Going to Louisiana- please pray

I would so appreciate anyone and everyone's prayers as my husband and I and our 3 kids are leaving tomorrow morning (Friday)for Covington, Louisiana. This is about 40 miles or so from New Orleans. My husband is taking his company's flatbed truck that will be loaded with water, food, gas, chainsaws, diapers, etc... (and even some bibles :) I will be driving our family SUV with the kids behind him. One of his employees has volunteered to go along as well.My husband has a good friend and customer of his who lives in Covington. This man's home and office are both running on generators (that run on natural gas). They might be the only ones around there with any power. We will be going to his place to take the supplies and help them cut through the fallen trees (which are EVERYWHERE).We will be traveling about 800 miles and our two youngest are 6 and 9 yrs. old- fun, fun! :-( No, just kidding. I am praying that it will be a wonderful experience for them. I want them to see that it is not acceptable to sit comfortably when you know that God has given you the means to be a witness and a testimony. We are so very blessed that God has allowed my husband to own his own company and we have the means to do something, anything to help out.I ask that some of you will please keep us in prayer- for SAFETY and for God's divine appointments. We are praying that we will be His hands and feet and that we will show His light and love to others. I pray that God alone will be glorified.I am not sure if we will back on Sunday or Monday, but I will give you an update as soon as we return.Thank you in advance for your prayers. I am relying on the grace of God for this trip.In His love, Chanin

I would so appreciate anyone and everyone's prayers as my husband and I and our 3 kids are leaving tomorrow morning (Friday)for Covington, Louisiana. This is about 40 miles or so from New Orleans. My husband is taking his company's flatbed truck that will be loaded with water, food, gas, chainsaws, diapers, etc... (and even some bibles :) I will be driving our family SUV with the kids behind him. One of his employees has volunteered to go along as well....I don't think I have to write a single word...this message speaks for itself. I've been silenced by your godly attitude in this matter. Oh man, I wished I could write you some more, but I simply don't have words. Well, let God speak for Himself then:The generous soul will be quickened; he who refreshes (or: waters) others will himself be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25)I will pray!Proud to be your brother in Him,Paul

“he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Heb. 13:5, KJVS)The Lord bless you all Chanin.

Chanin,You are definately in our prayers! I will pray for your safety!In Christ,Doug Renz

I would so appreciate anyone and everyone's prayers as my husband and I and our 3 kids are leaving tomorrow morning (Friday)for Covington, Louisiana.God speed to you Chanin. My prayers also.

Thank you so much everyone! We are trying to get out of here but my husband is still finishing some things at his office to get ready. We will probably be leaving here in the next 30-45 min.I feel as if we are just going on faith because this was not really planned too much ahead of time. I couldn't stand not doing anything anymore, Dan had the truck, had the contacts and we said "let's fill it and head out". Praise God for His goodness and grace!We may stop in Memphis tonight to stay overnight. It will be the last place where we can get a bed, shower, air conditioning, etc... I guess all the hotels around are full. We will be traveling with gallons of gas- o, please pray! I don't know if we will be able to stay overnight somewhere when we have a truck load of supplies (not really covered- Dan will shrink wrap it all- but it is still showing). It is not a covered truck, but an open flatbed.By God's grace we have almost 14,000 bottles of water. We will only take half on this trip because of the weight. Dan will take the other half on his next trip probably next weekend. I almost wish we could have a police escort or something, but I know that God is with us!Thank you again for your prayers! To God be the glory!In His love, Chanin

This is so awesome! God bless you guys! I wish I did have the means to go over there. I feel stuck in California. I have done everything I have had the opportunity to do (financially support an organization helping the victims over there and most of all PRAYING). I will most definitely pray for you and your family. By now you guys have been hours on the road. I pray for safety, success, and divine appointments with hurting, desperate people. What a wonderful thing that you are bringing your whole family to be a part of reaching out to those in need with Jesus' compassionate heart for the poor in spirit. God bless you guys! Wish I could be there with you guys in person, but I will be there with you in prayer. May God ordain your steps!May we all be burdened and obedient to do what we can for the victims of this hurricane, most of all perservering in fervent prayer.

