For those of you who have followed this blog with any regularity over the past 16 months or so, you may have noticed that new additions have been made far more seldomly this year than last. (Thanks for the reminder, Mom.) By no means does that indicate that I’ve less to say, it’s just that, in all honesty, this year has been hard so far. And, while I can acknowledge well enough that it’s been hard, I do think that it’s been a challenge to put it into words. I also want to preface this post, however, by saying that these comments are in no way a plea for sympathy or an effort to stress anybody out. It’s merely my best attempt at sharing an honest portrayal of my year in New Orleans. So here goes nothin’.

It wouldn’t be very honest of me to say that this has been a difficult four (ish) months without mentioning work. By no means am I saying I’m the only person out there struggling with working in a hospital chaplains department, but it’s kind of a new thing for me to not love what I do every day. It has been a challenging thing for me to realize that maybe I’m notgoing to be super thrilled about going to work every morning, and that maybe I’m not meant to be a hospital chaplain when I grow up. But I’m also trying to remember that I am meant to be here this year. We’ll see where this part of my journey goes, but maybe that conversation is for another day.

What has been affecting me (and I venture to say most of my house) more, as of late, is the crime that seems to be creeping in closer and closer to our little intentional community. It is no secret that New Olreans isn’t the safest city in the world, but over the past few weeks several members of our community have directly experienced, whether as victims or witnesses, instances of violence. In addition to that, reports of other events near our house have had everyone on edge. And while I know that violence is very much a reality in this world and in many cities, as someone who grew up in a pleasantly small town it has been especially hard to stare it in the face. It truly breaks my heart that people find themselves in positions in which violence and crime seem like the only option, and it breaks my heart that people I love are being hurt physically and emotionally. And I think all of these events have slowly but surely chipped away at our ability to feel comfortable in this city that is our home for the year. You want some cash, but you’re afraid to walk by yourself across the street to Walgreens even in the middle of the day. Or you had a bad day and want to just sit in your car for a while when you get home from work, but are very aware of the fact the gravel lot by the house is pretty isolated and awfully dark by the time 5:30pm rolls around. I think we’re definitely past that “honeymoon phase” they kept talking about at orientation. Culture shock much?

While we are obviously very conscious of traveling in groups, always locking the house, and making other safety-conscious decisions, the fact is that, at least speaking for myself: I’m just tired. I’m tired of seeing a constant stream of crime reports on the news, I’m tired of feeling the need to speed walk just the short distance from my car to my house, I’m tired of being suspicious of almost everybody I see on the street, and honestly, I’m tired of feeling guilty for having all of these feelings (I know a whole lot of people have it worse off than I do). But it is so hard to feel at home in a place where you feel as though your guard needs to constantly be up. And even though it seems like Christmas is coming at us with the speed of lightning (which in education land means the year’s half over), we’ve still got two thirds of our YAV years to go.

All of this being said, we’re hanging in there. Our little baby Christmas tree and some stockings are doing their job of bringing holiday cheer to the living room, and we are looking forward to the chance to visit with family and friends over Christmas. This past Saturday was our monthly community day (in addition to our Tuesday night meetings), and we spent the morning planting trees. I know it was therapeutic for me, and I suspect a lot of my roommates feel the same way. It was a wonderful thing to be away from the city in a little bit of nature (even though I could still hear the cargo ships on the river), and to be physically, visibly improving the land around us, and just to get a little dirt on our hands. I mean plus I saw an armadillo, some cool bugs and a cute little swamp melon. It was a welcomed break from “real life.” And New Orleans is still full of so much beauty and character, if we can only remember to look for it.

So as I said before, I don’t mean to alarm anyone with my words here. But I do humbly ask that, if you’re the prayin’ type, you keep our community in your prayers, that we can find hope and peace of mind as we’re making our way through this rough patch. During the closing prayer after our community dinner Saturday evening, one roomate read Psalm 23, and it was fitting enough that it brought be to tears. So, whether you need it right now or not, I’ll leave you with those words.

