Frequently Answered Questions about KatrinaGrace Trips

· Who are you working with in New Orleans?

o We partner with Trinity Church, an Evangelical Free Church in Covington, LA and with Compassion Ministries, an arm of the Evangelical Free Church.

· Where can I learn about the storm’s impact?

o Click here.

· It’s been over a year. Are these trips really still necessary?

o Click here.

· When would I leave and when would I return?

o KatrinaGrace Teams leave on Sundays and return on Saturdays.

· Do I have to have any specific skills?

o Nope. You just need to be willing and able to help.

· What kind of Teams does KatrinaGrace Sponsor?

o Cooking Teams (5 people maximum)– Participants work on a Team with Vixie Spencer cooking breakfast and supper for all the Work Teams at Trinity for a particular week.

o Work Teams (maximum to be determined)– Trinity/Compassion sends you out to fulfill Work Orders for folks in need in the Greater New Orleans area. You might be gutting out a house, cleaning out a yard, removing trees, working in the Free Store, etc.

o Compassion Teams (12 people maximum)– These teams are pastoral in nature and they follow up on folks for whom Trinity has fulfilled a work order.

o Habitat Teams (20 people maximum) – These teams stay at Trinity in Covington, LA but work in Slidell, LA – about 30 mins away – helping the Habitat for Humanity chapter there build homes for Katrina survivors.

· How much does a trip cost?

o To house and feed each individual breakfast and supper (lunch is on your own) Compassion Ministries and Trinity Church requests $150 for 6 nights and 7 days. If you’re going on a Habitat Trip, there’s an extra $40 charge. A roundtrip plane ticket usually costs somewhere around $300. 1 person’s part of a rental car for 4 folks might work out to $65. Add in lunch daily and incidentals and a typical trip might come out to $615 for a Habitat Trip and $575 for a non-Habitat Trip.

· How does trip funding work?

o Some folks donate some or part of the money for their own trip. Other folks do that and/or ask family and friends if they’d like to participate in the trip by helping to fund it. Still others use money that people have given to KatrinaGrace. KatrinaGrace doesn’t want a lack of money to get between anyone’s desire to serve in Louisiana and their actually getting there. As long as we have funds, KatrinaGrace intends to help folks get to Louisiana to help.

· To whom do I give any checks or donations?

o Write a check to “Grace Community Church” and put “KatrinaGrace” and the leave date for your trip in the memo field of your check. Then either just put it in the offering basket on Sunday or mail it to

KatrinaGrace
Grace Community Church

Attn: Treasurer
8200 Old Columbia Rd
Fulton, MD 20759

We will rent cars, buy airfare (unless you’re using frequent flyer miles), and send whatever monies are needed for Trinity or Habitat.

· What about food and water?

o Trinity/Compassion will provide breakfast and supper. Each team is on their own for lunch. Compassion says: Each work team should come prepared to bring their own stocked cooler to the worksite each day for lunch and water breaks. We can provide bottled water and ice. The supermarkets here are open and stocked. On Fridays we serve lunch on site in New.

· Can I take my laptop?

o Sure! Trinity is set up for wireless access!

· What if I forget something I should have packed?

o There is an open WalMart just down the road from Trinity.

· Where do we sleep?

o Trinity says: Dormitory style housing is provided at Trinity Church. Men sleep in the sanctuary on the floor (which is also used as a dining hall and for worship services) and women sleep on the floor in the youth building. Each individual will need bedding and air mattresses or …. Wednesday, Sunday and other times per Trinity Church’s request, we will re-arrange the dormitory structure to meet the ministry needs of the Church. There is storage available for personal belongings during those times. Please do not bring queen or double air mattresses since there is limited space for sleeping!

· Is there a place for me to wash my clothes?

o There is! Trinity Church has graciously set up a washer and a dryer for Work Teams to use.

· What about washing up?

o Trinity has built separate mens and womens showers with individual dressing areas in every stall just outside of the church. They do have hot water and electricity in the shower buildings.

· Are there any medical precautions I need to take for this trip?

o If you have a medical concern, you should consult with your doctor. That being said, everyone must be up to date on their Tetanus shots. If you’re in doubt about this, please call your doctor.

· What’s the temperature going to be like?

o Here are seasonal average temperatures for New Orleans (degrees – F):

§ Jan – 51

§ Feb – 54

§ Mar – 62

§ Apr – 69

§ May – 75

§ Jun – 80

§ Jul – 82

§ Aug – 82

§ Sep – 78

§ Oct – 69

§ Nov – 61

§ Dec - 55

· Can my kids go?

o Anyone 18 years or older can go. Children who are at least 15 years old are considered on a case-by-case basis. Here are some important things to remember:

§ Someone of the same sex in your Work Team (preferably a parent) must be responsible for the child at night.

§ Work Teams and Habitat Teams will be doing hard work.

§ On Work Teams and Habitat Teams the child may be in hazardous situations.

· What’s the most important word for me to remember on this trip?

o FLEXIBILITY! This from the EFCA Compassion Katrina Relief Staff:

No one knows what God will bring your way or ask your team to do. Be ready for the unexpected by eliminating preconceived expectations. In this ministry, when things go not according to schedule or in the way that we think things should go, our adopted slogan is, “That’s just the way I like it!” It reminds us that God is in control and our plan is quite sub par to His. Your success in this ministry is truly measured by your obedience ot God. A willing spirit and open mind will enable wonderful engagements between team members.

· What if I have more questions?

o Then email Beth Shields if you have a question about a Habitat Trip or Sandra Clabough if you have a question about any other type of trip.

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