So Thankful!

I just want to thank everyone that made it possible for me to come to New Orleans. This summer was life-changing and I learned so much about God, other people, ministry and myself. I spent my last night with all my interns last Friday, staying up til 2 in the morning laughing with Katie and Ronnie and Keri. I also want to recognize the staff in New Orleans. We had an intern send-off party last Friday and I realized how much each and every one of them have touched my life. I have truly found a home and a family in Covington, Louisiana that will always welcome me and treat me as their own. Saturday morning, as I watched Ronnie drive away at 5 am, I realized how grateful I am for people like her and everyone else on staff here. The accountability and just the feeling of being home is amazing.

The interns and Katie on our last night!

I have such a peace about coming back to New Orleans in September. This past summer was the first step to something incredible that God is doing in my life. I'm so excited to see what it is! As I'm writing, I am sitting here in my parents living room so thankful for them, the rest of my family and their support as I embark on a new journey. I've been officially accepted by ReachGlobal to return to New Orleans and serve for 11 months! I'm praising God for how steadfast, faithful and sovereign He is! What an amazing God we serve!
As for returning, the projected budget is about $1,100 a month. I need to find supporters willing to give financially on a monthly basis, so I will be spending the next month doing that. I plan on leaving September 10th in order to make it back to Louisiana in time for the annual meetings that the Crisis Response staff holds.

Praise:

•   Jesus Christ is sovereign, mighty and worthy to be praised!
• I made it back to Dauphin, Pa safe and sound! So happy to be surrounded by my family :)
• I've been accepted to ReachGlobal for an 11 month term

Prayer:

• That Crisis Response will have more and more teams volunteer to serve
• God will provide the people who are willing to support me financially this year
• That I will remain diligent in building a team of people who will support me through prayer

Once again, thank you to everyone who has kept up with my blog this summer and has prayed for me! I'm looking forward to writing more when I return to New Orleans in September.
God Bless!
Chelsea
"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." 1 John 3:1

The Power of Christ in Me

This week has stretched me in ways that I never saw coming. Circumstances that I thought I would never have to deal with this summer hit me with full force. This morning I was reflecting on all of the silly little things that tripped me up this week and I knew it was Satan messing with me and my friends. The song "In Me" played in the car and I had to play it over again because I just love the lyrics. They're so encouraging and I just wanted to share! :)

In Me
by Casting Crowns

If you asked me to leap
Out of my boat on the crashing waves
If you ask me to go
Preach to a lost world that Jesus saves

I'll go, but I cannot go alone
'Cause I know I'm nothing on my own
But the power of Christ in me makes me strong
Makes me strong

'Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong
When I'm blind you shine Your light on me
'Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability
How refreshing to know You don't need me
How amazing to find that you want me
So I'll stand on Your Truth, and I'll fight with Your Strength
Until You bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me

If you ask me to run
And carry your light into foreign land
If you ask me to fight
Deliver your people from Satan's hand

I'll go, but I cannot go alone
'Cause I know I'm nothing on my own
But the power of Christ in me makes me strong
Makes me strong

'Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong
When I'm blind you shine Your light on me
'Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability
How refreshing to know You don't need me
How amazing to find that You want me
So I'll stand on Your Truth, and I'll fight with Your Strength
Until You bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me

To reach out with Your hands
To learn through Your eyes
To love with the love of a savior
To feel with Your heart
and to think with Your mind
I'd give my last breath for Your glory

'Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong
When I'm blind you shine Your light on me
'Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability

Please continue to pray for me and the staff as the summer comes to an end. That we'll recognize Satan's attempts to discourage us and that we will have supernatural strength and endurance these last two weeks. I can't believe I'll be home two weeks from Monday! Thanks for all the prayers and support :)

Love,
Chelsea :)

Hurray for People and Progress!

I love people. Especially people from New Orleans :)

Dave and I in front of the working sink!

