Open Mic Night

Hi Everyone. Sorry it has been a week since the last blog. We have no teams right now but one will be coming in on Saturday. Kayla put on an "Open Mic Nigh" here in the coffee shop a couple of weeks ago for teenagers and young adults. It went very well and we had a lot of fun. She did a great job putting it together. Here vision is to give the teens here a place where they came come and have some fun and be safe. On open mic night you can sing, dance, do drama, whatever you want as long as it exemplifies God. Here are some pictures of some of the people that got on the stage. The first pictures are of James his two daughters and his son who are members of the church. He also volunteers his time to help cook on Sundays for the congregation. They sang as a group and sounded good. It really touched my heart to see a father and his children sing gospel songs praising the Lord. It was great.

The next picture is of Wayne a teen who sang a song but, his greater ability is dancing. We tried to get him to dance but he wouldn't do it. He does hip hop, pop and lock and jazz dancing. God has truly blessed him in that area.

The last picture is of Brett who works with Teen Challenge. He did a rap song and none of us knew he even rapped. He was awesome and blew us away. We as God's people have talent but keep it hidden and I just challenge anyone reading this blog not to hide what God has given you. Be proud and share it with others.

We are preparing to go camping this weekend. The pastors are taking us on a volunteer retreat. Allen and I are excited and it seems everyone else is excited too. It is much needed rest and relaxation with our team. Time for us to bonding as a team. I thought to my self we are pretty well bonded right now but with God there is always room for more. All we have to bring is ourselves and everything else will be provided. I was told that I will not be cooking, now imagine that me not in the kitchen. I am going to try not to intervene and just relax and get what the Lord has for me. There will be a time of worship and praying together so I know God will have something to tell me. He always does no matter where I am. Don't you just love the Lord for that? He is always showing us things even when we are having fun. I will have some pictures of the trip when we get back.

If anyone has a prayer request please email it to me and we will pray for you. Until next time we love you all... Allen and Dovie

Fall Fun Fest!

Well the Fall Fun Fest went good. All the children had a wonderful time and so did the adults. The coffee shop was full of people. We had hot dogs, nachos, cookies, cupcakes, and lots of candy! We had open mic from 6-7 p.m. and I was so busy I did not get a chance to take the pictures. It was so cute seeing a little boy of 6 years old singing Jesus loves me. By the time I got my camera he stopped and wouldn't do it again.

Well we had some hero's show up like superman, spider man and several angels were in our presence. We even had a king show up but again I missed the opportunity to get the picture. There were a number of other's that I don't quite know what they were but it was very interesting. There were children who just loved being here to get a good meal, and of course the candy. They didn't have to worry about being out on the street.

All throughout the evening we had some homeless people come in and enjoy the food and the music. We fed them and loved on them while they were here. I thank God for allowing us to share the word with them.

Between 7-8 p.m. we had games. It was so much fun! We played "bobbing for apples" which is my favorite game this time of year. There is a certain individual (who I will not mention) that said no one would play that game. Well let me tell you it was the hit of the night! That person was wrong. Everyone played even the adults who acted more like children then the children. No body cared that they were getting all wet.

We played the Bible game where I tell them a scripture and verse and the first one that finds it and read's it gets a prize. It was so funny to see everyone scrambling to find it and read it but at the same time what they read often made them think and ask questions. Some of the leaders from Teen Challenge came and helped out and even did the bobbing for apples.

God truly blessed this evening and all had fun. I am just thankful that he chose me to be here to witness his blessing on all the people.

Until next time, we love you all... Allen and Dovie

Sorry no pictures

Hi Everyone. Sorry there has not been a blog for a few days but we have been busy. Both teams left Saturday and we miss them already. They did a wonderful job on the houses they worked in.
We are having a Fall Fun Fest here at St. Luke and at N.O. East tonight to give an alternative to halloween. I believe it is important for children to have an alternative to halloween. Joel, Suzanne, Kayla, Papa Dufor and others are coordinating one at the East. Me, Allen, James, Patrice and others are coordinating the one here at the church. We will be having hot dogs, nachos, cookies, candy and games. We will also have bobbing for apples. I love this game! I remember when I was a kid playing this game and I was always good at it. I don't know if I liked getting all wet or if it was the prize I got for doing it. Either way it was a lot of fun. We have a lot of work to do today to get everything accomplished so this blog will be short. I will have pictures of the event tomorrow to put on the blog. Keep us in your prayers and we will keep you in ours.

Lots of Love...Allen and Dovie

Iowa is going strong!

