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2010 LCMS National Youth Gathering
RAI (Recovery Assistance, Inc.) Ministries’ Camp Restore in New Orleans and Camp Biloxi in Biloxi, MS host thousands of volunteers from across the country each year as they help restore faith, home and community in the Name of Jesus. Most of you are planning to work on service projects at the Gathering- thank you in advance from the people of New Orleans! We’re looking forward to meeting all the groups that will be working with us personally before, during and after the Gathering! If you would like to explore opportunities to volunteer through either of our camps, please click here to find out more! More videos and updates will be coming soon to this page as we prepare for July!
On the weekend of August 29, 2009, the fourth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina [K4], RAI Ministries held several “Restoration Sunday” events at Camp Restore while many congregations around the country did the same. (Click here for more information about holding your own Restoration Sunday.) Events included a Lutheran Hour Ministries Men’s NetWork gathering, jambalaya cookoff and worship service commemorating the anniversary and giving thanks for all the volunteer work that’s been completed thus far in restoring faith, home and community to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. When Hurricane Katrina hit, many of Louisiana’s beautiful natural resources were destroyed from the addition of salt water and force of the wind. The America Wetlands Conservation Corps helps restore Louisiana’s wetlands by planting vegetation, organizing community clean-ups and educating volunteers and community members of the importance of the wetlands. Louisiana’s wetlands protect oil and gas infrastructure from being exposed to Gulf conditions. As they are uncovered, the potential for damaging oil spills increases. The wetlands also provide protection for residents of southern Louisiana. Every three miles of wetlands prevent one foot of storm surge. Volunteers from Camp Restore hopped on a couple of pontoon boats and rode into the marsh to plant a special type of marsh grass in a swamp to help restore it to its original condition. “I experienced so much that touched my heart,” says the group leader from Union Baptist Church in Connecticut on their blog. “The sharing of stories, the Cajun Jambalaya prepared by Mr. Wade, and the beauty of the marsh that God called us to help him re-establish.”Restoration Sunday Events at Camp Restore - August 29, 2009
The K4 Men’s NetWork Restoration Retreat Crew! Photos courtesy Bill Mattheessen and Jan Freeman.
RAI Ministries Director Dave Buss welcomes everyone to the event.
Lutheran Hour Ministries’ own Dick Cohrs leads the group in studying the Word.
One of many heated games of table tennis.
One of the two main service projects for the weekend involved erecting a circus tent to provide shade outside the temporary classrooms at Craig Elementary School in New Orleans East. The school will be moving into a permanent location in the Treme neighborhood.
Driving in the stakes… a little bigger than your typical camping tent’s.
Beginning to rise…
All finished!
The other service project involved painting at a home on Paris Avenue being restored by Camp Restore volunteers. Nice work, guys!
And now the main event: Jambalaya cookoff at Camp Restore!
Dual-purpose canoe paddle (OK, not really).
The four teams work to finish up.
Ready for tasting and voting.
People from all over New Orleans and the Gulf Coast arrive for the cookoff and worship service.
Goooood cookin’!
The night of August 29th was capped off with a commemorative worship celebration of thanks for the past four years of recovery and remembering the continued work ahead. Pastor Matthew Harrison of LCMS World Relief and Human Care, one of the organizations that helped in the establishment of Camp Restore, Camp Biloxi and RAI Ministries, preached on the similarities between New Orleans’ recovery and Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.
A Muddy Affair
Holding a blade of grass, Sian Winters explains how to properly plant it in the mud.
The group gets organized into their boats.
Three volunteers ready to get muddy!
Volunteers discover the best way to travel without sinking into the mud: crawling on your belly.
The group comes in after a successful day.