Post Mission Trip

All in all...

It was an AMAZING trip to New Orleans. It was bumpy at times, spirit filled, and an honest attempt to make a small dent in this broken world. I believe it was the first Diocesan Youth Trip and I think the largest ever sponsored by the Diocese of WNY... 39 people I must have been nuts...

We worked with All Souls Episcopal Church in the Lower 9th Ward, and helped work in the church and for parishioners in the community. All Souls is a church plant by the Diocese of Louisiana. In a time of decline, shrinking numbers, evaporating money, and major destruction; we, The Episcopal Church are growing, planting seeds for a generation that had never known The Episcopal Church in that area; what an accomplishment. In an old Walgreens building yet unfinished, engulfed in a sea of dry wall dust, without lights, without air conditioning, we worshiped, we worked, and we were fed. The Rev. Lonell Wright on top of being a priest to a growing congregation also was organizing volunteers and work projects for up to 60 volunteers a day. All Souls is working to become a community center and a place of hope and rebirth for the Lower 9th. They offer children’s programs that seek to address the systemic issues in that community by encouraging the arts, education, and adult literacy. If there were a model of real evangelism and hope for the Episcopal Church, All Souls in the Lower 9th would be it.

A real high point for me was on our last day; we checked in at the airport and had a lot of time to kill because of delays. So, we took a ride to Lakeview to see some of the damage there. Our ventures had not taken us to that area and I thought it important for everyone to see it was just as badly damaged by Katrina. As we rode down a street and parked a family emerged from their FEMA trailer to see who was having a party, and why three 15 passenger vans had just pulled up... The Gaffney family was thrilled to see I had returned with 4x's as many volunteers from my previous trip. They opened up their almost finished home to us, told us stories, and gave thanks for our presence even though we hadn't worked on their house at all on this trip.

The Gaffneys are a reason some of our young people were on the trip. I had recounted my mission experience to young people at Jr. High Camp, parish meetings, and in conversations. I shared the wonderment of being God's hands in the world to this family, and gave them an opportunity to share an experience that has changed my life and will continue to.

These young people continue to amaze me and have come to Be the Change I wish to See in the World. I look forward to working with them as young people and adults in this church and I truly believe we have a bright future ahead of us. I look forward to using the tools and community we've developed through our Mission Trip here in Western New York and abroad to further God's Kingdom so that all may feel is ever widening embrace.

Buffalo to the Big Easy

I went to New Orleans last summer with a group from St. Peter's Eggertsville. There were eleven of us, and we stayed at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Harvey. We worked on a house for a family who were all legally blind. It was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had. We were very fortunate that the family was there everyday. They thanked us often, helped work on the house and fed us, literally and figuratively. They gave us the drive to get the job done and made us delicious native foods. I came back inspired and motivated.

I conveyed my enthusiasm for mission work being done in New Orleans at our Diocesan Junior High Camp where I was a counselor the week after I returned from the Big Easy. We celebrated our last night of camp with a U2charist, which allowed these middle school youth to look beyond themselves and wipe the mud from their eyes to really see the world around them. It is so easy to live in a cocoon completely unaware of the world around us, unless we are directly confronted with reality. We never have enough stuff, we're never satisfied, and how often do middle schoolers complain about "HAVING to go to school," when in other parts of the world it is a gift.

We had a debriefing circle during which I discussed my trip, the work being done, the people that were being helped, and how much more needs to be done. Seeing poverty and destruction is heartbreaking, but knowing you have the power to do something about it inspired them. The kids were amazed at their own potential, fired up, and ready to work to change the world.

A lot of the kids at camp that year also happened to be from Church of the Advent, Kenmore. They naturally started to bug their Youth Group Leader, Paul Csonka, who was also on staff at camp, to take them to New Orleans. Paul was up for the challenge, and he and I began to plan this trip the following day. Then, it snowballed, as of last count we have 43 people signed up to go, roughly half youth and half adults. The youngest we have going is my 6year old daughter and the oldest is..... well old. The group hails from the following congregations:

• St. Luke's, Attica
• St. John's Grace Buffalo
• Trinity Buffalo
• St. Matthias East Aurora
• St. Martin's Grand Island
• St. Luke's Jamestown
• Advent, Kenmore
• St. Mark's Leroy
• St. Paul's Lewiston
• St. John's Youngstown

We also have a mother and daughter coming who haven't found their church home yet, but wanted to come.

Our travel dates are July 22-29. We are working with the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana through their Office of Disaster Response. The Diocese of Louisiana has gutted 890 houses, rebuilt 50 and served 1,795 families. They concentrate their help on families with children, the elderly, and families that have members with a disability. We're not sure exactly what kind of work we will be doing when we get there but we will most likely be in the Lower Ninth Ward. It could be anything from hanging drywall, to painting, to hanging cabinets. We'll find out when we get our assignments on our first day. With such a large group it's likely we will be split up and sent to multiple work sites, so we all may be doing something different.

Housing is provided through the diocese, which runs several housing facilities, or by area churches. We will also take a driving tour of the Lower Ninth Ward and be visiting the French Quarter, Cafe Dumonde, possibly Madri Gras World and a stop at Rock N' Bowl. We'll make our own meals, take turns with "housekeeping" jobs and live in tight Christian community throughout the week.

I am extremely excited about this trip and absolutely exhausted from planning and fund raising but it is well worth it. Everyone on this trip will be moved in some way, but I am most enthused about the missioners return home. Everyone, but these young people in particular have the capacity to change the world. They haven't been convinced the world can't change, and are determined enough to continue when they get knocked down. They are not only going to learn some hands on skills but they will also learn the art of compassion, empathy, and the rewards of a hard days labor. I hope they bring their gifts home and use them in Buffalo. I hope they take these tools with them to college and to wherever their lives lead them. But most of all I hope they realize their own power and that one person can make a huge difference in the world if they try.

We're selling stocks for our trip, it's a guaranteed return and a lot safer than the markets right now. By making a donation,you'll help give our missioners a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a lesson in life and compassion, and some new tools in their tool box of life.

To make a donation have your credit card handy and go to the WNY Payment Page. Select "Special Event" from the drop down menu, then specify "New Orleans Mission Trip" and complete the remaining info.