Sunday, December 27, 2009

Tires! and Tired!

Hola faithful readers!

I had a lovely time at home with family and friends! Slept a lot but hey, I won't be getting as much this week so I'm even.

Praises:
1) All the teams have arrived safely and are tucked away in their beds for the night. I'm excited to see friends from last year and make some new ones!
2) Thankful for those that have come to multiply us here on staff: Joe, Bill, Jon, Scott, Nate, Diana, Louis, and Ronnie! God is the ultimate provider!
3) the Lebanon team hooked me up with FREE tires for the mazda! Praise God! God affirming the "ask and you shall receive" verse!

Prayer:
1) the Teams! It's going to be a busy, long, hard week and please please pray that they are open to whatever God is doing in themselves and in the community! Pray they are flexible and truly learn something about God and themselves this week that they can take home with them.
2) the Staff! We're gonna need extra energy this week!
3) the people of NOLA: pray they would come to know Christ and desire a deeper relationship with Him. Pray the volunteers would be bold in pursuing those opportunities to share Christ's love with the people of NOLA!

Thanks so much for the prayers and for your investment in God's work here!
Love you lots!
Katie


But if we walk in the light, as he [God] is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
1 John 1:7

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Sweet Home North Carolina!

Hi Hi!

I'm home! It's soo nice to be around family and friends again! I've slept alot and I'm loving getting a chance to relax!

Please pray:
We'll have around 100 volunteers, 3 teams from CA, 1 MD team, and 1 PA team. Please please pray for these volunteers! Pray they would be patient and flexible! Pray they are willing to be used by God! Pray for us on staff as we work out logistics for next week and work long hours. Pray the people of New Orleans come to know Christ. Pray above all that God receives all of the glory and that His name is praised!

Have a very Merry Christmas and remember the reason for the season! Our Savior is born! Glory to God in the highest!

Peace and Love,
Katie :)

Monday, December 14, 2009

Runner's High

Hello!

First off thanks for the prayers last week! To follow up:
1) Newsletter is out and on it's way to your mailboxes! Praise the Lord! Please read last paragraph on Running the marathon to raise money for materials! Please please pray about pledging money to help Ms. Simms get back in her home!
2) Worked out Monday thru Friday and again today. Ran 6 miles on Friday and shooting for 7 this week. So please keep praying for motivation! Excited to glorify God thru my running!
3) Teams last week were a huge blessing! They worked so well together and we're stretched in ways they never saw possible! Praise God!

Prayers this week:
1) 13 in from Redmond WA. Please pray they would be flexible, patient, and willing to be used by God to do His work! Pray God would open their eyes and ears to what He's teaching them this week!
2) Going Home Friday (thanks again to Dan and Jane)! Pray for safe travels and a relaxing week at home celebrating the birth of my Savior and spending quality time with family and friends!
3) We have close to 100 volunteers the week of Dec 27th. Please pray for strength and for energy! Pray for flexible teams and for good weather (right now it's been raining like cats and dogs). Pray God would use these volunteers to show this community His heart for them and they are deeply loved and cared for! Pray for logistics and things would run as smoothly as they can and when they don't I continue to rely on God for His wisdom, guidance, and direction!

Quote from Runner's World:
"When the runner's high does set in, usually around three or four miles, my body flows into a smooth rhythm and my mind is no longer conscious of how far or how long I've run or how much farther to go."
I like this quote because it reminds me that this is God's desire for me, for my body to flow into a smooth rhythm of serving Him and for my mind to be more focused on Him and not on any fears or thoughts of what others may think of me, but for my mind to be conscious of Him! The more we seek to obey God, spend time with Him, truly live our daily lives for Him, prayerfully, it'll become less like a chore and become natural to obey Him in everything He asks. Granted yes, we'll still stumble and make mistakes, but seeking to live a life holy and pleasing to Him should still be our desire! It's not about us, it's about Him!

Hope you have a great week and let me know how I can be praying for you!
In Christ,
Katie

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2

Sunday, December 6, 2009

I'm not a philosophical person...

Hi Faithful Blog Readers!

Thanks so much for taking the time to read my blog and for your prayers! I need them oh so much and I'm very grateful for them! I can't do anything without Him. I did have a great week with the Athletes in Action staff, got to take them around the city, play card games, and get to know them and hear their hearts for their ministry. Praise God for using us and sports to reach His children! We ran challenge circle (like AWANA circle) in the projects three afternoons and had the Hot Dog Outreach in there as well. Great time to connect with the kids there.

