Hope, restoration, joy. In New Orleans, we discovered and
embraced God’s family. The Holy Spirit led us in powerful ways for many divine
appointments.
I spent most of my time with the children at the Eagle
Street ministry house that Hy and Libba McEnery head up. It was eye-opening to
discover the extremely deprived conditions that the children live in;
physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It was chaotic when we had a
houseful, both worth all the work. The kids were receptive to hearing about the
Lord. Many were so in need of love and attention. The Lord helped us do that.
I will forever hold New Orleans in my heart. I will pray for
Hy and Libba and all the kids and families they serve every day, all year long.
I used to think I would have bad days; that is, until I got
here in New Orleans. The people who lived here during when Hurricane Katrina hit
6 years ago and what came after are still having bad days. The stories of what
they lived through and lost, like family members, homes, pets, pretty much
everything. But as they tell their stories, you see their resilience and
strength through it all. The hope they have, the courage you see and hear in
their voices, shakes my spirit. Most people here give credit to Jesus with
their amazing stories of survival. It changed my perspective on what I have! It
changed the way I thought of ‘bad days’. It changed me!
Have you ever set out on a journey with your own plans and
ideas and then found out God had different plans? That is exactly what happened
to me on this mission trip. This is my first mission trip I ever went on. The drive
that drove me here is not what I ended up doing. God had other plans.
I was not planning on doing “Free Prayer”. In fact it
terrified me. But God made it happen when I was willing to give Him control and
step out of my comfort zone. I met a woman along the river that was engulfed in
despair. She had lost her four-year-old son, was losing her sister to cancer,
and her life was full of tragedy and heartache. We began to pray with her and
we could see she felt God’s love. By the time we walked away just minutes
later, the woman was energized by His Spirit, praising God, and counting her
blessings. I watched God’s love and prayer work before my eyes.
Another day on our trip, I had not planned on helping in a
certain ministry and ended up doing something WAY out of my comfort zone. I was
touched by so many things throughout that day. One in particular was a baby boy
barely 2 years old, and his mom. They were walking past me and the mom was
dropping their plates of food. The baby was standing next to her sobbing. I
walked over and asked the boy what was wrong. He was crying and reaching up to
his mom; I could see the loved the mom had for her son. She said he was crying
because he was just so hungry. As soon as she said they were going to sit and
eat, the baby started jumping up and down with joy because he was going to eat!
Children should never have to feel like that. This tore my heart apart.
If you would like to make a difference in someone’s life by
simply showing love to another person, then the next mission trip is for you!
I used to be afraid of stepping out of my comfort zone and
of other cultures, especially New Orleans culture. All my life I was told that
New Orleans was a dark and scary place. The fear of stepping out of my comfort
zone was immobilizing.
God said that I had to be on this trip to New Orleans and I really didn’t want
to go but felt I couldn’t go against God. I was so terrified walking into this
trip.
God worked wonders in my heart while in New Orleans! He showed me what His love
can do, what having faith in Him and having faith in Him and have true hope
really means. Many times we did Free Prayer and it was amazing to see people go
from complete despair to sheer joy in five minutes or less. Just sharing God’s
undying love was enough. God gave each person we prayed for a renewed hope and
faith immediately.
Working at Project Lazarus was another mind-blowing experience. These people
dealing with HIV/AIDS have so much life. They have so much love, hope, and
faith in God for their futures.
Going into this mission I thought I knew what love, faith, and hope were. New
Orleans has totally redefined those words for me. He showed me that stepping
out of my comfort zone, although uncomfortable, is necessary for spiritual
growth. I would totally recommend going on a mission to find out what His love
and having faith and hope in God truly means. It has been a truly mind-blowing,
amazing experience.
Once upon a time, I thought I knew what it was like to see
God in action. THEN I went on a mission trip.
New Orleans is a place filled with darkness. From Bourbon
Street to the Lower 9th Ward, there exists an almost unexplainable
gloom. I quickly found though, that when you put a little light in a lot of
darkness, it seems all the brighter.
At the beginning of the trip, people said that everyone who
was going as part of the team was called by God to be there as they had a
specific role that must be done by only them. I really didn’t comprehend this
until our journey began and I proceeded to watch as God used each and every one
of us in ways I never would have thought of.
There was a
local man who we saw from time to time who multiple people from our group tried
to connect with, with no success. However, I stood and watched one day as a
member of a team actually connected with this man and did it quite easily. God
knew that our team member would be the one who made this man feel comfortable enough
to share his story. After that, that man opened up to other team members.