Love,
Allison

Allison the Tree Hugger

Award winning Gingerbread house

What love is, only Christ tells in his Word. Contrary to all my own opinions and convictions, Jesus Christ will tell me what love toward the brethren really is. Therefore, spiritual love is bound solely to the Word of Jesus Christ… Because spiritual love does not desire but rather serves, it loves an enemy as a brother. It originates neither in the brother nor in the enemy but in Christ and his Word.

Our community turned to the Word and shared scripture that we felt helped guide us in community living. Here are a few:

“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.” – Romans 14:13

“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.  As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’ On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor.” – 1 Corinthians 12:20-23

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;  if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;  if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” – Romans 12:6-8

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2

What verses have helped guide you in living in Christian community?

Last Thursday my eight roommates and I drove from New Orleans, LA to Austin, TX for a fall retreat. All stops included it’s about an 8 hour trip.

There is something to be said about driving. I’m not sure if it’s the time or the lack of physical movement, but something about long distance traveling tends to bring out a glimpse of hysteria in most people. I’m pretty sure this past weekend was a testament to that fact. I don’t believe I have ever laughed so hard in my life. It’s very hard with 9 people, to spend time with each other and get to know one another. We try our best, but often the only time we have to talk is once a week. This car ride gave us such a great opportunity to talk, laugh, cry because we’re laughing, and play together.

We had a great time exploring Austin. We saw the capital, we went to the lake and drank coffee at Mozart’s, we went to a Powwow, we ate at a chili cook-off, we saw the UT marching band, and we stayed at the Seminary. However, the greatest part of the whole weekend for me was playing cards until my fingers fell off. We played for hours into the night. Once again, we talked, laughed, cried, screamed, and played together. It was here that I realized how blessed  I am to enjoy simple things in life. Even though I enjoy traveling so much and seeing the world, I enjoy spending time with people I love more.

God is bigger than Texas.

He is changing my heart daily. He is turning me into the person He wants me to be. He takes every opportunity to show me this.

- Ashley

I know it has been awhile since my last post, but a lot has been going on all at once. So the house that I have been working on is on Pauger Street which is in the Gentilly area of New Orleans. My homeowner, Ms. Z (short for Zanzer), says the water was up to about 5 or 6 feet and that CNN actually showed it on tv. I can’t imagine the feeling that you would get by seeing your house surrounded by water. Ms. Z evacuated to Texas near Houston when the hurricane was coming through. Her house has been…. interesting to work on. Everything from break-ins to a slightly inebriated woman coming in the house and peeing in my linen closet. Pauger has seen kittens and crime, new volunteers and old ones reminiscing about going to a new house, and Pauger has seen what a group of volunteers and a work site manager can do.

On a different note from work, I have something else that I’ve been meaning to blog about, but I guess I have been thinking of the right way to put it. I went through YAV orientation hearing people talk about going to their sites thinking they were going to be the perfect YAV, and hearing others talk about conflict, troubles, and the trials that we would face during our year. I heard all of that, but I ignored it, I came and thought I was going to be the super YAV… mascot of the YAV program, the one people were going to remember, my face on cereal boxes and coffee mugs, and it would be like the Disney Hercules movie where Hercules had action figures and sandals made after him. Yeah… that was going to be me. But then God threw a wrench into that plan and made me do the one thing that I am worse at, asking for help.

When I say God threw a wrench, I really mean he put a pick-up truck in front of me that had a trailer ball. It sheared off part of my brush guard and sent the rest into my hood. The truck and car in front of it were fine, but I was sitting on the interstate with a seriously messed up car and no idea what to do. I came down here thinking I was going to be super YAV… at that time I just felt like a kid who didn’t know what to do, trying to act like an adult and take care of something.

Thankfully my boss Phil was driving the other way down the interstate when it happened, so he showed up soon after the other people had left and helped me to get to the gas station that was right off the exit ramp. There I waited for a flat bed to take me to the body shop. That was the longest 50 minutes of my life. It was my first week with volunteers by myself, and it was also the first day. Phil went to go tell them and I was by myself waiting for this flat bed.

