Dec 31 Gulf Coast Trip

Wow. That's all I have to say about today's experience. Today was the first day everyone went to the "disater area" (and my first experience). As we were traveling there was a place where 8 roads were together and our vans were the only vans on the roads. A very strange feeling for a major interstate highway. Then we hit the area. Fishing boats, turned over coach buses, smashed homes all along the side of the road. The devestation was incredible. The smell was hirendous. There were trash piles about 20 feet high all over the roads. All I can say is Wow.

Today we split into three groups. 2 worked on gutting homes and one big group worked on repairing a church building that was 15 feet under water and was covered with up to 8 feet of mud at one point. We were rebuilding and adding the outside walls of the church. The area was completly diserted. We did not see one person around the church during the day.

A very cool experience was lunch today. We ate at a diaster relief center run by some authentic "hippies". It was a neat experience. There were people that were there who had just got to their homes for the first time in 4 months. It was neat to see people all working together to help out. Both the relief workers and the people there for food, clothes, etc were very appreciative of the work we were doing. Some of the relief workers from the lunch place wanted to come and work at the church so hopefully we'll see them soon here.

Tonight we celebrated New Years alittle early by going out to eat at some restruants. It was a good time. We get to sleep in tomorrow (8am) because of morning worship and then we will go to New Orleans to the French Quarter for lunch and looking around the city.

Have a happy and safe New Years!!!

Dec 30 Gulf Coast Trip

Last night we played some games and relaxed for most of the evening till lights out (some of us were out a little earlier then others). Much of today's work was more of the same. One group continued to gut two houses and the other continued working on the future relief center (putting up walls, dry wall, putting in a second floor). The work going on at the soon to be relief center is something they have been waiting for and lucky we had some experts who could help them out (John Ginter and Curtis Hall). So they are getting alot of work done that they thought wouldn't happen for a while. The hope is to have all of the diaster relief equipment into the new building as soon as possible so they really appreciate the help getting things together. It feels good to know that they work we are doing is that impactful. The group gutting houses have met some of the neighbors and made some contacts for the congregation and also contacts for people who need more help. The group also helped clean a church in the neighborhood. We're all tired but everyone is doing well.

We're hoping to go down into New Orleans today or tomorrow but we just take it a day at a time. Dave Blackwell and others have been happy to come back and relax on the couches and watching college football games.

Thank you for your continued prayers....they have been felt.

More tomorrow....

Thursday Dec 29 Gulf Coast Trip

Well day one of work is coming to an end. We began our morning at 6am and had breakfast and a devo. It was a slow start getting all of our assignments and directions to the sites we would be working at. One group went to a home and began to gut the entire house. Another group went to the future Diaster Relief center for the area and began putting up walls, moving lumber, organizing items and beginning to put up dry wall. The devestation is great. I think the leader of the diaster relief program said there were 4.7 million people living in this area and only 330,000 are back. The work will be long and hard but very worthwhile. You can see the difference we're making in just one day of work.

We were looking forward to our MASH style showers (with warm water). It was quite refreshing after a hard day of work. Everyone is in good spirits and enjoying the experience. Continue to keep us and this church in your prayers. Everyone sends their love.

More tomorrow.....

Dec 28 Gulf Coast

Well we made it to Tammany Oaks about 9:30pm. We're all tired from the travel but grateful that we made it here safely. I will not be able to post picture till I get home but I will post them. There will be 160 workers here this week which is great however they haven't had volunteer work since Thanksgiving here so lots of work. we start working tomorrow at 6:00am. Please keep us in your prayers as we work and meet the people of this community. This has been going on for 4 months non stop and people are ready for somekind of normal life here....I hope we can help get closer to that with our efforts.

More tomorrow.....

If I would happen to forget to post here please check my personal blog at www.matthewjameswilson.blogspot.com

Gulf Coast Mission Trip

There is a group from the Newark church that will be going to the Gulf Coast to help with hurricane relief December 28-January 3 and December 28-January 12. Please keep us in your prayers as we prepare to leave and as we are down there working. I will try to update daily (hopefully with pictures as well).

Here is the list of members of the Gulf Coast Mission Trips:

Darrell Swanson
Tom Deadmon
Cliff Bates
Diane Bates
Dave Blackwell
Angie Blackwell
Jon Ginter
Naomi Ginter
Michelle Wood (U of D)
Christina Plack (U of D)
James Lansing (U of D)
Matt Wilson
Caleb Smith
Rachel Friedline
Alayon Friedline
Joel Friedline
Anna Henry
Sean Henry
Curtis Hull
Lindsay Robison (U of D)
Stephanie Robison
Jared Ali (U of D)
Tim Kim (U of D)
Sherol Chen (U of D)
Ryan Matthews (U of D)
Jenn Tretto (U of D)
Tony Francioni
Tiffany Button (U of D)
Gina DiScala (U of D)
Frank Hutton (Nashville)
Phil Williams (Nashville)
Don Knieriem (U of D)
Virginia Besche (U of D)
Laurie Rohm (U of D)
Laura Armstrong (U of D)
Anna Rogers
Kelly Potter
Sarah Kinsley

We will be staying at the Tammany Oaks Church of Christ. If you would like to see the relief effort with this group check out http://www.toccrecovery.blogspot.com and http://www.whereisawjesus.blogspot.com

Christmas Party Pictures

CHECK OUT THE PICTURES FROM THE CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!!

Christmas Party & Gulf Coast Trip

Saturday December 17
3:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Friedline’s home
Bring a unisex gift for a gift exchange ($5-10)
Guys: bring drinks
Girls: bring deserts
Sign up at the youth bulletin board in the lobby...



A quick reminder for those going on the Gulf Coast Mission Trip in Dec/Jan: There will be a meeting right after morning service this Sunday 12/11. Please bring some money for subs and a change of clothes (we'll be doing some training for the trip).

Sunday activity and NEW bible study

Sunday from 4:00-7:00 is YOUTH NIGHT at the Cedars church (the Glen Rock teens will be there as well). You will need to carpool or get a ride up to Cedars (directions can be found at http://www.cedarschurchofchrist.org/directions.html).

This Sunday we will be starting a Studying of the Prophets called "Will You Not Listen". Teachers are Steve Mahoney and Matt Wilson. Starts at 9:30am on Sunday.