The trip was not just about what God could do THROUGH us, it
was also about what God could do TO us. We were serving the homeless dinner one
night I had my 9-year-old daughter to my right handing out bread. A man walked
through the line and when he saw her little arm reach out from amongst all the
adults to hand him his bread, he stopped in his tracks, looked at her, and
said, “Thank you so much princess!” That one simple act broke me and I began to
weep. Here was a man who had nothing but the clothes on his back, no home,
nothing, yet he went out of his way to show my daughter God’s love.
My older daughter who is 12 was having a very hard time
while we were here. There were multiple times ending with her tear-filled eyes.
One day, one of our ministry partners noticed my daughter upset and began to
talk to her. She ended up leading my daughter in a prayer accepting Christ into
her heart. Next thing I know, my daughter is running around smiling and
laughing. I believe God knew she had already accepted Him, but wanted to hear
her say it.
Missions are probably the single most rewarding experience
of my life and I am so thrilled that God blessed me by letting me be here!
One of my favorite quotes has always been, “Fortune favors the bold.” I never
really knew nor questioned why I chose to go on this mission. I didn’t realize
it was the time, but God was obviously calling me though I never stopped to
think about how amazing that was. It seemed at the beginning that many things
were against me coming here. I was so busy with graduation, sports, and work
that I missed all but one mission meeting. I knew the trip was expensive and I
was worried about missing so much work. But for some reason I decided to be
bold and just did it. I figured if I couldn’t answer “why” I was going, then
“why not?”
Thank God (and I mean that literally) that I went. New Orleans is a place that
many will tell you is full of darkness. That’s accurate, for a large part, but
no one ever talks about the light here. No one tells you about the incredibly
friendly people at Lazarus House who just want to tell their stories and hear
yours. No one tells you about how open strangers are to just praying with you.
No one tells you how hospitable people are at the churches, welcoming you like
an old friend. No news story ever covers how generously and selflessly people
at the missions and shelters are even 6 years after Hurricane Katrina.
What impacted me the most though, were the kids we met on Eagle Street. I
didn’t go in ever wanting to work with the children’s program here. After all,
as everyone knows, those are the “bad kids”. They fight, they’re in gangs, they
just want to start trouble. But as we prayed about where God was calling us one
morning, I heard that little voice in my heart urging me to Eagle Street. So I
reluctantly decided I wanted to be bold and I went.
I was confused when I got there because these weren’t the hoodlums and nasty
kids I had heard about. They worked diligently on their art projects and ran
around outside. All of them loved being picked up and hugged; they just wanted
love because many of them may not be getting that at home. One girl in
particular, Pearl, wouldn’t leave my side. She was sassy and rough around the
edges, but I could tell she just wanted someone’s attention. The next day,
however, I got glimpses of the stereotypes I heard about. It was utter chaos, fights
breaking out, 7-year olds shouting words at each other that I didn’t even know
at that age. I wanted to throw in the towel and cry, it was just overwhelming
and so heartbreaking that this was normal to these kids. But I remembered the
song that said, “Break my heart for what breaks yours.” My heart was breaking
for these children – Pearl and Randy and Ramses and Tatyana and Thomas – who
were growing up with older siblings raising them, bringing food back with them
from Eagle Street because they didn’t always have it at home, and putting up
such a tough front just to survive even though I had seen the sweet loving side
the day before. How could I be so selfish to think that I needed a break from
those kids when they just wanted someone to care about them and feel loved? It
still brings me to tears thinking about saying goodbye and not being sure if
these kids – innocent little children – would be in jail, in a gang, getting
into drugs, or even dead before they’re my age.
I know that for the time we’ve been here, the team has made a difference in
these kids’ lives, and many others. I have a foam cross stuck in my Bible that
Pearl made me (it says Kenna because she couldn’t remember my whole name) as a
reminder of that. The pain in the goodbyes just affirms to me that this won’t
be my last mission and that we truly did love them as Jesus. I’m so glad to
have gone on this mission and that the mission never really ends. And I
realized that maybe it isn’t that “fortune favors the bold.” Maybe it’s more
like, “God makes things happen through the bold.”
Working is a necessity. Serving is a choice. I chose to go
on this mission to serve because it’s the right thing to do. Maybe get closer
to God, but to help those with nothing or less.