...I don't think I have to write a single word...this message speaks for itself.same here, no words...only Amen and yea i will prayerin HimWilliam

Thank you, thank you for your prayers!We made it back at 3:30 am on Sunday night. Almost 18 hours each way! It gives you alot of time to think and pray and ponder. When I got back my mind was so overwhelmed with thoughts that it was hard to put it all into words, so following this post, I'l post my thoughts on the the things I felt I have learned or at least the Lord confirmed even further to me over the weekend. I thank you all for your prayers! We were safe and blessed beyond measure- except for the occasional HUGE cockroach that the guys had to sleep on the floor with and the fact that just 45 minutes before we got home, the flat bed truck ran out of gas (that was a story all in itself :) It was an amazing trip.The damage is amazing. I'll try to post some pictures if I can. The trees! I have never seen so many broken trees and trees just everywhere, in the roads, on houses, in streets. Sometimes for miles on the highway you just see rows of flattened or broken trees. These are huge old trees that had blocked the highways for the first few days I am sure. Cars were smashed, power lines down, houses had holes- all from the trees. Sometimes for miles, every highway sign was blown down or bent over backwards. We even saw a semitruck at a rest stop that had been blown over on it's side. The lines at the gas stations were a mile long. Many were waiting in line at a station that had no gas yet, but they were waiting for the tanker to get there. The most touching scene was when we went to a Public Municipal center in Hattiesburg Miss. They were housing about 1500 people there. They didn't need water or food there because the govt. and other companies had already provided that, but the people- O, they were just the poorest of people, mostly african american. Until you have been there, until you have seen the people eye to eye and face to face, you have no idea, just no idea. The love of Christ just comes gushing out of you. Some sat outside in the heat. When we went inside it was like an indoor stadium and down on the floor were just rows of cots and people laying on them, children playing around. There, we passed out Bibles, Children's devotionals and childrens toys -like little chalkboards with chalk (things that would give them something to do). Everyone was so grateful for anything they could get. When you walked in that place, it was the kind of place where you just prayed that you (and the kids) didn't get sick. But I knew God was with us. It's hard not to want to just stay with those people for days on end and encourage them and make sure they know the Lord. I was reminded of the Good Samaritan many times. I wanted to do so much more than what we did.My husband, Arielle and two more guys will be going down again this weekend. They will be leaving Saturday morning and coming back Monday. Praise God for Lahry. Since we've been home this week, through Lahry we found a wonderful brother, Pastor Troy, who is actually from New Orleans and even before the hurricane, he ministered to the homeless and street people. Now that he has lost all of his own possessions and his home, he and his family have put up temporary residence in Covington Louisiana and is still gathering donated goods and taking them right into the forgotten areas and neigborhoods and bringing them Christ too! Dan and Arielle will be going with him right into these areas to minister and pass out water and non perishables and the love of Christ. All week long our church has been donating things as well and now they may be taking two big trucks instead of one flatbed and a pickup truck. This second trip was not planned but the Lord planned it so. Dan ended up getting so much water that he had to take two trips to take it down because of the weight. But this second trip is a blessing because more people who wanted to help in some way are able to and we can get the things down there. Plus, this second trip will even be more "hands on". I will be staying home with the two youngest- since iit was such a long drive and they have already missed a day of school. But please keep Dan and Arielle in your prayers this weekend. I know the Lord will be glorified! :)In His love, Chanin

