Passport Day 1 - Recap

First of all, let me apologize for not being able to get any photos posted here. I keep getting an error message - will keep trying, however!

Wow ! what a jam packed day yesterday and another to come. The students had an opportunity to get to their mission sites yesterday. As in New Orleans style, however, the rains came through. . . and it was right after most folks arrived at their sites. So, some sites worked right in the middle of the rain clearing brush, others were inside beginning the painting process at a local school, and others were broken into small groups given $5 and asked to purchase as much as they could for a homeless person (this was their alternative until the rain stopped).

What you need to know is not once did we hear them complain, they plowed right through what God has brought them here to do - minister to the communities of New Orleans. They came back last night with stories of a woman who gave them shelter in a portion of her home while the rains came over and couldn't believe that these students had paid to come work here. They met a yard service crew that drove by saw what they were doing and joined in to help - this saved them a day of work! They worked alongside volunteers refurbishing a school that had been closed and reopened to house the elementary children whose schools had been flooded and are still not inhabitable. Some powerful stuff!

They also have had some fun walking through the graveyard to get from the apartments to dinner, worship, etc. (They'll have to explain that one to you - it is allowed by the way). There were even some chaperones who will have some interesting stories about this! The rec party last night was organized mayhem with campes competing in some crazy games. The earth ball and clothes pin tag seemed to be favorites.

Worship was also blessed as we prayed and focused on Matthew 25:35. The students were challenged all day to think about extreme poverty all over the world and Christ's example to us of ensuring the least of these were provided for. All of us have been challenged to find ways to join God in the work of feeding the hungry and providing water to the thirsty.

Well, time to start waking the sleeping. - Michael