I saw a team of 15 people make other people with literally
nothing but a pot to pee in, REALLY just a pot to pee in, feel like they had
the world in their hand. These people we were helping didn’t want us to change
their circumstances, which is hard for me because I am a protector and trouble
shooter. These people just wanted to be noticed. A simple game of one on one
basketball with a kid, which was just a little game to pass the time and keep a
troubled kid in check for a minute for me, was a few minutes of peace for him.
A simple hug of friendship from me was an “I love you so much don’t ever let go
of my embrace”, for her.
We have a third world society right here in our own back
yards. The weeds are thick people, I mean knee high… Will you help clean up the
backyard?
Highlights from Eagle Street: Four amazing days working with
loved-starved children. The brokenness neglect and devastation were difficult
to relate to. Though it was very difficult at times, about a week to ten days
before we left, God gave me the vision to collect 3/D objects from the Katrina
flood and assemble them together to create sculptural designs. We found the
objects under a bridge in the Lower 9th ward, one of the hardest hit
areas. Besides various wood and wreckage other objects were still laying there
in a pile such as: broken figurines, toothbrushes, combs, parts of dishwear,
pieces of shoes, etc. I found I had 4 actual days to pull this off with
the variety and volume of everything else that was going to teach the kids some
basic drawing and design skills with paint , markers and glue. There were so
many blessings over the course of this mission. The most important being the
love bond and connections with the children. Because of the time crunch every
person on our team had a vital role that culminated in a finished mural that
was two feet by 8 feet that is currently hanging on the porch front entrance.
The concept and title is Beauty For Ashes.
Became a literal and figurative metaphor for what God can
not only do with physical tragedy but also what he does when he restores each
one of us.
By getting to know Hy and Libba McEnery, I was
challenged and actually “spanked” by their unbelievable life of dedication and
love. I have never in my life personally met a couple more dedicated and
committed to their calling. They have now become my new friends and mentors.
And I see us partnering with them via the Mississippi River to help bring in
the next phase of revival in our generation.
Feed the Multitudes: Many divine encounters in evangelism. There was a
heightened sensitivity to people and situations; listening to the Holy Spirit’s
prompts. Fruitful ripe environment in a multicultural setting of thousands.
Prayed six individuals into the Kingdom with many other divine encounters
throughout the day. Loved the variety and the concentrated dose of New Orleans
we were exposed to in the short time we had. Got to know and work with a
great bunch of River people at a new level. Friendships developed. Hope
our whole church gets called to serve on a mission team.
Before this week I thought it was impossible to look past a
person’s quirks and flaws, but in all reality it’s not age, weight, height
(it’s all just a number), skin color, amount of money in bank accounts. NONE
of that matters. Because when you look at someone the way that Jesus does, you
don’t see poverty or color of skin. You see someone who needs love.
Last Friday
we went to a Revival service. At this service, I saw a boy who needed
prayer. I pushed the thought away like it was no big deal But as
I’m standing there, God tells me to go pray over a specific boy up front.
I start walking and as soon as I get right next to him, put my hand on his back,
and start praying for him. When I finish and look up, he wraps his arms
around me and says, “You have a wonderful gift of prayer.” I don’t even
remember what I said. That, to me, prove my God KNOWS what He’s
doing.
This past week we did a Vacation Bible School at a ministry
house on Eagle Street. I worked with A LOT of kids but one specific 13
year-old boy stuck out to me, Thomas. I sat down next to Thomas as we
worked on his art project. We got to talking and he explained how we
likes reading his Bible, but he has a hard time understanding the King James
translation. Immediately I wanted to do something for him. I went
to the store and bought him a NIV Bible. I pulled Thomas off to the side
and when I gave it to him, with tears in his eyes he said, “Thank you.” He
wrapped his arms around my neck and stood there, hugging me for some
time.
When I
pulled away I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders and a smile was plastered
on my face.
Know I undersand what it truly means to “Love as Jesus.”
My soul stirred when first I heard of The River’s mission
trip to New Orleans, LA. God was moving. He was speaking, I knew I had to
listen.
The fund-raising came easy. A friend said,“You’re going on
this trip,” then backed it up with a $200 check. He had provided, strengthened
my faith, even paid my registration fee. “Oh ye of little faith” doubted no
more. I knew I was going to New Orleans and the Lord would provide the way. I
was to “go and be a blessing to others”. I was stoked, pumped, excited. June 28th
2012 was the day that started the week that my eyes were opened and my world
changed.
