The count down to our departure date for the New Orleans Hurricane Katrina Relief trip has started. We have just 18 days and counting. Mission control will commence control at T minus 4 days. I just had to throw this in for effect.
Things are going according to plan. We have a team of 10 women and 9 men signed up to go down there.
We have been made aware of the extra mold danger that is in place and we are acting to take precautionary measures.
Here is a list of expectations while we are there and a list of things to bring provided by Urban Impact.
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What to expect at Castle Rock Community Church/ Urban Impact Ministries in New Orleans, LA:
• HOUSING: Housing is in our ministry house which has triple bunks in separate men’s and women’s rooms with separate showers on each side. For large groups we also have additional floor space with air mattresses.
• FOOD: Meals are provided Monday through Saturday. Breakfast is at 7:00 AM and Dinner is at 6:00 PM. Lunches are sack lunches on site. A continental Sunday breakfast will be available, but lunch and dinner are not. Plan to eat out with your team for these Sunday meals.
• TRANSPORTATION: Each team is responsible for their own transportation. Keep in mind that each team will need to have transportation to their assigned work sites daily. It is also helpful to have a pick-up truck for hauling supplies. Please explore renting a truck for transporting supplies to the work-sites.
• LAUNDRY: YES! We have laundry facilities on-site for limited use, (see “T-SHIRTS” below).
• ARRIVAL: Plan your trip so that you arrive between 7:00AM and 9:00 PM. Your adherence to this schedule is invaluable to our staff and other teams needing sleep!
• WHAT WILL WE BE DOING? Teams are assigned work projects each morning and return every evening before dinner. Types of work include debris removal, tree/yard/street clean-up, cleaning/gutting out flooded homes, help with free store and specific construction projects.
• WHAT AGES CAN COME? The work is hard. We prefer groups to be at least college age and older. High school students may come only if they are accompanied by their parent. Please NO Junior High Students.
• ARE THERE HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS? Yes! Anyone with mold allergies should be cautious about coming, but not discouraged. There are some service projects around the ministry not involving mold. Tetnus shots should be updated before arriving.
• FLEXIBILITY: Team members should be ready to be flexible and eager to serve in a variety of tasks and areas as needed.
• TRAINING/DEVOS: Your time will include some orientation, training and daily devotions.
• T-SHIRTS: We have a Work Team Shirt that we provide for everyone to wear on the job-site, and you can wash them each night.
WHAT TO BRING:
• Bedding (Sheets & blanket or sleeping bag, and pillow)
• Bath & Hand towels
• Toiletries
• Grubby clothes-LONG PANTS ARE A MUST ON WORK SITE FOR SAFETY!
• Work boots are great, but solid tennis shoes are acceptable (be prepared to discard before leaving) Rubber boots have been handy as well.
• Casual clothes for lounging in the evenings
• Sleep clothes
• Work gloves that fit your hand
• Particle Respirators N95 rated with a valve suggested (3M brand #8511);one a day per person
• Safety Glasses/Goggles
• Water Bottle/Canteen
• Eye drops
• Sunscreen & Hat (some outside work)
• Hand Sanitizer/Hand wipes
• Snore strips & ear plugs! 🙂
• Flashlight
• Bible
• ID and Medical Insurance info
• A heart for ministry!
• EQUIPMENT & TOOLS! (Check with on-site coordinator when scheduling for an up-to-date list; or see our needs for donations on the Supplies and Provisions page on www.efca.org/katrina)
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I think you would agree that they are pretty thorough. Again, if you are the praying type, please keep us in your prayers. Team unity and having a heart and mind to serve are the two key factors that I am praying for.
Thank you
