It’s All About the People

By Tara Thompson
Quinte Alliance Church in Belleville, ON
Tara served with us with the Quinte Youth For Christ from March 9th - 15th, 2008.

Since the beginning of the week, every message that has been preached has given the idea “it’s not about the work, it’s about the people.” On our first day of the work week, our group prayed that God would give us divine opportunities to meet local people and build relationships. Our first two days passed by and to our dismay we didn’t see any people around to talk to or pray with. I was becoming discouraged and did the opposite of what I was told and focused more and more on my work project.

On the third day we prayed again before we left to work, hoping God would give us an opportunity. Half of the day passed and still no people. At about 2:30 a whole family came outside so four of us headed over to say hello. From there, some of us played with the kids and some of us got a tour of their house and listened to them talk about Hurricane Katrina. The family decided that we needed to be a part of their daily tradition of sitting outside and eating crawfish so they went out and bought 12 pounds of it!

When the day was nearing an end, more and more people were outside. We got almost the entire neighborhood to join us in hand held prayer…God is faithful in providing our true hearts desire.

03-21-2008 | Leave a comment / Share a story.

Perspective

Many of us on staff have experienced the same thing you have experienced when you came to serve with the Crisis Response Ministry. Most of us came on a team to serve for at lease a week before we came to volunteer longer term. We all came with expectations. Some of us came with the expectation that we should have no expectations. We read the information packets sent to us or viewed them on the website. We packed our bags, our tools, our Bibles and our work clothes. We came to Louisiana thinking we were going to be doing a great service. We were going to get a lot of work done on our assigned project. But then as we first arrived, we heard about flexibility.

Of course we can be flexible…as long as it is on our terms, right? I personally came on a team back in April of 2007. I was expecting the unexpected. We became workaholics. We saw a roof that needed shingles and thought, “hey, we can get that done this week.” We worked hard the first two days. The homeowner was not there so it was easy to get wrapped up in the work. By the second night our team realized that we needed to put the people first. Here is where our “flexibility” had been tested. Even though the homeowner was not home, there were still plenty of neighbors to speak with. We huddled our team that night and prayed that God would help us to be able to drop our tools and would provide us with the opportunities to speak with people.

The next morning we arrived to our job site and before all of us could even pile out of the van, a man walked up to us and asked if he could have some cookies which opened the floor for some conversation. God had answered our prayers and not only provided the opportunity to speak with someone, he even brought them to our van door.

Has God brought someone to your “van door” this week?
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Amy Stokes
EFCA Crisis Response

03-18-2008 | Leave a comment / Share a story.

The Need Remains

The scene in New Orleans is much of the same, people working to get back in. I spent much of the afternoon in Gentilly yesterday taking job photos and current New Orleans pictures to post on the Katrina Project website. I stood in the middle of a major thoroughfare at 4 o’clock in the afternoon and snapped photos. I did not see a car for several minutes. Remember, this is a major city in America. As I walked through the streets I could not help but be fully aware of my surroundings. There was deafening quiet, and the dim sound of hammering in the distance. This sound has become very familiar to me on these photo scouting missions. Usually this time is spent in prayer for those who are trying to restore some normalcy to their lives.

It is hard not to be overwhelmed by the enormity of it all…even 2 years later. Everything in me wanted to run in to those houses and grab a hammer and join in the rebuilding. The fact is, and it’s hard to grasp sometimes…is that we cannot help everyone. We certainly cannot do much on our own, this is clear. But then I think back to the beginning. How dim the view from Trinity and Castle Rock’s perspective must have been. They couldn’t do it alone. Not with 100, 500, or even 1,000. We’ve done it together. We’ve done it with 10,600 so far. Why? Because God continues to lay the need on the hearts of people across the world. I am in awe of His love for the people of New Orleans. May we glorify Him with our hands. Our efforts may seem small at times, but together…they are substantial.

In the Powerful Name of Jesus Christ the King,
Mandy Prince
EFCA Crisis Response

01-22-2008 | Leave a comment / Share a story.

