First Day in New Orleans

We arrived early this morning (8:30am, local time) in New Orleans. Everything on the travel down went flawlessly.
We spend the morning getting situated and then tried to spend some time in New Orleans, but it was pouring rain, so we headed over to the site of our swamp tour, which was in the bayous. The tour was great, and we'll post some videos of alligators and photos of the kids holding a baby alligator tomorrow when we have more access (right now I'm writing from a public computer at the Y where we are staying). The kids had a great time and we say some of the most beautiful and spectacular natural scenery...
We're back at the Y, waiting for our BBQ and the kids are hanging out in the pool and fitness center here at the Y. We worship tomorrow at St. Charles Presbyterian Church www.scapc.org

Everyone we have encountered today, from the woman behind the counter at Enterprise Rent-a-Car to the guy at the bayou say to us "thank you" for coming here to help rebuild their community. We have not yet even started our work, yet are already experiencing gratitude and Southern hospitality. We have seen a bit of the devastation that Katrina left in the bayous, tomorrow the kids will see New Orleans and the coastline of Mississippi and begin to see what is ahead for them in work and service.

Yesterday I spoke to Irene and Ed who head up the D'Iberville foundation we'll be serving. They said that most of the people we will be serving are elderly and disabled, those who were already "marginal" before the hurricanes and now live lives even more precariously on the edge....

We are all excited about the richness of experience and spiritual growth that awaits each of us in this place...

Shannan