New Orleans:
1. Our students were stretched and they were taught to rely
on God. I too was challenged with how much I really rely on God in my everyday
life.
2. Our team’s best experience was the time we got to spend
“under the bridge” with the homeless. God was with us and He brought
each of us peace and His hand of protection was upon us.
3. On the second day of our trip, our construction project
was rained out. Having been on previous trips with AIM, we had learned about
ATL. We prayed for God to lead us where he wanted us for that day. He led us to
a lady, Donelle Phillips, who was working outside by herself in a different
part of the city that hadn’t seen rain yet. She was preparing a wall for paint,
and would have worked there all day by herself. Our team was able to stop in
and get done in 2 hours what it would have taken her all day or longer to do by
herself. Talking with her was truly a blessing. She couldn’t stop praising God
for the help she received. While this project wasn’t the most relational
project we did all week, the aftermath is what made it a great one to share. In
the van on the way back to the house, one of our participants piped up. She
said, “When we were praying, I didn’t think God was going to lead us
anywhere where we would be needed. But He did!” A few others in the van
shared similar stories. God’s power was revealed to our group that day in a way
that stretched and grew many of them in ways they never expected.
4. The ministry projects for the week were great! The
worship was great! The staff was great! Do you see what I’m trying to say here?
5. God is doing some great things in New Orleans. I am glad
we were able to be witnesses of His power. Our youth had two very impactful
evening devotions and debriefs during the week in which the Holy Spirit was
able to penetrate the hearts of our youth like they have never experienced
before. I am thankful for the hard-work of the AIM staff. You guys were
ambassadors for God by inviting us to participate in His ministry in the city.
You also orchestrated an environment in which our youth felt comfortable worshipping,
sharing, and learning. I am very grateful for the hard work of the organization
and of the individual leaders. I look forward to our next AIM trip.
6. It was great to sit under the bridge with the homless and
watch our students get out of their shells and talk to people who they would
otherwise never think about.
