Northern Ireland: Days 3 & 4

Day 3: Friday, July 3
Friday was a busy day. We began with a fuller introduction and orientation to Northern Irish history and society by Doug Baker, our primary host in Belfast. We all learned a great deal about the history of conflict in Ireland and the current situation.

In the afternoon we took a bus tour of Belfast. Highlights included sections of the peace walls, city hall, and the shipyard where the Titanic was built (it was news to most of us that the Titanic was built in Belfast). We also made visits to the three sites that, in addition to the 174 Trust, will be our places of shared service with Belfast youth: the WAVE Trauma Centre, Fortwilliam Macrory Presbyterian Church, and Whitehouse Presbyterian Church.

After the tour, we had a great discussion with Conor Maskey, a young member of the Belfast City Council. He talked about politics in Belfast as well as a trip he and other members of the BCC took to Chicago to learn about living with diversity. While some of us did not agree that Chicago is as successful at constructively living with diversity as Conor did, it was certainly fascinating to hear his reflections about the reverse version of the trip we are currently on. If Conor represents the future of politics in Belfast, I think we all left that meeting very hopeful.

After this meeting with Conor, we ventured into the city center in small groups for dinner and enjoyed some local food. After swimming and some showers at the leisure centre, Kurt bravely led us through a devotion on feet washing in which we actually washed each other's feet. That definitely took us out of our comfort zones and helped us think more concretely about being a servant to others.

Day 4: Saturday, July 4
Today we took a day trip up to the north coast to visit the Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, and a fish and chips dinner in Ballycastle. It was a wonderful day to visit some of the most beautiful sights many of us have seen. Everything was so beautiful and green, and we got rained on sufficiently to make us feel like we're in Ireland. The fish and chips were incredible.

Tonight I led a devotion on God's communal nature, the reflection of that communal nature in human communities, and reconciliation. It was inspired in part by the trinitarian knot we used on our t-shirts.

Don't forget to visit our Facebook page to see pictures and videos of our trip.

Northern Ireland: Day 1/2

Almost everyone is asleep after a great but tiring first day in Ireland. Kathi noted what an incredible sight it was to see all the youth totally passed out on their beds after our leaders meeting was done. Truly, a sight rarely seen on a youth trip!

Today was mostly about dealing with jet lag and settling in to our home for the week. Even though it is exhausting, I always love the first day of a trip: everything is an adventure as we figure things out and experience a totally new environment. The accommodations at 174 are tight and cooking will be a little more challenging than I expected, but we'll manage.

After lunch we took a walking tour of some local neighborhoods, both to get some movement after the long flight and to begin our orientation to Belfast. We saw some incredible murals. After the tour, we had some comfort food: Dominos pizza. It was a little different from what we get back home, but pretty similar.

After dinner it was off to to the leisure centre for swimming and showers. This is how we will do showers for the week. Leisure centres are public gyms, kind of like YMCAs back home.

We didn't do much after returning home to the 174 Trust. Everyone was pretty exhausted, so we postponed our devotion and meeting until the morning. Speaking of sleep, I better go get some myself...

Northern Ireland

Today 32 youth and 12 adults are flying to Dublin, en route to Belfast for what we are certain will be an incredible trip. We're going to learn about the history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland and what youth and young adults are doing now to move toward real peace and reconciliation.

We'll be posting updates on this blog and at a Facebook page for the trip: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Belfast/Fourth-Church-Youth-Senior-High-Trip-to-Northern-Ireland/222834510157?ref=mf

Please follow us on our journey!

Elevation Special Olympics 2009

At the beginning of this month, Elevation went on our annual work camp to the Special Olympics in Bloomington/Normal, IL. We had a wonderful time of service, bonding, laughter and eating!

This year the whole group worked the Bocce Ball courts measuring, scoring and assisting athletes as help was needed.

Thanks to all who supported this effort either through participation or through fundraising at the Flower Sale. We hope all of you will consider joining us for next year!

Thanks and have a great summer!

PC(USA) Youth Task Force

The PC(USA) Youth Ministries Task Force has begun its work. You can read about it here.

This task force was appointed by the Moderator at the request of the previous General Assembly to study the current state of youth ministry in our denomination, best practices, and successful models. This report on the first meeting doesn't really say much that is surprising or new. I'm pretty interested in seeing what they learn and share...and if anyone will really listen.

