Chapel Progress!
June 16, 2011
Our chapel project is moving along! We are hoping to pour the slab this Saturday. More pictures and updates to come.
Blessings,
Johnny Carriere
“A Growing Chance” by Ms. Stacey Judice
June 16, 2011
The Opelousas Lighthouse Mission is using a different type of seeds to help men who have fallen on hard times.
The mission serves as a temporary home to one who was living on the streets or a temporary shelter.
Mission director Johnny Carriere once lived the same life that leads many men on a path of destruction.
A former drug addict, Carriere understands the demons that can destroy one’s life.
“At my lowest point, people kept reaching out to me and offering me a second chance. Once I took the higher path and sought help, I vowed to assist other men who were in the pit that I once called home,” he said.” I became clean in 2007, entered college in 2007, became director of the mission in 2009, and earned a degree from LSU in 2010.
Carriere knew giving the men of the mission a job was imperative in building their self-esteem and self-worth. Over an acre of land located on the side of the mission was transformed into a garden with the help of Southern University’s Agriculture Department.
Each man living in the mission takes a hand in maintaining the gardens.
Two years ago, Bruce Fontenot came to live at the mission.
Like many who enter the mission, Fontenot, now a garden supervisor, didn’t have a clue on how to make a seed grow or research information on the proper techniques of gardening.
“When I walked through the doors of the mission, I was broken in mind, body, and spirit,” Fontenot said. “Due to physical limitations, I focused on gathering helpful information from the internet on how to make our plants produce a great harvest.”
The success of the gardens at the mission is evident for anyone who passes on South Street.
Twenty-five rows are home to over 20 varieties of bedding plants, vegetables, and fruits.
“The produce and plants are sold seven days a week at the mission,” Carriere said. “The men are also selling in the community at the Opelousas Farmer’s Market four days a week. The skills of farming and selling have helped the men to gain dignity and purpose.”
Another growth project spearheaded by Carriere broke ground last month. In the morning hours, dignitaries from St. Landry Parish celebrated along with residents and staff from the Opelousas Lighthouse Mission.
The stir was caused by the first stages of construction on the missions’ new chapel that will serve as a multi-purpose building for the men.
The 1,800 square foot building will host bible studies, morning devotions, board meetings, guest speakers, and educational training.
The room will also serve as a quiet place for the many men who call the mission home, Carriere said.
“When I look at the people who make up the mission, I am brought back to the time when I was offered grace by God and others to repair my broken life,” he added. “Our gardens, the new chapel, and the mission itself is growing hope, grace, and mercy into a man’s life. Each resident is offered a chance to rebuild their life and enter society as a self-sufficient individual who has learned how to depend on God.”
The Evolution of the Lighthouse Mission Farmers Market!
August 8, 2009
When we first started the garden project back in April, I had no clue what direction we were heading nor did I know how we would get there. This was my first experience with gardening, so everything with the project was new to me and most of the men as well.
As our crops began to grow, so did our knowledge and understanding of how the whole process worked. Southern University played a huge role in development and know-how of our garden. My initial thought was that we would grow some vegetables and go a few days a week to a local farmers market in town. What happened next was really surprising and unexpected.
The Daily World did an article on what was going on at the mission, and specifically called our project a local farmers market. I had never really thought of the mission as it’s own independent farmers market, but thought of it more as a local grower that would bring our crops to local markets.
At this point we began to be flooded by members of the community who were seeking fresh, homegrown vegetables. We began to display our crops on our large table in the common room of the Lighthouse Mission.We had evolved into our own farmers market without even trying to do so.
This evolution into a viable market was exactly what the Southern University Ag Center had envisioned. It was truly a successful spring season that will continue year after year.
We are extremely encouraged about the continuation and growth of our market for many years to come. The project has blessed me and the men tremendously. We vow to research more efficient ways to produce greater results for the garden and also strategies that can provide ways to enrich the lives of our men.
Thanks to everyone who supported us and encouraged us during this project.
Fall garden and market coming soon!
Blessings,
Johnny Carriere
Managing Director
Thanks to ALON U.S.A. Refinery in Krotz Springs.
June 18, 2009
Words can’t describe the timing of such a wonderful gift that has been presented to us at the Opelousas Lighthouse Mission. Today, the ALON Refinery in Krotz Springs, LA donated a nice Ford truck to us.
The timing couldn’t have been any better because our previous car died out about two weeks ago. I want to thank Jimmy Moreau, Shawn Elder, and Keith Ardoin for making this happen.
Thanks again ALON for your support of our mission and the local community! We are truly blessed and certainly appreciate this act of service to the Opelousas Lighthouse Mission.
Sincerely,
Johnny Carriere
Managing Director
Thanks to the New Life Center!
June 18, 2009
I want to thank the New Life Center for being such a helping hand to all of us at the Lighthouse Mission. Michelle, Brandi, and Marcus have been a true blessing to us over the last 3 months. They have provided us with food, supplies, and many other things that can be used in day to day operations.
It is a pleasure to work with such amazing people in this community who share the same hopes, goals, and desires in order to make Opelousas a better place.
Thank you all for everything that you do to assist the Opelousas Lighthouse Mission!
Sincerely,
Johnny Carriere
Managing Director
Thanks to the Daily World!
June 15, 2009
I want to extend a thank you out to the Daily World for putting together two great stories on the Opelousas Lighthouse Mission.
We at the mission really appreciate a helping hand in creating a positive image of the direction that the Lighthouse Mission is headed.
This write up is on the Front page of the paper.
http://www.dailyworld.com/article/20090614/NEWS01/906140304&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL
This write up is on the Opinion page of the paper.
http://www.dailyworld.com/article/20090614/OPINION/906140306/Help-give-homeless-a-hand-up
Sincerely,
Johnny Carriere
Managing Director
Opelousas Lighthouse Mission
Fresh Vegetables for Sale At the Mission!
June 15, 2009
Hello Everyone!
We are now picking fresh vegetables daily out of our garden at the mission.
We have a variety of vegetables including cucumbers, tomatoes, hot peppers, banana peppers, bell peppers, squash, eggplant, watermelons, cantaloupe, honeydew melons, sweet corn, and green onion tops.
We also have herbs such as hibiscus, purple basil, green basil, lemon, and mint.
Please call me at 337-692-7988 or call the office at 337-948-8865 for price and availability! Thanks
Garden Project 09′ Ready to Plant!
June 15, 2009
Saturday, April 11th 2009 was a day that most of the men at the Opelousas Lighthouse Mission will never forget. It was a day of hard work, great fellowship, and a ton of teamwork.
We started about 8:00 a.m with the plowing of the ground, and then followed that with the making of the rows. We took a break for lunch, then pressed forward to complete the preparation stage of the garden.
It was a beautiful thing to see the teamwork and the work ethic of the men at the shelter. When one guy would take a break, another would step up and pick up the slack. We laughed, joked, and just enjoyed being a team working toward a common goal.
At the end of the day, the work was done but the memories will last forever. This was the beginning of an exciting project for our mission.
We want to also give a special thanks to the Prejean Family for letting us borrow their tractor and other tools necessary to complete this stage of the project.
If the weather permits, we will begin planting next week with the help of Southern University.