I tried calling my mom and my brother and then ended up calling my youth pastor Hansen, I figured that he could help to calm my nerves and help me think clearer, which he did do. So after I hung up with Hansen, I took his advice to get something to drink, and when I came back I saw the only humor in the situation which was the sign that I was parked under “loiterers” will be towed, I thought, “I actually do need to be towed, so maybe I should loiter under this for awhile…” I talked with my brother and then my Mom and Dad, and also the geico people multiple times while trying to wait for the flat bed.

The guy finally came and I told him to take me to Kehoe automotive, he had no idea how to get there, which was amazingly useful (sarcasm), but thanks to smartphones, we eventually got there. I walked in with my piece of brush guard that had broken off, and the first thing the people say is “we don’t do body work…” again amazingly useful (again… sarcasm). So I have to continue my ride in the flat bed to LJ’s Body Shop, the guy didn’t know how to get there either… I won’t even say it because we all know it would be sarcastic.

Long story short, we get to LJ’s and the next day I find out that my car was totaled. At that point I realized what exactly God was about to make me do. I had to start asking for help. I quickly realized how amazing the people in my life are (that is not sarcasm). I found out that my friends are more than just the people that I laugh and watch football with, they are people who would go out of their way to take me places just because I ask. These are the trials that YAV orientation was talking about. I’m a person who literally never asks for help, I’ve always been the person who is helping, and even if I do need help, I don’t ask because I don’t want to bother anyone. But I quickly figured out that that wasn’t going to fly anymore and that I would need to be on the other side of things and that I would have to ask for help. I thought I was coming to New Orleans to help the people down here but I have found out that I am being helped just as much.

I can’t thank the friends that I have enough, and I can’t believe that there are people like them who care this much, but there are, and it has really made me realize that everyone at some point has to reach out for a hand.

There will always be the negative, the pessimistic, the bitter, the jaded, the disheartened, the hopeless…

There will always be that person that will remind you that what you are striving for is in fact impossible.

There will always be that person that will make you ask yourself:

What am I doing here?

Am I making a difference?

Am I working in vain?

During my year in New Orleans, my fight is to save the wetlands.

Is this an unrealistic goal?

One of the tasks in my job with CHART is to give a wetlands presentation to mission teams who come through for Hurricane Katrina relief. Once I was done with one of my presentations, someone decided to ask a “question”. This person then proceeded to let me know that everything that I had presented was all fine and good and very idealistic… but that the wetlands will disappear, and that there’s really nothing we can do about it. He then went into a 3 minute long explanation of why the wetlands are for sure going to disappear.

That was their “question”.

I have to be honest, this hit me very hard. It knocked the wind out of me. It instantly caused tears to well up in my eyes.. but I had to stay strong… after all, I was in the middle of a presentation on saving the wetlands, and I had just finished my section on how this wasn’t impossible.. and how this was a cause that God is calling us to.

This person basically told me my efforts are useless.. my year here will be in vain.

It was really hard to respond to this person, without either crying and leaving… getting angry in response… or just agreeing and giving up.

But I didn’t.. I told this person I understood where they were coming from because a lot of what they were saying was logical and true to a certain extent, and that this is indeed a complex situation that seems impossible…

but I have to do something. There are people who in the next 15 years will lose their homes if nothing changes. The land they have grown up knowing, along with their history, their culture.. their everything will be in a watery grave. There are people who have already faced this reality, and can now only visit their homelands in a boat.

Do these people not deserve a fighting chance? Do they not deserve hope?

There is a bigger picture here than just planting some wetland grass and trying to divert sediment to watered down lands…. There are systems and ideas in place that HAVE to change in order to make substantial progress in this fight.

Our society is driven by consumerism. We just want more and more and more, and we will go out of our way to get it. Even if it means putting ecosystems, wild life, and even other people in danger. Emphasis being on other.

I do understand what we (those fighting to save the wetlands) are standing up against.

We are standing against the government.

We are standing against the oil industry.

- There are 43,000 oil and gas wells and 64,000 miles of oil pipelines in Louisiana and the surrounding gulf alone.