Teams for the week of January 20-26, 2008

Thank you to the following teams for coming to serve with us this week:

EFC of Crystal Lake, Illinois (a.k.a. the funny bus team)
Tri-State Fellowship, Maryland
EFC of Oakland, Nebraska

P.S. Thank you to Sam from Forcey Memorial, Maryland for being our one and only volunteer last week! You’re a treasure to us!

01-20-2008 | Leave a comment / Share a story.

We’re on Facebook!

Hey Everybody!
We started a group on Facebook for volunteers and staff. It’s called, “I served with EFCA Crisis Response.” Join and post videos and photos of your trip. Invite your church and teams! Share your thoughts and experiences from the Katrina Project. We look forward to serving alongside you in 2008!

Blessings from New Orleans,
The Staff of EFCA Crisis Response
Trinity Church
Castle Rock Community Church

01-18-2008 | Leave a comment / Share a story.

Thanks for Serving!

Thank you to the following churches for serving last week:

Cornerstone EFC, Wyoming
Homewood EFC, Illinois
Grace EFC, Connecticut
Calvary Chapel, New Mexico
Summit Church, Ohio
Morris EFC, Minnesota
Seneca Creek, Maryland
West Shore EFC, Pennsylvania

Thank you for the being the hands and feet of Christ, it’s because of you we’re allowed to continue His good work here!

Thank you, we’re grateful for you!
The Staff of EFCA Crisis Response, Trinity Church and Castle Rock Community Church.

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A testimony for this week…

As we were talking to the homeowner, Miss Pat, she told us that she never met people like the groups who have come to help her rebuild her house. She said we were all different in a way she just couldn’t figure out. She said she wish she knew what it was. Then, we had the perfect opportunity to tell her that we were different because we love God and feel called to be His servants by being a blessing to people like her!

-Compass Community Church, Bend, Oregon

01-07-2008 | Leave a comment / Share a story.

Happy New Year and Thanks for Serving!

December 30, 2007-January 5, 2008

We thank the following teams for serving during your holiday week:

Bay Area Chinese Bible Church, California
State College Evangelical Free Church, Pennsylvania
Grace Community Church, Maryland
Compass Community Church, Oregon
Christ Mission Fellowship, BC Canada
Canaan Church

Share stories of your week here!

12-31-2007 | Leave a comment / Share a story.

Goodbye Vixie!

To Vixie…
On behalf of the entire Crisis Response team and 10,000+ volunteers we thank you. For the last two years you have served us well. You have fed God’s servants from your heart. You have been an example of excellence to us. Every meal prepared with the love of a savior. We thank you. You will be missed.

May He guide each step of your journey now and forever. Thank you for answering the call.

12-21-2007 | Leave a comment / Share a story.

Thank You Come Again!

Well, it’s been over two years since the Katrina Project began…and we’re still going! For those of you who have been here before you understand this. You understand why we would work to rebuild a city below sea level. The answer is simple and will remain…it’s not about houses…it’s about sharing the love of Christ with people. We view rebuilding as a means to relationship.

Currently we are in a position of need. We need volunteers. We need help. It is imperative that we have teams sign up for the upcoming months. The following homes (and others) are on hold due to a shortage of volunteers: Augustin, Kidd, Hill, Palencia, Perryman, Jacocks. We cannot do it without you. Remember, you are the hands and feet of Jesus.

HOW CAN I HELP?
-Form a team of people from church, school, family or community
-Pray Matthew 9:38 for more workers to come to the harvest field
-Give financially. Our greatest need is staff support. Have you connected with someone and would like to help in this way? Request information on how to give or help raise support for a staff member. For more information please contact Amy.Stokes@efca.org

12-18-2007 | Leave a comment / Share a story.

A Reflection on the Katrina Project…as we begin our next year

You know, often we embark on an adventure with expectations. Sometimes the results of that adventure meet our expectations, sometimes…not so much.