Pray this week:
1) You know what time it is?? Newsletter time! Please pray that I would be able to get my newsletter out by the end of this week. Please pray God would use my newsletter to tug people's hearts to help the people of New Orleans and to give financially to support me here. Let me know if you want one. email katrinarelief@efca.org

2) Marathon training - really struggling with finding the motivation to run or work out. Please pray God would give me that motivation and it wouldn't be for selfish gain but to bring Him glory. I'd like to run for a homeowner, raise money for materials, please pray God would reveal to me who I'm to help and how to do that logistically.

3) We have teams from Hillside Church in CA, Keystone Church in PA, and His Place EFC in Idaho. Please pray God would use them this week to serve Him, to refresh them, and to show His love to the people they come in contact with. Pray God would put them out of their comfort zones and they'd step out in faith knowing He's with them.

Thanks so much for praying! I truly appreciate it and please let me know how I can be praying for you!

Love!
Katie

p.s. So I'm not a philosophical person...but these are some quotes that are challenging me recently and I pray they challenge you as well:

"Such lives are apt to leave you with the idea that God is unnecessary, by human effort and devotion we can reach the standard God wants. In a fallen world this can never be done. I am called to live in perfect relation to God so that my life produces a longing after God in other lives, not admiration for myself. Thoughts about myself hinder my usefulness to God. God is not after perfecting me to be a specimen in His showroom; He is getting me to the place where He can use me. Let Him do what He likes."
Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest


"Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, suffering, and injustice when He could do something about it."
"Well why don't you ask Him?"
"Because I'm afraid He would ask me the same question."
-Anonymous

"Don't fail to do something just because you can't do everything."
-Bob Pierce,
Founder of World Vision

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
-Jesus (John 16:33b).

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Back in the Saddle Again...

Hi Everyone!

Well I must say if the Lord calls me to Denver I won't be that upset...it was a great trip. Got to talk about what God is doing in New Orleans and how people can get involved! Got to visit some inner city ministries and see how God is using them to reach the unloved. I pray you'll get involved too by using your time, talents, and treasure to further God's work here and where you live.

God blessed me many times but one story that sticks out is when I got to speak at Eastern Hills. After I spoke at the service, a man came up to me and asked what needs I had...[just before this a lady came up telling me she worked for the airlines and she may be able to get discounted tickets...so I told her that I was looking for tickets to Charlotte for Christmas but her airline doesn't travel there]...so when this guy came up to me, the first thing that popped in my head was tickets to get home for Christmas and sure enough he said he'd take care of them! How awesome is our God! He truly provides! I'm very very thankful to him and God for blessing me this way.

The team this week is some of the staff from the Athletes in Action Ministry and one girl even graduated from UNC a semester after me. I think it's gonna be a good week, can't wait to see how God transforms their lives and uses them to reach His children.

Please pray for me as I get back in the saddle of teams and figuring out logistics for future teams. Pray that I would remember that I'm saved by faith and saved for works. I want to do the good works God has prepared in advance for me to do (Eph 2:10) with a joyful heart.

Praying you all are blessed this week and let me know how I can be praying for you!
In Christ,
Katie

"If you think you are too small to make a difference, try spending the night in a closed room with a mosquito." -African proverb

Monday, November 23, 2009

Praises Galore!

Hello Everyone!

I hope you are all enjoying the start of a short week for most! Happy Early Turkey Day!

God is being soo good to me on this trip that I'd love to share with you what's been going on:
1) I've received some donations from churches and people I've met here which is AWESOME to see God provide financially for me!
2) REALLY blessed to have spent my first week with the Sailsbery Family - Kent, Pat, Kristen, and Brooke! (pictured below) They rock! Kent is the pastor of Northwest Community in Arvada and their family was soo welcoming and soo nice! I felt like another daughter by the time I left!
3) Had interest from youth here and emails I've received about internship opportunities next summer! I would LOVE to have a mini-staff again and be able to see people grow their walks with the Lord!
4) Looks like we'll have TEN straight weeks of teams in New Orleans starting Mid-Feb to Mid-April! God is AWESOME! Please pray about coming down to help cook, supervise teams, and to see God at work during this time! email me if interested katrinarelief@efca.org
5) Scotty V is IN Denver!!! He was my new orleans team leader in March 2008 and I'm looking forward to seeing him and his family this Wednesday!
6) Denise, my boss's wife, is doing an awesome job prepping food for the next 3 weeks we have teams! I can already feel the burden of food coming off of my shoulders! She is my ANSWERED PRAYER!

