Update on the Mission

We got in a truckload of appliances: refrigerators, ovens, washer and dryers. To give to people.

We have made some well-needed improvements on the facilities to make them more liveable for the "residents." Remember this was a church worship hall for only three weeks before God made it a ministry center! We got some power hookups installed for pull-behind trailers. Got an industrial size cooler in the dining room-- to replace the six or seven coolers we had to trip over to get drinks. The washer is now tied into the sewer through the clean-out. I finally got my own computer in the Relief Effort office. I haven't said much about my co-workers, but they are awesome people: Janet Hines, Becky Gilbert, Rhonda, Marcus, Pat, Lana (have a good vacation), Tracy, Tod, and of course Tim-- who is not working with me but away from me! And to many others, big ups.

The operation here at Tammany Oaks is a resource center to other churches in the area who have been hit hard. We sent out a group from Providence Road "down on the bayou" to help some of the folks gut out their flooded homes, church folks from the Montagut church. They'll stay a couple of days. Also sent supplies, then the crew stayed the night at the church in Lafitte. We're sending another truck and crew tomorrow there.

about the Montagut church

• An 80 year old man from the church was up in a tree on an EXTENSION ladder tied on with a CHAINSAW trying to cut down a limb by himself. He said he had to come down before he got it cut because he said he lost feeling in his back and had to lie down.
• A little old lady from the church was found in water covering her wheelchair up to about 18" before she was rescued. This was just a week ago with Rita.

Most of the New Orleans church buildings have been ravaged. One of the preacher from here, an old friend of the White family told me that he wept when he visited one. It seems that forward looking churches like North Atlanta are shopping to support a church and nurture it during the re-building stages. We are sending a big crew to the Carrolton Ave. congregation first thing in the morning. Will report later on details.

Volunteers we have a capacity to hold about 100 comfortably in the building. The number fluctuate greatly and it's a constant challenge. There are churches who have made committments of regularly sending members for as long as needed. We've had some great people coming by-- some alone, some couples, and groups from three to over sixty. Jason Chesser, my college roomate is here for a few days.

I saw the Mandeville Lakefront today with Janet. I had never seen it before, but the sleepy and pretty little town of Mandeville "across the lake"-- won't be the same for a long time.

Now for a little fun. These are some names of volunteers and people we've helped who have celebrity names:

Jim Lovell

Bill Cosby

James Taylor

Joseph Wheeler

Ray Robinson

Robert Frost

and of course, Charles and Linda White

good night.