Things I have learned from Katrina (well, actually from the Lord ;-) )1. We all have too much and we hold onto it too tightly.A great majority of Americans are too comfortable and have too much. I am too comfortable and have too much!We are too dependant on things and on comforts. We are a culture of "consumers", we consume and consume and it never seems enough. The people who had the least were the ones who were hit the hardest. We should hold onto things so loosely, we never know when our things may be taken away or lost. Too few, especially in the church, are willing to get dirty, to get a little uncomfortable. "If you have two coats, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry."-John the Baptist2. We take so many things for granted- even people's jobs and the wisdom God has given people to organize and create.Driving through cities and streets and on highways, you cannot imagine the work that had to be done in removing huge amounts of fallen trees, the power lines that needed to be put back up. The tree removal service, the highway workers, the construction workers, the workers for the power companies. I was amazed at the all of the organization it takes for all of these jobs and how they even know where to begin. I was so thankful for these kinds of jobs that I had never given a second thought to before. I was thankful to the Lord for allowing these people to have the wisdom and creative knowledge that goes into all of it. It is so big. He has created us with amazing capabilities to organize and think and learn and do very complicated things.3. That I am a sinner saved by grace. This weekend I had many hours to think because the drive was so long. During the drive, the Lord reminded me of my sin. He reminded me of my old ways, my drinking days, my partying days, my loose morals in younger days, my lying, my pride, my ungratefulness, my sinful ways even to this day-- and I was reminded of His mercy. I was reminded that I have lived the same kind of life as many of those people in New Orleans- and by God's grace alone, I have been spared. There is no reason in the world that my city should be spared. I was and am deserving of God's wrath just as much as anyone else. All I kept saying to myself was it so easily could have been me. When I saw myself and was reminded of where I have come from, I saw that I was no better than anyone else. I did not bring myself out of my sin. God did that. I cannot say like the pharisee, "God, I thank You that I'm not like other people --greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector." or "God, I thank you that I don't live in that wicked city", "God I thank you that I don't go around gambling and flaunting my sin"; no, I must say with the tax collector, "O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner". Jesus said: "I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For the proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored."4. In all that I saw, in the big picture, I saw the glory of God. I saw His vastness, His sovereignty, how He is control of things. We cannot comprehend His ways. we have no idea the details that He knows. He knows how He is going to work in each life, in each home, in each shelter, on each death bed. He controls the wind and the waves. He is all powerful and mighty. He is showing His majesty through His mighty works- even in a hurricane like this. It is His orchestration. His symphony of sorts. He has things planned out accordingly. He is setting up appointments and offering wake up calls. "Do you see My glory? Do you see My majesty and my awesomeness? Do you hear Me calling you to Myself?" We must all bend at the weight of His glory and His ways. He is in control of the universe. We are not.In all, I saw an even bigger picture of God. I saw His vastness and His power. And I saw myself- as not worthy and a sinner. I saw that I am responsible for myself, MY obedience and doing what the Lord calls ME to do. People need the Lord. And many times He comes to them through compassion and mercy in His people.In His love, Chanin

Hi Chanin!wow amazing, great to see how God is working and in control and uses you!i spoke with Arielle on IM yesterday, it was good to hear from her too, but thanks for updating much more!After all you said this song came into my mind! It's called "Here Am I""take me, far away from heresave me, from this world of fearbreak me, from the things i hold so nearthey're so far from Youreveal to me, what You want me to doplace me, where Your will draws me toLord be pleased with the worship i bring to Youi sing to You, i shout to Youhere i amsend me outlet me shine for Your Gloryi will readi'll live out and proclaim Your Wordtake me nowshow me howi need to live not for mebut for You and Your Glory"in His Amazing GraceWilliam

Thanks William! I love that song too. Yes, it reminds me of our trip.There are few pictures from our trip on my xanga journal (after the post). We will have more after Dan and Arielle get back from this second trip. www.xanga.com/more_of_him

moreofHimConcerning the pictures, wow, that's a lot of donated water! Both of your posts about your experience there and what God taught you through it was really touching. I read Arielle's post on her xanga site and it was touching as well. You guys are blessed that you get to help out hands-on and one-on-one. At the same time, God might be trying to teach me that I'm blessed to get to pray for the victims and all those helping them, though I'm anxious to help out. I need to be more fervent and perservering in prayer.I look forward to hearing the report from your daughter after she gets back from next weekend's trip. By the way, how did your younger kids do? I know it would probably be a lot of work to type it all up, but that would be cool to read what God taught your husband and your younger kids through this experience. Thanks for sharing with all of us.

Hi Yolanda!Yes, that was alot of water and it's very heavy :-) As to the kids, McKenna and C.J. did so well on the trip. I thought there might be alot of bickering, and "when are we going to get there?" kind of thing, but no, they were very good. Only a few little squabbles, like "don't put your feet on my seat!". :-) They both loved to help. C.J. was good at unloading the truck because he is strong. McKenna has a really compassionate heart, so she was eager to pass out things to the children.My husband is still procesing everything. He has a gift of giving and it blesses him tremendously. He told me that he thought that going down there would make him feel better (or relieved, like he had done something to help) but instead, it only made him want to do more.The pastor they are going to meet up with this weekend lost pretty much everything (he and his family). But when he was asked if he was devastated, he said, "no, my riches are not on this earth." May we all look at our earthly things in that way. Hold them loosely like that. I'll keep you posted about their next trip.In Him, Chanin

Dear Chanin,Thank you so much for all that you have shared here. "A witness and a testimony' indeed...This account is just so... perfect, have been struggling to give expression in any variety of ways to what our own thoughts are here collectively and individually, to what we have only observed from afar and the sense of disappointment in making rash judgements of ....But this is from there and could feel the weight of your words;Until you have been there, until you have seen the people eye to eye and face to face, you have no idea, just no idea. The love of Christ just comes gushing out of you. Sister, there is nothing to add, but I hope this gets widely read and pondered on.Chanin, you and your family are greatly loved. Our prayers are with you and Dan and Arielle as they go out once again, and with those with them.These four points Chanin...

