Lutheran High School, Parker - CO

We safely made it to Grand Isle to serve the community! We are excited to see what this week holds!

After worshipping with Community church of Grand Isle, we checked on our worksites for this week's service projects. The need is huge. Looks like a hurricane hit yesterday in some areas.

This evening we will gather our tools and make assignments to divvy the work. As the preacher described this morning, we must be fluid to serve Jesus. We might not know which hour we will start or finish a task, but we will in season and out of season complete the good work the Lord has begun in us.

Tonight, we were able to share GOD moments with each other, listen to a meaningful devotion, and prepare for the week ahead!

In the afternoon, we got started right away by working on some projects around the church. Some of us helped clear out some bunk rooms that had been used for storage. We sorted everything into keep, donate to the school, and trash piles.

Today brother Greg, who pastors near New Orleans and experienced hurricane Katrina, guided us to a home with piles of debris. It's been 18 months since hurricane Ida hit Grand Isle, but the work has just begun.

We quickly filled a huge dumpster being careful not to get hurt by nails, sharp metal, and various objects. The smell was immense at times. The homeowner called us an Army of love.

Ready for our faith in Christ to continue to work by love in the days ahead.

Some of us were able to serve by gutting a house that was damaged by a hurricane! We accomplished many tasks! 

Some of us went to the beach to chill for a little bit before dinner after a great first day of work! 

After a delicious gumbo dinner, we all went to the beach for a bonfire and devo under the stars. We also made a joyful noise by singing songs and beating on drums. It was a great way to end the day.

Demolished 2 raised houses today with the help of a local and an excavator. Lots of flying debris, but we made huge piles in an orderly fashion.

Lots of hands were needed and the Body of Christ was ready. Multiple teams were needed to finish this project. It's fun serving Jesus and being a witness to the hurting, even when it isn't a day for recreation.

Today, we were able to finish tearing down/ cleaning up dry wall and other parts from the house! We had a lot of fun completing this project as well!

After filling another dumpster with house debris in the morning, we gutted 1 more moldy house at another location in the afternoon. Masks and hazmat suits were a must. Any unthankfulness for our comfy houses back home was wiped away. We found many witty ways to clear out 1 last residence.

We stopped to pray at a couple places that we couldn't finish. Eating an elephant 1 bite at a time is the only way to help Grand Isle overcome hurricane Ida. Scripture says, "A little here and a little there." May our acts of service implant mustard seeds of faith in the people of this Gulf Coast town. With faith nothing is impossible in Christ.

Today we experienced why people live in Grand Isle. After a boat ride, where we saw the birds and dolphins of Sportsmen's Paradise, we went crabbing on Piers using chicken necks.

We then got to eat some of the crabs we caught at a crawfish boil catered for volunteer relief workers. The boiled shrimp was excellent.

It was a good Last Supper for a great short term mission trip. Returning home spiritually refreshed.