Please pray as I continue to meet with people and this weekend I'll be speaking to Eastern Hills Community Church in Aurora Saturday night and both services Sunday morning! Please pray God would use me and begin preparing hearts to hear how He's working in NOLA and pray for for boldness as I continue asking for people to come alongside me!

Thanks so much for reading and praying! I know I couldn't do this without God and without your prayers and support and love!

Love yall!
Katie
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
1 John 5:14

at Red Rocks Amphitheater

Me with Pat and Kent


Kristen and I after our walk in the snow!

Brooke and I "sitting" on SNOW! :)

Monday, November 16, 2009

100 Crashing Jetliners

So I'm reading The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns, the president of World Vision...he writes for you to imagine you woke up this morning and the headlines read "one hundred jetliners crash, killing 26,500 people." He goes on to say that now imagine this happening everyday...everyday 26,500 people are killed...but the sad thing is it does happen...26,500 kids die everyday of preventable diseases...yet this doesn't make the front page.

I knew this book would probably challenge me but I had no idea it would challenge me like this...to remember that every child, either the child across the street or the child across the ocean, is a child of God and that God's heart breaks when any child of His is hurt...Richard's prayer is that his heart would break for the things that break God's heart, and I pray that for me and us as well...

My trip to Denver has been such a blessing so far..it's been great getting to know the Sailsbery family and they have been soo kind and hospitable! I'm very grateful! The teams were awesome last week too! Ms. Daisy's home is getting ever so close to moving in and the warehouse received its occupancy permit without a fuss...God is GREAT!

Please pray for me this week:
I've got some meetings this week and I'm speaking at Mountain View EFC Thursday night, Calvary EFC on Sunday morning, and Christian Church of Broomfield Sunday night. Please continue to pray that God would use me to let people know how He's working in New Orleans and how they can partner with me to further His kingdom! Please pray for confidence as well as I ask for supporters. Pray too that in everything God's name would be praised and He would receive ALL the glory!

Thanks muchos!
Katie :)

Monday, November 9, 2009

I'm usually not this honest...

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are all doing well. My Brooklyn Park guys have gone home after a great week of spending time working and getting to know people in the neighborhood along with pretending to be my dad and offering parental advice.

Praise this week: knowing that God loves me and takes care of me

Prayer Requests: I'm usually not this honest but I need prayer!
I really have 3 challenges right now and desperately need prayer for all 3:
1) FOOD - I HATE food...I hate being in charge of food, of buying food, preparing the menu, running to Wal-Mart and Sam's club...it's just too much for me and the fact I don't like food is making me not enjoy my job right now. I need help. I can't do this on my own.
2) SINGLE - I'm single, and right now, I'm finding it hard to be content in my singleness...this comes and goes but it's just a challenge I have right now. I know God has me single for a reason and I need to enjoy being single.
3) FUTURE - I have NO idea what my future holds...I'm with Crisis Response for sure until next summer and I still have NO idea what I'm doing next and because I've been so busy with work I've hardly had time to even investigate my future. I just have no idea what it is God would want me to do.

I was able to address these issues at staff meeting today and looks like we're going to find kitchen help for me. I have teams for 3 weeks starting Nov 30th. Let me know if you're interested.

This week I have 8 from Appleton EFC from Appleton WI and 5 from Northwest Community Church from Arvada CO. Saturday I head off to Denver..please pray as well for God to use me to meet people and I'd have boldness in asking for support.

Thanks everyone for reading this and being willing to pray for me!
Love you guys!
Katie :)



"There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God." 1 Samuel 2:2

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Imagine what we could do if we were truly united...

Howdy!

Well last week was awesome! The teams were such a blessing to have around and even enabled me to have Wednesday completely off! I did NOT expect that but God knew I needed it and I praise Him for His provision of rest! I will say Satan was at work last week, causing division between the 2 teams but God is stronger and God is mightier and by the end of the week there was a solid unity between them that only through Christ could have happened! Praise the Lord!

This week I have a returning team from Brooklyn Park EFC and I'm on kitchen duty! Most of my food has been prepped by the awesome cooks last week, Judy and Diana, and tomorrow Robin from Castle Rock Church is going to help me make jambalaya! God is good!

Praise: Teams in New Orleans doing God's work and reaching out to His children!
Prayer: energy and motivation to do God's work to the best of my ability. Also I need to get out my November newsletter this week so please pray I'm able to get that done. Let me know if you want one!

Also I'm headed to DENVER!!! From Nov 14th to 30th! I'm soo excited to see the churches there that have come down and hopefully continue raising support for me to do God's work here! Please pray that I would be able to trust God with all the details and I would go where He leads me.

