I am so sorry I haven't posted anything until now.  We have been going non-stop.  I did post some pictures this morning, make sure to check them out.  Today was awesome.  The construction team finished all that they wanted to do.  They completely finished and primed almost all of the first floor of a house.  Last night the home owner who works down in the French quarter took us down there and gave us a personal tour, it was amazing.  She also arranged for us to take a tour of Mardi Gras World yesterday which is where they make most of the floats for Mardi Gras.  The other two teams have really enjoyed the chance to work with kids.  Through our bible clubs a couple of kids have received Jesus as there personal savior and our students were the ones that shared with them.  We also had one student receive Christ earlier on in the week at the school we were working at.  Today at the school was water day, it was a blast.  I don't know if I will get a chance to post anymore pictures tonight, but I will put some up next week.  Also make sure to come to church on Sunday night to hear about everything we did this week.  Thanks for all your prayers and support, tonight is our last block party and then we leave tomorrow.  Pray for us.

Pastor Bryan

pictures here.

Okay so today was SWEET!!! But the whole week has been too, in fact yesterday I learned that construction workers at gas stations don’t care if you think that they are strange because this guy was playing his air guitar to queen along with air piano, and then he found a squeegee and balanced it on his nose and then to finish the show he pulled out a cigarette and made it disappear. He was pretty cool. Well anyway, so far this week we have done some cool things and one that I was really looking forward to was the French quarter. There I got some really interesting things to bring home. We also went to mardi gras world which, for the uninformed, is the place where they make the floats and all for the mardi gras parade. And by the way, yesterday james, my friend, found a lizard egg. And today when we got back to the work site the egg had not hatched yet, but then an hour later it had. But not an hour after it hatched we found out that it had died, but I had thought it did. Apparently these lizards play possum, and if they do this on did It really well because he had me fooled when I put him down on the ground and I never found him again. Long story short, I was out smarted by a newborn lizard. LAME. Well anyway, this week has been so amazing as far as the glory of God shining in the highest, because in the light of everything that we have witnessed and the miracles involving the homeowners, it is just so clear to me that God is yelling as loud as He can that He is working in our lives, and not only working but also using us for His glory. I love knowing that I am a tool of God as I write this blog. May His glory shine in the highest.

            God Bless

                        Jeremy

Hi people back home miss you went to French quarter today had a lot of fun wish you were here.              

            Love, Nick

            Yesterday was Wednesday and it was an amazing day!  Last year we met a man named Bruce and learned his story. He was a homeless man living in the French Quarter reading cards. Eventually he got involved with the church and lived out back in a trailer for a year and a half. The church became great friends with him and the youth group loved him. Somehow though, they had a falling out and Bruce got back on the streets. Doug said that the Holy Spirit is definitely working on him though because when he went back to dealing cards, he was no good at it. Some of the youth at Berean who were great friends with Bruce keep going down to the Quarter to find him and try to reach out to him. They go see him almost every other day.

Well today, our Fischer team got done downtown with our field trip and we decided to walk the French Quarter. We hoped we may run into him but we definitely never expected it. As we were walking, we saw him sitting on a bench. We stopped and talked to him for a few minutes. Unfortunately, he wanted some money for some things we were just not going to be involved in and so we continued on our way when Bruce wouldn’t leave it alone. On our way back through we saw the Holy Spirit convicting him because Bruce would not look at us for anything. It was so sad because all we wanted to do was reach out to him and he wouldn’t even glance in our direction. After we got passed my mom suggested that we go back and pray with him, so we turned around and stood in a circle around him and prayed. It was so emotional! We could see the Holy Spirit working on his heart.

We got our reassurance later at night when Bruce showed up at Berean. Doug told Collin and some of the other youth about our run-in with him and Collin drove down to the Quarter to find him. When he got there he asked Bruce to come back with him to the church for a meal and a shower. Two days ago, Bruce wouldn’t even come close to this building, but today he came back and seemed as though he didn’t want to leave after his meal. Two of our men donated clothes and the churches here donated their left over food to his meal. It was a great experience seeing Bruce open up enough to walk into the building even if it was just for a meal. I was so excited to be involved in this great experience and I just ask that everyone pray for Bruce and that he comes back to the church and allows them to get him help. He has a great heart and could be a wonderful witness if he could just get his life on the right track again.

