Evacuation Journal... Our Second Month October 28th-31st Congratulations to Tyrone and Kiera Christioph and Jerome and Tykesha Oatis.  The weddings were beautiful.  It was such a joy to see these two couples follow in obediene to God's Word. Several church members came up for the weddings. It was great to have everyone together for the weekend.  Please continue to pray for these couples as they start their lives together as husband and wife.  Please pray that they would continue to put God as the center of their relationship, and that he would use them to further his Kingdom. October 26th-27th Everything is a buzzing here in Hot Springs Village.  Many of us are getting ready for the nuptials of Tyrone and Keira, and Jerome and Keisha.  Please pray for these couples as they begin their lives together as husband and wife. Over the past weeks we have had over 200 volunteers put in 3500 volunteer hours.  Wow.  A BIG THANK YOU to all of you that have given your blood, sweat, tears, and money in the effort to clean-up and rebuild New Orleans! Tuesday October 25th Today was our first Parent/Teacher conference.  So many of our parents were thrilled to get great reports on their children. All of our kids are doing great in school.  As we see the great success of our kids, it challenges us to keep moving forward in establishing our own school in New Orleans.  One of our mothers is torn between going back to her great job in New Orleans, yet she loves seeing her daughter do so well in school.  It's a tough choice. Tonight we also had Women's Bible study.  We celebrated Linda Bishops birthday and spent some time praying for Ms. Tammy Davis.  Tammy will be flying to Rochester, MN to undergo treatment for cancer. Here are some ways you can pray for her: #1. That the treatment would work,and her cancer would go into remission. #2. Comfort for her and her children as they are temporarily separated during this time. #3. Wisdom for the doctors as they make decisions concerning her treatment. #4. Wisdom for Rochester Evangelical Free church as they provide support and help to Tammy during her stay in Rochester. October 17-21st A note from Scott Lundeen October 14th: Today we have 100 volunteers from Trinity scattered around our neighborhood serving. Twenty are at First Evangelist, working with Reverand Taylor to gut their downstairs fellowship hall and then to help out wherever needed. Ten are with Marcella up at Shakespeare park. They are mowing and cleaning up the park. The basketball pavilion is being used to give out supplies for the Red Cross; everything from water to cleaning supplies to toilet paper. Nick Schrieber is leading one of two groups of ten that are cleaning up Claiborne Ave. including the Winn Dixie parking lot. (Winn Dixie was looted.) Others are on Martin Luther King and Simon Bolivar, and some are going out to work on houses for people who have contacted us. (Each day we are getting lots of work orders from people who want help on their property.)   All of the Trinity group are wearing shirts that say I love N.O.  The shirts are made by Matt Robicheaux (whose family goes to Trinity Church and are good friends with the Schriebers). Matt's website is www.weheartno.com, and he is selling the shirts for $15. The profits are going to Urban Impact, Desire Street, and Habitat for Humanity. These shirts have our logo and website on the back. Policemen and residents have stopped to buy shirts from us.    Lots going on politically as people try to figure out what to do next. Michael Robinson has been doing a great job scouting out city meetings and helping us put together plans for the neighborhood.    Michael and Donna Sprague just stopped by for a few minutes. Michael is the pastor of Trinity Church. Earlier Matt Robicheax stopped by and we drove around the neighborhood. Over the last few weeks, we have strengthened relationships or made connections with Michael Sprague and the staff/elders of Trinity, Glen Kehrein, Bob Lupton and others from his ministry in Atlanta, Renee Gil-Pratt, Phyllis Landrieu, Mary Landrieu, Moon Landrieu, Elder Pierre and Living Witness, Israelite Baptist, Craig, Phil Eide and Hope Credit Union, Dr. Watson (Orleans Schools), Una Anderson, Rev. Taylor and 1st Evangelist, UIM board members, and countless other churches, politicians, neighborhood residents, and business people. Laura and Melanie had our first Bible study here with the Chanel and Jean Wickem. Our desire is that God will use these connections to build a healthy neighborhood for our families and our church.   Under it all are the everlasting arms. We continue to find God faithful. Thank you for those of you who prayed for me when I was feeling sick and worn out yesterday. I feel much better today.   Tom and Crystal have been a huge help in hosting groups and serving our neighborhood. Cafe Reconcile is feeding groups breakfast and dinner. Tre has been leading work teams. Melanie has been coordinating work orders and helping others in the neighborhood.     Friday,Saturday, Sunday October 14th-16th A note from Laura: Thursday night I travelled to Houston,TX to visit CRCC families there.  Friday morning I picked up Ronisha, Faith, Hope, and Danisha.  We returned to my hotel and spent some time swimming and relaxing.     Ronisha and Laura enjoy the pool    Hope relaxes after a swim. That night we had a CRCC reuinion.  Nathan and Rachel, Monica, Darren and Chelsea, and David joined all us girls for some pizza.  We had a great time sharing our experiences and encouraging one another.     Buddies reuinited Darren and Nathan.                             