Saturday, June 21, 2014

New Orleans Mission Trip Day: 4

Day four was our half work day and half free day to see the city of New Orleans with our youth groups individually.

My team started our work site day back at First Pilgrim in the Upper Ninth Ward. We had arranged the day before to be able to go to each of the classes and do a couple of songs then I would lead them in a story of the Gospel. Aaron Griffin brought his guitar and sang "Every Move I Make/Waves of Mercy" (or better known as the "Nanana Nananana" song... there was some controversy within our group as to the actual name of the song), and the teens taught them the motions to it. Then He led the class in the worship song, "Freedom Reigns". All of those little kids closed their eyes and raised their hands with us and worshipped Jesus. Even the teachers joined us in worship.It was amazing.  After those singing, I led them in the true story of Shrek the Sheep who got lost from his shepherd in New Zealand (which I kept saying Scotland...) and grew a coast of will that weighed over 60 pounds. Then I read them the parable of Jesus and the shepherd who went searching for His one lost sheep and leaving the ninety-nine to find it. What an awesome day. The kids really enjoyed the story and songs, and our teens loved ministering to the children.

After our service day we went back to the base church to get ready for our day on the town.

Our first stop was Bourbon Street and the French Quarter. What an eclectic group of people. From street performers, to artist, full jazz bands, and a mixture of aromas that ranged from putrid to delicious, this place was fascinating and sad ask in one colorful brush stroke. The locals were easily distinguishable from the tourists. Oddly, the locals were friendly and receptive to receiving our Gospel tracts, the tourists.... not so much. We then made our way around Jackson Square and the fortune tellers to Cafe du Monde where we enjoyed the most delicious beignets and Café au lait. There was so much confectioners sugar on these little French fritters from heaven that we each looked as though we had just finished baking for days in the kitchen. The contrast of beauty and artistry to the sin-devastated humanity we witnessed seemed surreal at times. Men passed out drunk on doorsteps, just laying there in a stupor and women working the streets to turn tricks for the god of Mammon they easily worshipped, punctuated the battle for humanity that Christ came win. It reminded me that this world is not our home and the purpose we followers of Christ have been born into.

From there we went to Mahony's in the Garden District for dinner (yes, we had dessert before dinner... that's how we roll on a REVOLVE! trip!). Pamela, my wife,  had seen Mahony's featured on an episode of Guy Fieri's "Dinners, Drive-Ins and Dives" on the Food Network. It did not disappoint! The fried oyster po-boy and fried green tomatoes were out of this world good! We left there and walked for blocks and blocks through the Garden District. This was the uppity party place of New Orleans, and it was packed with extremely beautiful homes and shops. As a side note, author Anne Rice has a home in this neighborhood I found out from a friend later that evening. We stopped for ice cream and drinks and then headed back to our bar church.

The break in the middle of the week was much needed and appreciated. It rejuvenated us to finish the week strong, and helped us to connect more deeply to the community and culture of New Orleans.  By this point in the week, we had all pretty much fallen in love with the people, the city and the smells of New Orleans.

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