On June 6, 2009, 46 adults and students loaded into 5 vans headed for New Orleans. We knew the drive would be long (16 plus hours). We knew the weather would be hot. We knew the work would be hard. We knew that an adventure like none other awaited us in the Crescent City.
We enjoyed Cajun food and music, played in the Gulf, tromped through the French Quarter, and shared life together in close quarters. For one week, we served the residents of this unique city and we were changed.

On a walk . . .

I took a few students on a walk with me to check out the neighborhood.  Two students took pictures as we walked.  We walked along noting the damages houses.  Some were being repaired, slowly, some houses were still boarded up, abandoned never to be lived in again. 

As we walked past a house we noticed a man in his 80s scraping the wrought iron on his front porch.  We said hi and asked if we could take his picture.  We learned his name was Oliver.  We began talking with Oliver. 

As we stood there in the hot sun thinking of this elderly man doing this work all by himself, we asked if we could help him.  At first he declined.  We told him that since we were going to be standing there we might as well help him.  As that point he got a scraper for each of us.  Everyone began scraping. 

As we scraped we talked to Oliver.  He told he had grown up here.  He told us that he lived in his house and his granddaughter lived in the house next to him.  She ended up getting a job in Atlanta and never came back.  He also told us about being married for 59 years and how his wife died just prior to their 60th anniversary.  He said they had big plans to celebrate. 

We asked if the storm made his faith stronger or weaker and he commented by saying that his faith has always been strong. 

He offered us water and at first we declined.  Shortly we decided the water was a good idea.  We continued to scrap.  It wasn't easy but it still felt right.  He said it was the wost storm he had seen in his lifetime. 

When it was time to leave, he walked us proudly through his house.  He showed us all the details and hard work he had put into it over the last couple of years.  We took some pictures as we walked away.  We will be forever touched by Oliver!

-Sara Anderson (Blue Team Adult Leader)

Curious for more? Check out this short video.

We'll be heading out again next summer to serve.  Check back to see where we will be heading next.

If you are interested in finding out more about our youth mission trips, please email Mariah Wright.