Batter up

Yes, I missed an entry yesterday. Sorry.

As I mentioned on Friday, we were headed to a minor league baseball game for an outing and it was a blast! It felt so good to be out with a group of people who all share our hearts, who all understand why we are here and also realize the need for some time away from the disaster work, time to get to know each other better and time to laugh together. And laugh we did. My stomach was hurting by the end of the game. And at the end they had a fireworks display unlike anything I have ever seen before! All in all it was a wonderful night!

Yesterday we said goodbye to Mike. He had been here for a few days helping us out with numerous jobs and had to head back home. Before taking him the the airport he wanted to sample the beignets that New Orleans are famous for. In case you have no idea what those are, they look like square donut style pastries that are covered (and I mean covered) with powdered sugar. You can get a plate of 3 of them for 99 cents! We were able to sit outside and enjoy the cooler morning. We took a stroll through a couple of the streets before heading back "to the ranch".

Later in the day Monty and I took a drive around some areas of the city to try and get familiar with part of it. I am amazed at the size of the city! It's much larger than I had realized. The damage is confined to the east side and the 9th ward, all within a 10 minute drive. It's nearly mind boggling to be in one part of the city and see that is was untouched by the storm and then in the blink of an eye see complete devastation! From every building being just fine to every building being destroyed! Seeing the beauty of some of the homes and other homes with nothing left to even rebuild from! I doubt it will ever be something I get used to.

We did stop and check on some of the fishermen and they were pulling them in! It seems it must have been the time where the fish were coming nearer to the shore for feeding time and that helps the fishermen catch them. I haven't seen large fish like that from those who just fish in the lakes back home in Indiana!

This morning we were off to church. Dovie had asked Diane and I to help serve the dinner meal after church. Each week the church supplies a complete meal for all who attend the church. The menu today was courtesy of Teen Challenge. They had food from an event they had and there was more than enough food left to go around and fill each and every person here today. The baked fish, baked chicken, pasta salad and rolls were a hit, not to mention the strawberry shortcake for dessert! For some, this meal is the only "full coarse" one they will get for the week! I heard many of them tell me that this was THE only homecooked meal they get! There is always enough left for some to take plates back home with them. What a way to bless the people who have suffered so much loss. Jesus set the perfect example for us as He also fed the multitudes when they came to hear His message!

Tomorrow we will be starting with our first team since we arrived. Ezra has a family from his home church who will be joining us. It should be a great week and another opportunity to help the people of New Orleans rebuild their homes through the rebuilding of their lives!

Thank you for all of your prayers. You are our "covering" and without you none of this mission would be possible. We pray you had a wonderful message from your own church this morning and you were "fed" by the words that feed us deeper than any bread can!

Until tomorrow . . . Susan and Monty