To put this week into a few words on a blog is almost impossible.  To say that the week has been meaningful or inspiring or fun is simply inadequate!  Although this is my third Katrina relief trip, the experiences I had this week brought fresh insight.... The seemingly hopelessness of the situation really got to me this time.  The poverty in this area is so much more extreme than where we have served before.  We have never experienced the level of violence and desperation we faced this week - and yet there are still those in the community that amazed me with their strength and solid faith.  I had the opportunity to meet Clovier, a cashier at the local hardware store.  She was telling me about her own experiences with the storm and how her family pulled together - rebuilding one family member's home after another (starting with Grandma) until all 15 family units were back in their own homes.  She expressed to me her amazement that all of those who survived the storm weren't brought closer to God.  "I can't imagine not giving thanks to the one who brought me through it!"  I am blessed by all of those who made it possible for me to come to New Orleans to help bring a little hope, love and laughter back to this town so rich in history and tradition.  I am grateful!  ~Mel                                                                                                                                                                                                                   I am truly blessed to have come to New Orleans to help people in need. You can imagine the good feeling a person gets when you're doing Gods work. Hope all is well at home and we will  have lots of great stories to tell. see you all soon.  ~Greg

The trip was a learning experience for me. This was my 2nd trip to New Orleans, and I for sure felt more useful. The home owner's stories were so touching to me. I had no idea it was that bad. But enjoyed working for the owners, but for one, Helen, she stepped right in and worked with us. She always had a smile on her face which made me smile(: She was so lively and funny! Anyway, the trip was awesome and hope to do it again! ~Kyle 

This is my first time going on a mission trip, and it has been a great experience. I am so thankful to have the opportunity to go on this mission with my church family. I have met many new people, from home owners, to the many people of New Orleans. Most of all I have had the chance to create new relationships with my fellow church family. We have created great bonds, and many inside jokes together. I will miss spending time with everyone here, and I hope to come again. I will see you again Nawlin. ~ Kailee (Kailke)

This past week has been such an amazing experience. It is hard to put into words the experiences that I have had and the people that have touched me. The area that we are serving has had it very hard since Katrina, but they continue to keep a smile on their faces, positive attitudes, and continue to show their unwavering faith. I had the privilege to work on 2 different homes this week. Giving back to the community, but most of all the home owners that sense off security, or as I call it "their safe place", is am amazing feeling and I am proud to have been able to make a small difference in their lives. I am looking forward to sharing all my experiences with all of you!! ~Kim

This whole week as a whole was an amazing and life changing experience. This is my third time coming on the mission trip. I'm so proud of this team to how much we have done. All i really can say about this week is you really don't realize how much you have until you come here and see how much damage has happened. Something I'm going to take back from here is truly love and appreciation. I'm so happy and proud that my whole family was able to experience this with me and I'm so proud of them and love them from the bottom of my heart:) <3* Courtney *<3

This was such an amazing spring break for me. This is my second mission trip that I have done and we just finished working and I can't wait until next time I will be able to come! Throughout the week I was able to go through many different situations; sad ones, happy ones, and even scary ones but throughout the whole time I was able to see God with us. I stated the week off my forgetting my backpack with my laptop and Ipod in the back of our taxi from the airport. That night we ran into many people who were willing to take the time to help me out by giving numbers to call to get it back. It turns out that the next day the taxi driver called me and brought all of my things to where I was standing which really showed that God was going to be with us for the whole trip. This week I worked at Helen's house the whole week by putting siding up. One thing that really hit me was how she really had nothing, but everyday she was out helping us rebuild her home. It really show that people don't take what we are doing lightly, everyone, even people at McDonalds, stop us and tell us thank you for helping out. I am just so glad I had the chance to come out here for a second time and am already looking forward for when i can come out next! ~Josh Bell~