Hi everyone, this is the Iowa team at work in Janice's house. It still needs trimming, painting and doors. We are trying to get this house completed but it is a slow process. This Iowa team went to work in this house and did not stop. They were putting in doors, molding and so much more. They got a lot accomplished. This group is a more mature group in age with a lot of experience. They got up at 6 am had devotions at 7:30 am and out to work at 8 am. I could not believe there energy and drive. The one picture you see is of a wonderful woman who is 82 years old and is still swinging a hammer. I talked with her several times and she just amazes me. She, at 82 is still volunteering to help rebuild homes. I pray that at that age I have as much energy that she does. They are such a wonderful group and a delight to work with. They will be leaving tomorrow as will the California team and we will miss them all.

I would like to ask everyone to keep the CA team in your prayers because they have family and friends in the CA areas that are burning out of control. Yet they are here working with people to get them back in their homes. Truly that is a heart of God.

We have met so many people through this volunteer effort that it just amazes me and makes me humble before the Lord because he allowed me to be a part of this. I truly have gained so much respect and love for everyone that comes here to volunteer. Thank you to all who have been here and will be coming back.

Until next time...we love you all and will continue to pray for you. Love Allen and Dovie.

Hi. Well last night was a night of fun for the teen group from CA. You can see in the pictures that there are 3 different teams. Each team had a pillow case and went around the living quarters and filled it with what ever they wanted. The game had 4 judges (the leaders of the group) who named off things they had to show. For example if they said a bar of soap and a team did not have a bar of soap they had to come up with something else and try to convince the judges that it was better than a real bar of soap. It was hilarious! These teens came up with some crazy and creative things for the judges and we laughed so hard. I am glad I was not a judge because it was so hard to decide which team should get the point. I think the judges had a hard time deciding who to give the points to. All I have to say is they were very creative.




They have worked in a house all this week putting up drywall and they have done a great job. They have worked very hard and has worked as a team as you can see from the pictures. They are even coming back this December right after Christmas. They are a very dedicated group. You can tell they love and respect their leaders and themselves. We had devotion tonight at the church with both teams and it was good. The Iowa team and the CA team spoke of what God had showed them on this trip. They have enjoyed each others company. I know the home owners that they have been working for is very grateful too.

Pastor Teresa found a dog in the highway yesterday and has taken to the dog. Suzanne has really grown to love the dog in just 2 days. It is such a cute dog, you can tell it is a mixture of a beagle and hound or something. They tried to find it's owner but couldn't. They walked the dog around the neighborhood but did not get any response. They are going to take it to the vet tomorrow to make sure it is ok. If they don't find the owner Suzanne would like to keep it instead of taking it to the humane shelter or something where they would just put it to sleep. We are praying for the right thing to do.

Well I will put pictures of the Iowa team on the blog tomorrow. Until then we love you and will continue to pray for you all. Allen and Dovie

Iowa is here!

Meet Iowa! This is a team from Iowa that came in on Sunday. They are here for a week. They are wonderfully sweet people. Boy do they know their skills. They move through a house with expertise. They are working on Janice's house to try to get things done. I will have pictures tomorrow. They have been having dinner with the youth group from California and they all are having a good time.

Last night it rained so hard we got at least 5 inches of rain. Allen says it was more but all I know is it was a lot. Anyway there was a young man in the California team that took my umbrella and walked each and team member from Iowa to the van so they wouldn't get wet. He took all the women first than what ever men wanted to be covered. Now he got soaked while dong it and his shoe's were all muddy but he did not care. No one asked him to do it, he just took it upon himself and did it. It was so wonderful to see a teenager take the initiative to help others. I sat there and watched how the women just loved him for doing it and he just smiled until he was done. We have talked often and I can tell he loves the Lord with all his heart.

I will have some picture of both the teams tomorrow so until then we love you all. Allen and Dovie

California Team!

This is California!
Hard at work!
Hanging Sheetrock.

Hey Everyone. This is the California team of teenagers. They got in late Thursday night and got up Friday morning ready to do what ever was needed. They started working Friday morning without taking a break to relax from their flights. They are a wonderful group of teenagers with a big heart. They started working on a home across from the church who needed sheet rock hung. They got a lot accomplished. They will be working on the same house Monday. It amazes me to know that some of these teens have been here more than once. There are some who have been her 3, 4, and 5 times. I have not met any teenagers who have been here that many times. They say they will keep coming back as many times is needed to help get people back into their homes. I will have more pictures throughout the week of what they are doing.

The blog tonight will be short because I am not feeling well. I have what is called in the medical field as (IBS). If you want to know what it is you will have to look it up on the internet because it is not something I want to explain here. Anyway I have not had an attack like I had today since I have been here. I can usually catch it before it gets severe. I had been in sever pain and doubled over but still tried to go to church. Pastor Larry saw me and prayed for me. He is gifted in healing. When he prayed all the pain in my stomach left and I felt better. I am now dealing with the other half of it and have been in bed the rest of the day. Please keep me in your prayers for total healing. We love you all... Allen and Dovie