Recently it has become a necessity to focus on our ministry house in Central City. For those of you who are familiar with it, we affectionately call this 4-plex “The Quad.” (You can see pictures on the photo pages.) It is often a challenging experience for those who work there. You are pushed out of your comfort zone and you are faced with things and people that you otherwise could or would have avoided. You may have installed flooring, did some painting or maybe fastened some trimwork. You pull away at the end of the week thinking, “Why am I here Lord, I didn’t even minister to a homeowner.” “I didn’t have a direct witness. ”

I know where your hearts are, you want to see a kingdom impact and that is our one and only focus. If New Orleans were to flood again tomorrow, why did you work on that flooring? Who cares about trim or tub surrounds? The answer is simple…WE ARE THE BODY.

To our joy we are able to witness the fruits of your labor. We have seen people, ordinary people, broken people and sinful people come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ because of you. People are getting tied into the local church. They are being discipled and loved. We are seeing 1 Corinthians 3:8-9 in action:

“The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”

As the body of Christ we have done this thing together. When teams wear their white “I LOVE NO” shirts people don’t see them as a church from central Indiana or New York or California…they are Castle Rock Evangelical Free Church, Central City. When volunteers go through the line at Wal-Mart in Covington they are Trinity Church. We now have Wal-Mart cashiers as members of Trinity because of your contagious joy! WE ARE THE BODY.

That bottle of Gatorade you handed someone… created an identity the next week with someone else wearing that white shirt because of your love and compassion. This is kingdom work…no less…and we are grateful for you.

Next month we are going to move full time missions staff into the Quad. Your hands and your hearts will be a part of the evangelism and compassion that will be taking place on those broken streets of Central City and the northshore EVERY DAY. As you are back at work or at your home church I urge you to consider the kingdom difference that is going on down in the city…All because you painted some trim or handed out some Gatorade…some difference huh?

Today I am reminded greatly of Christ’s sacrifice. He would have died for one…just one of us. What about us? What’s the significance of us traveling all the way to Louisiana? What if we help just one? It seems pretty important when you are the one on the receiving end doesn’t it.

I thank Jesus for His sacrifice. I praise Him for every hand, every heart, every prayer and every dollar that has been put forth to make a kingdom impact in this ministry. As we embark on our next year of ministry may He be glorified in ALL we do. Your trips here are part of a beautiful portrait that Christ is painting for His kingdom…His people. Let us go out there and continue to gather His people. We’ll storm the gates together. WE ARE THE BODY.

In the powerful name of Christ our King,
Mandy Prince
EFCA Crisis Response

I invite you to share your thoughts/experiences.

We are now taking applications for the next year of kingdom work! Come back and touch one life…eternally.

10-07-2007 | Read Comments/Stories (1).

Called to Louisiana

Life Changing Experience with a Katrina Relief Team
By Deb Marley

Late last winter I felt that God wanted me to make a career change. I did not know why or what that change was, but He led me to give notice that I would leave my job this past summer. In April 2007 I came with a team from Hope Community Church in Olympia Washington to serve those impacted by Hurricane Katrina. I came with an open mind and heart wondering if God wanted to use me in missions.

In New Orleans the team worked very hard, formed close friendships, met people affected by Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, had fun together, and worshiped the Lord. Each team that comes to help makes incremental progress in a few houses and witnesses to those they encounter. Most importantly, they show a tiny bit of the love of God and God’s people to those who have been affected.

While in New Orleans I offered to come back for awhile in the fall to do whatever they needed. I went through the process of being formally approved by the Evengelical Free Church of America, Touch Global, to return for a year. Once again, God has a plan that I did not expect. Although I did not have formal approval, I was led to act as though I WAS going to New Orleans. I sold all of my furniture and most everything else. I kept those things that had the most emotional value to me. I did put some boxes of clothes and kitchen items in storage.

God wants to use me, and you, in small and large ways. He has plans for us, plans for our good, and for His good. Everything we are, and that we have, is His. He wants us to trust in Him completely.

