you!
Lisa Malick
June 16, 2021 11:33 PM
So proud of our FIC kids and all the hard work you're doing to lend a hand and spread some love to a community that has been so hard-hit this past year.
Don & Judy Kellum
June 16, 2021 3:19 PM
Your busy week will soon come to a close, and we pray that you all will finish well and return home with lasting memories! Thanks to all of you for sharing your time on behalf of the Lord, and loving the people He has led you to work with and for. Enjoy the last work day tomorrow!
Aaron Smith
June 16, 2021 11:37 AM
So proud of the team! Keep up the wonderful work and know you have an army of people praying for you and the Lake Charles community.
Nancy Stephens
June 15, 2021 9:32 PM
What wonderful work u all r doing. Continued prayers for your safety and for God’s blessings on ur work.
Carrie Evans
June 15, 2021 10:33 AM
I love you guys and so proud of you! I am praying God shows himself to you in powerful ways and that this trip would help you continue to grow in your love for God and people! He is Awesome and so are you!
Morgan Kellum
June 15, 2021 8:10 AM
So excited to read about the very practical ways you are serving their community. What a blessing to have such hardworking and compassionate teens ready to do whatever is needed. Well done! Praying for good connections with those kids 😊.
Rhett Stephens
June 14, 2021 11:46 PM
So wonderful to see you guys at VBS having fun with the children. Such a blessing to hear the good you are doing for the community. Praying for you.
Mary Jo Watwood
June 14, 2021 3:16 PM
Praying for you all every morning...we love you....have a blessed and fun time. Love you, G'ma
Nicole Stephens
June 13, 2021 5:18 PM
Praying for a great week for all!
Katie Jones
June 13, 2021 2:57 PM
So glad to see your smiling faces!! Praying for you all as you start the week.
Morgan Kellum
June 13, 2021 11:46 AM
Love seeing your smiling faces! Praying for a great first day!
Betsy Smith
June 13, 2021 10:24 AM
Praying for you all for your first full day in Louisiana!
Morgan Kellum
June 12, 2021 8:08 AM
We are praying for your traveling day. Hope all flights, van rentals, and the setting in goes well. God has good things in store for you this week.