Thanks so much for reading and let me know how I can be praying for you!
LOVE!
KHooks

How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!
It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron's beard,
down upon the collar of his robes.
It is as if the dew of Hermon
were falling on Mount Zion.
For there the LORD bestows his blessing,
even life forevermore.
Psalm 133

Monday, October 26, 2009

Haggai and Corn Pops

So I'm up late, yes i'm a night owl, and eating corn pops that were donated and brought to our warehouse last week! very very yummy. Just read the book of Haggai and I must say, good stuff. The Israelites were soo caught up in the busyness of their lives they didn't notice the ruined Temple of the Lord. Wow...how often do we get caught up in the busyness of our lives we don't notice the ruined Temple in our own hearts?? My encouragement comes from Haggai 2:4-5:

But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,' declares the LORD. 'Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the LORD, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the LORD Almighty. 'This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.'
This week:
24 from Calvary Community Church in Columbia MD...first time down with us!
15 from Eastern Hills Community Church in Aurora CO...a returning team for me!
Praise: I HAVE awesome kitchen help and praise for having volunteers back in the NOLA community
Prayer: For flexible and patient volunteers who are willing to set aside their busyness to work not just on homes but on the Temples in their own hearts and in the hearts of the people of NOLA. Pray for me as well...definitely need extra energy and time for rest!
LOVE YOU!
Katie :)

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Restorer of Streets with Dwellings - Isaiah 58

Read Isaiah 58...it's good stuff! Let's fast how God wants and let's fast for the right reasons! Not just because we want God to hear us but simply because we ought to love God and love His children.

Yes I'm back in New Orleans. Safe and Sound. Thank you to everyone who hosted me or helped organize a get together in Mass and CT! Yall are the best!

We have a team of 5 this week from Greenridge Baptist in Maryland. They are helping in the warehouse and doing a great job! Next week we'll have 40 in the city so please pray all logistics of housing and construction sites run smoothly so the volunteers can focus on serving the Lord and the people of New Orleans and pray they'd be flexible and patient when things turn out "just the way we like it..." (a popular saying in our ministry).

Praise: Good times up north! Good connections with people!
Prayer: Don't get stressed or worried about stuff but I trust God more and take my time off that I need to!

Love you guys!
I'll add photos next time!
With Love,
Katie :)

Isaiah 58: 11-12
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

God is the Ultimate Physician

Hi Everyone!

Jack is doing good! Well he's still very sore but no internal nor external injuries! God has shown me this week He really is the great physician and nothing is impossible for Him. Not only does He care for us physically but gives us peace when we're suffering emotional stress as well. He loves us and of course wants to take care of us. Becky and I were talking about with all these things happening it'd be easy to get discouraged and be angry but you just have to remember God is in control and everything good or bad always works out for good and for His glory!

I'm safely in CT right now with my friend and old staffer Juan. (Oh yeah, Praise God because the car could be fixed!) Tomorrow I'm speaking at Grace EFC in their 10am service and Beacon Hills EFC at 6pm at an ice cream social. Please pray for me and for God to raise up people to support me in the work He's called me to. Please pray for boldness as I ask people to partner with me...I need His courage!

Thanks everyone!
Let me know how I can be praying for you!
Love in Christ,
Katie :)

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:18

Friday, October 9, 2009

URGENT PRAYER

Hi,

Some of you may know Jack Symmons, he was our Project Manager in New Orleans for a year. Today he was walking across the street and was hit by a car. The car then sped off and Jack had no external injuries but in a LOT of pain. He and Becky his wife are at the hospital now. They gave him a morphine drip and are taking him in for a cat-scan to see if there is any internal bleeding. Please pray!

Pray to our Father in Heaven who is the ultimate physician to put His healing hand over Jack, to put his peaceful hand on Becky and the kids and that through it all God's name is praised! Please please pray for our brother!

In Christ,
Katie

"Pray Continually" 1 Thes 5:17

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Praise and Prayer

Hi Everyone...real short updates today:


1) Praise: Julie S is coming back to cook in NOLA this spring!! Hallelujah!
2) Praise: Got to visit Harvard and have dinner with volunteers who came down last spring and got to speak to interested volunteers who are praying about coming down! Wayy funn!


2) Prayer: Jack and Becky's car is still dead...please pray the mechanic can fix it so I can make my way to southern CT to tell the churches there of what God is doing!


3) Prayer: Tonight I'm speaking to Sr. High Youth at Westfield EFC...please pray that God would speak through me and be preparing their hearts for hearing Him!


Love You Guys!

