Spruce Pine UMC
New Orleans Mission Trip

April  16 - 22,  2006

Friday
Jesu, Jesu
Kneel at the feet of his friends,
silently washing their feet,
this is the way we should live with you.

Nagan
Ruby & FrederickF
On the way to the Friday home site, we found New Orleans mayor, Ray Nagin, campaigning at a busy intersection.  He spotted our truck loaded with gear, approached us, and asked where we were from.  He personally wished us God's blessings for helping the people of New Orleans! 
The big election is the next day.

Ruby and Frederick and their grandchildren.  The last group helping here was last November.
Ken
Frank
Ken sealing off plumbing where the bathtub was.
Frank cleaning out the back yard.
Nail Pullers
Marvin
Maria teaching the kids to us a hammer to pull sheet rock nails.
Marvin, properly masked, pulling nails.
Wheel Barrow
SunSet
End of a hard day, and week, for Pat. Sun Set over New Orleans.

In this house, in a box which had been stored in the attic above the water, we found a framed poster which said:
"Don't Be Discouraged!
Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened,
and I will refresh you".
----------
In a closing prayer with this family, Ruby said she couldn't hold this prayer in any longer.  She prayed:
 "You missionaries have been such an encouragement to me. 
Now I can start my life over with the broken pieces."
----------
Ruby also quoted from memory the beginning of PS 121:
"I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth."
She knew we were from the North Carolina mountains.