Work was completed at Miss Bertha’s house, continued at The Quad and Mr. Mike’s, and begun doing major yard clean up at a condemned house several blocks away. It’s somewhat frustrating that we’re unable to see several projects to completion, but then we’re reminded that “it’s not the work, it’s the relationships.” Our “I Love N. O.” shirts made us stand out a little, enough that people on the sidewalks near the sites thanked us for being here. Men at the hardware store and cashiers at the local Walgreen’s thanked us for being here. It could have been the extra hard work, or possibly the several downpours that spread throughout the day, but everyone’s t-shirts were dirtier today than they’ve been all week.

This evening’s dinner was the Calvary team’s annual treat: Popeye’s Chicken and all the fixings (red beans and rice, mashed potatoes and gravy, biscuits, and onion rings.) Urban Impact staff and families, as well as the other teams staying at the Yellow House, joined our team for fellowship and food at Castle Rock church.

Tonight was Castle Rock’s women’s Bible study, led by Wendy Gehrhardt, Pastor John’s wife. There were twenty-one women in attendance, including several women from the community, several Urban Impact staff members or wives, and five Calvary women. Most of the evening was spent sharing how the Lord has helped us overcome trials, and included Peggy Hammond’s testimony as well as those of several women who were here during Katrina. The stories these women related were humbling. How often we take for granted what we have, and how quickly it can all be taken away. As we may grumble about little inconveniences in our lives, so many of the people here have had their whole lives turned upside down and inside out. These women asked us for our prayers; in their words, “the Lord has been faithful, but we are weary.“ It was amazing how quickly the Holy Spirit was able to turn a room full of women into a circle of sisters. Tonight was about the relationships.

As we were all heading up to bed tonight, music was rising up from the kitchen as well, where a guitar and a group were singing songs of praise. (I don’t think Jorge singing “La Bamba” exactly fits into the praise category, but it was fun listening.) Team members from Calvary, California, Pennsylvania, and Maple Grove, as well as missions students staying here at the house, blended in some time of spontaneous worship. Did somebody say something about relationships?

Front:  Kammy Goedhart, Stephanie Zemanek, Sarah Mullins, Stephanie Mullins, Zack Goedhart, Peggy Hammond, Jamie Gardner

Back: Jennifer Furst, Carrie Zemanek, Bill McWaters, Greg Meyer, Ellen Meyer, Jared Goedhart, Jorge Moreno, Mary Goedhart, Larry Goedhart, Susanna Stevens, Dave Hammond