Louisiana, July 2008
We were blessed to be a part of the Louisiana Camp Meeting this year, and what an awesome time in the Lord we had with those who attended! While we missed the beginning sessions due to travel, we still managed to squeeze in most of the services that remained. Among the highlights for us were: 26 PIM's received on World Missions service night, Glenda receiving her personal calling to Finland, hearing Bro. Billy Cole speak once more (a surprise for everyone), the girls enjoying the services at "POA", meeting up with "old friends" and making new ones...and more that would take too much room to share!  Let's just say, it was an incredible time for all four of us!
cole_LAca,p cole2 huntley
j_jones July_4 mangun
vesta m_ewing worship
girls_alyssa dupree swarren
gas miranda_sleeping water_trees
From Camp Meeting to two weeks of ministry...  
Girls_with_Murphys Dallas_Shuff Dickson
Amite Mark_Mandeville Mark_Simmesport
Mark_Holloway Glenda_altar Johnson_Bunkie
We have watched Miranda and Candace grow spiritually over the last several months; the anointing they have while singing is awesome. Candace experienced a "first" in Louisiana (bottom left); she's explaining the Holy Ghost to a first-time visitor who is Catholic.
Candace_altarworking Girls_Mandeville Miranda_praying
Pastor Daniel and Sis. Dana Stroebel hosted us during our last week in LA, blessing our family with some great fellowship and what we believe to be a lifetime friendship. And, Sis. Dana took us sightseeing in the French Quarter! We enjoyed dinner with them on Friday evening, eating grilled alligator for the first time, and enjoyed "cafe au lait and beignets," a New Orleans tradition!
Girls_with_DanaS MG_NOrleans Missionary_Group_NO
The girls with Sis. Dana   A High School Missions Group
Wagon Statue2_NO Joan_of_Arc_NO
palm_reader Statue_NO FrenchQuarte1
French_Market Candace_FQ Girls_Eatin_Lunch_FQtr
Cath_Church CathChurch_NO Cath_prayers
MS_River Statue3_FQtr Fam_FQtr
Stroebels grilled_alligator FQtr5
Daniel and Dana Stroebel Poor alligator, grilled and ready to eat! "Oldies" band singing Orleans fav's
Sis. Stroebel also took us on a driving tour of the areas that were hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina. Nearly three years later, there is much rebuilding going on; while some have been able to recover from this disaster, others have not. Bro. Stroebel shared some pictures with us that he took after Katrina hit; he and his family lived in St. Bernard's Parish at the time, and they all lost everything.
Then...9/2005    
Post_Katrina_1 Post_Katrina_2 Post_Katrina_3
Post_Katrina_9 Post_Katrina_10 Post_Katrina_11
Now...7/2008    
STBP_1 Post_Katrina_8 Post_Katrina_12
Post_Katrina_13 Post_Katrina_14 Post_Katrina_15
(The red markings on the houses were made by the National Guard once they searched a house for survivors.)
At the time of Katrina, Bro. Daniel Stroebel was unmarried, and the Youth Pastor, at Poydras Pentecostal Church (pastored by Bro. Sylvester). The church suffered extensive damage and was deemed a total loss.
Post_Katrina_4 Post_Katrina_6 Post_Katrina_5
Bro. Stroebel worked with Bro. Sylvester to rebuild, eventually becoming the pastor. The pictures below show a complete "restoration from ruins." New piece of land, new building, new hope, and a congregation of (mainly) new converts.
STBChurch_1 STBChurch_2 STBChurch_3
STBChurch_4 STBChurch6
St. Bernard's Parish is a mission field, and Bro. and Sis. Stroebel are working to plant seed, then harvest it. Bro. Sylvester passed on before he was able to see the church reopen in May 2008, but he saw the beginning...of hope.
"You Go, Bro. and Sis. Stroebel!" We're excited about our partnership with them, and can't wait to see what God will do in St. Bernard's Parish and Finland!
     
MS - AR - TN - KY 2008 OH 2008 MI - IN - IL 2008
GA - FL 2008 MK Retreat - SOM 2008 TX to CA 2008
CA and OR 2008