We took a tour of the city and went to Make it Right, Brad
Pitt’s foundation here in New Orleans. My heart began to break for these people.
The pictures, the devastation as well as the restoration this city is going
through. Within 2 hours of being here, God was already at work. The song Wes
used in the slide show said, “Break my heart for what breaks yours.” At Friday
night’s revival service, there was a strong sense of God’s presence. God made
it clear that he would “make it right” by breaking my heart for what
breaks His.
Since before we came, I had a burning desire to go to
Lazarus House (a home for those with HIV/AIDS). I went there and my heart
connected – to Kathleen and Lily, two staff members, and then Tasha, Tracy,
James, and Donald who were some of the residents. They talked and I wanted to
listen. I just seemed drawn to this place. As I scraped bricks for the building
of the walls, Kathleen and I talked. How symbolic, we were putting up these
brick walls but the Lord is constantly at work, tearing down our lives’ walls –
the stereotypes, the stigma that is often associated with those who have AIDS.
Again, God was at work, giving me a love for His people.
Tuesday, Tracy said, “I like your shirt,” a nice butterfly
one. Then a second time I heard, “I like your shirt.” I knew what I had to do.
Now I know why I had brought a second shirt with me that day. After finding
Tracy’s room, I said, “You like this shirt, it’s yours.” I told her God had
told me to give it to her. Once she accepted it, she wanted to put it on right
then and there. She was just so happy. I walked away overjoyed!! I had done
what He wanted me to do. Through tears, I told Becca and Cheryl, “I now know
the joy of giving someone the shirt off my back.” It may have been a shirt, yet
through Love as Jesus Missions, it became a bonding experience, where His love
and joy were shared.
To see these people through Christ’s eyes, to love them with
Christ’s heart of compassion, no to see the disease of AIDS, but to see the
heart, the inner soul of each one had such an impact.
Tuesday evening, I saw a picture on the wall. A man was
carrying his baggage inside a house and the weight of this house was upon his
shoulders. Before I left, Kathleen gave me a copy of that print. I had given
her my Love as Jesus bracelet. It was in giving that we had both received. We
had received the blessings of friendship, a friendship that I pray will last
for years to come.
God did an awesome job on my heart during this missions
trip. My heart connected here in this city. It may have been my first trip to
New Orleans, but I know God is telling me it won’t be my last. God is doing a
mighty work here and I feel led to be a part of it. Next year, will you join
me? Who knows? He may also break your heart for what breaks His.
I was asked to go on this mission
trip two days before leaving for New Orleans. It was one of the best decisions
I’ve ever made.
I have always known that my fears
would prevent me from serving the Lord as He would want. So I kept myself in a
secure environment, a Christian safely under lock and key. I went with a hope
of shedding those bonds and to break the chains of those fears.
Having arrived I was met by the team at
the airport and whisked away to parts unknown, the whole while wondering how I
would handle this journey as a missionary for Christ. I needn’t have worried
the outcome was preordained.
My first working day was spent at
Lazarus House where people with AIDS reside. There we built a portion of three
walls out of reclaimed brick, became part of a scheme to draw the Archbishop
into a retirement party, and I felt it a reward of sorts as the fruit of our
labor. We were all happy and honored to be part of such a personal expression
of love from the residents to a demure man of such great stature.
Part of the second workday was
spent at Hy and Libba McEnery’s home in a crawlway under the house trying to
figure out why the upstairs toilet wasn’t flushing properly. The news was not
good but God had already covered the cost of the repair. From there it was off
to the Eagle Street house a place I did not want to go to. Some on the team
assumed it was because I didn’t want to work with the kids but the truth was
otherwise.
God had brought me back to a
place I had thought forgotten to experience once again the high price of
poverty.
Life can be cruel as it was to
many of these children and it pained me greatly to see and relive the hurt in
their eyes. I knew that their chances of a better life were slim, that few if
any would escape to a brighter future, if any future at all. I took that away with me that night
through a boy named Titus and shared it with the team. It took all I had just
to speak of it.
Before coming to New Orleans I believed
that compassion had withdrawn from my heart, but I was wrong. I believed such
profound experiences were beyond my reach, but I was wrong. God had touched me
so deeply through these children it shook the fabric of my soul to show me,
that I was wrong.
I pray that someday soon I will go back
to New Orleans and Eagle street because now know that I was wrong.
coming soon...
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