The whole gang. Saturday Morning David, Ronisha and I took off from Houston for Dallas.  We picked up Qiana in Dallas, and then joined Dingo, Karia, Ebony, and the Burden family in Greenville, TX.  Thanks Burden's for putting us up for the night!  We had a great time playing games and catching up.  Sunday morning we all attended church with the Burden's and Dingo.  Dingo ran challenge circle for the Sunday School class.  It went really well.  I was also able to visit Kentrell and Ms. Jessie in Plano, TX.  As I travel, I am finding that people are ready to go back to New Orleans.  They miss being able to live as they grew up.  The food is different, the culture foreign, and their friends too far away.  Please pray for wisdom as people make decisions about returning to the city.  Laura   Qiana leading the yellow team.     The whole Sunday School class and Challenge                                                               circle leaders. . Thursday, October 13th Note from Sandy Lee: On Tuesday night the Castle Rock women in Hot Springs Village, AR gathered together for Bible Study.  It was a wonderful time of fellowship.  Wendy Gerhardt did an excellent job of leading the women through sharing and prayer.  I spoke on the stages of grief and what to expect in the coming weeks and months.  Please continue to prayer for those grieving the loss of loved ones.  Please also pray that these women would continue to trust in God's faithfullness. Also, today 100 students from Trinity International University arrived to work in the neighborhood.  Among them was Nick and Laura Schrieber.       Jen Castor and Melanie Lundeen.         Michael Robinson and Scott Lundeen are coordinating the many teams           discuss the days events and marvel coming into Central City.                           at the connections God is giving us. Wednesday, October 12th Urban Impact is back into the neighborhood! For the past week Scott and Melanie Lundeen have been living in their own home in the neighborhood!  This is what's happening in the neighborhood: #1.  Work teams:  Tre Pennington has been leading teams from Trinity Church into the neighborhood.  They have been cutting trees, gutting homes, and showing love to the people that they meet.  The teams from Trinity Church come from all over the United States.  This is a great partnership with Trinity Church (www.trinitychurchonline.net).  We are also hosting teams in the Yellow House.  Currently a team from Kanakuk Kamps is here.  They are students participating in Kanakuk Institute.  They have been cutting grass, and helping out wherever they can.  Tom and Crystal have been helping us out with these teams this past week.  Thank you for your help Tom and Crystal!     Jenny Brock, Shelby Sutcliffe, and Tracy    Chad Hampsch, Jackson Eubank, Mac     Steve Hampshch (Grey Fox) Ashcraft from Kanakuk Institute.                   Mac Farland, and Brad Musso.                    #2.  UIM Command Center:  Allright, the title isn't official, but most of the time you can find Melanie Lundeen downstairs at Castle Rock, answering phones, handing out bleach, paper towels, food,  and tarps.. if we have extra you can bet Melanie is getting it out to those who have need. She is coordinating all the work projects for our neighborhood.  Every day she is getting 20 plus calls from people needing help.                 Melanie Lundeen at her new "desk"              Tre shows off his           downstairs at Castle Rock.                               bleach and tools collection. #3. Fellowship: Tonight will be the first Bible Study/Prayer meeting since the hurricane at Castle Rock.  We have invited every woman we could find to a special prayer meeting at 7:00pm.  Please pray as these ladies get together to share their experiences and lift one another in prayer.  Tuesday, October 11th Note from Laura: Last night I stayed at the home of Ed and Pam Kaylor.  They graciously opened their home to me after a phone call Monday morning.  Thank you Pam and Ed! Today I drove into New Orleans.  You see the pictures on TV, but it doesn't quite prepare you for the real thing.  What a mess.  I can't even imagine what it looked like a month ago.  I'm seeing it after a month of clean-up!  It was good to arrive at Castle Rock and the Yellow House and see with my own eyes that Mr. Lee my next door neighbor is fine.  When driving into New Orleans, I went through a neighborhood right next to lake Ponchartrain in Slidell, LA.  Below is a picture I took.  For most people, they have had to completely gut their homes and dump it on the sidewalk. Slidell, LA.  Monday, October 10th Several weeks ago Mayor Ray Nagin formed a Commission to over-see the rebuilding of New Orleans.  Several top community leaders, as well as bussinessmen and some great Pastors were appointed to this committee.  Today, Michael Robinson was able to sit in on the meeting.  He was also able offer his services to help the committee gather community information and responses.  Michael will be specifically gathering information on Central City to present to the committee. You may be asking.. What does all this mean? First of all... This committee will be deciding how money is going to be spent all across the city.  They will also be deciding what projects get done first, second, third, ect.  Before this committee can move forward, they will need to have a comprehensive plan detailing what needs to be done.  Michael Robinson will be instrumental in getting information to the committee so a comprehensive plan can be accomplished.  