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NOLA Day 3!
Our final day of work began at Galilee Baptist Church in the 9th Ward. Galilee Baptist Church was the place that originally brought FBC Athens to New Orleans 5 years ago. In 2006, four different teams helped to repair the church and it became one of the very first operational churches in the 9th Ward after Hurricane Katrina. During the spring break trip 5 years ago, our team painted the iron fence that surrounds the church property and restriped the parking lot. In 2011, we renewed these two painting projects and repainted the fence and the parking lot. Our students worked 5 solid hours in the hot, humid NOLA sun but they knocked it out!
After lunch, we made our way back to the Irish Channel neighborhood and the New Orleans Christian Life Center. One team painted the newly installed drop ceiling grid, another team began work on cleaning up all of the debris that had been removed from the building, another team went out to meet up with kids one last time, and another team made snowballs. By 6pm, our team was covered in sweat, but the work had been completed. We celebrated our time together with some NOLA food, and then the interns led a group reflection time.
I am so proud of our students and all of their hard work. They worked in the heat, stayed flexible when plans changed, showed love to many different people, and were an absolute blast to be around.
NOLA Day 2!
Our second day of work focused more on getting out into the Irish Channel community. In the morning, we went to 4 different parks to meet neighborhood kids and tell them the stories of Daniel. Our students persevered through a bunch of rain and a low turnout and it was a great morning. In the afternoon, we toured some of the devastated areas from Hurricane Katrina in the 9th Ward. (We got to see a bunch of these houses) That evening, our team hosted a fish fry in the park that allowed us to interact with a ton of people from the neighborhood. Students served fish, made snow cones (in NOLA they're called snowballs), picked up trash, pushed kids on the swings, and had a party. And what better way to wrap up the day than with a trip to the French Quarter and beignets at Cafe Du Monde.
NOLA Day 1!
It was a great first day of work – we cleared out a building that is being renewed and will one day be the New Orleans Christian Life Center. There was stuff everywhere when we started, but after a morning of moving, carrying, lifting, sweeping, and sweating we had cleared the way for more substantial repairs to begin.
Our plan was to work in a couple of parks this afternoon with children, but a strong thunderstorm changed our plans. Instead, we were able to spend some more time together as teams and plan out our lessons and crafts for tomorrow. We are going out around 10am tomorrow to teach the stories of Daniel so we would love for you to pray for us!
Camp Day 4our!
The last full day of camp has come and gone. At this very moment, our campers should be cleaning their dorms and packing their bags for the trek back to Athens tomorrow.
Thursday was another great day here at Riverbend. After checking out all of the rec possibilities over the past two days, students seemed to re-visit their favorite free time spots. Some opted for one last blob, while others went to the pool and waterslides, and still others made their way to GaGa Ball.
Family group time has been building all week, and tonight after worship, students were able to share stories during Illuminations. (Make sure to ask your student what they shared during their time around the fire) It has been a great week, but we are ready to be home and live out what God has challenged us with this week!
Camp Day Three!!
Wednesday - Wednesday – Wednesday
The middle of the week is a tricky part of camp. If it goes badly, the week may go downhill rapidly. On the other hand, if day 3 is a fun-filled day of awesomeness, you just might be a part of a fantastic week of camp. In my opinion (and after seeing these pictures, you might have an idea why I feel this way), I am leaning far more towards fantastic!
Today was another great day of rec, bible study, and worship. Our group descended upon the waterfront during free time and had a blast on the blob, trapeze, and iceberg. Our high school guys basketball team came in second place in the b-ball tournament (the team they lost to threw out a lineup of a college sophomore and local coach so not too shabby fellas). And our very own Matt Hill was the grand champion at Minute-To-Win-It during late night.
Tomorrow is our last full day of camp – the last day of rec, the last family group bible study, and the last evening worship. Once again, we need your prayers for a great final day here at Riverbend. Pray for our sponsors and the conversations that are happening throughout the day. Pray for our students that are being challenged to live a more Christ-centered life. And pray for all of our students as they prepare to make the transition home and live out their faith in their regular everyday life.
Camp Day 2!
The first full day of camp is in the books! There was so much happening on Tuesday – we had students at the pool, the lake, the BMX course, playing basketball, participating in different seminars, dancing on stage….it was a crazy day! Family group rec was intense; make sure to ask your student about the "Big Frizz" when they get home.
During worship, we had a number of students come forward for prayer and to talk about their faith with our adults. Several students want to follow Jesus better and asked our adults about what they can do when they get home to stay connected. Continue to pray for our students throughout the day as they play, learn, and worship here at camp.
