Gulf Coast Experience

Wow. What a great week. The group is exhausted but a "good" exhausted.It's been an awesome time of serving and giving and learning. We finished up at Charles Lassar's home in Chalmette, Louisiana. Chalmette was one of the hardest hit areas of New Orleans. It's on the east side where the storm surge hit the hardest. This is the home where we worked last year too. It was a beautiful home but trashed by the 10 feet of water that sat in it for weeks. Charles shared with us the story of his home and family. He said,"we all say we depend on the Lord, but we lean on our homes and families and communities. When those are removed, it really tests your faith". It reminded me of the quote from Marvin Daniels at our Leadership retreat, "Whatever you own that you're not ready to give up really own's you". That really hit me hard as we witnessed the destruction- how much of my life own's me?Am I really not my own and dependent on my loving God? We saw that illustrated on our way to Chalmeete one morning when the car right in front of us swerved on the rainy road and flipped into the woods next to the Interstate. We went to help the lady and her baby out of the vehicle. Miraculously, they were OK, but it reminded us that life is so fragile. It's all about depending on the Lord, period. Our other project was at the "By Water Retreat Center" in Kiln, Mississippi owned by Charles and Teresa Boyle. That is also where we stayed and the facility was awesome but a mess. The water didn't do the damage (like in Chalmette) because Kiln is 18 miles from the ocean, but the wind knocked over hundred of trees. We spent our time cutting countless trees and clearing debris. The team of 13 Leadtime, Shelterwood kids and Leadership did a remarkable job. Michelle Beadle, my sister-in-law, stayed with us and prepared all the meals. She is amazing and said she already has projects for us for next year! There will be plenty to do a year from now! President Bush said it'll take 25 years for the Gulf Coast to be rebuilt. I think he was right. It's simply been an awesome time of ministry. I hear the Thanksgiving Serve Project in Branson has gone great also. Whether a "Mission trip" in Branson, Africa or right here, it's been a great "classroom" to make us all a little uncomfortable, get our eyes off ourselves and serve the Lord. Thanks for your prayers and to those who gave financially, thanks for making this trip possible. We make the drive home tomorrow. Please pray for safety. Thank you
-Joey

Joseph Staples
Executive Director
Doulos Ministries/Shelterwood-Branson