“Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.” - 1 Cor. 16: 13,14 I realize that God wants me to be me – to use the gifts that I have been blessed with and do all I can for Him. If I go to bed knowing that I have lived and served Him today, I don’t need anything else.
- Anonymous
Coming down to NOLA, I was so pumped to help someone get back into their home. When I first saw my jobsite on Sunday I was quite disappointed because we were told that we would be working mostly on things like yard work, laying down bricks and fencing. As we continued on through the week, I was reminded why I was here. Hurricane Katrina destroyed so many lives, not just homes. I was here in the name of the Lord to help someone get their life back together. My big “ah-ha” moment was figuring out that we are here for the people of New Orleans, not just to re-build some homes. Tonight this was driven more into my mind as we heard the story of our post-high school peers heading down to the French Quarter of the city to share the Word and some McDonalds with a few of those either living in the streets or living in horrid conditions. We learned about one of the hardest of hard, Mark Anthony. Hearing what he has lived through, and him not believing in religion is disheartening but, we don’t believe in religion either, we believe in God. B y the end of their conversation those with him were actually granted to pray for a softening of his heart. We are here for the people, like Jimmy and Mark Anthony, not just for the city and the homes.
- George
It is so amazing to watch God at work. To watch Him place people in areas where they wouldn’t choose to go, to watch His perfect timing, to see His love in caring for and protecting those who may not feel well. The most touching and more amazing thing to see and experience is His answer to prayer, in seeing even the smallest glimmer of hope and inquisitive looks from unbelievers we speak to. He is at work in these people’s hearts, and in all of our hearts. When you read this blog, and look at the pictures, remember that you are reading about and seeing Jesus Christ at work.
- Dan Larrabee
It has taken me two life changing trips to New Orleans to fully realize why God calls us places. I always knew that “it’s about the people, not the work” but it wasn’t until today that that became a genuine truth for me. It took the lack of a work site and the “real life” atmosphere for my heart to truly break for these people and turn my spirit over to loving them not what I am doing for them. They are what is real, what matters. This may seem an obvious and blatant truth for many but today my heart was turned upside down with the realization that I hadn’t ever fully concluded, accepted or embraced the fact that God calls us to serve people not cities. My thoughts are scrambled and my words are messy, but what it comes down to is that before a single home is repaired the immediate focus must be on these people, each individual one. The fact that I am just now realizing this is very convicting.
- Amanda Berglund
My moment of this week was, well, more than any one moment. It was the entire experience whether it was completing a window frame or putting a second coat of paint on a wall, it was all important. What was more important, though, were the lives that were touched throughout the week whether it was Pastor Elijah who gave us advice about carpentry and painting when he himself had little experience, he just wanted to help in any way he could. A moment I felt God’s presence was at Pastor Elijah’s house all through the week, talking to people on the streets of a very racially charged area and the initial willingness of the surrounding people in that neighborhood. On Wednesday we arrived at Pastor Elijah’s and there was an eerie feeling about the area, the once crowded streets and door steps were now empty and on top of that we received a “do not work” order from the government. We felt strongly that something was going to happen on that day and God was making us unable to work that day so we would not get caught in the middle of a bad situation. I still pray for the men we will not able to talk to again.
- Sam
In life, questions, problems we seek that moment when we “get it”. Right now, I’m not getting it. In other words, I’ve gained so much from this trip but up to this point those pieces haven’t concluded in a time when I can say “I see it now, God, that’s what you were doing …” I’ve also started to understand that when we don’t “get it” frustration becomes a byproduct. I know that it could be days or weeks before I see the big NOLA picture. Maybe years from now something will click, but, in the meantime, I need to keep frustration and confusion at a minimum and know that someday I’ll understand.
- Hannah Brown
I finally realize I could not care less about the house I’m working on because I care so much more for the people. In five, maybe ten years, the lawn I worked on will be gone. It’s through the work that I get to meet people and witness to them. When I wrote my paragraph I saw the houses and neighborhoods as the base. I could not have been more wrong. The people are the base and nothing could be more unique and flavorful as the souls and personality of the people. (Acts 1:8) - Jake Linscott
I have lost my sense of time down here. What seemed important at home is now something that feels different. We have been working hard, but what has touched me the most is how the Lord uses us in unique ways and how we each can be used to glorify Him in different ways. This was definitely evident tonight during our reflection time. I pray that God will continue to unite us as one body.
- Andy Berglund
When I met Carry, the homeowner of a house I worked at, I could see right away she was a very upbeat, positive person. She was so thankful for the little she had and she was so happy even after all the horrible things she’s had to live through and endure. She was inspirational. At that moment of meeting Carry, it really sunk in that we weren’t here to repair houses. We were here to spread His Word and to love the people. Her amazing outlook and positive attitude towards life and the future really made me realize the people are what matter. That’s why we’re here.
