I believe; help my unbelief

I have seen the Gospel at work in my life over the years, punctuated and perhaps accelerated by my time here. I know that the truth of the Gospel is transformative; that indeed prostitutes and perfectionists are both brought to the foot of the cross-loved. I have seen, for two summers, God do this incredible work in the lives of college interns. I have witness walls torn down, sins confessed, brokenness acknowledged, forgiveness and love extended and accepted. It always happens-not because of Lagniappe's magic formula or particular genius, really it's quite the opposite. It happens most often when our "magic formulas" and genius are revealed for what they are-good ways to avoid Jesus. Why then do I doubt? Why do I fear that God will not bring about that same transformation in the lives of the new interns He brought this year? Why do I climb onto the hamster wheel of performance-trying desperately to come up with a brilliant formula to transform them. It's as though I think, "God's done it well for the past two years, but now He wants to see if we can do it." Well surprise... we can't!! Fortunately, for these interns and the rest of the world, my inability to change them doesn't matter. They are more wicked than they could ever imagine and more loved and accepted than they could ever dare hope (Tim Keller sort of ). I watched last night as 15 college students, who met 1 week ago, began to accept the transformation of the gospel again-acknowledging sin, extending love and forgiveness, and encouraging one another in the ways God has uniquely made and gifted them. It was like sitting on the front row of God's symphony-watching as the instruments began tuning, warming up, and preparing for the incredible concert...all under His direction. So as not be one of the nine lepers, walking away thankless, let me offer up my thanksgiving to God for His provision of each of these interns. Let me also gratefully acknowledge His already powerful work in their lives and look forward, with belief, to the great work that I know He will accomplish in and through their lives this summer. Father I believe; help my unbelief.

Memorial Weekend, Gulf Coast Symphony in the Park

Seafood

For any future teams coming down to work at Lagniappe over the summer that might be asking the question, “Where can I get some good seafood?” Well the answer is Lagniappe. Every week we will have a seafood boil for all of our volunteers. So please come hungry. Our master cook Elizabeth and crawdad king John Sabin

A pot full of crawdads Davis holding up a crawdad which was given the name "Dinner" Davis and Ashley who also help the Elizabeth and John, put the pot into boil. Time to eat Everyone is happy

Can You See the Real Me?

The previous picture taken outside of the Mockingbird which was posted yesterday contained no filter. Having shot this picture with my special filter, which by the way can be purchased at any Stucky's along I-55, we are able to see the way the interns REALLY are. I supposed that's the way the Father sees us in Jesus-and loves us too. Oh, the filter is the gospel! Known and loved. Exposed and free. Simul justus et pecator.

Intern Orientation

When the swallows return to Capistrano. When the Salmon make their run home. When the interns arrive at Lagniappe. LPC interns arrived this past weekend and began their orientation today. Orientation is incomplete until pilgrimage is made to the Mockingbird Cafe.

Interns Tim and Thomas with Mike Polombo. No Mike is not an intern. Mike is one of LPC's old friends from day 1. Mike is our buddy from Home Depot who gets us what we want and what we need. He is a good friend!

Sun Herald, Friday, May 16

Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, take the time to chat with Jean Larroux while touring one of the ten houses being built in Diamondhead as part of Habitat for Humanity's Carter Project on the Coast on Thursday, May 15, 2008. Carter toured all the homes to the delight of the volunteers who cheered his arrival.

AMANDA McCOY/SUN HERALD

Habitat Blitz Build

Bethany, a college student from Canada, is working with the department of oral history at the University of Southern Mississippi. She is interviewing residents and volunteers for a special project.

Volunteers from Ireland

Mississippi State Troopers on detail for the President. At the far left is a secret service agent. As the late singer/song-writer Jim Croce said, "You don't tug on Superman's cape. You don't spit into the wind. You don't mess around with the old Lone Ranger and you don't mess around with Jim."

Borrowing from the wildly popular, Where's Waldo see if you can anwer the question, "Where's Jimmy?"

House 2 Volunteers

Ryn back from graduation

Arklie, Levi, John

Dan Reynolds and his Habitat 'posse.'

God is Awake

Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.

Victor Hugo

Habitat Blitz Build (continued)

Ken Schefter and crew from Maryland

The Ingleside Crew, Atlanta area

Jordan Sikema (Right-Project Coordinator)

Tim Jones-Helping LPC as skilled team leader

Lynn Sabin, Sorting snacks for snack and afternoon nap time. No nap time though from the appearance of everyone they certainly could have used one.

Arklie Hooten Arklie coordinated the 45 MNA volunteers who came to LPC through the PCA

Dinner at LPC-Habitat Style

Richard &Barb Warner (LPC Staff), Arklie Hooten (MNA-Disaster Relief and Short Term Ministry Coordinator, Fred & Janet Marsh (Fred is the MNA Associate Coordinator), Sarah Denton (LPC Staff)

250 Volunteers at LPC for the Jimmy & Rosyln Carter, Habitat for Humanity Blitz Build

From left to right-Kelly, Kate, Sam

Robin Stevens, Kate and Sam's mom

Jake Earl and Conrad Velasco

RTS Ministry & Leadership

Below is a link to view the article from the RTS Ministry & Leadership magazine featuring Lagniappe Church. Click here for the PDF file

Andrew's Father?

Unfortunately all that Andrew seemed to inherit was the hair...

God is Lord over all. Come sing, rejoice, come sing. God is Lord over all. Come sing, rejoice, come sing, rejoice. I remember this round from Sunday School. It is well.

Habitat for Humanity-Jimmy Carter Blitz Build

The Carter Work Project is under way in the Gulf Coast, with more than 250 houses to be built with Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and 17 other affiliates from Houston, Texas, to Mobile, Ala. Lagniappe, with it's ongoing partnership with Habitat, is hosting all of the volunteers working on the 10 Diamondhead Habitat homes. The Diamondhead community is a community north of I-10 in Hancock Co. Lagniappe staff is spearheading 2 of the homes which are side by side. All photos were taken on day one. The before shots were taken around 9am. The after shots were taken at 3pm. Not bad for half a day's work. Commendations to all of the team leaders, including Jordan, Andrew, and Clyde.

If Andrew Had a Daughter

Kate Stevens

Homeowner of the Month

Lagniappe homeowner Suzanne Howell recently received the Waveland "Homeowner of the Month" citation and was very excited to call us to let us know that all the volunteers who built and landscaped her house were to be commended, for their work has paid off! She was so excited to have this honor and wanted to thank everyone for participating in her restoration!

Thanks, ya'll! Job well done.