Why New Orleans?
Even before leaving for the Philippines in January of 2007, plans were already beginning for the next project. Initially, it was assumed that we would again be going somewhere outside of the United States. The destinations that were considered included Mexico, South Africa, Tanzania, and Russia. Then out of nowhere, God redirected us.
In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina tore through the Gulf region of the United States causing mass destruction and loss of life. The storm passed just east of the city of New Orleans and led to massive flooding when the levees did not hold. Thousands of homes, businesses, and churches were at best damaged but in many cases, completely destroyed as a result of standing water as high as 7-9 feet.
But still, why was God sending us there when there are so many places that could use our help? We didn’t know exactly why. We just decided to obey. We travelled to New Orleans in January 2008 to begin making contacts and planning our project. It was during this trip that all of our questions about why we were going there next were fully answered.
Ebenezer Baptist Church
We were introduced to Lois DeJean by her nephew, Ellis Lindsey, Music Director at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans. Mrs. DeJean is the Associate Minister at Ebenezer Baptist Church (also known as Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church). This church was founded on September 22, 1922 on Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans. Ebenezer has a rich musical heritage. Known at one time as THE place to hear gospel music, the choir has been featured in six films, including the Ray Charles biopic Ray starring Jamie Foxx and Last Holiday starring Queen Latifah. Mrs. Dejean was the promoter for the New Orleans Gospel Music Festival every year in Louis Armstrong Park and has been in ministry since the age of eighteen (she is now in her early seventies).
In the flood following Hurrican Katrina, Ebenezer became completely inundated with water. There was seven feet of water standing in the building for weeks. The water lifted their baby grand piano and organ and carried them to other parts of the building. The pews were ripped from the concrete floor and the raised pulpit and choir stand were destroyed. All of the music and sound equipment and all of their instruments were gone.
In the two and a half years since, many of the members of this church were forced to relocate and most of them have not returned. Their pastor, Pastor Landrum, had to relocate to Houston and drove in every week to try to keep the church going. Mrs. DeJean has a second job from which every dollar she makes goes toward restoring the church. A group from Arizona put new drywall up and one of the church members purchased plastic lawn chairs to seat everyone. Everything else that they have is either on loan or left over from another church and much of that is in poor condition.
The people of this church have been so extremely faithful with what they have and we now know without question that God is using us to bless this awesome work.
Ebenezer Baptist Church, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Destination of makingpraisesloud2008.
The Plan
A Complete Custom Designed Sound System:
Mixer
Amps
Speakers
Monitors
Cables
Accessories
Instruments:
Electric Guitar
Bass Guitar
Amplifiers
Digital Piano
Drum Heads
Cymbals
Drum Sticks
Tambourines
Microphones:
2 Handheld Wireless
Drum Mics
Guitar Amp Mic
Organ Mic
Podium Mic
Fixtures:
Podium(Lecturn)
Seating (for 125)
MPL2008 Project Goal
Sound System:
Mixer $880.00
Amps $1400.00
Mains $700.00
Subs $900.00
Monitors (2) $600.00
Cables/Accessories $1,000.00
Total $5,480.00
Instruments:
Electric Guitar $550.00
Bass $550.00
Guitar Amp $250.00
Drum Heads $80.00
Cymbal(s) $350.00
Sticks $40.00
Tambourines (5) $22.50
Digital Piano $600.00
Total $2,192.50
Microphones:
Handheld Wireless (2) $1000.00
Drum Mics $400.00
SM-57 (Guitar Amp/Organ) $160.00
Total $1,560.00
Furnishings:
Podium $650.00
Chairs $3,000.00
Total $3,650.00
Cash on Hand (overage) $617.50
Total Goal $13,750.00