The other day I was sitting in Katie's car, minding my own business. I had just come from a job site and was in a Wendy's parking lot waiting for my roommate, Ronnie, to get there so we could have lunch. I was blasting Lecrae when a man on crutches walked up to the car and knocked on the window. I rolled down the window and he asked what I was listening to and if I had any cash. I happened to have two bucks on me so I handed it to him. He grinned, thanked me and started to hobble away. I returned to rocking out to Lecrae and jumped when I heard another knock on the window. It was the same man, so I rolled down the window again. He thanked me again for the cash, then proceeded to drop a dirty paper bag onto the passenger seat. He muttered, "Here, I found this in a dumpster." Then limped across the parking lot again. The bag was full of ant-infested trash.
Only in New Orleans, would I exchange two dollars for a bag of garbage. Wouldn't change it for the world :)

I was able to visit Dave's house this week! I am so amazed at the progress made from a year ago! The team from Brookfield was the second team to work on that house last summer. Now, the interior is nearly finished, the kitchen has a sink and running water. This is so exciting! Also, I love visiting with Bridget and Michael; they are such an awesome family!

Dave, Michael and Bridget

Thank you for continuing to lift me up in prayer. As the weeks run down and I only have so much time left, pray for strength and energy to finish this part of the journey strong. I love you all so much!

God Bless,
Chelsea :)

"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to  pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." Colossians 1:9-10

King's Reply

Sometimes I don't think I fully comprehend the damage and destruction caused by Katrina. Yes, I work here. Yes, I've seen pictures and footage. On the other hand, my first time coming to New Orleans happened 4 years after the storm.
Ronnie and I were riding into the city on Thursday when we stopped at a red light. Beside us was a maze of highways and interstates intertwining in bridges. I've stopped at that red light many times and occasionally, you might see a man walking up and down the intersection, asking for money.  Ronnie looked over at me and told me about the first year she came down. She said that there were tons of people living under those bridges with tents set up. Some didn't even have a tent, but simply a mattress on the ground, just trying to find shelter underneath those busy highways.
 I talked to one of the staff members last night who is from New Orleans. I asked her about the week of Katrina and what it is like now. She said that some people say it's no different than any other week in the city, but she can tell the difference. There's something on the people's faces when you walk past them.
When I walk around the city and I see empty, abandoned houses my heart breaks. Still, I don't think I can fully appreciate what this community went through. Some team members have asked me why anyone even stays in New Orleans; why would you want to live in a bowl that at any given moment could wash away? The best answer I can think of is that it is their home. They love this city even more than I do. What humbles me and puts me in awe is that Christ loves this city even more than them. He died for the people in this city.
This week, I was reminded why I am here. To let Christ's love shine through me and Crisis Response so that maybe the next homeowner we help will see Jesus through us.

Thank you for your prayers,
Chelsea

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’" Matthew 25:40

Closer Than a Brother

"A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
-Proverbs 18:24

This week I've been thinking a lot about friendships and how much they mean to me. I'm so blessed to be surrounded by the amazing people I've met here in Louisiana. These truly are friendships that will last a lifetime and glorify Christ. 

Ronnie and I dancing in the streets, as usual.

These are people that will head bang right along with me when we're jamming to Family Force 5 in the car! I LOVE that!!!

Katie, Ariealle, Shelby, Keri, Ronnie, me, Dustin

These are also friends that help me grow as a child of God. People who will keep me accountable and encourage me when I'm feeling down. I just want to praise God for these friends who have blessed me so much!










This week I posted on EFCA's Crisis Response blog for the first time :) Go check it out: The Need in New Orleans (I know it says it was written by Mark Lewis, but don't be deceived! It was me with the help of Katie). Hopefully, I'll be able to help keep this blog updated, along with Katie's blog which I will be working on next week.


Prayer Requests:

• The incoming team for next week - that they will have a wonderful week shining for Jesus
• Please pray for those who will be going over my application (Explore 7-23)
• God will provide a safe, reliable way to get back to New Orleans this fall

Praises:

• I'm 3 questions short of finishing my application! I'll be sending it in tomorrow :)
• I met new people this week: Scott Mannstedt and his son Nathan from Minnesota. They were a lot of fun to get to know :)
• A productive week as far as getting work done along with my application

Thank you all for your prayers and letters! I appreciate all the mail that comes in, I love hearing from everyone back home! 


Love,
Chelsea :)

Bama: Round Two.