God Questions are Good Questions

These questions were written by the youth and leaders of Fourth Church Rising, the 8^th grade confirmation program at Fourth Presbyterian Church. The questions are not listed in any particular order, but have been loosely grouped together by topic. The questions could be further subdivided into more specific topics, but this would begin to suggest answers, which we will explore together as we go along…

God

• If God was angry with people who didn't believe in him in biblical times, why isn't he mad now that there are so many Atheists?
  
• Why would you spend your whole life worshiping God when you have your own life to live and explore?
  
• If God really looks out for us why is our world so bad? Because if there's a god he's not doing a very good job helping us.
  
• Is there a god looking over me?
  
• Why do we worship God so much and he doesn't do anything for us. He's not helping us out? Is he?
  
• Who really knows if God exist? And what if we are just wasting our time worshiping something that's not true?
  
• If God loves us, where was he on 9/11?
  
• Is god/God capitalized?
  
• Can God hear us?
  
• Why should I believe in God?
  
• Can God change your life?
  
• What's Gods Name?
  
• Is God an animal or is some other form to be one element?
  
• Is there a god?
  
• Can god hear your prayers if you say them in your head?
  
• Is god perfect?
  
• Did god make things happen for a reason?
  
• God?
  
• Do we ever see god?
  
• Is god always there for me?
  
• Is there really a God?
  
• Is God really playing dice with the world?
  
• If God created the whole world and everything in it, why can't he stop all of the wars people are in?
  
• Did God get drunk before he did 9/11?
  
• Is God playing Sim-Universe with us?
  
• Can god hear you through your thoughts?
  
• How does god look over us?
  
• Does god control every good and bad?
  

Creation

• How did the world come to be?
  
• Did god really make the world?
  
• Did God create evolution?
  

The Human Condition

• Will god help me make the right decisions?
  
• Why did God let people make things like drugs and guns?
  
• How will I know to make the right decision?
  
• Why does life suck sometimes?
  
• Why are there wars?
  
• Will god let me enjoy my life?
  
• Is it ok to be so angry you lose faith in God?
  

Jesus Christ

• Is Jesus really with god by his side?
  

The Bible

• Should I know more bible stories then I do?
  
• Are all stories supposed to be true in the bible?
  
• Are all the stories in the Bible true?
  
• Is every thing in the Bible true?
  

Christianity

• Can we believe Karma? Do we (people of our religion) believe in Karma?
  
• Are we Presbyterian or Christian?
  
• What are the real faiths? Catholic? Protestant? Baptist? Satanist?
  

Other Religions

• Is it bad to like Buddha even if I don't worship him?
  

After Life

• Is there really a heaven?
  
• What happens when you die?
  
• Will we see God in heaven?
  
• What happens when you die?
  
• Is there a Hell?
  
• Is there a devil in Hell?
  
• How bad do you have to be to go to Hell?
  
• Does anyone want to go to HELL?
  
• What happens if you don't believe in heaven or hell?
  
• Will I see my grandfather?
  
• Am I really going to heaven?
  
• Where do you go when you die?
  
• Is there really a heaven?
  
• Is hell a massive, fiery strip club for Satanists?
  
• Do you get reincarnated?
  
• Do agnostics get an answer when they die?
  
• Is resurrection possible?
  
• Do you go to heaven by judge mentor or by luck?
  

Confirmation

• Should I confirm to the church?
  
• Why do I have to get confirmed?
  
• What happens if you don't get confirmed?
  
• What if your parents want you to be a Presbyterian but you're not sure it there is a God?
  

September Highlights

Look what Fourth Church Youth were up to this past September!

U2charist

On September 5, the U2 tribute band, Elevation joined us for a special U2charist worship. U2charist is a worship service with communion that is based on social justice and poverty themes with music by the rock band U2.

Senior High Retreat: Camp Manitoqua

Shortly after the U2charist, Senior Highs hit the road to Camp Manitoqua for their fall retreat. We had a full weekend of games, Bible discussions, swimming and worship. We discussed uses of the Bible and different voices in the Bible. Sebastian took the title in our Night Crossing competition and Kurt was humbled by Joann in a game of HORSE at the pool basketball hoop.

