Mission Team travel report
Mike and Keith waiting patiently for our seats at Three Li’l Pigs
Our first mishap — Jake ran into the tailpipe of the truck! But have not fear, Medic Sam came to the rescue!
This is the “symbol” at our favorite “Saturday-night-Mission-Team-Traveling-Restaraunt
We just wanted to fill you in on a couple of the details about our trip to Louisiana. The travels plans worked out without a hitch. There were three vehicles traveling. Patrick Murphy, Mike Weinberger, Jake Adams and Sam Gaskin traveled in Charles Bolians’ truck (which Charles loaned to us). Keith Launchbury, Tibby Thibideau, RJ Bolian, Logan Cloutier and Aaron Strate traveled in Claire Blooms mini-van (which Claire loaned to us!). Then Tim Strate and Mark Alley drove Cheri Nixon’s car — and took a bit of a different route, to meet Cheri in Maryland — after her week with a group of Rug Hookers! The “connection” was made just fine. All three vehicles arrived at Bonsack UMC in Roanoke, Virginia, in about twelve and a half hours! A long day, but we are all excited to be heading to Louisiana. After unloading, we headed off to our “traditional” Saturday night dinner location — Three Li’l Pigs Restarant. Good food!
In the morning we headed off at 5 AM once again to take us through the rest of Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and into Louisiana. Sam, Jake, Mike and Patrick picked Jim Avrett up in downtown New Orleans — Jim’s plane had arrived earlier in the day. It was thirteen and a half hours today! Long trip once again, but we’re all here — and safe!! Praise God!
All of those who had been here before mentioned how much work has been done — even since last year. The area is looking more and more like “normal.” There is still much to be done, but, for example, the number of “ghost-town” shopping centers is down dramatically. Businesses are coming back more and more — and most of the homes that were designated for distruction have been removed. The cement pads are still very visible, but the “rubble” has pretty much been cleared away.
We settled into the “Reaching Out in Love Center” in Violet, LA. This time we’re the only mission team staying here. There are about half a dozen Americorp Volunteers here, but it’s quite a bit less busy than last year. The twelve guys are in one room — and Cheri Nixon, the designated “Queen” of the trip has her own room — with about thirty bunks!!
We look forward to keeping you up-to-date on our progress through the week, and hope you check out our blogs regularly. We have finally worked the kinks out, and pictures are now a part of this blog. Thanks for your patience.
We are all very thankful to God for safe journey, for this mission to serve, and for the love and support of family, friends, and our Church Family back in Dover. We miss you already, and continue to covet your prayers for the folks we minister to, for the “St. Bernard Project,” and for us.