New Year Brings New Opportunities

As one year ends, another begins. We cannot express how thankful we are to everyone who has prayed, donated items, and supported us throughout the year. We look forward to continuing ministry together. As the year ended, we were able to give ladies that come for showers, clothing, and Bible study a set of gloves, a scarf, and a devotional all given through donations. As they opened their gifts, joy took over their faces. Many have expressed how nice the items were and how much they needed them. They listened intently as a staff member read the Christmas story. It was a great morning of ministry to our community. They all left with full bellies and spirit filled hearts.

Hannah reading the Christmas story from the Bible

One of the ladies opening her gifts

Many of you may also remember Quentin, the baby that was born several weeks pre-mature. He is doing well. He is still in the hospital getting stronger every day. We expect him to be able to go home very soon. Please remember him and his family in your prayers. Also, continue to pray for our community, especially through this very cold weather we are experiencing. Pray as our families in the transitional housing program begin to find daycare and steady employment.

Steps

This weekend we were able to transition one of our families in to her new home. As we began to unload her things into the home, we had to walk up steps. After unloading, the mom and her 2 kids stood at the top of the steps for a picture with the keys to her new home. It is a celebration. Her little girl was so excited she could hardly stand still. It is a major accomplishment for the whole family.

The steps remind us of what it takes to reach our goals. One of the first things we do when we accept a new family in to our program is set goals. Goals are a way that the individual can see progress in a tangible way. We celebrate each milestone of the process. As we set goals with the families, they are often in the form of stairs. It represents the steps it takes to reach the ultimate goal, in this case, housing.

Thank you for all you do for us and our community. Through your prayers, gifts, and support, it makes what we do possible. Thank you for providing needed supplies, appliances, and household items so that our families will have what they need in their new home.

Please continue to pray for our families. Pray for them as they settle in to their new homes. Pray they would continue to set goals and reach them.





If you would like to view more prayer requests, you can visit our website at www.baptistfriendshiphouse.org

Summer Recap

(t-shirt crafts always a favorite )

Summer is never boring here at Friendship House. We registered 42 girls for the summer program, Up2HOPE. The girls were on a 7-week Voyage that took them all over the world - all 7 continents to be exact. Of course this was done via the air conditioned building at Baptist Friendship House ;)   The girls learned about other cultures, and even tasted some of the food from the different countries discussed. They learned about what ministry was like in the different areas of the world. They enjoyed crafts, games, problem solving tasks, preventative educational groups and Bible study. We appreciate all the prayers and support to make the summer possible. Our summer missionaries were awesome. Our girls loved getting to know and learning from them. The summer missionaries also loved learning from our girls. It was a great summer and we look forward to what God is going to do through out the next year.

(Anything with paint is always a hit, too!)

Please pray for our girls as they begin school. Some school have already started. Pray also for our Back-to-School Bash that will be next week. Continue to pray for the summer missionaries that served with us and around the world. Many will be returning to college. They have all experienced something others in their classes did not. The transition may be challenging as they have learned a great deal about what it means to be totally dependent on Christ.

Graduation Celebrations

3 Graduates - PJ helped  :)

The last few weeks we have been honored to celebrate the graduations of Friendship House family members. Family for us include staff, ladies and their children in our transitional house program and former members of our program. We have celebrated graduations from college, high school, a job training program, and kindergarten. Both women who graduated with their undergraduate degrees are continuing on to graduate school. We are so proud of all of them and all they have accomplished. Please continue to pray for them as they seek their next steps. We wish them the best for the future.

Painting

Getting Passport Stamp

 Summer Camp is also in full swing. As of now we have completed our first full week of camp. This year we are on a Voyage. We will be visiting every continent. This week was Europe. They have learned about the ministry opportunities in Europe as well as obstacles that people may face. They worked on a t-shirt craft in which they transformed it in to a purse. Please pray for our summer staff as they lead the devotions and each group session. Pray for the girls as they learn new things about places and cultures.

Blessings

We have been blessed to be included in the Annie Armstrong Week of Prayer. Many have sent cards, donations, commented on social networks, and have called to say they have been praying. We appreciate the prayers, the support, and kind words from everyone.

We appreciate all the prayers and volunteers in regards to human trafficking during Super Bowl 2013 and Mardi Gras. Girls were rescued and traffickers arrested. This issue requires all of us working together to make a difference. Thank you for helping us change our world. 

