As I’ve been searching for how to tell the story of ministry in Louisiana the Lord brought me back to a journal entry. It’s simple and to the point, and really just takes you through the day. But for what it is, I think it paints a beautiful picture of how sweet my time was with Samaritan’s Purse. The days were full of stories and flowed together into a perfect melody of God’s grace and love.
So as a first look into my squad’s two weeks spent in DeRidder, Louisiana, here is a journal entry (straight from the notebook!):
october 26, 2020
holy cow am i sore today ! my arms and shoulders are feeling that pole saw action + heavy lifting! today me and some of my teammates got up early to be in the word + had hash brown casserole for breakfast. drank some good coffee (peep that pumpkin spice creamer) + then me, jamie, lynn, and judy had breakfast together. judy and lynn are one of the older couples working as chaplains this week! it was so cool to get to know them and hear their stories of being missionaries overseas! after that i really just wandered and tried to find something to do while the rest of my squad was in orientation, so i went to the grocery store and bought some nutella for nicole yay! my work team this week is shathal [my team], carter, ms. christy, and the hanni’s (madie and derek!!). we worked for a woman named debra ALL day cutting a tree that had fallen in the backyard and tried to figure out how to fix up the roof. i really wanted to physically challenge my body today and i had so much fun doing so! I used the pole saw for a bit, got it stuck, and fixed it up with carter’s help! i also pulled branches while other people cut and carried them to the road. i worked like that until around 2:40 and then i got to sit and talk with the homeowner. she is super kind and really loved talking to us about her daughters, grandchildren, and even our mission and who we were as individuals. she ended up subscribing to all out blogs – how sweet! when we got back to the church i somehow managed to shower before dinner with layna! I got TIRED after that and was honestly feeling emotional. drank some tea with layna girl and we talked about so many things: countries, astronauts, world race, etc. (just the usual of course). now bedtime! so exhausted but proud of the work we all got done! back to debra’s home tomorrow!
10/26/20
Debra ended up being such a light to us in our ministry! She was so loving and cared for us deeply, even though we barely knew each other. Let’s join together in prayer over her home, which received major damage after both Hurricane Laura and Delta, and that the repairs needed can be done quickly, soon, and for very low cost! Also pray for her family and daughters and that they would all unite together in Jesus name!
More stories to come from this beautiful town and how Jesus is moving in lives!
Yet another great blog!! You certainly have a way with words. You have a lot of energy. Keep it going sweet girl. May God continue to hold you close and bless you always. Your SC family loves you very much.
Aunt Joyice and Uncle Coy
A day in the life, it used to be called, when some recalled their day’s event. And that was just a day, I imagine you were all pretty pooped after a week of the kind of work practically no one was used to doing. The fulfillment of helping someone who desperately needs it is truly an experience of being the hands and feet of Jesus. Thank you.
Thank you for your kind words, as always! Love you all so much!
We had so much fun and were definitely tired out! Grateful to have had the opportunity to travel to Louisiana and meet the people there!