About 3:00 PM, Sunday, January 31st, our West End Baptist Mission Team arrived in Louisiana when we crossed the mighty Mississippi River at Natchez Mississippi.  Once on the Louisiana side, the team stopped for a photo by the river.  The trip had been long and arduous.  The team departed the church on Saturday morning in the midst of a snow storm that became more daunting as the trip continued.  Mike Barr successfully drove the bus over rough roads south through Virginia and into North Carolina where snow plows had hardly touched the interstate.  Beneath the snow a layer of ice made for rough travel well into South Carolina.  At Atlanta, Georgia, the team called it a day and got a good night's rest before heading out the following morning.

rriving in Hessmer, LA about 5:15 PM (6:15 EST) the team was tired but glad to have arrived safely and only fifteen minutes late in spite of the weather.

Monday was the first day of work.  After breakfast at the Hessmer church where the team is sleeping in Sunday School rooms along with 35 other volunteers, everyone traveled to the job site about 10 miles away in Marksville, LA.  Below is a picture of the concrete slab surrounded by mud.  The mud only got worse as the day went on.  It rained all day, but theam leaders had prepared by having a large tent where volunteers were able to work in spite of the rain.  In the pictures below you will see team members working at various tasks from operating the cutting station to building headers and walls.  It was a productive day.  Our team was responsible for the devotional Monday evening.  Tim, Mike, and Chad helped lead the devotional time with the able support of Tony and Randy.  God blessed us today.  We are glad to be here.  Keep us in your prayers.

Chad helped in many areas and served as photographer.

Randy kept the pieces coming through the chop saw sowe could build tees, headers, and jacks.

Tony drove nails as well as the bus.  He served a crucial role and driving the team to its destination.

Your Team in Louisiana