May 22, 2015

Residents at our Monroe home recently enjoyed a “Night of the Bayou” adventure with members of Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church at the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Monroe.

The annual outing included a brown bag dinner and an educational tour of the bayou led by a refuge ranger. Mercy residents learned about plants and animals native to the area.The Black Bayou—located in the Ouachita parish of Monroe, Louisiana—features a spectacular 1,600-acre scenic lake and a 4,500-acre refuge that supports a variety of waterfowl, migratory songbirds and other wildlife.

Even though some residents were a bit anxious, they loved experiencing nature up close and personal. “When I first found out that we were going to the Black Bayou, I was a little uncomfortable because I am not a huge fan of the outdoors!” said Mercy resident,Rachel. “But once we arrived, I got a glimpse of God’s glory and magnificence. Through nature, God revealed His love and majesty to me, reminding me of how much He loves me. All in all, I had an absolute blast!”

Encountering some bayou creatures helped Mercy resident Emily overcome her fears. “The trip to the Black Bayou was a blast,” she said. “Walking on the trail and learning about the native plants and animals was a neat experience. I also got to face my fears and pet a snake and alligator! I’m so thankful to the kind people of Jesus Good Shepherd Church for hosting this event for us! I will certainly never forget it!”