On Saturday, April 4 at 6am, 13 teenagers and 7 adult leaders gathered at Greenridge to embark on a longgg journey to New Orleans, LA. What a week!!! Wow! Our group was split into two teams for the week, and each team worked on their own project. There were definitely some challenges in the week, but God worked regardless of our weaknesses.
I would LOVE for those students and adults that went on this trip to comment below with at least one thing that you'll never forget about this trip.
Some highlights:
*The teams had opportunities to walk around the neighborhood and meet people that survived Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. Several students were impacted by the stories they heard.
*Many students and adults were able to work with middle school students one night through a homework help session and a Bible study.
*One team was able to develop a great relationship with the pastor of the church they were working on. "The Rev" had some great stories for all ages... and he could swing a sledgehammer, too!!! haha
Don't let these pictures fool you... We really did work. :) I just never had my camera handy at the worksites. If you are on facebook, head over to Tim Shortall's photo albums to see some great shots from the trip!
Not really anonymous. It's Mary Catherine McCallum. I didn't know how to make it say just my name...
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite part of the trip to New Orleans was when Barry, Holly, Jessie, and I walked around talking to people to invite them to the Block Party and to Easter Service. We talked to a small group of two men, a young woman, and two little kids. We really had no idea what we were doing. I'm pretty sure they were the first people we actually talked to. Anyways, one of the guys told us we really need to pray for people and then someone (Prayer Man, as I will call him) was like "why don't we pray right now?" So, we all gathered around in a circle and Prayer Man was like "Get her to come over here (referring to the young woman)! She needs to get those demons out of her!" She came over and Barry started off our prayer, and then the two men prayed, and they can PRAY! Oh, man! I love the powerful, loud, heart-felt prayers they have!
Also, we told that same group about the Block Party, which would serve free hot dogs and drinks. As soon as Prayer Man was told that there was going to be free food he asked if there was going to be any ribs.
Prayer Man: "You know black people like ribs!"
Holly: "I like ribs."
Prayer Man: "Well, you might be black, you never know!"
Hm... Do any of you like ribs??
hahaha... GREAT STORY Mary Catharine!!! :) I LOVE ribs!!! mmmm... I'm getting hungry. hehe I never heard that story, so thanks for sharing! That's hilarious that "Prayer Man" said Holly might be black. That HAS to be one of the greatest lines from the trip.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear others' stories! Keep 'em coming!
~Sarah :)
The best part of the trip was seeing how some lost everything during Katrina but their faith never failed. All they have is Christ but thats all they need. It was eyeopenin how much God has done, on a spirtiual level. ALso everyone had a smile on and a nice friendly "WAT UP" when you're walkin down the street. Its hard to see so much poverty but so much happiness. Its all God. Since this is TIM i have to talk about the food. Everywhere i looked there was strange lookin food but it tasted AWESOME!!! and there was always someone who never finished, Sarah and Katelyn, and i got their leftovers WOOOOO. because of this trip though i thank God everyday, or at least try to, for the life he has blessed me with. with great friends who, like me, love to sing JOYFUL NOISE 4 times back-to-back on the ride home. "I'm pretty straight fard when i'm speaken 'bout my lard!"
ReplyDeleteWow i dont even know where to start New Orleans was an amazing experience. It was my 3rd time going and each time ive been there ive seen so much improvement but there is still so much work to be done. Not only did we help people there but in a way they helped us. They helped us to grow stronger in our relationship with Jesus.It was alot of work but each person who came to New Orleans with us was called to help and serve in some way and we all did from the lil things like just sittin down and having a conversation with someone who witnessed Katrina to helping rebuilding a house. But the lil things made a huge impact cuz it was making a relationship with the people and at times would help bring them ro Christ. God has made a huge impact on me since i went to New Orleans and i hope to go back soon.
ReplyDeleteMatthew 28:19 Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.