Who: 6th graders to adults (intergenerational!)
Because of new PDA (Presbyterian Disaster Assistance) rules this year, please note the following:
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Youth under the age of 14 (by June 8) may not attend without a parent or legal guardian and are not allowed on PDA worksites
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Youth ages 14-15 (by June 8) may not be on PDA worksites without a parent or legal guardian (we will work through other agencies to find worksites for those under 16 without a parent/guardian attending or for those under 14).
What: A week of mission in New Orleans
When: June 7-14, 2008
Where: Parkway Presbyterian Church - Metairie, Louisiana (suburb of New Orleans)
The church is equipped with showers and a large kitchen. We'll stay in an air-conditioned room using our personal sleeping bags/cots/air mattresses. Members of the church provide a laundry service each day!
Why: Come experience mission and extend Christian love to our brothers and sisters in New Orleans, Louisiana.
What will we be doing?
Because work in disaster recovery is flexible, we do not have an exact idea of the work to be done. Most of our work will focus on rebuilding: roofing, drywall, painting, etc. Other work could include landscaping and clearing overgrown lots. What we do will depend upon the skills of the group. Another important part of the work we will do is listening - listening to the stories of the victims and the stories of relief workers.
Some people will feel more comfortable working on houses, others being a listening presence with homeowners, and some people might want to help clean and cook for the group at the church. People with all different skills and gifts are needed! Because of our experience last year, we would bring someone whose work will be to stay at the church in Metairie and help with meals, laundry, etc. This would be most helpful to the mission team!
In the evenings, we will have group time, debriefing and thoughtful devotions, and worship. We'll also go into New Orleans to tour devastated areas, eat traditional New Orleans food, see Jackson Square, and have some beignets at Café du Monde. This year we're going to split up into groups on Wednesday afternoon for a "tourist day" - visit the WWII museum, the zoo, the aquarium, hang out in Jackson Square, etc. We'll also catch up with friends we've met in New Orleans during previous mission trips and see how their lives have changed in the past year. Find out more about the Mission Trip by coming to the Tamale Lunch Fundraiser (see related article) March 2nd at noon in the Fellowship Hall.
How much does it cost?
$100 for Youth (active in church youth activities)
$150 for Adults
Costs include transportation, food, and lodging for the week.