Mike,thanks so much for your prayers and support.have been struggling to give expression in any variety of ways to what our own thoughts are here collectively and individually, to what we have only observed from afar and the sense of disappointment in making rash judgements I know everyone seems to have an opinion about it all. Everyone wants to speculate, blame, criticize-- it is very tempting for me now to say "i don't want to hear your opinion until you go down there and get your own hands in it". Of course, I won't do that, because that in itself is pride too. Many people cannot get there and do anything except pray- but we must be careful with criticizing and judging unless we are willing to do something about it. People can sit around on their bottoms all day and talk about the reasons, etc... but we don't need 'talk' we need action and prayer.Each of us is responsible for his or herself. Let's worry about our own sinfulness, the hidden pride of our own hearts and obey Jesus when He said to help the least of these. We all deserve God's judgement just as much as the next person. Who hasn't told a lie lately, or thought bad thoughts about someone, or said a hurtful or hateful thing to someone, who hasn't looked on someone with lust recently, or coveted someone elses house, situation, spouse, car; who hasn't been greedy, or idolaltrous in their hearts about something? I know I am guilty of at least one of these things. If there is going to be judgement then let it begin in the house of God- where we should know better....for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'.....Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.' Then they also will answer Him, F141 saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' -Matt 25In Him, Chanin

This is an update from the Pastor that my husband and Arielle are meeting up wth this weekend. By the way, we are getting such an outpouring of donations from people that Dan may have to rent another truck to take down there. We have Dr.s who have donated Baby formula that is already in bottles and does not need to be refrigerated, we have someone who donated $1000 so that we could buy a generator to take down there. It is amazing to see the generosity of so many people. Thank you Jesus! In Him, Chanin---------------9/7/05I have been out of touch for the past few days and have not had a second to get near any services that would allow me the use of a computer with internet service until today. We have been going non-stop for serveral days up and down the Gulf Coast. We have been in Gulf Port, Missississippi which looks like a war zone. The devestation is truly unimaginable. It looks like Beirut or some other bombed out war zone. We have been blessed to go into some of the still standing, yet very damaged, neighborhhods and pray and minister to some dear people. We have been taking emergency supplies and ministering the power, hope, and salvation opf the Lord Jesus Christ to so many. One house, just about 100 yards from the edge of the tidal surge had three elderly people (one on oxygen) who were overjoyed that we came by and prayed and ministered to them. Thank all of you for helping us reach them! Praise the Lord for the people of Amarillo Texas for sending thje semi truck in this week with supplies for the victims of Katrina. We took much of it to the hard hit areas of Slidel, LA and were blessed at the heart and attitude of the people. As much as you hear about riotous acts and needing armed guards for relief sites--we have NOT experienced ANY of that. We have been seeing depserately affected people who arew GRATEFUL for the love and concern of people who do not even know them. They have jumped in and lent a hand to us that are often working from 6:00 AM to Midnight everyday. They are help unload trucks and aiding in helping the sick and afflicted get the things that they need too. We are now in Baton Rouge picking up a trailer and getting a hitch put on our van to haul items to areas that are not being reached or where people do not have the gasoline or in many case their cars have been destroyed. We will be taking food, water, clothing and nmedical supplies to where the need actually is at. Thanks SO MUCH for the people in Espanola, New Mexico who sent SORTED clothing! PRAISE THE LORD that they put the clothes in labled bags, thus saving us much needed time and man hours that can be better utilized in ministering to people. We have also been blessed by those who have sent financial support for the effort as well. While the trucks coming in are a blessing--they by no means have everything that the people are needing. A displaced family can only do so much with 5 cases of water and 10 boxes of cereal with non-refrigerated milk. Most of these people have no job and NO source of income to rely upon. They cant go an get the staples (sugar, flour, etc..) that they need to put things together. We are also helping with some emergency funds to get people by in the crunch. Just an hour ago, I saw a lady standing at an ATM machine with a desperate look on here face. Her deposit had not been credited to her account and she was in a house with 20 other family members wit hNO finances. The machine kept telling her that the funds were insufficient. She was from a wiped out area of the West Bank and was a dear Christian lady. We put some funds in here hand and she wept as we prayed for her in the parking lot. Several other people this week have had to walk to our site to get needed items because that havent worke and cant buy gas for their cars. If you have been in South Louisian in the summer then you know that this is the HOTTEST time of the year. We have been getting funds to families that need emergency fule to run generators and to get to places to gather food for thier kids as well. GOD IS SO GOOD! This is an exciting time to be serving Jesus and to have the chance to be HIS hands and feet in this area! We are not RELIEF workers, we are ministers of RECONCILLIATION! Thank Him for His mercy in this very difficult, yet gloriouos time! We had the opportunitu to go into Jeffrson Parish yesterday to check on our home and belongings. It was hit hard and kind of took our breath away. We took on about 2ft of water and ALL the (5) trees in our yard were knocked down. The car that we had just gotten given to us by Bob Dunstan of Life Challenge in Amarill was destoyed as well BUT PRAISE GOD--our computer was high and dry and all of our records and ministry info was in tact! Please continue to keep us in prayer and your support is so apprecaite and much needed at this time. Depending on what happens in the next few days, we may try to get into the west side of New Orelans to set up operations there. Needed items:Another generator--we have had one brought in, but power and portable electricity is much needed! A tent (50x100) type to use for site operations. If someone had one that they could bring and help to set up would be an ENORMOUS help! Call Elva if you know of one 806-236-0487 Melanie and the kids are doing great and working hard everyday helping so much. Pastor Alex and his family, Thomas Derrick and his family, Todd Bohn and his family and the other working with us have been hitting it night and day and also appreciate your prayers (we do feel them!). Blessings,Pastor Troy

