Destination: Bayou La Batre

Hello friends!

In 5 days we will begin our journey to the Gulf Coast of Alabama. We are heading to Bayou La Batre, the shrimping capital of Alabama located on Mobile Bay. It is a town of hard-working, hospitable people. Although this is my (Bethany) first visit to the Bayou, my dad, Ole, has shared countless stories of the beautiful, strong people living in this coastal shrimping town. The Gulf Coast is an area which has experienced more than its fair share of disasters, and the area surrounding Mobile is no exception. The team is eager to get there and get to work in any way we can.

Our group is composed of families, children and adults, some who have served on many mission trips before, and others for whom this will be their first experience traveling long-distance with the goal of service. We are all eager, enthusiastic, and ready for whatever may be asked of us!

Our trip to the Coast will be taking place during a historic time, and I know that the other members of our trip share my hope that we will be able to gain an understanding for the needs of the area so that we may continue to serve and support them, even after our departure next Saturday.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we journey South with the goal of serving our neighbors on the Gulf Coast.

Blessings,

Bethany

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2

Praying for the Bayou Trip team

Dear friends of CPC,

We would love to have your prayers for our Bayou Gulf Coast Trip team as they head to a community that has been ravaged first by Katrina and now the Gulf oil spill (see this article in the NY Times). 

Here are some ways that you can pray for the team and the Gulf Coast communities:

June 30-July 4


• Pray for our partners at Yahweh Ministries as they prepare to receive our team.
• Pray for Robert “Bobcat” Besson and others at YM as they remain faithful to God’s call to serve those harmed by Katrina and now the Gulf oil spill.
• Pray that God will prepare the hearts of team members for this journey ahead. Pray for openness to what God wants to teach them through our brothers and sisters in the Bayou.

July4/5-July 10

• Pray for safe travel to and from Alabama for team members.
• Ask God to help the team know best how to be the “hands and feet of Jesus” while they are there. Pray for all those effected by the terrible oil spill.
• Pray for unity among the team members as they fellowship and learn together.

July 11-July 18

• As they head back into their regular schedule, ask God for guidance on how they can integrate the trip experience into their lives here in Minnesota.
• Continue to pray for CPC’s ministry partner in the Bayou and all the people who have been affected by tragedy over the last five years.

Thanks for sojourning in prayer with the CPC team!

Grace and peace,

C. John Hildebrand
Associate Director of Missional Engagement
Christ Presbyterian Church
Edina, MN