Pure Worship, Powerful Prayer

What a powerful day we had going into this retreat! The afternoon began with a tour of New Orleans by Father Kramer,

and ended with the message Cheri Fuller left us with that prayer outlives us in influencing lives and circumstances. The music led by Christina "was pure worship" one of the New Orleans young women, April, said. And, of course, the fun and games and prizes, led by Gaye, was pretty wild - especially for those with 3 or 4 Bingo cards who still couldn't manage to get a Bingo!

Women of all ages are attending the retreat, from young teenagers to grandmothers, all sharing together their lives and experiences with family, work, and our amazing God. It was great to have most of the visitors staying over night, so we could have a last word and prayer before lights out, and meet each other in the morning in the bathroom vying for space at the sink and showers, talking about the night, and the incredible sunrise.

Those on the retreat team are even more aware that God's purpose in this mission trip is for the women of Christ Church as much as for the women of the Church of the Annunciation. Except for our leader, Debi Newman, all of the women that came from Christ Church have not been on a previous mission trip to New Orleans since the flooding. Touring the city, especially Broadmoor and the lower 9th district, seeing the work on the pumps and levees, understanding the devastation and the enormous hurdles - political, emotional, and especially economic, with lack of jobs, housing costs and values upside down - was an eye opener, and truly gave us a picture of what the Church of the Annunciation is facing in working for turning around Broadmoor. Father Jerry and his wife Stacy Kramer's ability to pull in the community and empower the people by involving them in working toward their own renewal - physically, educationally, economically, and especially spiritually - is remarkable. It takes incredible faith and perseverance.

Again, thank you for your continued prayer. After church tomorrow, we will head home for the long drive, with many things to talk about. Keep this final day of the retreat and our travels in your prayers.