Have you ever had expectations that you did not realize you held? I've been learning a lesson in flexibility this past week. Part one of lesson: making a surprise 6 hour drive to Madison, Alabama. Again :) But praise God for having a purpose for everything! I love that there are no coincidences!

As it turns out, I happened to be sent to Alabama the same week a friend from high school was there. It was such a great blessing to catch up and hang out with him and introduce him to my new friends!





So Wednesday morning, three of us made the drive to Bama. We went for a specific roofing job but as soon as we got there, the homeowner told us that someone else was going to work on his roof and provide the materials for him.

We ended up chainsawing trees and cleaning up debris out of a wheat field. Billy was the owner of the farm we worked on. During the tornadoes, the house belonging to Billy's brother was lifted up and it landed in Billy's wheat field. Needless to say there was a lot to clean up.

And lots of chances to drive big tractors! Right up my alley :)






We came back on Saturday and spent the rest of the weekend relaxing. It was definitely needed! I've been working on what my role looks like in the ministry this summer and also if I come back in the fall. I'm really excited about what God's doing in my life and in this ministry! I feel so blessed to be here and thank you all so much for supporting me in every way.

Prayer Requests:

• Application process (Explore 7-23) for a longer term
• A vehicle to drive down to New Orleans in the fall
• That God will continue to work this summer in New Orleans and also in my life
• That God will provide the funds to live here this year

Praises

• Safety in Alabama
• The amazing people I'm surrounded by - both on staff and on teams!
• That I'm back "home" in Louisiana 

"Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:38

Love  you all!
Chelsea :)

Hope in Bama

On April 27, 2011 several devastating tornadoes hit the state of Alabama. EFCA Crisis Response set up a connection through Hope Church in Madison, Alabama where teams can come to help the clean up process. I read a verse this week during devotions that really spoke to me: Psalm 29:9 "The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, 'Glory!'" Isn't our God amazing?! I saw evidence of God's voice during my time in Bama. This week, the interns and some of the staff from the Crisis Response office in New Orleans came and served there. I was able to be a part of the amazing work that Hope Church is doing in Madison with the help of the lead pastor, Andy Wulff, and my fellow part-time roommate and co-worker, Jen Jones :)

It was really fun to be part of a team this week and volunteer! I personally met 3 different sets of homeowners. Ronnie and I were with Shelby and Jeremy our first day when we worked with John and Marlene, a couple originally from New Jersey. They were so sweet and Marlene was very hospitable. Marlene had a bout with cancer and it's believed it may be back in her head because of headaches and trouble with sight. Please pray for her and that the cancer won't come back.

Most of the week was spent with Billy and Pat, an older couple who invited us (a dirty, sweaty, smelly team of young people!) into their home and fed us every day. They told me I reminded them of their granddaughter (Their 13 year old, 6 foot tall granddaughter. Not sure how) so I'm excited to keep in touch with them via e-mail! We aren't sure where they are, spiritually, but they seemed interested in Hope Church :)

The third man we helped, Tom, told us his story about how his family lived without power for 8 days. United Way told him they would come clean up his leaning trees last week, but never showed up. Dustin, Jen and I took down two trees ourselves and dragged three out. There was a close call, but it turns out I can outrun a tree :)

The team that was in Alabama this week was from Hershey Free Church so I had an awesome time getting to know fellow Pennsylvanians :) They were a great group of guys and our team loved hanging out with them! We even went bowling last night :) We were also able to serve Pastor Andy and his wife by babysitting their 5 kids. We had a great time with them but half of us were sleeping on couches by the end of the night!

Summary? I used a chainsaw for the first time this week, met some great people and had a near death experience but yay God! I'm here :) Also, praise God we're all back in Louisiana safe and sound and that everyone was kept safe this week using chainsaws and skid loaders. Please pray that my application for Explore 7-23 will go well and I'll finish it in a timely manner. Also, please pray that I will be able to find monthly supporters for this fall. The support I raised for this summer was enough for 2 and a half months, but I will need support to come in monthly as I serve for a longer term.

Thank you so much for all the support and letters and prayers! Also, if you'd like to find out how you can help with the clean up that is going on in Alabama go to EFCA's tornado relief page. Thank you all again!