Michael will be working with other key non-profits in the city to gather information. Laura was able to visit with the Jerome Matthews family.  They are living in a shelter in Birmingham, AL.  Note from Laura: It was wonderful to see this family doing so well despite the circumstances.  Henry just turned 10 last month, so I stopped at a Christian book store to get him a Bible and some books for his other siblings.  When I arrived I was shocked to see that Henry had grown a couple of inches and had put on some needed pounds.  He looks great!  I spend the evening talking to Jerome, and reading to the kids.  I had the privelage of witnessing Taylor's decision to trust Jesus to take her sin away.  She is now my sister in Christ!  Please pray that she would grow in wisdom and knowledge of God.  Pray also that she would be protected form false teaching.  It was a joy to pray and witness to the entire family.  Please pray also for Jerome as he makes decisions for his family.  Please pray that he would trust Jesus with everything, and grow in love for God. Taylor, Jerome, Darome, and Henry. Sunday, October 9th Today Pastor John spoke at 1st Evangelical Free Church in Minneapolis, MN.  Wendy and the kids returned to Hot Springs Village. Laura Ferguson was able to visit with La Quisha Williams and her two children. Earlvin, LaQuisha, and Malea Williams. We had a great time trying to talk and keep the kids occupied! Saturday, October 8th Today Laura Ferguson was able to visit Shavon, Dennis, and Di'avonte Collins.  T They are doing well and living in the Atlanta, GA area.  ***************************************************************************************************************************************************** She was also able to visit Chanel, Minnie, and Sheiki Wickem.  Laura took the kids out to eat at Denny's.    From Left:  Alfred, Mookie, Minnie, Larryell, and Sheiki.  Alfred lost his tooth while at Denny's.  We decided not to include those pictures! Friday, October 7th Laura Ferguson drove to Atlanta, GA to visit CRCC families in the area.  She spent the night at Renee Funk's home.  Thanks Renee for your wonderful hospitality! Sandy Lee returned to Hot Springs Village from a period of rest. Thursday, October 6th Several people will be leaving for trips tomorrow. Pastor John and Wendy and the kids will be leaving for a pre-planned visit to their sending church, 1st Evangelical Free in Minneapolis, MN.  They will be sharing during the morning services on October 9th.  Pastor John will also be sharing at South Suburban Church in Apple Valley on October 9th at 6:30pm. Laura Ferguson will be leaving tomorrow to start a two week journey through Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas.  She will visiting families from Castle Rock Community Church and Urban Impact Ministries.  It is our hope that she will be able to bring encouragement and assistance to those that still have needs.  Please pray for her journey as she drives these long miles.  Please also pray that she will find even more people that we know as she goes into these large cities.   Wednesday, October 5th Tonight we had our weekly community meal and meeting.  We were very pleased to hear that all of our High School students (they are all guys!) are doing really well in school and their activities.  As Mike Babst said, "they are en-dearing themselves to their teachers".  These young men have really stepped up and taken responsibility for their actions and education.  A big Thank you to everyone that has been praying for them.. CONTINUE PRAYING satan is not going to stop attacking these young men of God.  Pray that they would be growing in wisdom and knowledge of God.  Pray also that they would not be distracted from working hard with integrity and honor. Today we also had our 2nd Urban Impact Staff meeting with everyone present.  It was great to have Scott and Melanie and Michael Robinson up in Hot Springs Village for a few days.  We miss them when they are away!  We had a encouraging time of sharing and prayer.  Once again we are awed by what God is doing in us, and through us.  Rebuilding New Orleans is going to be the greatest adventure many of us have every taken part in.  Tuesday, October 4th God Story: Henry (a member of CRCC) stayed during the hurricane.  Once the storm had passed he got in his motorized chair and headed straight to Castle Rock.  He  wanted to make sure everything was all-right.  Eventually he made his way to the Convention Center.  Many of us have seen the pictures or videos of people waiting at the Convention Center.  It was a horrific situation.  Going without food and water for days on end is hard.  Needing Dialysis makes the situation critical.    While at the Convention Center a woman told Henry that she was going to die there at the Convention Center.  Henry replied, "not me, I'm getting out of here".  She said "you must have some faith".  Henry said, "yes I do, I have faith, God's going to get me out of here".  Henry Bruce went 10 days without Dialysis.  He should be dead, but he's not, God rescued him out of the Convention Center just like he said Henry knew he would.  When Pastor John went to visit Henry on Tuesday he couldn't believe how good Henry looked.  Please join us in praising God for taking care of Henry. Pastor John was also able to visit with Henry's daughter Jennifer and with Tim another CRCC member. Please continue to pray for the evacuees that are hurting.  They have seen, and experienced things that we cannot nor want to imagine.  Some are suffering from nightmares and depression.  Please pray that they would cling to our God our Father and Refuge during this time.