"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19
It's a beautiful, sunny day in gorgeous New Orleans. We spent the morning engaged in a Prayer Walk around one of the most devastated areas of the city; we learned that when you see a spraypainted 'X' on an abandoned, damaged house that all the symbols around the house represent something (the bottom number being the number of bodies found in that house :( ...) and we even saw spots on roofs from which people emerged after hacking away at their attic ceilings with an axe in order to escape houses that were quickly filling with water... up to eleven FEET of water. The prayer came in when John, one of the missionaries who lived in New Orleans, shared verse with us and asked us to really think about what consumes our hearts, our desires... and consequently, where we store our treasure... do we love objects, items, money etc. with all our heart? And if so, what happens when these things are lost or destroyed? What actually endures... where do we store our treasure so that when all things fall away, we are not left devastated? Amazing prayer and thought - thanks YWAM for continually challenging all of us to pray and grow closer to God.
This afternoon, we're back at Lawrence's house, finishing up siding and painting. It's our last day with this incredible man, and we're all looking forward to sharing our stories about him when we arrive home (Tekayah has a good one about a frying pan...). A number of us are in a project, doing Children's Ministry which basically means letting kids draw all over us with magic markers, jump on our backs, kick around soccer balls and ask us to draw them pictures while we talk about Jesus.
Tomorrow we're getting an opportunity to be a little bit touristy; many of the kids are excited about more live music in the streets and poking around shops. No sickness or lost kids yet, so we're doing pretty decent. The kids are having an incredible time and the days are flying by. Thank you so much for all of your prayers during this heart-opening adventure.
Lots of love,
The SJC Mission New Orleans Team
Friday 29 April 2011
Wednesday 27 April 2011
Day three in NOLA
Finally... an update! Just a quick one because we're in the middle of a mission... literally and figuratively... :)
We're all safe and sound on Annunciation Street in New Orleans. To see a picture of the BEAUTIFUL house in which we're being hosted, click here (it's called House of the Risen Son).
We arrived safe and sound early Monday morning to one of our YWAM leaders, William. After organizing vans, we motored it to Annunciation Street, chose bunk beds, ate lunch then went for a ferry ride across the Mississippi river and toured the French Quarters of New Orleans. We were treated to some incredible street music and shopped a little (the kids are mostly interested in tearing Mardi Gras beads from trees, to tell the truth.) Supper, worship, then early to bed... meant early to rise, ready for the real work to begin.
Showers, breakfast, some worship time and devotional.... after our morning routine, we headed out to LeBoeuf street to meet a man named Laurence who is afflicted with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). He has a beautiful home, but has been unable to take care of the exterior since 2009 when he was diagnosed with the disease. He is a man full of hope and faith, and is continually telling us that we are answers to his prayers as we are giving his house a facelift by painting, removing and replacing siding, gardening, roofing... you name it, we're doing it. It's busy, and we have Mr. Wilson here to make sure that no one's slacking.
In case anybody's wondering, we're really safe here - the area we're staying in used to be a slummier area, but it's turned around a lot since YWAM was given this house - they did a lot to turn the community around. We go for walks every day - this morning on our walk, we met a man named Myles who moved to Texas right after Katrina, and only came back to NOLA recently. After hearing about the work we were doing, he prayed for us, southern Baptist style, and went on his way. We have all been so touched by the faith of everyone around us - what we've seen so far of New Orleans is full of faith! Oh, and yesterday an old-fashioned ice cream truck made its way down our street - wait till you see the pictures. We have a feeling that the ice cream truck will be down our street at least a few more times!
Our YWAM leaders cook for us, sing for us and affirm us in our faith. We are well fed, well loved and having an amazing experience so far. As we continue on this journey, please pray for each of us that our hearts become more and more open every day.
Much love,
The Mission New Orleans team
We're all safe and sound on Annunciation Street in New Orleans. To see a picture of the BEAUTIFUL house in which we're being hosted, click here (it's called House of the Risen Son).
We arrived safe and sound early Monday morning to one of our YWAM leaders, William. After organizing vans, we motored it to Annunciation Street, chose bunk beds, ate lunch then went for a ferry ride across the Mississippi river and toured the French Quarters of New Orleans. We were treated to some incredible street music and shopped a little (the kids are mostly interested in tearing Mardi Gras beads from trees, to tell the truth.) Supper, worship, then early to bed... meant early to rise, ready for the real work to begin.
Showers, breakfast, some worship time and devotional.... after our morning routine, we headed out to LeBoeuf street to meet a man named Laurence who is afflicted with Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS). He has a beautiful home, but has been unable to take care of the exterior since 2009 when he was diagnosed with the disease. He is a man full of hope and faith, and is continually telling us that we are answers to his prayers as we are giving his house a facelift by painting, removing and replacing siding, gardening, roofing... you name it, we're doing it. It's busy, and we have Mr. Wilson here to make sure that no one's slacking.
In case anybody's wondering, we're really safe here - the area we're staying in used to be a slummier area, but it's turned around a lot since YWAM was given this house - they did a lot to turn the community around. We go for walks every day - this morning on our walk, we met a man named Myles who moved to Texas right after Katrina, and only came back to NOLA recently. After hearing about the work we were doing, he prayed for us, southern Baptist style, and went on his way. We have all been so touched by the faith of everyone around us - what we've seen so far of New Orleans is full of faith! Oh, and yesterday an old-fashioned ice cream truck made its way down our street - wait till you see the pictures. We have a feeling that the ice cream truck will be down our street at least a few more times!
Our YWAM leaders cook for us, sing for us and affirm us in our faith. We are well fed, well loved and having an amazing experience so far. As we continue on this journey, please pray for each of us that our hearts become more and more open every day.
Much love,
The Mission New Orleans team
Thursday 21 April 2011
Only 2 more days!
To all Mission New Orleans students:
We will be meeting at the Calgary airport at 10:00 pm on April 24, Easter Sunday, on the departures level just inside the very last set of doors.. Don't forget to wear your blue shirt! Also, remember that maximum weight for your carry on (probably a backpack) is 22 lbs and max size is 21.5 in. x 9 in. x 15.5 in.
To family members and friends...
Please keep us in your prayers! We'll miss you lots. Keep your eye on this blog for daily (hopefully!) updates on our experience.
Love, the SJC Mission Team
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