Katie


p.s. The weather up here is gorgeous! Praise God for the beautiful colors leaves can be! :)

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Faith like a Mustard Seed

New Orleans Update:
God provided wonderful teams last week who went above and beyond their call to not just serve those in the community but us on staff as well! I know I couldn't have done all the cooking without them and I know their presence was a huge blessing to Ms. Daisy and Ms. Shirley (the homeowners of the houses they worked on). There is still more that needs to be done so let me know if you're interested in coming down!

Up North for 2 weeks:
I'm now in Massachusetts until Oct 8th and southern Connecticut until Oct 15th. Let me know if you're in the area, I'd love to see you! I'm speaking at Grace EFC in Stamford CT on Oct 11th and meeting up with other churches and teams that have been down. Please pray for me and that God would use me to further His kingdom and begin working in their hearts to partner with me and God's ministry there! Let me know if you want more info too! katrinarelief@efca.org

Manila Update:
Tropical storm Kensata has devastated the Philippines. Please go to http://efcacrisisresponse.blogspot.com for more info and how you can help!

Thanks everyone and I just sent out my Oct newsletter, let me know if you didn't get one!

Have a blessed day and thanks so much for supporting me and God's work through this ministry!

Peace and Love,
Katie

"...I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Providing Over and Beyond!

Hi Everyone!


Just a quick update for the week to come:


1) St. Paul's from St. Louis MO and Valley Church from IA safely made it to the yellow house! Please pray they would be open to do what God would want them to do this week!


2) God provided my friend Lacey to go to Wal-Mart with me to buy food for the week and then her and her hubby Ben spent the entire afternoon cooking food for the week! They are my heroes!!! Thank you soooo much Lord!


3) The teams are working on Ms. Daisy Robinson's house (one of the homes that had to be regutted) and Ms. Shirley Green's home...in fact the MO team worked on Ms. Daisy's house last year so please pray they can get a lot done and minister to the surrounding community.



4) Leaving Saturday to fly to Hartford CT where I will spend time in Mass. hanging out with the Symmons family who used to be on staff with us and housed me this summer and speaking to their churches mission board and hopefully going to Boston to see the Harvard InterVarsity team that came down last spring break...then the 2nd week I'll be making my way south to CT to stay with Juan (another ex-staffer) and his family and connect with churches and teams that have been down! God has allowed me to speak at Grace EFC on Oct 11th during their 10am service so please do keep me and that time of sharing in your prayers...let my words be God's words and God's name be praised! So if you're in the CT/Mass area I'd love to see you! Please pray that God would use me to further His kingdom by spreading the word about what He's doing through our ministry, and telling how people can get involved through service, prayer, and financially supporting me to continue to do His work!


Praying yall have a great week too!


In Christ,
Katie :)


"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35

Saturday, September 26, 2009

God is good All the time!

Hello Hello!

I’m going up to Connecticut to share the vision of Crisis Response ministry and to seek those God would want to partner with me and His ministry down here...and I wanted to see if anyone had frequent flyer miles that I could use to fly from New Orleans (MSY) to Hartford (BDL) from Oct 3rd to Oct 16th (would need to be back before 6pm on Oct 16th). Please pray to see if this is a way you could bless me and God’s work by providing for me in this way!

In Christ,

Katie :)

God is good all the time.
All the time God is good.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Change Change Change

Hi Everyone,

So take a look at what's happening this week in the wonderful world of Crisis Response ministry in New Orleans!

God provided 2 pallets of toilet paper, paper towels and napkins! If we can find a truck and truck driver, this same company will give us a TRUCK LOAD of paper products! They're in a warehouse in southern Mississippi! Please pray God would provide and if you can help please email katrinarelief@efca.org



Our offices are MOVING! (My desk used to be right by the door on the left hand side of the photo). We're moving from Trinity Church to the warehouse but our offices aren't complete in the building yet so please pray for God to send laborers to complete the warehouse. I'll be working out of my apartment in the Quad so please pray that this time of "limbo" would only strengthen our staff in their trust in God and unite us even more to do His will!

The Trinity Cares Ministry will be moving too! Trinity Cares runs a Bible Study on Mondays and Wednesdays for people in the community then they get to go through a free store after that. Pictured is the free store (partly moved) along with my fellow staffer, Ms. Ella Miller. Please pray that while the store is closed for 6 weeks the community still come to hear God's word and continue growing in their knowledge of Him!