- Rebecca
Today was a day like no other I’ve experienced. Hope, encouragement, sorrow and death. A spiritual death so heart wrenching that only a miracle can save the man whom the devil has taken hold of. Hypocrisy and racism has left this man with a heart of stone. He cannot trust anyone or anything for so many people have blinded his path. This man, Mark Anthony, knows the Bible but cannot trust because he has been let down so many times before. It’s my prayer that God will soften his heart and he will trust in the one truth that will make him alive.
- Josh Larrabee
What a week! I began the week full of energy and joy. It turned to heartache while getting a look into the life of a young child here who seemed so angry and hard-hearted already at 4 years old. It’s been a week of very mixed emotions and, at times, I’ve grown weary. Tonight after listening to the kids speak about their experience ministering in the streets, I am so hopeful and feel very blessed with our kids – how they are a light and are bold enough to shine for Him in some of the darkest places. What blessings they are. To God be the glory!
- Alicia
This week my eye opening experience was during my trip to the French Quarter to witness to the homeless. The first few people I met were eager to talk and were believers, but as we went it got harder. As we ventured from security to unfamiliar places of evil, we began to see how dead the lost really are. Jackson Square was one of the most beautiful places and, yet I felt threatened by evil while there, not by the people rather the evil that exists there. The eye opener occurred while speaking with Mark Anthony, a street- hardened, homeless man. I realized how genuine and cheated he was and, yet he is a dead man because the streets have driven him scared of trusting anyone but Jack Daniels, Jim Bean and others.
- Jake Groom
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: We aren’t here to do the work on homes so much as we are here to minister and witness to people the love of God. Every day I find it more and more evident. Maybe, just maybe, we aren’t supposed to be working in a certain area because God doesn’t want us there or he wants us somewhere else. I constantly have to remind myself that it is not about putting up the closet shelves while I am there, but it’s about sharing God with people like the homeowners or people nearby. This is nothing new to me, but God is working it into my heart more and more every day. It’s not about the house, but what we do to the house is in God’s name.
- Colby Adams
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world … like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.” (Eph. 2:1-3) Dead. Without Christ, we are dead. The sermon this Sunday centered on this verse and this week we have perhaps begun to understand it. Even though we, the body of Christ, are alive in Him, we are surrounded by living corpses screaming for a Savior. And all the while we stand by holding a pitcher of living water in our hands. When will we become confident enough to share this water?
- Anonymous
After stumbling over trial upon trial upon trial, whether they were physical, mental or emotional, I believe the Lord has begun to reveal my “AHA” moment to me. Although I can’t ever fully grasp what the Lord is thinking, I can come close. It’s not about the houses we are building or touching up; rather it’s about the people we come into contact with. God isn’t shown when a group comes, rebuilds then leaves without talking to the people they’re serving. God’s love is really shown when someone’s life is changed through words and prayer. Many people have missed this concept and are not able to affect someone’s walk with the Lord. For faith without works is dead. The cop-out answer for a mission’s trip is, “we’re going to rebuild”. However, when you really look into a mission’s trip and its deeper meanings, you will find that the correct response is, “we’re going to change someone’s life through rebuilding their homes and cities.”
- Michael Gardner
Today I got the chance to see some of the 9th ward. As we drove through it, Scott pointed out the fact that house after house once had been there but now what remained were fields of grass. In some of these places the grass was so tall I couldn’t see any of what was behind the grass. Then Scott and I drove by a neighborhood that, since Katrina, had not received any work at all. To look and see what many use to call home with nothing left broke my heart and my heart when out for these people. This evening also added onto my heart going out for these people as Josh Linscott shared about his day ministering to the people of New Orleans on the street. As Josh shared, he sang a song he wrote about a man who’s been so hurt that his heart is hardened and he is full of rage. After listening to the song most of us here were brought to tears and we prayed for this man’s heart to be softened, that he would come to know Christ as Savior. Throughout today, I have felt and seen what we are here for this week and that is the people. And it hasn’t been just today but all this week as I have been serving other for God. The lost and broken need to know Jesus. The Christians here need to be encouraged after all they have been through. Tonight my prayer has been, “God, make my heart break like Yours for the lost and help me shine You to those in the dark because those who don’t know You so need you, Lord, they really do.
- Dali Tauwala
I don’t know if I really had, what could be called, an “Ah ha” moment. I know we worked hard and served people well. For me, the most significant part of the week was watching our students grow in their faith. It is amazing that every time I serve with the students, it is clear that they are not only the church of tomorrow but also the church of today.
- Rus
Shocked. Pained. Awestruck. I almost can’t breathe. But why now? How can something that seems so right be countlessly rejected by so many? Why haven’t I been strong enough to share the light? Where are my words? Who am I now and why can’t I be who I must be? Where’s my heart at? Why am I confused? Why am I hurt? (Proverbs 10:20)
- Scotty
Today we were able to go to Carrie’s house to do some work. We painted parts of her shed and house and installed a door and some closet shelving. We were able to talk to her and hear her stories about Katrina … how she survived it and the steps she’s taken since then to gain some sense of normalcy in her life. My heart really broke for her and what she’s had to go through. It’s been almost 3 years since the hurricane and she is still fighting to get back into her house. She has tried so hard to get her house fixed, yet has been set back due to multiple thefts and contractor dishonesty. I was amazed at her upbeat attitude through it all. Her stories and her perseverance made me want to do everything I could for her. My prayer is that her good attitude will remain through all this, and that her main focus will be on God and that she will be a light for Him in a neighborhood of darkness. I pray that she will be back in her house by her deadline of the end of August and may she once again be able to sit on her porch and watch the ships come up the Mississippi River.
