For He is Good!

Hi Everyone!

I hope and pray you are all doing well! I'm sorry I haven't blogged sooner.

Katie was in Haiti
Yes I did return safely from Haiti. It was such an awesome growing experience to be able to see firsthand what God is doing in the wake of the earthquake...ministry partners being formed, lives being touched, God's word proclaimed...it was truly a blessing. I really enjoyed being able to worship with other believers at a nearby church on Sunday. We sat out under the trees and sang hymns like "I surrender all" next to a building that was completely collapsed. To see their joy in the midst of something so horrible is such a huge testiment of what happens when our hope is in God and nothing else! We are still taking teams, construction and medical, to help in the relief efforts so contact me at haititeams@efca.org if you want more info. You can also check out this blog: www.lifeatthehaitianqueen.blogspot.com This is an up-to-date account of what is going on at our ministry house in Gressier (also known as the Haitian Queen).

BACK in NOLA
We began our 2 week task called Blight Busters last week...this is where the volunteers have been cleaning up vacant lots in the lower half of the Hoffman Triangle, my neighborhood. Click this link to see the news footage from the Blight Busters. It's been a real visible way to make a difference in this community and there has definitely been life transformations in the community's lives and volunteers' lives as well. For more stories you can check out the Greenville College blog at www.gcneworleans10.blogspot.com Every night at dinner, the teams have soo many stories to tell me of who God put in their path and it's such a blessing to see how much God is using them to love on this community.

Be in prayer for those who have told me they'd like to come back and serve for a longer period of time. It's no secret that I'm recruiting around here, especially with 4 colleges here this week. We have Greenville College, Harvard, Bethel University, and Dordt College. I'm praying for God to raise up His workers to continue loving New Orleans like I do.

Praises:
1) My March Newsletter is complete! Let me know if you want one! katrinarelief@efca.org
2) It really has been a great week! God has really been moving in the lives of volunteers here and us on staff. Praise God for continuing to use a hurricane 5 years ago to transform lives!
3) Looking forward to seeing who God brings back to serve with us this summer or longer term.

Prayers:
1) Continued energy and motivation for the next 5 weeks of teams!
2) MORE Staff!
3) We have 34 volunteers in next week from Wisconsin and Indiana. Please pray for them and that they would be willing to have their hearts and lives transfrormed while serving the Lord here!

Thanks everyone for reading and praying!
In Christ,
Katie :)

"If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing." 1 Corin 13:1-3

Katie in Haiti Day One/Two

Bon Jou! Como yay? (Good Morning! How are you? - In Creole)

I have safely arrived in Gressier Haiti. I am staying at our compound where we've leased a house and built 2 bunk houses. We flew into Port au Prince and the devastation from the earthquake is throughout the city. One house is sandwiched while the building beside it stands firm. The Haitians have moved into tent city's and they go for miles.

Home completely collapsed

Guys on top of rubble trying to scavange for rebarb wire.




Pictured above is Rick from WI, Trinity from CA, Wes from Canada, and myself in the kitchen after lunch. Rick is down for a few weeks to help with the construction of the bunk houses and help out in anyway. Trinity has been acting as the volunteer coordinator here since mid-February! She's doing a great job but is leaving on Tuesday because she's not feeling well. Please pray for her health. Please pray for someone to step into this role long term! Wes is here from anywhere from 2 months to 2 years and he'll help with digging the water wells and any other construction needs. God is awesome at providing workers for His harvest! Please pray for His continued provision of laborers! Let me know if you're interested in sending a team, haititeams@efca.org

Thanks for your prayers! It's been a blessing to be here! Keep praying and let me know how I can be praying for you!

Katie :)

Katie in Haiti

Hi Everyone!

I completed my first ever marathon on Sunday with a time of 5 hours and 5 minutes! Praise the Lord! I never thought I'd ever say I've done one but I'm glad I did and it's over! haha, Thank you for your support of me through prayers and financial giving. I'll keep you posted on how much God has raised for Ms. Simms but know you can still give if you haven't already. Just make your checks out to EFCA and put "donation to ms. simms" in the memo and mail to:

Katie Hooks
19380 N. 10th St
Covington LA 70433

I'm off to Haiti bright and early tomorrow (March 4th) and return Sunday March 7th at midnight. I fly from New Orleans to Miami at 6am then off to Port au Prince. From there we'll drive 2-3 hours to West Gressier where our volunteer housing is located. Please pray for safety traveling for myself, Sarah, Kevin, and Mark. Please pray God would guide us and give us wisdom as we serve in Haiti. Please pray for open doors for the gospel message to be spread through the arm of compassion. Please pray!

Thanks!
With love,
Katie

"IN HIM, we live, and move, and have our being." Acts 17:28