With the help of lots of people on Monday we layed 9 cubic feet of concrete for the outside of the warehouse! It was great working with fellow staffers and a team of 3 from Grace Community Church in Maryland but boy was it HOT! We still need to lay another 9 cubic feet so please pray for more workers and cooler weather!
We have a team from Iowa and Missouri coming in next week and I'm in charge of food so please pray for guidance and lots of wonderful helpers as cooking is not one of my strong suits...just pray I don't get stressed out in Wal-Mart.
Thanks so much for your continued support of me and let me know if you enjoy the updates on a weekly basis so I keep on doing them!
Love you!
Katie :)
"Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession." James 1:17-18

Friday, September 18, 2009

Communication Communication

Hi Everyone!


I'm sitting in our Annual Planning Meeting and we're discussing one challenge we have is a lack of communication...not just within staff but between us and those we're partnered with...with people like you who read my blog, receive my newsletter, teams that come down, etc. I just want to apologize for my lack of communication and with prayer and God's help, I hope to do a better job of communicating...


Quick Update:

I've moved into the city and I'm living in the quad (pictured above) which is our targeted community! Please pray that I would shine for Christ. It's soo cool walking outside my front door and being planted in my mission field! So please pray for me!


We need teams! Let me know if you'd be interested in coming down. Check out the website: http://www.efca.org/katrina


Praise:

God has provided a family to host a team coming next week and is helping with cooking! We need cooks and God provided this family to help and I'M SOOO THANKFUL!! Let me know if you want to come down to New Orleans and cook for a week or 2 or more!


Love you guys so much and thanks for supporting me! Let me know how I can be praying for you!

In Christ,

Katie


p.s. Let me know if you want to receive my newsletter and prayer card. Please pass the word along! :)


Sunday, June 14, 2009

Harney meets Christ :)

This blog is written by a volunteer who just spent a week in NOLA harvesting God's fields! Kids' names are removed as the school may get in trouble for posting kids' names on the internet.

On Tuesday morning (6/9/09) the girls from our team stopped down at Edgar P. Harney Elementary School to see if we could volunteer. We were waiting on a few things at the worksite, so we thought we would use that time to see if we could help out somewhere else. The school was very eager for our help and indicated that they would love help each day from 11:30-2:00 while the kids had play time and recess. We hadn’t envisioned on helping after that morning, but felt it was a door that we should eagerly walk through.

Before we began our official work at the school, we went back to the worksite and spent time in discussion and prayer regarding how we could be a light within the school. Coincidentally, or by divine providence, John (from EFCA) happened to stop down right before we left for the school and encouraged us to pray that God’s spirit would work in us. We prayed that God would “give us the words” so that we might be prepared with an answer when the children inquired as to the source of our hope and love.

I am so thankful and blessed by the team I served alongside. Throughout the week and our time at the school, I watched them joyfully love and serve the children as they ran, hopped, skipped, and carried kiddos in the hot sun. I am most blessed by the reality of the truth my time never lost sight of…. they took every opportunity they could to share with the children the source of their love- whispering in little ears that they were loved by a gracious and loving God, laying out in child-like terms the story of Christ and what it means to make Jesus your “personal friend,” and lending a tender ear to the hurt and sadness plaguing their hearts. I really cannot tell you how many spiritual conversations took place at the school this past week because there were so many and, I am sure, even more that my team never shared with me.

As far as the children that made decisions to invite Jesus in to their life. Here is their story:

Josh and I had been working in Mrs. H’s first grade classroom all week. On Thursday (6/11/09), when our team arrived at the block party, we immediately spotted a student from our classroom. I approached her to say hello and she introduced me to her older sister, a 4th grader. I offered to help the girls get some food and they “pal-ed” around with me for a little awhile. After a little bit, they asked me to walk them home, which was just across the street, so I did.

I didn’t see them again until the end of the evening, when one returned and asked if she could have some drinks. I told her “sure” and retrieved the drinks. After doing so, I asked her if she knew why my group was “here” (at the block party) and why we had been visiting her school. She indicated that she didn’t know, so I told her we had come because we believed God loves her and, so, we love her, too. I asked her if she knew who Jesus was and she said she did. I asked her if she knew that Jesus wanted to be her friend and she said she did not know that. When I asked her if she wanted to know more about how to ask Jesus to be your friend she smiled from ear to ear and said she did.

Thus, her and I sat down and I explained to her, in very simple, child-like terms, the gospel. I explained that we were created and loved by God and that we all sin and need forgiveness. I explained that Jesus died to pay the price for our sins and he\wants us to have forgiveness.- the way we receive forgiveness is by inviting Jesus into our life to be our friend.