Children and Youth Kick-Off

Right after the Senior Highs returned from the fall retreat on September 7, we all kicked off the new year of church school and youth programs at Fourth Church. Each youth group opened their Sunday morning gatherings in fine style. For lunch we celebrated with finger-lickin' fried chicken and all sorts of sides. Outside, the bouncy-castle kept things hopping while the water balloon busting chair soaked various victims including Joann Lee, Donna Gray, Kurt Esslinger and John Vest.

Fourth Church Rising Retreat: Saugatuck

The confirmation class had their fall reatreat to Saugatuck, Michigan on September 12 - 14. Despite non-stop rain the ENTIRE weekend, everyone involved had oodles of fun. We began our year by thinking about questions we've always wanted to ask about God. Plus, after hiking up a very wet Mount Baldy, the group did a great job of dropping John during trust falls!

Elvevation: Lock-In

On the night of September 19, Elevation stayed awake into the wee hours for some late night fun. Joyous sounds of Guitar Hero filled the Crows Nest and its surrounding staircases, we read the Bible, we discussed the importance of community, we found Ghosts In the Graveyard, and names were put to motions... "Shelter."

A BIG THANKS TO ALL VOLUNTEERS WHO MADE SEPTEMBER SO AWESOME!!!

New Orleans Devotion by Jeff McGuire and Kurt Esslinger

This devotion was written by Jeff McGuire and Youth Ministry Associate Kurt Esslinger as a reflection on the Senior High WorkCamp to New Orleans. It is based on Luke 18:1-8.

Reflection
We cannot help but see connections in this story to today's situation. We can imagine the judge representing current government leaders such as the governor of Louisiana or George W. Bush. The widow may represent the people of New Orleans, such as the residents of the Ninth Ward, a neighborhood not unlike Englewood in Chicago. In the parable, the widow was persistent and stuck by what she believed in. This encourages us to push for God's justice, to cry out for justice. Earlier in the week, we were told a little bit about whom God's justice focuses on: the blind, the poor, the captives and the oppressed. After Katrina has brought New Orleans to its knees with a flood of water, God responds with a flood of justice.

We, as volunteers felt like we were riding this flood of justice into New Orleans. We were able to help building sheds, installed dry wall, spackled, installed insulation, ripped wires out of a house to strip it down to the frames, and painted numerous surfaces. Now we did not fix all the problems as we could see especially in the Ninth Ward. Houses there still sit in the muck and the mess that filled them three years ago. The flood of justice we rode in on did not magically end the problems of these oppressed people, but the little good we did definitely helped those people we came in contact with. Since we represent a mere droplet of God's justice, we need more friends, more families, more churches, and more communities with enough droplets we can make a wave.

Prayer
Gracious God, we pray that your wave of justice may wash upon the lives of the poor, the oppressed the blind, and the captives so that they may know that your justice is true. May we come together as one to be your wave of justice, Amen.

New Orleans Reflection by Andrew Lowe

What I thought about the New Orleans trip is that it was fun and I got to experience different things. I also got to get to know the kids better and hopefully I can go back there. My favorite thing about the trip was playing the games after dinner. I also liked the fact that I got to get to know more people and just got to know them better.

New Orleans Reflection by Quinn McCarthy

This reflection was written by Quinn McCarthy, who participated in the Senior High WorkCamp to New Orleans. He delivered this at our WorkCamp Vespers worship service in August.

This year's work trip to New Orleans was one of the greatest experiences I have had. It gave all of us a great opportunity to learn about communities different from our own, help provide aide to people affected by a disaster, and bond as a youth group.

One very important part of the experience was getting to see New Orleans and realizing how differently the hurricane affected different areas. In the upper class garden district, you never would have thought a hurricane had even hit. But in places like the lower ninth ward, not a single house had been rebuilt. That really opened my eyes to how politics and money can get in the way of helping the people who need it most.

The best part of the trip was getting a chance to work side-by-side with each other and in some cases the people who's homes we were rebuilding. It was great to know that we were doing something to help people get there lives back together after the hurricane.

We didn't just work and learn on this trip either though. We also had a lot of fun between the great pranks we did on each other, and the crazy trip back to Chicago. I want to really thank all the leaders and I can't wait until next year's trip

New Orleans Reflection by Chelsea Bumpus

This reflection was written by Chelsea Bumpus, who participated in the Senior High WorkCamp to New Orleans. She delivered this at our WorkCamp Vespers worship service in August.

