March 10, 2010              Login  

NOLA Mission Trip

2010

 
 
 
 

 
Photos From Tuesday
 
 
 
Photos From Wednesday
 
 
 
Mission OutreachMission TripsNOLA 2010     
Members of the 2010 Mission Team to NOLA received a blessing before they left for their mission work

 
New Orleans Mission Trip 2010
 

Ascension had a blessing for the 35 missionaries going to NOLA and Bethlehem Church.  We have pastors and people from Cross of Life, Brookfield, Christ the Victor, New Berlin, Cross, Milwaukee, St Mathias Episcopal, Waukesha, and several Catholic sisters and brothers - all joining in this journey to partner with God's people there.

Come back to this page as we will post updates from the Mission Team.

 

 
 
Mission Team Arrives in NOLA
 

Hi,
 
We arrived safely in New Orleans but 4 hrs late, due to severe ice north of Memphis.  Our driver Roger did an amazing job navigating through this at 10 mph,  with cars and trucks off in the ditch on both sides along the way.  The Lord had his angels watching over us.   I was to preach at Bethlehem at 10:30 a.m.,  but we didn't arrive until about 1 p.m.  People were just leaving so we were able to greet everyone with hugs and joy.  I did preach!  First to the bus group.  Then, by cell phone to Bethlehem congregation,  as Rev Keen put his phone on a mic.  Worked great, they were really enjoying it, but it's HARD to preach when you can't see people's faces.  Pat would tell me now and then - P Frank, they're saying 'amen'  or 'alleluia' or they're clapping and cheering - but it was hard to imagine it.  Still,  I was glad a way was provided. 
 
We're heading for the French Quarter for supper in 15 minutes.   I'll take my camera with me now and hope to send you photos throughout the week.   Peace, joy, and love,   Frank

 
 
Tuesday Update
 

Tuesday

Today was 60 and sunny.  Wonderful!  I spent the day tending to the park with a team.  Others went by Bethlehem and worked on a house across the street.  Tonight, Ascension provided a concert for the camp - I played and sang and then Tony Memmel and his wife Lesleigh mesmerized the group with a show.

Be Blessed!  Pastor Frank

To the left are photos Pastor Frank sent .  Click on the photo for a larger image.

 
 
Tony's Blog
 

Tony Memmel is on the Mission Trip and blogging.   Follow Tony's Blog

 
 
Wednesday Update
 

 Hi,

It was cloudy and cooler today in New Orleans.  It was  day of labor, so we kept warm that way.  One of our groups carried piles of sheet rock for a dry walling project - all day long.  Another stuccoed a house all day.  Another painted all day.  My group worked the city park again,  had to unload 1000 plants called 'Cast Iron'  from a delivery truck - ouch, my back!

Tonight I gave the devotion to the camp,  a break through at the Missouri Synod Lutheran Camp - asking an ELCA pastor to lead worship.  I concluded the message with gospel song sung by Tony Memmel.  The response to message and song was genuine gratitude and joy.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow. 

Tonight we returned to Bourbon Street for supper and some shopping.   We were joined by a couple from the northeast we met last year and they returned this year knowing we would be here.  We were also guided on Bourbon street by Niles,  a man whose house we're working on.  His son is blind having been shot in the head during a robbery.  Both of them are filled with gratitude and faith that Niles Jr's life was spared.  Blindness is nothing to them, they say.

I only have pictures I took, so are of my crew.   Peace, love and joy to all of you at Ascension.  We love you and pray for you and look forward to our return home on Sunday.

  Peace and Joy,  Pastor Frank

To the left are Wednesday's photos.  Click on photo for a larger image.

 
 
Thursday Update
 
Rain, rain, rain, rain, rain.  It really rained hard all day long.  Don't know how many inches, but in WI it would be a blizzard!  We didn't let it slow us down, though.  Missionaries painted someone's house inside.  Worked hard on dry walling a huge house across from Bethlehem Church.  I had a wonderful visit one on one with Doris, the 86 year old owner.  A strong, funny and faithful woman,  who has severe arthritis.  I said she carried many burdens.  But she laughed and said 'But Pastor I won't keep 'em.  Won't keep none of 'em.  One day I'll lay them all down.'   I don't have a picture of her because she allowed a visit from me though she was in her long underwear. 
 
In the afternoon some of us thoroughly cleaned and organized the second floor of Bethlehem, and had lunch with Rev Keen.  Tonight we had our sharing time and awards to everyone.   Lots of laughter and tears and love shared.  Tomorrow morning we're touring certain areas like the 9th Ward, will have lunch, and then off somewhere around 1 p.m.   We're hoping weather will clear out for the trip back, which would get us to Ascension around 8 a.m.    Dena LeMere and Dick Williams have done a phenomenal job leading this tour.  It has been a privilege providing pastoral leadership, especially with three other terrific pastors along.   
 
We're ready to return home, though, and will come with stories to tell.    Love,  peace and joy.  Pastor Frank
 
Photos from Thursday are below.  Click on photo for a larger image.  When image is enlarged, use arrow keys for next and previous.
 
 
Photos From Thursday
 
 
 
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