Katrina Relief Update 2:Dan, Arielle, Joel (from Grace) and 3 of Dan's guys will be leaving on Sat. morning for the second trip down to Louisiana. Almost all the things we are taking this time were all donated from the generous people of Grace Fellowship, plus a few friends and family too :) It is amazing how many donations there were. Dan is having to take two 30 ft. flatbed trucks plus his pickup truck with a trailer. It is such a blessing to see so many giving hearts. Dan's sister is a nurse, so she also got alot of donations from some Dr.'s and dentists. Dan was also able to purchase a large generator with a large check that was donated. The Lord is so good!They will be meeting up with a pastor Troy from New Orleans who ministers to the homeless and less fortunate even when there is no hurricane. He will be taking our group right into the poorest of neigborhoods to pass out all of the supplies. Arielle and Dan will be keeping a good supply of Bibles and children's bible coloring books close at hand to give out.Please keep them in prayer this weekend, that their trip may be fruitful for the Lord. That they will be safe and that they will be the fragrance of Christ as they meet each person who has a need. May the Lord be glorified in all they do!New pictures are here: www.xanga.com/more_of_HimIn Him, Chanin (and the whole Roszkowski Family :)

Thanks Chanin,Will be praying for everyone.

Katrina Relief Update (Sunday am)I talked to Arielle on Dan's cell phone. They arrived safely at a Church of God in Covington, LA at about 12:30 last night. The church is a tiny 2 room church and there is still no power where they are. Dan and 3 of the guys slept in a tent, Arielle slept in Dan's pickup truck and 2 others slept in the other 2 trucks. (The church was already full of sleeping people.) There are quite a few others who are camping out, sleeping in tents and some in RV's there. They had oranges and coffee from a carton(?) for breakfast. It is very hot there- in the 90's, I believe.They are unloading the truck this morning and I don't know how they are going to do it. Everything is on flats or skids and were put on the trucks with a small forklift machine. Yikes, that's going to take some time to unload by hand! I pray that the Lord will give them all strength and endurance!Today, they will unload, go to some poorer neigborhoods and also put some of the things in storage for the days ahead.As it turns out, it is a good thing that I stayed home with Kenna and C.J. -Kenna has "croop" with a high fever. And last night for some reason, C.J. got a bloody nose after he blew his stuffy nose. The nights are long for me too- although I am VERY thankful for airconditioning here :-)I'll update as I get more info. Thank you to everyone who is praying. It means so much!In Him, Chanin

