Pebbles in the Lake

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13

Humbling. Revival. Loved. Life-changing.

These are words that describe the experience of the women’s NOLA mission team that went to serve the people at the Church of the Annunciation. Members of the team felt guilty for coming away with so much, when the intention was to serve the needs of others.

As Christina said, “The hardest thing about the trip was the vastness of the need, compared with our smallness to meet it.” She described our presence there as a pebble in a pond, “The pebble seems so small compared to the surface of the water, but it generates ripples that spread out to effect change…” As Lianne said, “God used us to touch souls who will touch others.”

Many Bible verses empowered the women during the retreat. Jeremiah 29:11-13, Ephesians 6:10, Hebrews 13:20-21, Psalm 32, Psalm 41:1-3, Psalm 72:12-14, Psalm 100, 1Kings 19-1-9.

Laura encouraged the women as they returned, facing the love and humility of the journey along with a return to daily cares, by telling the team of the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19, and his experiences with God after a great victory.

Leslie reminded the women that “Part of the reason [Elijah grew weary] is that he thought he was the last man standing…he thought he was all alone in the fight.” She said that, ”God always has resources we don’t even know about…Elijah wasn’t alone in the fight and I think the women in New Orleans received the same encouragement from us.”

Gaye provided us with a wonderful poem to sum up our experience, "I have been truly blessed by your company and "touching shoulders" with you. Thank you for being a part of my journey ~Love, Gaye :)"

TOUCHING SHOULDERS

There’s a comforting thought at the close of the day,
When I’m weary and lonely and sad,
That sort of grips hold of my crusty old heart
And bids it be merry and glad.
It gets in my soul and it drives out the blues,
And finally thrills through and through,.
It is just a sweet memory that chants the refrain:
“I’m glad I touch shoulders with you!”

Did you know you were brave, did you know you were strong?
Did you know there was one leaning hard?
Did you know that I waited and listened and prayed,
And was cheered by your simplest word?
Did you know that I longed for that smile on your face,
For the sound of your voice ringing true?
Did you know I grew stronger and better because
I had merely touched shoulders with you?

I am glad that I live, that I battle and strive
For the place that I know I must fill;
I am thankful for sorrows, I’ll meet with a grin
What fortune may send, good or ill.
I may not have wealth, I may not be great,
But I know I shall always be true,
For I have in my life that courage you gave
When once I rubbed shoulders with you.

Unknown

Trip Itinerary

Empowered by His Presence
February 2008
Schedule of Events
New Orleans, Church of the Annunciation

Thursday, February 7
9 a.m.–8:00 p.m. Drive to New Orleans; unpack and settle in.
Pray for traveling grace and mercy.

Friday, February 8
Prepare for retreat, organize materials, might have a chance to tour damaged areas or help Jean with distribution center in lower ninth ward.
Pray for wisdom and patience for the workers, and that all effort comes together smoothly for the glory of God with the women who attend and facilitate this retreat.
Retreat begins:
4:00 – 6:00 Registration
6:30 - 7:30 Dinner
7:30 - 8:00 Praise and Worship
8:00 - 8:45 Session One w/ Cheri Fuller
8:45 – 9:45 Fellowship & Praise Event

Saturday, February 9
Final day of retreat; evening debrief dinner with staff.
Pray that the women and staff will truly experience being empowered by the Spirit, and will be able to take the depth of the lessons and new relationships with them as they leave the retreat.
7:45 - 8:45 Breakfast
8:45 - 9:00 Praise and Worship
9:00 - 10:15 Session Two w/ Cheri Fuller
10:15 - 10:30 Breakout Directions and Praise Song
10:30 - 11:30 Breakout Session One
11:30 - 12:00 Book Signing
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch
1:00 - 2:00 Breakout Session Two
2:00 - 2:15 Praise and Worship
2:15 - 3:00 Session Three w/ Cheri Fuller
3:00 - 3:30 Final Blessing

Sunday, February 10
Worship with Church of the Annunciation.
12 noon – 10 p.m. – Drive back from New Orleans to Plano
Pray for traveling grace and mercy.

Prayers

The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation in New Orleans, led by Father Jerry Kramer, is a shining example of how we are empowered by God's presence. As David Virtue wrote recently, the church has come a long way since the flooding of the church, brought on by hurricane Katrina. There is still much to be done - hands on work, as well as laboring for the harvest, in the hearts and minds of the people of New Orleans.

As we start on this venture, we can see that God has put together a great team. Each of us will need prayer to accomplish our roles in this mission.

Ways you can begin praying
...Debi Newman rented a 15 passenger van for 10 women plus luggage plus supplies. Pray that the van will come through.
...Pray for our teacher, Cheri's preparation time and wisdom of what she should share and her big conference with 6 teachings the weekend before.
...Pray for the space we need for workshops, worship, room for all women.
...Pray that God will draw women to come so they will receive a special blessing and to provide the childcare they need or whatever else may be an obstacle to them.
...Pray that we will all be prepared to help in whatever way comes up, able to pray with and for others, to share each of our testimonies in a way that is meaningful to whomever we meet with, and that all of us are able to fill our responsibilities in a way that makes the trip safe, smooth, and especially meets the needs of the women we are reaching out to for Jesus.

Team Leader—Debi Newman
Retreat Speaker—Cheri Fuller
Spiritual Director/Prayer Stations—Leslie Stewart
Prayer Team—Laura Self and team
Forms Coordinator—Lianne Flynn
Food Coordinator—Linda McBee
First Aid Coordinator and Entertainment—Paula Watson
Party Night Coordinator—Gaye Ganter
Photographer/Technical—Jackie Barnett
Childcare Coordinator—Pam Fernando
Drivers—Debi Newman, Gaye Ganter

Worship Leader—Christina Moore

Additional prayer needs can be added by members of the team and prayer partners as "comments" to this prayer posting as we move toward this trip.

Future posts will include the agenda we will be following, and some pictures and news when we get back after February 10. If I can get to a computer with internet access during the trip, I will post from New Orleans on Friday and Saturday also.