- There are close to 3,000 reported oil spills a year in Louisiana and the surrounding gulf alone, causing erosion of land among other things.

- There is an 85 mile stretch of the Mississippi River called Cancer Alley where Petrochemical plants, in addition to polluting the air and water, are causing entire communities to suffer from various types of cancer.

We are standing against wealthy corporations.

We are standing against the pursuit of money. (the motivation for oil companies)

Hebrews 13:5-9 (Message)

Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you, ” we can boldly quote,

God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?

We are standing against the pursuit of the American Dream.

We are standing against the mentality that plagues most of America.. and most of the developed world for that matter. This attitude that seeps into our subconscious, into you, into me: That we can never get enough.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 (Message)

A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough.

These are huge establishments to stand up against, and yes.. in this day and age money is the speaking power in our world… so it does seem impossible, right?

Can we convince people to give up their dependence on oil? Can we convince people to live only on what they need.. and to live with the land, and not try to tame it?

Can we convince people that the pursuit of money is not everything?

1 Timothy 6:9-12 (Message)

But if it’s only money these leaders are after, they’ll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down the path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after. But you, Timothy, man of god: Run for your life from all this. Pursue a righteous life – a life of wonder, faith, love, steadiness, courtesy. Run hard and fast in the faith. Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced in the presence of so many witnesses.

Mark 10:17-22 (Message)

As he went out in the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great reverence, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?” Jesus said, “Why are you calling me good? No one is good, only God. You know the commandments: Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t cheat, honor your father and mother.” He said, “Teacher I have – from my youth – kept them all!” Jesus looked him hard in the eye – and loved him! He said, “There’s one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.” The man’s face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart.

He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.

We are standing against an army of “rich men“.  As I fight the “rich man” mentality that plagues my mind.

I’m not sure if we can convince people to change their mindset…. but I sure HOPE so.

I know that God calls us to hope for something more.. for heaven here on Earth… for peace and justice for all.

Isaiah 61:1-3, 10-11 (Message)

The Spirit of God, the Master is on me because God anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners. God sent me to announce the year of his grace – a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies – and to comfort all who mourn, to care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit.

God calls us to work towards and hope for the impossible.

God also calls us to follow our passions;  he gave me a passion for the wetlands for a reason, right?

I know that attempting to save the wetlands may make me seem crazy.. or radical.. or idealistic.. but isn’t that how I’m supposed to be?

Romans 12:2-12:16

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in the exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal , be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another.

God gave each of us individual talents and passions to use to serve others, and to lift up His name.

I went to a renewal of non-violence service the other day, and this woman named Sister Helen Prejean gave a speech. She is widely recognized for her faith and advocacy on behalf of those on death row. She has been fighting most of her life to end the death penalty. She spoke with so much passion and conviction that it filled me with hope.

At the end of the presentation a man got up and said that largely because of Sister Prejean’s work, that they are working towards ending the death penalty in Louisiana in the next 5 years.

AMAZING! She has stood against incredible odds, and now she is on her way to see the fruit of God’s work through all of her labor. She reminded us that each of us has our own talents and our own gifts to give up as an offering, and the pieces we contribute come together much like a stained glass window. All of us are different sizes, different hues, different opacities. But we come together to create an amazing picture of Christ here on the Earth, and we work best when His light shines through us.

I chose to not be discouraged by what this person said to me concerning the wetlands. I may be a small piece. I may be oddly shaped. I may only have a little to contribute. I may have crazy ideas.. But that will not stop me from fighting to save the wetlands.

I want to be the green in the Stained Glass window.

- Lauren W.

[Follow Lauren's blog at:  http://selahren.wordpress.com/]

Congregation of First Presbyterian Church in Gray, LA; Members can recall disappeared homes due to the receding coastline

The last remaining cypress swamp in Terrebonne Parish. "Terrebonne" is derived from the French for "good earth."

This past weekend I traveled to New Mexico for a retreat with last year’s YAVs. Re-entry, as we call it, was a chance to reconnect with the first batch of my YAV friends, and to share stories and experiences from our years of service. Not to mention Ghost Ranch itself is a stunning place to be.

