Day 4- Synopsis

The farm work was very tiresome, hot, but extremely rewarding as they couldn't have done it without us! We took a trip down Burbon street for ice cream after an early dinner and hard work on the farm. We saw many interesting people and had beads thrown from balconies above. We saw street performers and break dancers and people in many costumes! After we walked around, we all went to Café Du Monde and Mark ordered us all Beignets which were delicious! Eliza and Sarah put the remaining confectionary sugar on their faces..lol! It was an interesting night but definitely worth the experience. Us girls are currently planning the fun weekend ahead of us!

Day 4- boys enjoying the beignets

Day 4- Girls at Café Du Monde

Day 4- oh haaaaay

Day 4- More hay

Day 4- Heavy Hay

Day 4- Carrying the barrels of hay

Scenery

Day 4- Picking weeds at the farm

Day 4- Touring the farm when we arrived

Synopsis

Hi everyone! Sorry we didn't know how to put words up earlier, but now we will let you know what we have been up to over the past couple of days. The first day we arrived and got to know the area. On our first working day (yesterday) we were split up between separating Mardi Gras beads and helping the chef in the kitchen by cleaning, cooking, and feeding children. Today (day 3) we were once again split, but a majority of us traveled a few blocks away to visit some homes that were damaged in the hurricane. We met a great lady, Jackie, who told us her view of the hurricane, very touching. We cleaned up the sidewalk and cut down trees and weeds to improve Jackie's house and the lots around her. Jackie was very grateful for us and said she used her faith to get her through the storm. She was kind enough to buy us slushies, otherwise known as snow cones and she was very grateful of all of our help. After the hard work and sweat of the day we took the trolley into town for our favorite ice cream stores. Everyone is safe and having a great time!! We don't quite know what to expect for tomorrow but it might involve some farm work... We will keep you posted!

Day 3- in front of the pile after all of our hard work

Day 3- Our work in a nutshell

Day 3- Cleaning up the 7 layers of glass

Day 3- One of the lots before our tlc

Day 3- Visiting the boys in the kitchen

Day 3- Girls before arriving to the lots

Day 2- Church service at St. Anna's

Day 2- Tshirts!!

Day 2- sorting mardi gras beads

Day 2- in front of the first African American church in New Orleans

First Day- Compline in the Sanctuary

First Day- Airport

First Day- Airport Departure

The Night Before departure.

Tomorrow morning we will gather and begin our mission trip to New Orleans, serving the Episcopal Church and the people of a city that is incomplete. We are 16 strong. I wonder how God will use us. I wonder where we will find God. Of course mission work is seen at serving Christ in others and yet my hope and prayer is that our youth and adults will at some point pause and rediscover Christ within themselves in a deeper, meaningful way. Our baptism invites us to journey from home. We travel from 02030 to 70015. From one of the wealthiest communities in United States to a forgotten people (outside of the French Quarter). We all have much to learn .... myself included.

What I know is that Mission feeds me. Will it feed others too? I hope so.

May God Bless our journey.

Mark+

The Reverend Mark C McKone-Sweet