Deb Marley is a Manager with EFCA Crisis Response

09-25-2007 | Leave a comment / Share a story.

Ralph’s Leaving!

As of October 2007, Ralph Erickson will no longer be serving full time as the Construction Manager for EFCA Crisis Response. We are a little sad to let him go but so grateful as he returns home to a hope and a future with his family in Minnesota. He plans on filling in on a as needed basis following his departure. Ralph has served us as our Construction Manager, our Pastor and our friend since June 2006. We our so grateful for his heart and his willingness to listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit who brought him here.

God Bless you Ralph, we love you so much and thank you for all you’ve done. Remember there is a Starbucks wherever the Lord may lead.

09-24-2007 | Leave a comment / Share a story.

September teams share your thoughts!

Teams from this month post your comments and thoughts about your week here!
How were you affected by your mission trip? What is God doing in your life? What one thing did you not expect? Share your heart with other Katrina volunteers.

| Read Comments/Stories (1).

Staff Prayer Request

All praise and glory be to the Lord Jesus Christ for answered prayer. As we sit in staff meetings the next two days I look around the room and feel so blessed to be a part of an amazing team. New staff are in the process of arriving and we are so grateful to their response to God’s leading. Our prayer is that we are able to place them according to God’s will and they are used according to their giftedness in Christ. Thanks for praying!!!

Mandy Prince
EFCA Crisis Response

09-18-2007 | Read Comments/Stories (1).

A Need For Teams

CALLING ALL TEAMS! Have you been touched by a previous missions trip to southern Louisiana? This is a call to prayer for relief workers. We need your help! We have several homeowners awaiting help and we are in need of relief teams.

PRAY!
1. Pray Matthew 9:38
“Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Blessings,
EFCA Crisis Response
Urban Impact
Castle Rock Community Church EFCA
Trinity Church EFCA

09-06-2007 | Leave a comment / Share a story.

Call To Prayer!

This is a call to prayer for all the people affected by the latest storms in the midwest. Pray for safety as people return to their homes and that God would supply their immediate needs such as food and shelter. Pray that through the damage and difficult circumstances God would call more unto His own.

EFCA Crisis Response

08-25-2007 | Leave a comment / Share a story.

The Legacy of I Love N.O.

What did you learn on your week serving in Louisiana?  What was your favorite part?  What was the hardest part? Share your story here.

08-02-2007 | Read Comments/Stories (3).

Fools for Christ…

Are you willing to be a ordinary fool for Jesus Christ???

So the theme for this week has been this…typically we are so willing to make fools of ourselves for any reason, why are we so hesitant when it comes to our faith??

I would not ask you to share your fools for Christ stories without posting mine first. I have several foolish stories but I’ll pick the most recent. I was on a trip from Louisiana to Wisconsin to pick up my son. I stopped at Subway in some random state along the way. When I walked in I saw a woman sitting by herself eating her sub. The Holy Spirit said very clearly, “Go talk to her.” I replied in my mind, “No way, I’ll sound like a fool!” I proceeded to get my food and shook it off as me being “stupid.” The Holy Spirit said, “go talk to her Mandy.” I thought, “oh no, I really have to do this don’t I???” I argued with my God for the next few minutes about the details of this. I said to him, “I don’t know what to say!” He replied, “I’ll give you the words, go.”

Picture this, the woman gets up to leave…last chance. I walked up and said, “um..you don’t know me but God told me to tell you that He knows things are difficult right now, He loves you and He’s with you.” She started sobbing uncontrollably and said, “I know he is! It’s just been so hard!”

This experience for me has begged the question…ARE WE WILLING??? Are we willing to be obedient to His will for us? Are we willing to be obedient to his voice? Are we willing to go and do and say and be all that He is calling us to?? My dream is to see the Acts 1:8 church alive and well!
Blessings on your week!

Mandy Prince, EFCA Crisis Response