Building Homes

Today I'll get a tetanus shot in preparation for the work trip to New Orleans where we will be rebuilding homes destroyed by Katrina. I need to spend some time emptying memory cards for my camera. I'll be one of four photographers logging our trip. I'm starting to pack -- will need to take along my own bedding and towels. Mary Jacobs, our coordinator, has put me in charge of the morning meditations, called "Spirit Connections." All 20 of us will rotate through the kitchen duty, preparing, serving and cleaning up after meals. The work duties on site will be assigned when we arrive, and may include everything from roofing or hanging dry wall to running errands or fetching supplies.

I just learned that there now have been more than 750 Disciples groups who have gone to the Gulf Coast to help rebuild and repair homes and churches in the three years since the hurricane winds came through. Our denomination's commitment was three years of work and 750 work crews! Thanks be to God for the commitment of Disciples from across the country! And the work is not finished!

Keep us in prayer. Here is a letter from the Regional Office:


April 17, 2008

Dear Friends,

On Sunday, April 20, twenty persons from 7 congregations in Arizona will be traveling to New Orleans, Louisiana to spend the week, April 20-25, doing hurricane recovery work. This trip is sponsored by the Arizona Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciling Team with Regional Reconciliation funds supporting the mission trip. The trip has a component that considers the systemic issue of racism as it has played a role before and in the aftermath of the hurricane devastation.
Arizona Regional Staff: Denny Williams, Regional Minister
Community Christian Church, Marana: Robin Stout
Desert Dove Christian Church, Tucson: Allen Cunningham, Letty Giessuebel, Laura Greenfield, Marcha and Dave Talton
Saguaro Christian Church, Tucson: Dave Crobbe, Jenna Lindsay, Kasey Lindsay, Mike Lindsay, Bryan Lott, Scott Steehler
Chalice Christian Church: Linda Miller
First Christian Church, Mesa: Ellen Hoff, Mary Jacobs
First Christian Church, Scottsdale: Robert Fugarino, Sandy Dale , Sarah Dale
Foothills Christian Church, Phoenix: Dan Snelling
We seek your prayer support. This Sunday in worship please ask persons in the congregation to pray each day for us as we work and hear about the work of rebuilding homes and lives in the Gulf area.

Easter Blessings to you and the congregation,
Mary Jacobs, Chair Anti-Racism/Pro-Reconciling Team