Messiah College Sponsored Service Trips
The Fall 2005 Katrina Reconnaissance Team – October 16th-23rd

Messiah has been able to form a connection with a church located in Thibodaux, LA located about 60 miles west of New Orleans and 100 miles east of where Hurricane Rita hit. 

Church Name:
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
First Presbyterian Church
Thibodaux, LA

Current Relief Efforts:

• First Pres. Church has been providing local disaster relief aid for the last three years.  Liz Benoit works for the church and also coordinates with Pres. Disaster Assistance and TRAC, a local rebuilding ministry.  Messiah College sent a Service Trip team down to the church during Spring Break 2005.  She is very excited to have us back again.
• First Pres. Church has partnered with numerous other churches of various denominations to unite their efforts in helping local evacuees and communities.  They have been donated a warehouse which clothing, hygiene kits, and other goods have been pouring into.  The local volunteers are overworking themselves and would greatly enjoy some rest that outside teams could offer.

The Team’s Mission:

• Because of huge need, the team will be helping wherever is needed most.  This will most likely involve: unloading relief supplies at warehouse, going to shelters and visiting evacuees, community cleanup.  (*Note: rebuilding efforts will most likely not start until January or in the spring)
• Interview community and church and determine how best Messiah College can help on future trips.

The Team’s Schedule: 
Sunday    Oct. 16   Leave early morning
Monday   Oct. 17   Arrive in New Orleans
Mon – Fri. Oct. 17-21  Serve and Learn
Saturday  Oct. 22   Wrap up details, leave around noon
Sunday    Oct. 23   Arrive home

Team Members (7):

• Marti Byers – Faculty (Assistant Professor of Nursing, focus-Psychiatric Nursing)
• John Bechtold – Faculty (Professor of Psychology, multiple mission team and cross-cultural experience)
• Deb Poplaski – Staff (Assistant to the Dean of the School of Health and Natural Sciences, personal ties to the area)
• Wanda Thuma-McDermond  - Faculty (Assistant Professor of Nursing)
• Daniel Robles – Student (Junior Politics major, SGA Vice President, Hurricane Katrina Relief committee member)
• Tom Oostdyke – Student (Senior Christian Leadership in Business and Missions major, has participated in and led multiple Service Trips break trips)
• Melissa Davis – Student (Senior Psychology major, Agency Coordinator for Service Trips, President of International Justice Mission)