Praise God. He is so good!Just got off the phone with Arielle tonight. I know my words can not express what went on there in Louisiana today, but I will give you a sneak peak at what she will probably write about. She said no words can describe today. Dan, Arielle, Pastor Troy and the rest of the guys went as a team with a Christian Doctor, a photographer, and some others. They drove to a very poor town in LA where most of the homes were like shacks and had no running water. They parked their vehicles including the 2 flatbed trucks full of supplies in a small church parking lot. They turned some gospel music on really loud so that the people in the homes and around could hear and then the people just started flocking to the church parking lot, out of the homes and everything. They had set up an area for drinks, etc.. and people would just say what they needed and the guys would pass it out to them. People were prayed for in the parking lot. Bibles were passed out, people were asking for bibles! Arielle said it felt like being in another country. She had no idea that there was this kind of poverty in America.There were many children and they came up to Arielle as she passed out crayons and coloring books to them. She was like a celebrity to them (this is usually what you see in 3rd. world countries when missionaries visit). She would ask if she could pray for any of them. One little girl only had slippers on that she wore to school and her friend's shoes were coming apart, so a couple of the girls who were helping pass things out, took their shoes off and gave them to the girls. For over 3 hours they just passed things out. Almost all of those diapers (if you saw how many there were in the pictures!) were passed out. People were so thrilled to get these things. The three guys that work for Dan who had volunteered to go down with them are not christians. One of them just kept staring at all that was going on and finally broke down in tears. I think it just melted his heart. I know that the Lord is using this for His good in so many ways. This will be a life changing experience for everyone.One thing I'd like to mention is that one of Dan's friends who also owns his own business wanted to get involved in his own way with the Huricane Relief. When we went down last week, he was also going in his own truck and wanted to contact the local news stations and try to get as many people to drop things off at his business. We were kind of wondering how much of this he was doing for his business exposure as well. I thought that we should try to stay away from that as much as possible so we made seperate plans. As it turns out, he never did get the news coverage or anything that he wanted.Funny thing though, Dan got a call from our local news just Friday before he left and someone had told them about Dan and his trucks going down. The news people were also going down at the same time and wanted to make contact with Dan while they were down there. Our policy about things like this rests on Matthew 6: "Not to do your deeds before men", so we thought it was important that IF and only if they found out where Dan was going to be, that he would not mention his company or Grace Fellowship that donated all of the goods as a means of promotion- that the only promotion goes to the Lord!. He ok'd this with the Pastor of Grace as well. If there was to be any glory - it was all going to be the LORD'S. And yes, they did find Dan and Pastor Troy and the whole team and they interviewed those who were willing. Dan did talk to them and mostly just mentioned the Lord and how he had allowed them the ability and grace to have this opportunity, etc... He specifically asked them NOT to cut out the use of Christ's name. They said they would "try" to leave some in.Anyway, the ironic thing and the loud message I see from the Lord, is that those who seek glory- get none, but those who don't seek glory for themselves, but only for God- sometimes God allows them to be seen for His glory! Amen! Humbled by His love, ChaninEdit: Lahry, I saw that you were on a few minutes ago. Can I just say THANK YOU so much for connecting us to Pastor Troy. What a blessing!!!

Thank you Chanin... This is just fantastic hearing all this.The three guys that work for Dan who had volunteered to go down with them are not christians. One of them just kept staring at all that was going on and finally broke down in tears. I think it just melted his heart. I know that the Lord is using this for His good in so many ways. This will be a life changing experience for everyone.Every one of these updates leaves me fumbling for words...Praise God!Praise God

Dan and Arielle finally made it back last night. They said the experience was indescribable- but maybe these pictures will help :)http://arielle.smugmug.com/To God be the glory!In Him, Chanin

They said the experience was indescribableI have no words either...These are the kind of works that will undoubtely lead people to exalt our Father in Heaven. Oh, may that be true!Thank you for being obedient to the Lord and expressing His love to so many people. I, even I, am He Who comforts you. (Isaiah 51:12)

Arielle put together a beautiful video from the pictures that were taken during the trips to LA and MS. We are putting them on cd's and dvd's at give out to those who helped, volunteered and donated. She uploaded it to a site so that others could see it on the internet, but it is kind of small.Anyway, here is the link, 700k works best (hope you have speakers)http://video.mpegnation.com/a001208702914091605195505445.htmlAlso, the Pastor they met up with down there (Pastor Troy from New Orleans- who himself lost everything) has a couple of video clips on ugo4God.com of their effortshttp://ugo4god.com/user/KATRINA%203.wmvhttp://ugo4god.com/user/KATRINA%202.wmv Pastor Troy's website is : www.biggrace.com (to see his updates as he is down there right in the midst of it all)In Him, Chanin

Thanks for the links! Arielle sent me the link to her video last week. It was very moving and well done. I'll need to check out the other videos. I'll need to read the updates too. It would be good to get an idea of how things are over there because I might finally get the opportunity to go down there next month with a team from our church. A team from our church was supposed to fly into Austin, Texas today and drive over to Louisiana, but obviously, because of Hurricane Rita, they got rescheduled to fly out Monday.Those in Texas and evacuees from Louisianna are in my prayers.