Katrina Mission 2009

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We arrived in Slidell, Louisiana after some 9 hours on the road- after screaming and shouting and celebrating (while on the road) the victory of the Eagles over the NY Giants. Talk about miracles!

We spent last night enjoying the hospitality of Cokesbury UMC in Knoxville, TN. The word, AMAZING! doesn't even begin to describe how awesome they have been to us. Besides sharing their wonderful and huge facilities, they made certain we were all settled before they left us for the night. They had cookies and coffee prepared for us- and they were just what the doctor ordered, as we were dead tired from all the traveling (the weather wasn't too bad, but at times, the rain was quite heavy). This morning, while we were busy packing and getting ready to hit the road, their volunteers prepared a hearty breakfast for us: biscuits and gravy, bacon, and blueberry and cinnamon streussel muffins, in addition to a variety of cereals and, of course, coffee and juice. As we finished our morning devotion, we thanked them for showing Christ to us through their gifts.

Dale (the Director of NDRI), met us at Aldersgate UMC, where a rather pleasant surprise awaited us. We had parked in front of what we thought would be our sleeping quarters, but Dale brought us to their brand-new Epworth Center House, a home-away-from-home for all the volunteers. What a wonderful place! There are more beds, a fully-equipped kitchen, with 2 double-door refrigerators, an ice machine, and instead of having to go outside to the trailers to take showers, we have showers and changing rooms INDOORS. GOD is SOOOO Good!

Tomorrow, Allan and I are going to the airport to pick up Diane and Rob Bach, who are flying into New Orleans (they didn't want to miss Chris' games this weekend). We are taking Tom-Tom with us (he has been a most faithful friend all along the way).

We were told (before getting here), that we would possibly be working together in the same house, but Dale told us that there may be a change of plans (too much to do, too few hands). We'll find out more tomorrow morning at our briefing session. We'll keep you posted! We are stepping up, are you?