Emily Comer

Today we did the usual things. We got up, ate breakfast, and went to do our normal jobs. I am in Paul’s group which helps out with kids. We got to Gerttown and the kids saw the van. They rushed over to us and asked us what we were doing today. When we got set up we gave the kids kites to fly. After they got tired we ate snacks, did a lesson, and gave them candy. Then everyone went home and we went back to the church. We started to get ready for our trip to the city. All of the teams got back and we left for the city. When we got to the French Quarter, a woman and her son that the construction team is helping showed us around. We went to a resteraunt and went to some stores. We also took a lot of pictures of sites like the St. Louis Catherdral. Well, now we’re back at the church and having fun until bedtime. Tomorrow, we have a block party so just pray that it will go well and that we all have fun. Also pray that we can minister to these kids and pray that we will have a safe trip home and enjoy ourselves. I hope that you guys are having fun and are praying for us because well need it for everything we are doing in the next couple of days.

Brian Lott

I posted some more pictues of the Gerttown VBS and the Block Party tonight in the middle of the Fisher Projects.  I also posted some of the tremendous progress the work team has made.  We didn't take any today from the school team.  We were to busy keeping up with over 100 kids to take pictures.  Maybe tomorrow.

pictures here.

Pastor Bryan

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his creation-created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them. I have read that scripture many times and today I saw that verse come alive. During our share time I herald from all of our groups about how God had done some things in the past that was currently affecting the present. We have had a great time this week looking at what God has done to affect the live of those around us. Keep praying for us as we are praying for you.

                                                                                    Paul & Robin  

Okay so this is my first blog writing one of these, so therefore I have a lot of stories to tell.

The first couple involve my construction experience down here. So yesterday we were working and a friend of the homeowner came to visit his name is Curtis and the homeowner’s is AJ just for future reference. So when he came over Curtis was talking to AJ and he told him that just a week ago Curtis drove up next to AJ’s house and prayed to God that someone would come to help AJ get back into his house, and then a week later here we come.

            The next one is also about AJ, so yesterday AJ had to go to the doctor because he had surgery recently, and so he was told that he could go back to work, so today he went to work and found out that the whole plant where he worked was closing. But then a few minutes afterward he got a call from another company to come to work for them.

            Okay I’m sorry, I wish I could tell you more but it’s late and I have to get some sleep, I’ll tell you all more tomorrow, I promise. Love to the family back home.

                        Sincerely,

                        Jeremy

Writer's block is something great authors experience. They either run out of material or find nothing interesting to write about. I guess you could say that over the past few weeks I have been experiencing something like that, not to compare myself to great writers. We get the feeling; been their done that in our life and then all the all the joy is gone. We focus on the big things and forget how important the little things are to others. Today we spent some time at Gerttown Park ministering to some children from the neighbor hood. Life to those children is based on what is currently happening around them. The hurricane is a distant memory. We made birdhouses and explained how the house would protect the bird from the elements and how God protects us from sin.  Sure it sounds simple enough, but when protection is at a premium it's tough to understand. Every day we struggle with things life throws at us. Everyday they struggle with what life gives them. Even though working with children might seem like old hat to me, today the hat or block was lifted for that moment when those children decided to spend some of their life with us. Have a great day and share Jesus with someone who needs a little boost in their life.

                                                                                                                        Paul

            Day two was so amazing. When we got there we heard the kids yell to each other, “They are here!” There was so much excitement in their voices and faces. They helped set up and tear down. Something that shocked Maggie was that they didn’t know how to play kick ball or understand the concept of the game. We made bird houses for the craft, and explained to them that like the birds have only ONE way to get into the bird house… there was only ONE WAY to get to God and that it is by Jesus!  The kids were so amazed that we would give them something that they could have. As we were helping the kids assemble the bird houses one of them looked at a pigeon in the park and asked, “How will the birds fit in here?!” (Because the bird houses were made for smaller birds such as wrens… NOT PIGEONS!)  We are so excited to go back for another day tomorrow and witness to these kids.  Being here and having the opportunity to share the Gospel and help people has been amazing!  Also, it has made us very grateful for the things we have!