The long weekend started on Thursday morning, as I hopped on a plane with a handful of other YAVs (or YAVAs now, I s’pose?) who currently reside in New Orleans. The anticipation grew as more friends joined us on the flight from Dallas to Albuquerque, and next thing you know 50 or so YAVs were all piled on a bus to Ghost Ranch.

Allison (right) at Ghost Ranch with fellow Nashville YAV alums

Re-entry is built largely to help YAVs process their newly-finished years, through small group discussions, group sessions, worship and plenty of fellowship. The general format of the retreat is relatively similar to orientation at Stony Point, but I was struck by the physical differences between the two places and how they reminded me of the ragtag little family that is a group of YAVs just returning from a year of service.

The open spaces at Stony Point are blanketed with green grass and surrounded by shady trees that invite pleasant afternoons of get-to-know-you conversations (on the off chance that you have some free time). In August it might get a little hot during the day, but for the most part the weather is pleasant enough…unless you happen to run into a hurricane.

The red rocks of Ghost Ranch are for the most part stripped of vegetation, bare except for a few spiky cacti and a good bit of prickly desert grass. The mid-day sun can be harsh, and in September there is a (relative) cold that sets in at night. But if you take a little hike to the top of a mesa or step outside at night and look upwards, the view will take your breath away.

In the past twelve months all of us have been challenged, in ways too different to describe here. Through our experiences over the last year and through our conversations this past weekend, we have shed the green layers of presumption and expectation and bared at least part of our red rock souls to one another. Some are weary and broken, while others are as motivated and confident as ever. Either way we have found solidarity in our shared wandering and understanding in our shared love for others. The hike out of the valley to the top of the mesa might be longer for some than others, and some will be more out of breath when they reach the end of the trail. But that view at the top is worth it.

I would be lying if I said that I could put into words everything that changed in me last year. But I boarded the plane back to New Orleans with desert dust still coating my sandals (and probably still stuck between my toes), a messy reminder of a year that has most certainly changed me and that will forever be an important part of me. This next year in my journey will surely challenge and change me even more than the last, and I’ll head off to Ghost Ranch again in a year only come back with even more dirt between my toes.

My friend and fellow YAV Luke wrote the following poem at the end of our orientation more than a year ago and just shared it with us again. I’m not sure there are better words to describe what this quirky, inspiring, plaid-wearing family means to me. So read on, friends, and I’ll talk to you soon.

Love,

Allison

This community will not be broken.
There is
too much love
too much compassion
too much hope
too much energy
too much contagious enthusiasm
too much life.
We are full of life.
This community is a living thing.
This community will not be broken.
We separate tonight
so many different directions
to many places
to endure many pains and sorrows.
We will struggle.
We will hurt.
We will cry out to God
and ask, “Why do you let this happen?”
But the community will not be broken.
We will lift each other up
in prayer and in action.
the kind word.
the loving gesture.
God has put us together,
a community that will stand in solidarity and partnership
with the poorest of the poor, the victims of
cultures
systems
societies,
prejudices
principalities
that would have us believe they aren’t human. Not worthy.
We will ache.
We will feel a longing for God’s love for all unlike anything
we’ve ever felt before.
We will cry.
We will yell.
We will break down.
Hit rock bottom.
But when we need someone
that very moment
when we feel we’re useless
powerless against forces so far
beyond our control
we’ll stand as a community
we will not be broken.
and we will change the world.

well i think it’s about time i filled y’all (just kidding the south hasn’t converted me just yet) in with what exactly i’m doing at my placements this year…as some of you know i’ll be serving at two different sites..global maritime ministries and mid city ministries…

global maritime ministries (website)
the port of new orleans is the center of the world’s busiest port complex..approximtely 6,000 ocean vessels annually move through new orleans on the mississippi river..while more than 700,000 passengers sail through on cruise ships each year..the organization serves international seafarers from more than 70 countries and port related personnel….i’ll be getting the opportunity to meet with countless individuals around the world hearing and sharing stories and experiences..this ministry strives to meet the spiritual..emotional..and physical needs of seafarers and maritime workers through bible studies..prayer times..while also offering a place for counseling..encouragement..and christian fellowship..