Through your prayers and support the ministry at Friendship House continues to thrive. In March a group of volunteers from a local church hosted a "luau" with our Up2HOPE girls. They had a blast making necklaces and playing games. We also had volunteers help with Community Bible Study and prayer walks. We celebrated birthdays Friendship House style with good food and fun.

Now that April is here, we are getting ready for our annual Health Fair on Saturday, April 6. This event is important for our community. We are able to provide needed medical screenings and referrals. We believe that God cares about our spiritual health as well as our physical health, during the health fair we are able to minister to both.

Please continue to pray for our families as they seek employment and affordable housing. Pray for our summer missionaries as the begin to prepare to have a life changing experience in our community and leading our summer program, Up2HOPE. Summer missionaries arrive May 30 and Up2HOPE begins June 4.


Again, we cannot express how grateful we are for your prayers and you support. It is overwhelming (in a great way!) the number of emails, cards, and calls from people saying they are praying for us. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being a part of the ministry of meeting needs in our community.

New Year - New Life Changing Opportunities

 The New Year is in full swing and ministries at Friendship House are as well. Since our last post, we have had our annual Fall Fest and Thanksgiving Meal.  Each were awesome opportunities to spend with our community. Great conversations were shared at both events. We were able to provide a safe environment to learn about the needs of  our community and also meet those needs.

Through churches and individuals, Christmas was made very special for several families that we have connected with. We appreciate those that gave presents and made Christmas special for families in our community.

Currently, we are focusing on praying with others for Superbowl and Mardi Gras events around our city. During major tourist events, like the Superbowl, the demand for the exploitation of people goes up. It affects women and children in a big way. Baptist Friendship House is committed to advocating on the victims' behalf through much prayer, training, and outreach. Please visit our Facebook page for daily prayer requests leading up to the Superbowl. You can also visit the FreeNOLA website for more information.

Please continue to pray with us and for us as we reach out to our community. Pray as women come for showers, clothing, and GED preparations, pray they would see hope and compassion in action. Pray for staff as we prepare for the activities surrounding Superbowl and Mardi Gras. Pray for our community as we continue to minister to them. Pray for families we connect with to find stability financially through employment and spiritually by coming face to face with Jesus.

Below are some recent pictures of events held at Friendship House:

Kay and some of the 'big' kids playing a game at Fall Fest

One of our Up2HOPE girls writing a Christmas Card

PJ giving (and getting) some love at Thanksgiving. (He also liked all the plates he licked)

The serving line for Thanksgiving

We want to express our thanks for all who have supported us. Thank you for being a part of the ministry here in New Orleans. We appreciate all the prayers and support you give.

Disaster Relief....and Other Things

 The week of August 27 was a very busy time for us here at Friendship House. It encompassed the seven-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina (August 29, 2005) and was also was met with Hurricane Isaac that directly impacted our area. Though our area did not suffer from street flooding our building did have some water damage from leaks. We are currently working on replacing floors in 2 bedrooms and the main gym floor.

Some areas were not as fortunate as us. Many, especially in city of LaPlace and in Plaquemines Parish, had flood damage. It was reported that as much as four feet of water were in homes. Feed the Children also wanted to help. They sent us a truck, sponsored by Office Depot, loaded with boxes of food for our community. Crocs also sponsored a truck to take to LaPlace and in to Plaquemines; it was filled with cleaning supplies and MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). Crocs Cares donated shoes to distribute. We were able to take clothing, hygiene items, etc. to the neighborhoods affected. Through the Woman's Missionary Union (WMU) Foundation HEART Fund, we were able to rent a fork-lift and pallet jack to load the Southern Baptist (SBC) Disaster Relief truck to take the supplies. We were also able to take a listening ear and a love from Christ. We wanted those we met to know that they were not forgotten. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (DR) teams are working to help gut out and repair homes as needed. We are very thankful to other churches and individuals who have given to help in the disaster relief effort and Baptist Friendship House. Your prayers and support are very much appreciated. Please be in prayer for those affected. Pray for the DR teams that will be working.

September 8 we were able to have our annual Back-to-School Bash. We had over 100 backpacks packed with school supplies to give out to our community. Susan, from a local church, also brought her snowball stand. It was a welcomed treat for us all! (Especially for those of us enjoyed 3 snowballs :) ) The weather was perfect for the day. It was a great day in general even though Isaac was still fresh on everyone's mind and heart.

Please continue to pray for us as we minister to our community. Pray for the women that come for GED. We have a few that may be taking the test during October. We celebrate one that did pass the test in August! Pray for her as she seeks to enter college.




In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. (Psalm 4:8)