NoLa #6

As we prepare to leave NoLa early in the morning for the long drive back to Georgia today has been the perfect way to end our trip. Today was moving day for Michael and Julie Hitch (their three precious children went home with their grandmother yesterday). We began earlier today than on other mornings this week. We had to drive to St. Barnard Parish - about 30 minutes away from the church - to pack a moving truck, both of the Hitch's vehicles, and our bus with furniture, clothing, and years of memories. After another round of incredible confections from The Blue Dot for breakfast we loaded up for the drive, retracing some of our tour from yesterday. 

The team worked quickly, loading all vehicles in less than three hours. The truck had to be turned in by 1, so we knew we were on a time crunch. After loading up with all we could safely fit into the vehicles we drove a long, though less bumpy route back to the new house. We unloaded the truck and Hitch's jeep so it could be returned to U-Haul by the deadline. While he and Kyle took the truck back and picked up lunch on their return we finished unloading and began to organize the boxes and stacks of furniture into the appropriate rooms. 

After an amazing pizza lunch, devoured while sitting on the front porch, we divided into two different work teams. One group took the vehicles back to the house to meet Julie (who had to work half a day for post-planning at school) and to bring back as much of the remaining small furniture and other items as possible in the bus and in their two cars. The rest of the group continued to organize the house. When we finally got the returning vehicles unloaded and the boys beds assembled we came back to the church to get cleaned up for dinner then souvenir shopping. The showers sure felt great after so much hot work!

Michael and Julie made us a wonderful dinner of Spaghetti, Caesar Salad, and pound cake (with sweet tea, of course) before most of the crew headed back into town via the trolleys for some last minute gift & souvenir shopping (and goofing off). While waiting on the trolley we saw a man (the owner we supposed) open Blue Dot Donuts, the donut shop across the street from the church where we have bought breakfast two mornings. Shari shouted across the street, "We Love You!" The team added, "and your donuts!" After a few minutes the door opened and the man emerged a carrying a sack. He walked across the street to us and said, "Here are some donut holes, enjoy!" Shari advised the group, "see what happens when you are nice to people, when you share the love!" The donut holes were incredible! We will be making a final trip over before heading out of town in the morning. The red velvet donuts are the best donuts I've ever had! 

  

It's been a wonderful trip. We have done lots of different things to help the church get ready for the summer. We made a contact for the summer children's camp while playing in the park yesterday. The grandmother we met is supposed to call Michael next week to sign her grand children up. We learned a lot about this great city and the needs that still exist as a result of Katrina, but we also learned about the great ministries that are occurring here and the great needs that churches are meeting in the wake of the tragedy. Best of all, we moved Michael and Julie into their new place only a few blocks from the church. No more 30 minute commutes! God has also been at work in the lives of our team members. Thanks for your prayers. It will be fun to see and hear how God uses the lessons learned in NoLa in the lives of these amazing young adults over the next few years!