| | I have been putting off writing this, because, well, I'm lazy. But I need to share what I learned on the mission trip to New Orleans. I got inspired just a little while ago from reading my Sociology book about the homeless...what a great textbook! (I'm not being sarcastic)...although it contains many of the world's lies, it really shows what life is for other people around the world.
Over spring break, March 10th through the 17th, I went with people from Berry and Shorter Colleges' Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM) on a mission trip to New Orleans. I was really excited, because it was my first mission trip.
We stayed at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS), which was a pretty cool campus...it had a cool playground and amazing food. Four of the five days, we worked with Habitat for Humanity, building houses in the Musicians' Village of New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward. The houses are so cute that they make me smile...bright colors lining the street...bringing hope to people who have lost it because of Katrina.
Our team of 51 worked on two different houses. When we got there, all that was done was the foundation. At the end of the week, the walls were done on one house and was pretty much finished on the other, there were steps, and some of the inside walls were done.
Tuesday night, we went to downtown New Orleans. I've been there quite a few times before, so it wasn't new to me...I was excited about getting beignets at Cafe du Monde in the French Quarter, though (they are amazing)! We had to stay in groups, so I was with a group of people including Kaye, Ida, Mallory, and a few others. Kaye suggested that we go hang out and talk to the people smoking dope by the river. I was all up for it. The thing was, we needed a guy to go with us, and we couldn't find one to go with us. Soon it got dark and even if we had found a guy, they would be so messed up from the drugs that they would not understand or be receptive to whatever we were saying. I was pretty bummed for a while. That whole idea may sound really scary to some of you, but when God changes your heart, He really changes it. He changed mine.
Anyways, we continued walking and went to Bourbon Street, because most of the people in my group hadn't seen it. When we arrived, I saw that street in a whole new light. I had always thought it was bad, but I didn't ever really see HOW bad it is. There is so much sin just on that one street...so many people that need Jesus, that need someone to genuinely care for and love them, that need to have Christ turn their life around a full 180 degrees. We were shopping in a few random stores. I tried to pretend like I was interested in the merchandise, but the truth was, I wasn't...I have seen it all before and God was burdening my heart (an answered prayer). In one store, I had finished walking around and came and stood by Kaye, who was at the front of the store waiting on us. Kaye is one of those people who can read me EXTREMELY well. She knew what I was thinking..all of a sudden, I just burst out in tears...we went outside onto the street and I cried so much...my heart was just broken for all of these lost people. And the thought crossed my mind that a few months ago, I would be going to the same place that they would probably be going to when they die. (That's a hard thought...but I am thankful for Christ.) I felt like there was no one there to minister to these people. My heart was broken for these people (and still is). After I stopped crying, I walked to Cafe du Monde with Kaye, Ida, and Mallory. They tried so hard to cheer me up...most of it didn't work until Kaye said that God has it...the Great Commission WILL be fulfilled. That truth allowed me to enjoy the rest of the night...but I keep praying for New Orleans, that God would send missionaries on the streets to share Christ with them.
Another story...one day during work, I was holding the ladder for Katrina and trying to think of a new worship song to sing, because I had gotten tired of singing the same ones over and over again. I forget if I had even prayed for this...but the Lord gave me a song! It was so cool. There was 1 verse at first, then He just kept giving me more stuff. If any of you want to hear it one day, let me know...but here are the words to it:
V1:
The Lord is my rock and my fortress,
the Lord is my strength and my deliverer.
(Repeat)
Chorus:
Glory, honor, praise to the Lord!
Glory, honor, and praise to the Lord!
V2:
The Lord is my light and my joy,
the Lord is the song in my heart.
(Repeat)
Chorus
V3:
The Lord is my hope and my comforter,
the Lord is the lover of my soul.
(Repeat)
Chorus
It was pretty much one of the coolest things ever...the first is coming to Christ and the second is being baptized in February.
While we were in New Orleans, we also got to tour the Lower Ninth Ward. I had been to New Orleans twice after Katrina before the mission trip, but just saw the Upper Ninth before...
The Lower Ninth Ward is SO much worse. It looked like Katrina just came yesterday. After more than a year and a half, it looks pretty much like a barren wasteland...like a third-world country with hardly any occupants...hardly anyone has come back. There are a few signs saying, "I AM COMING BACK. I WILL REBUILD. I AM NEW ORLEANS!" which gave a glimmer of hope. If you want to see pictures of the Lower Ninth, check out album #4 from the trip. It desperately needs to be rebuilt. If you get a chance, please go...
There is so much more to say about the trip...but I will wrap up with this AMAZING verse in Isaiah that was on the back of this guy's shirt working at Habitat. It totally describes the whole situation. We are called to help these people!!
Isaiah 58:10-12 -
and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
I LOVE my Shorter people! Sherry and Border Colleges! haha...y'all are so much fun!
I am really thankful that I got to go on this mission trip! If you get the chance to go to New Orleans (or anywhere else) and help, please do so...it's so rewarding and God works everywhere. I also am thankful that I got the position of Missions Coordinator serving on BCM's council next year...I can't wait to plan and go on some more mission trips!!
God is good...beyond good...He's amazing...beyond what words can describe...and He deserves all our praise! I cannot wait to see where He will send me next! |
| | Posted 3/28/2007 8:55 PM - 19 Views - 2 eProps - 1 Comment
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