If I had to describe my experience in New Orleans in one word, it would have to be incredible. We experienced so much together as a group, from hours of putting up insulation to a half day of sweeping. I think all these hours and days made us closer a group. We learned new facts about each other everyday, and our many laughs made our work go by so much faster. Our group was also able to visit the lower ninth ward. It was unbelievable how much repair was still needed. The streets look deserted, and the houses were destroyed. Some homes were leaning to one side, and others had no roof. The sidewalks still had broken glass from shattered windows and the grass had grown so tall it was almost covering some houses. It was truly amazing to see the neglect that part of New Orleans had received. I'm so thankful I was able to be a part of that restoration. Even though we had an incredibly long return to Chicago, the day after I was wishing I was back in New Orleans. We had such a great time just hanging out with friends, laughing, singing, and of course working to help the people who were devastated by Katrina.

New Orleans Reflection by Rebecca Lewis

This reflection was written by Rebecca Lewis, who participated in the Senior High WorkCamp to New Orleans. She delivered this at our WorkCamp Vespers worship service in August.

This summer, our Senior High youth group traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana to rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina. As we drove through New Orleans on our way to the church that we would live in for the week, we saw that the city was full of conflicting images. Neighborhoods with beautiful houses that betrayed no sign of hurricane damage stood just blocks away from decrepit homes with holes in the wall and water lines still visible. Thousands of volunteers had come from all over the country to rebuild, but many residents felt forgotten. So when our youth group came to New Orleans, not only did we work on houses for people in need, but we also showed the hurricane survivors that we remembered them, and that we cared.

Throughout the week we spent in New Orleans, we met wonderful people. Volunteers and hurricane survivors, each with a story about how they left their jobs in New England to come and volunteer for a year, or how they let 9 people stay in the second floor of their house until the boats came to rescue them from the floods. While we met amazing people on our worksites, it was after work, back at our home for the week where the most bonding occurred. Whether it was sharing lunch at our worksites after building all morning, having a water balloon fight between the boys and the girls, or singing hymns together at the end of a long, satisfying day, the 25 of us (plus leaders) had a great time being together and getting to know each other much better than before.

One of my favorite memories of the trip is from the last morning, when we drove into downtown New Orleans for breakfast and shopping. After buying French doughnuts from a bustling shop, we split off into groups to wander around. We walked with the friends we had made that week, and looked into little boutiques. Few storefronts were empty. A musician passed us, and after a short conversation, filled the block with music, as we sang along. The city, though still recovering from the hurricane in some districts, was very much alive.

In New Orleans I found a different side of America, far different from the suburban town I live in. Visiting the ninth ward, and seeing how some people lived there brought home some harsh realities. It was also sad to witness the neighborhoods that still needed so much work to become livable again. But we also found wonderful people, willing to take on the challenge that rebuilding New Orleans poses. I am grateful, that for a week this summer, we were able to help them.

New Orleans Reflection by William Kildow

Down in New Orleans I had mixed feelings of surprise, anger, and wonder. As the train pulled into the station past the superdome, I kept saying to myself, "That's a symbol to their city but after the storm it became somewhat of a bad memory." I could still see damage that should have been fixed years ago. The fact that we were going down three whole years later was appalling in the sense that this wasn't some third-world country half-way around the globe which needed years and years of support. This is an American City (a fairly large and popular one) and the fact that it still is reeling from the damage just makes me want to stay and recruit many others to go down and work continuously.

The third year anniversary is only a few days away from when I am writing this and it's sad because similar to the tragedies on September 11^th, our nation is already moving on but the people who experienced it are still trying to recover. I would suggest to anyone I meet to go and visit New Orleans because it is such a beautiful city. The people are great to meet, and the feeling is home-like. Maybe it's the humidity affecting my thinking but I felt strangely at home.

Now, as many within our congregation know, our train on the trip back was delayed indefinitely and we eventually took a bus back to Chicago. This made our group grow closer as we were forced to share confined spaces for many long hours. This kind of hit me as a physical metaphor though in regards to New Orleans. Like us, we became stranded and clueless as to when help would arrive. The officials had no idea, or were not telling the greater people (passenger/citizens) about the situation and what should happen next. Help took very long to arrive and when it did, it was disorganized and not put together well. The thing is, we the passengers have arrived home for quite some time, while many in New Orleans, are still struggling to pick up their lives from where it was before the storm.