mid city ministries
louisiana is currently the 49th worst state in the country in which to raise a child..in order to do their part in improving the education aspect of this..the organization offers an after school tutoring program..which i will specifically be working with the kindergarten students..i will also helping at a “sister” church in hollygrove with their after school tutoring program..and assisting at a local charter school where i’ll be doing one on one tutoring with 2nd graders..along with my tutoring responsibilities, i’ll be mentoring one or two children..as well as leading bible studies every wednesday nights with the youth in the church..

i’m happy to report my first few weeks of work have been wonderful..a bit slow at first..but quickly picking up..and i’m ready to dive in head first..

Jillian enjoying beignets from Cafe Du Monde

There is that phrase from Mahatma Ghandi that says “be the change that you want to see in the world.” Well for the past few years I have wanted to see a change, but I haven’t had the means to do so. But now with the YAV Program, I do. I have seen a change in these houses, seen the smiles of homeowners who get to see that they are about to be living in a home that is their own. This work is so fantastic.

I come home each day and feel exhausted and also satisfied. I get to go out each day and use table saws and nail guns and see before my eyes a floor being made. The disappearance of concrete and a floor appearing is amazing, we go into a practically empty house and make a floor that people can build a life on, play with their children on, and after we clean it, possibly eat off of… I wouldn’t, but they can if they want.

The other thing that I really love about Project Homecoming is the people. I have made great friends through this program. We sweat together, bleed together, build together, and sweat some more together. We make jokes like “asbestos, more like tastesbestos.” And these people, despite our differences in age, are becoming my greatest friends because we all are serving for a year and we all want to give people homes to live in.

I sent a text the other day to one of my friends that said “this is where I’m meant to be.” The days are hard sometimes. It takes me a little while to wake up. Some days are difficult and long, but this is where I am meant to be. Our site coordinator mentioned last night that God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called. I may not be the most experienced person on our training days, but God is going to equip me to do what He has sent me down here to do. I miss my friends and my family, but this service is exactly what I need. It’s time for me to make a difference. It’s time for me to do the work, and maybe it’s time to change and grow in my faith and help this wonderful city of New Orleans to do the same.

Wish me luck in training tomorrow, more bamboo and then some framing in the afternoon.

-Eric

[Follow Eric's blog to read more about the change he is making: http://cominghometoneworleans.blogspot.com/]

Eric introducing himself at the Presbytery welcome dinner

[From left to right:]

Laura Ek [Beachside, MD]: Laura is serving with J.W. Johnson Elementary School as a Garden Coordinator, developing curriculum and projects for teachers, students and community members to experience and develop a love for gardening, fresh produce, and respect for creation. Laura is also serving part-time as an AmeriCorps volunteer through Project Homecoming with her fellow YAVs. In addition to her love of gardening, Laura enjoys yoga, journaling and anthropology (the field, not the clothing store).

Eric Lipka [Matthews, NC]: Eric is a Work Site Manager at Project Homecoming, where he will train, supervise and work alongside volunteer teams who continue to lend their time and talents to rebuilding homes and lives impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Project Homecoming is also building new homes to be made available to low-income families. Eric is an avid ultimate frisbee player, and he hopes to pursue medical studies after his YAV year.

Ashley Bair [Lansing, MI]: Ashley also works with Project Homecoming, sharing her time and talents between hosting volunteers at Olive Tree and the supporting the staff at the Project Homecoming main office. Olive Tree is where week-long volunteers rest, eat and reflect on their service experiences. Project Homecoming began is a ministry of our presbytery and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and it is now a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose development, Ashley will support. Ashley is an accomplished musician and artist, and all the YAV girls would love to have her curls.