- Ben Adams
God has proved again and again how he guides us with every single moment and event in our lives. The rain that kept the group inside and gave them a chance to talk to this broken, dead and hard man is such a blessing and shows God’s real power to show us what we are really here to do. Change and touch lives.
- Jeremy
The story of Mark Anthony gave me the feeling of sadness because of his not being saved. All of the people in the world who don’t know God are spiritually “dead”. I need to share the story of Christ and help those who have not yet been saved. There are many kinds of people, some have heard about God and some haven’t. It is important to show them the way so that they can choose salvation.
- Annie
God, you are awesome. Wednesday night when we were singing with the kids from Florida, I realized that it was amazing how we were all different, yet we all were worshipping the same God. That was one thing we all had in common. It was humbling to realize that. Also tonight, when Josh told us about his experience with a man named Mark Anthony, I was reminded of the song ‘Tears of the saints’ and how we should be sad for those who are spiritually dead.
- Anonymous
Before we left, I prayed so hard that God would use me to change someone. But God’s will is perfect. He changed someone today and it was me. I’ve wanted to see those in sin as dead all week and today I did. God has broken me down in a way I didn’t think possible for me. Through the story of my friend, Marc Anthony, I saw a man who was dead. He couldn’t have been angrier or more hateful. My heart broke for this man; I pray constantly that God would soften his heart. I hope that maybe a seed was planted today and I know God can save this man. Today I also know how terrifying it can be to know, if he isn’t saved, where Marc Anthony will go.
- Anonymous
This year has been different from last year. Last year you could still see the devastation from Hurricane Katrina everywhere you looked. This year you can see some renewal, less FEMA trailers and more neighborhoods returning to normalcy, it makes one hopeful. That is until you enter the 9th Ward and you find still 3 years later – it is untouched. Then you can feel the anger and the hopelessness. You can see the untrust in the eyes of people. It’s then that you realize this is not about rebuilding lives. Only when we share the love of Christ can we truly rebuild New Orleans.
- Robin
I feel that through all of my quiet time reflection, through all of my conversations with homeowners, and through the processing of my team’s experiences, God has clearly been teaching me to seek Him first. I need to feed and nurture my relationship with Him in order to be able to do that which He has called me to do – whether that is as a husband and father, or a worker or a person trying to serve others in NOLA. Going half-way is not an option. If I’m in, then I need to be given completely over to Him. I see glimpses of that in me this week. I find that the people mean more to me than anything else, both the people of NOLA and my team as well as my family at home.
- Bob Gardner
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord, open the eyes of my heart, I want to see You. My ah-hah moment was this morning when brother/Pastor Lawrence met for a 2-3 hour prayer/opening God’s word session. Stuff clicked and that just translated into the street evangelism today that own team of seven did. One man in particular the Lord let to us. Hardest of hard, yet after almost an hour, he started sharing. He didn’t soften, but he opened up and we listened, and then prayed with him. The love we were able to show to him didn’t break through his shell, but he trusted us. Pray for Marc Anthony! May the Lord open the eyes of his heart, that he may see the Father!
- Adam
I’ve learned so many new things this week that it’s hard to keep track of them all. I believe God has called me down here for many reasons. One reason I believe is to bring me closer to Him because over this past year, I’ve felt distant from God. But glancing over this reflection, I see the biggest thing God has brought to my attention over and over again this week which is how many times I say “I” in a day. Constantly my focus is only on me and this week God has made me realize that that’s not right. My focus needs to be on Him and Him only.
- Kelsey Berglund
Jimmy briefly told us his story on the day he took us on a tour. He said that as he was going to his house he was thinking, “It’s only a house, it’s only a house.” What would I have been thinking? When people lost their houses/possessions, they didn’t lose everything. They didn’t lose anything at all. If they have all of their trust completely in God, there’s nothing to lose. He’s there through the calm and through the storm. That’s why we’re here; to let these people know that there’s hope. God has a plan. I’m praying that we’ll be a light to these people and their hearts will eventually soften and they will know the truth.
- Jess Cinque
I pray that as I return home I remain broken. How great a blessing to actually tear for the lives of others. If I would share my faith with Marc Anthony, the man the hardest of hard, homeless man here, why not share it with my roommate? My friends? My co-workers? Maybe I will change someone this week, but now I pray that God will bring change as He wills to further His kingdom. “For do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21)
- Josh Linscott
We started off our morning praying for Terrence (middle behind #260). Our street team met him downtown yesterday and shared and prayed with him. Today he was rejoycing to be turning a new leaf and beginning a new life. He wanted to pray with us before boarding a bus for Mississippi.