This was an extremely moving work trip for it brought me into all the stories and chaos I had heard stories of.

New Orleans Reflection by Erika Force

The most anticipated part of my summer for the past two years has always been the Senior High Work Camp. I hear some of my other friends talking about church in a dreading way, however, for me it is the complete opposite. Church has introduced me to lifelong friends, numerous memorable moments, and of course, night crossing. However, the trip wasn't always fun and games. I remember hearing about Hurricane Katrina and the destruction of New Orleans on the news and on numerous documentaries we watched in school. Coming down to Louisiana really put a whole new perspective on the hurricane. We were able to see with our own eyes the damage it caused, both physically and emotionally. The owners of the houses we were rebuilding were so grateful and some even stayed and helped us, which showed their true determination and hope that New Orleans will one day be what it used to be. We were also extremely determi ned through the course of the trip, whether it was working hard to finish sanding in time before it started to rain or Jonathon trying to beat a twelve year old at jumping over a garbage can, we all exceeded others and our own expectations, including Jonathon.

One thing I will never forget is our tour through some extremely damaged neighborhoods of the city. On each house was an "X" that displayed that the house had been searched. On one side of the "X" was the date it was searched and on the other side was a number, how many people were found inside. As we were driving by, I managed to see a house that was spray painted with the number eight. That really hit me. Although eight is such a small number compared to the thousands that lost their lives, when the number is put into a smaller perspective, it really makes one think about those eight individuals who lived their own lives and all the people that their deaths affected.

This trip especially has shown us how we are able to stick together through some crazy times. Although being stuck in the middle of the nowhere for hours on a broken train, suffering through frozen microwavable hamburgers, almost being hit by a tornado, and getting showered on by kool aid sounds miserable, these are definitely stories I will be able to tell for years. I guess Jeff's and my wish came true, but I'm sure that others will agree with me when I say that I'm glad our trip was an extra twenty hours.

New Orleans Reflection by Sebastian Olsen

Overall, the work trip to New Orleans was great experience. We had the opportunity to not only help rebuild a city, but to get to know its residents and have fun in the entire process. When we first arrived in New Orleans I was appalled by how damaged it was. Nearly three years after Katrina hit, many people were still living on their front lawn in FEMA trailers, including the owner of the home at my first worksite. A tour of the Lower Ninth Ward revealed much more devastation to us, with large fields of weeds where houses used to be. Still, having the chance to help those affected by the storm was an amazing experience. I also had the opportunity to become closer to the other kids in Senior Highs that I may not have known very well before going to New Orleans. The tour we took of downtown New Orleans the night before we left showed us that New Orleans is still an extremely lively city and how with enough time, it can definitely bounce back from the damage it sustained.

New Orleans Reflection by Claudia Carlucci

Before the New Orleans work trip I was pretty nervous because I didn't really know what to expect. I didn't know many of the kids who were going on the trip and I didn't know what to expect of New Orleans. Although I was really nervous, once we got on the train everything seemed to get better. All of the kids and adults were really welcoming and really nice and I started to get more and more excited for the trip. This trip was a completely new experience for me. I had never gone out of state to help out others who really needed it, and it was a great feeling. I was so happy that I was a part of this trip and able to help people in need. It really shocked me how damaged the city still is even after three years. Many houses still needed a lot of fixing up and many neighborhoods weren't in good condition. It made me realize how lucky I really am. Our city isn't perfect but we are so privileged to have some of the things we take for granted every day such as our homes. One of my favorite parts about this trip was being able to speak with the owner of the house I was working in. Anyone can get a story of what the people of New Orleans went through from the media but you can never really be sure what is true and what is false. Actually being able to speak to a person who lived through the storm and to hear their stories is something that is really unique and special and I am so grateful that I was able to do that. This trip has definitely taught me to be more grateful of the things I have because you never know when they will be gone. Every day I get to relax in my home and many people in New Orleans had their houses completely ruined from the storm and some people still do not have those houses replaced even after three years. It was really sad to see how neglected the city has been over the years but It was an incredible, once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget and I am so grateful l was able to be a part of this trip.