Jillian Manning [Greensburg, PA]: Jillian is serving two organizations – Mid-City Ministries and Global Maritime Ministries. Jillian will service children and youth through Mid-City Ministries, which offers after-school tutoring, ACT prep courses, and character development programs through Carrollton Ave. Church of Christ. Jillian will support Global Maritime Ministries to meet the “spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of seafarers and maritime workers.” In the future, Jillian hopes to incorporate her love for horses and equestrian sports within the social work & counseling field.

Lauren Wright [Signal Mountain, TN]: Lauren will continue the work of previous YAVs at the Center for Hazards Assessment, Response and Technology [C.H.A.R.T.], whose work and research supports communities of south Louisiana and the environment vulnerabilities we face. Lauren will help develop tools and social media opportunities for providing education on the issues surrounding the vanishing coastal wetlands and the communities impacted by the devastating loss. In three weeks’ time, the YAV Program has asked Lauren to go from Tennessee, to New Orleans, to New York, to New Orleans, to Colorado, and finally back to New Orleans. We are happy to have her be in one climate and terrain for an extended period of time!

Allison Wehrung [Davidson, NC]: Allison is filling the role as the Chaplain’s assistant at Ochsner Health Systems. Allison will visit patients, family and staff of the hospital to extend a ministry of presence, prayer, and emotional and spiritual care. Allison served as a YAV in Nashville last year through Vanderbilt’s campus ministry, and is continuing to discern her calling to seminary and ordained ministry. In addition to making coffee in the mornings, another one of Allison’s many gifts to the intentional community is her extensive DVD collection.

Emma Wood [Elizabeth City, NC]: A returning PSL YAV, Emma will continue her role at Chinese Presbyterian Church in Kenner, LA. Emma will continue to support Christian education programs offered to children and youth of the church and its surrounding community, and to support the outreach to the Chinese immigrant population in the Greater New Orleans area. Emma helps leads English as a second language classes, trips to the Chinese market for international students at Tulane/Loyola University, and special events for the congregation and the community. Emma has a passion for writing, youth education, cats and local upcoming hip-hop artist, Lil’ Wayne.

The Prebsytery of South Louisiana is thankful for all of the families, friends, congregations, pastors and mentors who have helped develop and encourage hearts for Christ and service in these YAVs. We are blessed by their presence, their gifts and the signs of hope they offer to our community. Please continue to lift up the program and the YAVs in your prayers as they develop an intentional Christian community with one another to strengthen their faith and love for all of God’s people.

[Stay in contact & see more photos through our Facebook Page.]

And it starts…

After a week of orientation in NY, I returned “home” to New Orleans yesterday full of enthusiasm and thought. This year is going to be a journey of discovery. Not only for me, but hopefully for you as well. What are we discovering? I believe we are discovering happiness joy.

Here’s where this can be confusing.

Joy does not always equal happiness.

For me, when I had committed to mission work for a year I had initially considered myself happy. Why? Because this is where my heart is. This is where God is leading me. Ifinally had an answer as to what direction my life was heading. I was happy.
The thing with happiness is that it doesn’t last. We’re human. Things happen. Life takes it’s toll and something changes or irritates us, makes us sad, angry, frustrated; and we turn that happiness into a different emotion.  As soon as I learned what the year involved and how hard it was to leave essentially everything I had behind, I felt overwhelmed. This feeling of impending failure corrupted me. Realistically, we can’t be happy all the time.

Here’s the newsflash: THAT’S OKAY!

Last week at orientation, one of the lecture leaders shared a really profound question: What if we are called to fail?

What if I fail? What if I am so excited and happy about this upcoming new adventure and I fail at it? Will my happiness end? The key is finding out where my JOY lies. Because if my joy lies in my happiness, then yes, I am a failure. If my joy lies in the Lord and all He has provided for me, then I am eternally joyful. Then, even if I fail, even I suffer, I am joyful. I am joyful that whatever this year entails, I will be doing what God has intended.

So, as of right now I am in the pursuit of joy eternal. Join me?

- Ashley

[Follow Ashley's pursuit of joy: http://ashbair-livingoutloud.blogspot.com/]

Ashley (right) with fellow YAVs, Lauren & Allison