Oh yeah… FISHA!

-That was Dylan!

Sincerely,

The Gerttown Girls

Maggie and Caroline

Today was a great day on all fronts check out the posts by some of the girls.  I couldn't get anyone for the construction team to post anything, maybe tomorrow.  Continue to pray for us and check out the pictures here.

Pastor Bryan

            Today was not what we thought it would be.  We expected the kids to be a little more clingy and crazy.  Instead, they loved on us and hugged us and respectful.  We played wiffle ball and Maggie ripped the ball to smithereens!  We had kids from all different ages; the younger ones wanted to be loved on while the older ones were more independent and just wanted our attention. All of the kids were adorable to watch play and work on crafts. Paul said that Jesus loves us all and a boy who was there caught him of guard and asked, “What about God?!”           

             We can’t wait to go back for another day. Being here makes us so thankful for what we have and the family that loves us. We realized how truly blessed we are. What we see is heartbreaking and so touching. God bless everyone at home.

                                                                        Love you guys,

                                                                                    Caroline and Maggie

Today was the first day of work and it was amazing! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I was on the paint crew that painted the Fischer Projects School. We put the 2^nd coat on one room and did all but a very tiny, tiny portion of a second room. We also went out to recess and spent some time with the kids. It was amazing. They clung to us the minute we walked through the gate. Morgan Scott and I saw two boys from last year who are the cousins of the boy who got saved last year. One of them, Javinie, remembered us and started talking to me. He began by sharing with me the story that his mom has helped him read from his Bible. He remembered the story of Adam and Eve but not in any great detail. It was awesome to hear him tell me about it. I began elaborating on the story and he asked questions. Soon after the discussion got going, Morgan was able to join us. We ended up sharing the message of Christ with him and he prayed with us and got saved. It was such a wonderful feeling doing the will of God and seeing him work right before our eyes. It was amazing last year and it was just as fantastic this year! I am so excited about spending the whole week with him and the other kids. It was a great first day and I can’t wait for the rest of the week. I was sad not getting to go back to the community center but now I know why God placed us where he did. The saying is back: GOD IS SO GOOD!!!!!!

Thank you to all who prayed for us and please continue to pray that these experiences keep coming! These kids are loving us and we hope this will give us more opportunities further on in the week.

Emily Comer

We're Here!  Sorry I did not get a chance to post anything until now.  We have been going non-stop.  After an about 12 hour bus ride we made it safe and sound.  Last night we unpacked and set-up for the week.  After devotion time we were all really tired.  This morning we were able to attend worship atBerean and were encouraged to be apart of their Missions Emphasis Sunday.  After lunch one group went out and canvassed the area surrounding the church to tell people about our Block Party that night.  Another group went to check out the project sites for tomorrow.  We are so pumped about projects.  We are doing three projects: a back-yard bible club in a recovering area of the city, a drywall finishing project on the far east side of New Orleans, and a painting project at one of the local schools right across from Fisher Projects.  We are looking forward to all the ministry opportunities that God has for us.  Tonight we had an awesome block party right on the front lawn of our host church.  We were able to see many people for the community come out and visit Berean for the very first time and meet the people of the church.  Please pray for us as we start on our projects tomorrow.  If you want to send emails to us send them to contactus@oakhillbc.org.  Click here to see some pictures from today.

Zach Carr
James Carroll              
Dana Comer                
David Comer
Emily Comer              
Maggie Comer             
Brad Ditter                  
Bryan Gotcher
Caroline Hauschild       
Paul Hollis                  
Robin Hollis                 
Dakota Hunt
Nick Jones                  
Brian Lott                    
Chris Lott                    
Sarah Lott
Jeremy Rogers            
Beth Ruston                 
Tim Ruston                  
Matt Schloss
Wanda Shultz              
Alan Scott                   
Morgan Scott              
Nick Scott
Dara Shigley