New Orleans Reflection by Jen McDermott

As the trip for New Orleans was drawing near I became very nervous. I was so scared that I wouldn't have fun and people would be mean. When I arrived at the train station my nerves calmed down and everyone was very welcoming to me. Then all we had was the 19-hour train ride and we'd be in New Orleans. Although I had a blast on the train I was relieved to get off. My first day of work was fun, tiring, challenging and HOT! Each day when I would drive to my worksite and look out the window I couldn't even imagine being in these peoples situations. I couldn't believe how bad this city still was. During this trip I experienced very sad moments, but also very happy! I had a blast the whole entire trip and wouldn't take anything back not even the ridiculous train then bus ride home. Thank you to everyone who made this trip possible.

New Orleans Reflection by Bridgette Fox

An experience in New Orleans, Louisiana is like no other experience in the world. This past July 26th to August 3rd, New Orleans brought many new courses to be traveled over by the Senior Highs of Fourth Presbyterian Church. Hurricane Katrina brought tragedy to many people in New Orleans. Fourth Church traveled down to Louisiana to help those people who still do not have a home to live in. Thirty teenagers were able to view and understand the damage Hurricane Katrina brought in 2005.

I had the best time of my life in New Orleans. Between bonding with the Senior High Group of Fourth Church to building houses and churches for the less fortunate of New Orleans. The difference we made in one week was surprisingly very noticeable. I felt good about what we did there because we made a difference and everything we did was greatly appreciated. I learned how to put up drywall, install insulation, put up ceiling, and build a shed. I had so much fun accomplishing all of those tasks. I'm so glad I learned all of these new things because I have a new respect for my life because I realize how hard it is to live like that. Also, I realize that being a construction worker is one of the hardest and most painful jobs out there. There are so many details that have to be exactly right. Although everything has to be perfect and that is difficult, in the end it is all worth seeing the difference you made.

Making breakfast and lunch for thirty-three people was so difficult but so much fun. I had an amazing time cooking for everybody. When I was cooking with my meal crew, I had a great time bonding with everyone. It was so much fun to see how everything would turn out. The baseball game, night crossing, water balloon fight, French quarter, and the train/bus rides there and back are unforgettable. I am so glad I had the chance to come to New Orleans and be part of the Senior High group of Fourth Church. Thank you so much for having me in New Orleans. I had an amazing time.

New Orleans Reflection by Jackie Robertson

The trip to new orleans was GREAT. It felt so good to help people who really needed us. it was also interesting to finally experience what it was like for people who lived there during Katrina, rather than just seeing it on television. It was sad to see the damage, but it just showed how much work still needed to be done there. Near the end of the trip, we discussed about how when we would get home, we would hopefully be a little changed and have a different view about everything. this trip definitely made me realize how lucky we are and how helping people who need it - even if its the smallest thing - makes everything overall better. Each day after all the hard work, we got to do something fun. whether it was nightcrossing, partying in the french quarter, pulling pranks on the guys, it was all so fun and it brought everyone closer. I'm really happy I went on the worktrip this year and I'm looking forward to doing it again in the future!

New Orleans Devotion by Chelsea Bumpus

This devotion was written by Chelsea Bumpus as a reflection on the Senior High WorkCamp to New Orleans. It is based on Luke 1:39-56.

Reflection
A few weeks ago the senior highs group went on an incredible work trip to New Orleans. Our task was to help rebuild the destruction hurricane Katrina caused. We split into several work crews, which went to different work sites around the city. Some of the groups were lucky enough to meet the homeowners and work side by side with them. They had unbelievable stories to tell of what had happened to them and what devastation the entire city had endured. Yet, the homeowners still had a smile on their face as they worked through the heat and humidity. On the third day, we spent half the time on our work sites and the other half we toured New Orleans (and enjoyed an awesome New Orleans Zephyrs baseball game). When touring the city, we visited the wealthier places, which had been totally rebuilt. Then, we went into the lower ninth ward. It looked as though it hadn't been touched since the hurricane. There were houses leaning to one side, roofs peeled off, and glass from shattered windows still lying on the sidewalks. A concrete staircase leading to nothing, the home washed away by the storm.

I hope the people that lived in the lower ninth ward still have faith that everything will be alright. We met a few homeowners who are making it though the storm. We pray, they can spread their belief, that everything will be okay, throughout the entire city of New Orleans. And eventually, we will see them be lifted and filled with goodness of the Lord.

Prayer
Dear God, please help the people of New Orleans know that you have promised them your strength. And help us, your servants, to lift them up and fill them with your goodness. Amen