New Hope Church

Tonight, after a long drive, we were blessed to meet all the church and mission leaders we will be working with on Grand Isle. Looking forward to the Lord's Day tomorrow as we attend the worship service of Community Church. This is the night and day that the Lord has made.

This morning, Pastor Chuck shared with us about not fearing and moving forward in faith. God knows how many hairs are on our heads. He loves us. We are not victims, we are victors!

After a powerful sermon on overcoming fear, we evaluated which worksites our team members would tackle this week. One man in need told us that we were sent by God. That sounds like being a missionary. So glad we can help those facing what can seem to be insurmountable odds in the natural. It's not by might or by our power, but by the Spirit of God we will help a Grand Isle community pick up the pieces.

Look at this over-the-top amazing dinner we had Sunday night, from the generosity of friends and family here. We keep hearing about community members, volunteers and others who have donated and shared food, supplies, and many more things that make this ministry happen with so much excellence. 

On Day 3 we began filling up a dumpster and piling wood up to be burned for the well known automechanic on the island. A nearby snowball stand owner offered us free snowballs (don't call them snowcones). Had some great conversations with the natives while eating at the picnic tables. Jesus said people will know Him by the love we show one to another. 

We worked on the the island's former jail building today doing some demo and some skilled work too. It has three rooms that used to be holding cells!  It will be transformed into a place to lodge contracted skilled laborers that can help with rebuilding. The mayor came over to thank us and wanted us to know that God sent us here!

After creating huge mounds of broken wood and filling another dumpster, we capped the night off with some Spirit filled worship songs. The work seemed overwhelming at 1st, but we ate an elephant 1 bite at a time. We "put a dent into it." Look forward to our last day of servant leadership in what's called Fisherman's paradise.

We were split into many teams again so more could be done, from painting furniture to gutting a camper and other cleanup work. Attacked by carpenter bees and watched by a snake, we showed our Father's creation the respect it deserves. May the Word of Christ multiple on the island as we obey scripture, multitasking for our new needy neighbors as good Samaritans.

Once again, halfway through our workday we were blessed by a Grand Isle company for our hard work. If you don't work, you don't eat free pizza as a missionary. Blessed to know that others are grateful for our acts of service.

Today we stripped a camper so it could be used as a trailer. Multiple tools and witty inventions, like hitching parts to a moving truck, were required to gut this wasp infested structure. Determination and humility are needed to do the work of the Lord.

One of our crews did a huge amount of work back at the church today, sorting and organizing supplies that were donated and over time had become hard to find. Now the tool drawers are labeled and the church staff will be better able to find these resources.

After sleeping in a bit later, we spent the day enjoying a lot of swimming in the Gulf, playing volleyball the sand, racing at Walmart, and taking an excursion to Sonic. Mama Tiff made our requested dinner entrees--quesedillas and macaroni and cheese. As we reflected on the moments we want to remember from this trip, we spoke them out loud around the bonfire and praised God together.

Before we could get on the road to head home this morning, the mayor insisted we come back to Town Hall (across from the old jail) one more time. They showered us with gifts as though we were dignitaries. It was good to hear their hearts again for their community. Let's continue to pray for the homeowners, the fishermen, the church, the families and the leaders of Grand Isle!