Back-to-School Party

On Saturday we had our annual Back-to-School party. We gave out school supplies, books and of course, we had food! Its always fun to get together with the families in our community. In a two hour period we gave out over 150 bags of school supplies! It is only the beginning of the week and we have given out at least 30 more bags. Schools starting to open here in New Orleans (each school has a different schedule) so families are trying to get everything together for school.

Believe it or not, this summer I have met several families that are just moving back to New Orleans since Katrina. I met a grandmother today that is raising her 7 grandchildren. She was living in the Lower 9th Ward and they just returned from GA after 3 years. Her house is being rebuilt and she should be moving in there before school starts, but she was trying to get everything together for the kids. Pray for this family as they readjust to life in New Orleans.

Please remember to pray for all the kids in New Orleans as they start back to school this month.

Saying Goodbye to the Summer

It may still be the summer season, but we are saying goodbye to our summer here at Baptist Friendship House. We officially celebrated the graduation of our girls in Up2HOPE last week. We had an absolutely AMAZING summer!

Our six summer missionaries are slowly dispersing in different directions--heading back home to get ready for college. We had two students from SC, two from MS and two from GA! God blessed us with a wonderful staff this summer. We hate to see them go but we know that God has some amazing things planned for their lives.

Continue to pray for us. We are continuing to work with the girls (and other girls from the community) in after school programs and events. Pray for the girls that attended Up2HOPE and that what they experienced and learned will stick with them throughout their lives.