I asked her if she had ever asked Jesus to be her friend and she said “no, but that she wanted to.” She and I held hands and we prayed together. I prayed first and she repeated the words after me. I have to tell you, after we prayed, She was beaming!! I went on the explain, that now that Jesus was her friend, she could talk to him any time she wanted and he would always be there to love her and protect her…. Even though one day her body would die, she is protected because she will live forever in heaven with Jesus.

When I started to tell her that, as she prays, she should know that Jesus might not talk “out loud” back to her, she cut me off and said, “but I will feel him in my heart- like I she just felt Jesus in my heart.” I told her what a bible was and when she said she wanted one, was able to find a Mountview member, Sylvia, who so graciously gave up her own personal bible so that she could have one. So that is her story!

Since I spoke with you originally, there are a few updates to share….

The next day at school (Friday 6/12/09) when Josh and I returned to Ms. H’s first grade classroom, the girls immediately inquired about the bible her sister had received and asked if she could have one. I told her “yes” and I would explain what it meant during her lunch.

So, come lunch time, I sat with her and shared the gospel with her. She was very enthusiastic and said she wanted to invite Jesus to live into her heart to be her friend. She and I prayed together.

As she and I prayed another child wanted to know what we were talking about and asked if I would share with him. He wanted to invite Jesus in his heart, as well, and also wanted to know if I could tell him why he has “those nightmares” about Freddie and Jason (from the horror movies) killing him. We talked about it and we also prayed that God would take away his bad dreams and give him peaceful rest. Cordell also wanted a bible.

As he and I prayed, another boy wanted to know what was going on and called me over to his lunch table to talk with him. When I asked him if he knew who Jesus was he said that he did not. I offered to share with him and he was very eager to hear. As we discussed the gospel, his face looked stunned. When he found out that Jesus was willing to take on the punishment we deserved and suffer himself so that we didn’t have to, he looked astounded and exclaimed, “wow, God is nice. God is so nice!!!” He very much wanted to ask Jesus to be his friend and after we prayed, he shared that he looked forward to giving Jesus a big hug when his body dies one day and his soul goes to heaven.

There was another student that listened while the boys and I talked and prayed. I am not entirely sure whether or not he understood everything that was explained to him, but he kept butting into our conversation and insisted that he needed to pray, too. After he commented about hugging Jesus, he shared that he would give Jesus a kiss when he arrived in heaven. A little side note, he pinched another child shortly after our prayer and I reminded him that, even though God would forgive our sins and take on our punishment, he would still have to face the consequences for his bad choices on earth. He seemed to understand that. He is a cute, but feisty little rascal! He wants a bible, as well.

I cannot tell you what a blessing it was to be present for these moments in the lives of these children. I believe they understood the choice they were making and my prayer now is that God would complete the good work he is starting in them by bringing mentors in their lives who can teach them in more detail how they might grow in their faith and live out their relationship with God.

I am so encouraged and over-joyed, as it sounds like teams will be returning to the school in the coming weeks. I don’t know that I have ever had the blessing of being in such fertile harvesting grounds before. These children want to know who Jesus is!! Not only that, the staff knew that we were there for a much greater mission and we had their full support! I am an elementary school counselor for my job and have worked with several, both urban and suburban school districts- in my experience, it is not even close to acceptable in the eyes of school officials to share the gospel or bring up the topic of Jesus with students.

Katie, Mountview and my team was blessed beyond measure by your staff, the people of New Orleans, and most importantly our Lord this past week. Please let us know if we might serve or support you in any way as you continue in your ministry.

*** these particular children may only be at the school until July 2nd, when this session of summer school ends.

I am sorry this email was so long, it was just such a blessing to witness God at work and I wanted to share as much as I could.
Thank you again, Katie! I am so thankful for the work you do.
God bless!
Sarah from Mountview Baptist

Friday, May 8, 2009

Beauty Among the Waters

(flooding over a field)


Hi Everyone...


Wow I can't believe I'm actually blogging right now...been wayyyy tooo long! Anyways I am in North Dakota. Haha yes I can't believe it either. Just when I think God can't surprise me anymore he sends me north.


In case you're not aware, there was some major flooding in this area due to a very very rainy fall season and a very very snowy winter. There was just too much water and it flooded for miles upon miles. Thousands of sandbags were put up to protect homes and now that the flood is over, homeowners could really use help in removing those sandbags and Eagle Valley EFC and SonRise EFC are willing and ready to take volunteer teams to help in those efforts. Please be praying that God would raise up His workers for this harvest field. The churches definitely see this as a ministry opportunity to reach out into their communities (communities that are spread apart where it's only one house for miles) to share with them God's love.
(hundreds of sandbags around this home)


(flooding over a driveway....the homeowners use a bobcat to get across)


One of the sad affects of the flood is that the fields have not dried up yet...which means the farmers (which make up most of the working class here) cannot plant their crops and will suffer financially. This is a crisis. Please be in prayer as well that the fields would dry up and the farmers could begin planting.



I will say this...for its flatness, it is beautiful up here! You can see all the way to the horizon and watch the most gorgeous sunsets. God is truly amazing and He has put everything in its exact place and is in control of all of it.
(gorgeous sunset from Eagle Valley EFC)


Hope to keep you better informed!

-khooks

The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
The LORD gives strength to his people;

the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Psalm 29:10-11

Monday, February 23, 2009

Just Give Up Already...

I know that title may seem a little strange but I feel it's what needs to be done but not in the way you're thinking....

I need to give up on trying to control my life, doing things my way, relying on myself to do everything, and seriously just give God control....this time in New Orleans I know is for Him. He's the one that brought me down here...and He has a reason! I need to know that He is in control and His plan is for the best! No matter how afraid I am of what's next, no matter how scared I am that I'm gonna miss out on something...He KNOWS what's best! He not only sees the big picture but he sees and knows every detail, down to what you're thinking at this exact moment! Who can do that but our God! I'm reading the Old Testament right now and God tells Moses in Leviticus 25 that every 7th year no one should grow anything! So of course the Israellites are like,

You may ask, "What will we eat in the seventh year if we do not plant or harvest our crops?" I will send you such a blessing in the sixth year that the land will yield enough for three years. While you plant during the eighth year, you will eat from the old crop and will continue to eat from it until the harvest of the ninth year comes in.

Because God knew that if he didn't they wouldnt have the fields ready to be harvested since they can't do anything in that 7th year...He provides not only for the 7th year but for 2 more years...He sees the BIG picture and works out EVERY detail! wow! The Israellites were only concerned with that one year, praise God that He knew better!

My application to stay longer is complete! Everything is in and now I'm just waiting for them to review my application and let me know what's next....I thank you all BIG time for praying with me and for me to get that done! I survived my first half marathon with a time of 2 hours 17 min...pretty happy with that! So again BIG thanks for the prayers!

I know God is not done with me here in New Orleans...I feel He is still growing me and using me here to be a light for Him...no matter what I just want to give Him glory and no it's definitely not all about me and what can I get from my experience here...it's about God! plain and simple! It's about giving Him glory and living each and everyday for Him! Pray I can allow God to work in my life, that I let Him work out the details of my life because I know He sees the big picture and knows what is best!

Let me know how I can be praying for you all!

LOVE YA!

-katiehooks :)

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Everything is coming to a head!

Hi Everyone!

I was just wondering if I could throw out some prayer requests and get yall to be praying for me:

1) Ms Beatrice a lady who came to be a part of our family at Castle Rock Community Church has passed away. Please be praying for her family right now and that they would know she is with her Father in heaven and feeling no more pain. Pray that they would grow closer together as a family during this time and closer to God. That they would feel His peace that surpasses all understanding..especially when they may be asking why.

2) Ms Mike, another lady that we have helped has been in the hospital for the past 8 days and isn't doing well. Please pray for a speedy recovery from whatever is going on and that she would know that God is with her and taking care of her. Pray for wisdom for the doctors to know what is going on and how to treat her.

3) Finally finishing up the theological part of my EFCA application and wanting to get it done and all turned in by Jan 31st. Please be praying for continued motivation to see that to its completion and that whatever happens that God's will would be done in my life.

4) We have teams in this week and I'm on breakfast patrol and I just really need help with being a morning person and getting the rest I need to as my other prayer request is for my half marathon that is a week from today...please pray for God to provide me with the strength I need to complete the race and that this race is not about me at all but bringing God glory through His love and provision of strength and endurance!

5) Finished my newsletter and I want to email it out by the end of this week as well. I need to begin actively seeking financial support for my time here. God has been so awesome at providing thus far for my time here and I want to continue to rely on Him for the rest but need to do a better job of seeking those He would like for me to partner with to become a part of His work here in New Orleans.

Okay I think that is all for now...You don't have to pray for all of them, take one that's fine with me! But just pray! :)

Also PLEASE let me know how I can be praying for YOU! It's not about me telling you all about my life but you telling me about yours so we can entrust our lives to the Lord!

Have a blessed evening all! I'm going to sleep!

LOVE YOU!

Katie :)