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From These Guys!

Esther's Week

This was my 4th year going to New Orleans with the youth group and once again saw God at work there! It was great going down with team members who were passionate about serving God while we were down there!


A few things God taught me through New Orleans were that everybody needs God's love no matter who they are or what they've done and that sometimes you shouldn't just sit there and wait for God to call you to go a certain direction you just have to wisely go in the direction that seems best until He says 'no' or you feel Him calling you in a different direction.

One thing that really stuck out to me this trip was how every kid just wanted to be loved. Even when the kids would say they wanted to go home when they were given the opportunity to go home they would want to stay. And the kids who weren't always behaving well would want to come and sit on your lap.

God again taught me this year in New Orleans and I hope I am blessed with the opportunity to go back again next year...

Day 8

On Thursday
8:30am- Breakfast

9:15am- Personal Devotions (Isaiah 61; Jeremiah 22:16)
9:30am- Our Team Devotions (Scott Sebesta Romans 10:5-13)
10:30- Chapel Time with worship and message from Tyrone Christoph
12:00- Lunch
12:45- Day Camp Prep & Van Drivers Leave to Pick Up Children
1:30pm- Day Camp Begins (Crafts, Bible, Sports "Theme Thursday" crazy hair and sports jerseys)
4:00pm- Day Camp Ends
5:00pm- Supper
6:00pm- Challenge Circle (Melph, Calliope, Taylor Park)
10:15pm- Intern testimony by Eric, Andrew, and Alaia

Day 7- Wednesday, June 29

Hitting Our Groove. . . A Normal Day

It was hot and sunny today, no surprise there.
8:30am- Breakfast
9:15am- Personal Devotions (1 Corinthians 13)
9:30am- Our Team Devotions (Jordan Erickson- Romans 5)
10:30- Chapel Time with worship and message from Pastor John Gerhardt
12:00- Lunch

12:45- Day Camp Prep & Van Drivers Leave to Pick Up Children

1:30pm- Day Camp Begins (Crafts, Bible, Sports "Wet Water Wednesday")

4:00pm- Day Camp Ends

5:00pm- Supper

6:00pm- Challenge Circle (Melph, Calliope, Taylor Park)

8:30pm- Talent Show for Teams (Congrats Becca on Winning)

10:15pm- Intern testimony by Kyle & ????

10:45pm- Lights Out

Health is good for the team and we have bonded well with the other team from Maple Grove EFC as well as the Urban Impact Interns.  Please pray for opportunities for us to share Jesus and for good health and lots of energy.

Day 5 & 6- June 27 & 28 (Mon & Tue)

Today the second day of camp we did start
The kids went to Bible, sports and did also some art
before eating supper each of our color teams made up a cheer
and after went into the vans one of which Dave did steer.
We all went to the projects and brought balls and some chalk
with the kids we did play with the kids we did talk.
While Dave was awesome and owning in basketball
it seemed for the rain someone did call
The wind started blowing and thunder we heard
the Challenge Circle was cancelled for the ground was too wet.
So we went to the Yellow House to clean up for the night
and after hearing some interns testimonies we turned off the light.

Interpretation of Poem. .  We had thunderstorms that arrived during the evening so at our three sights
we had to cut short time because of the severe storms.

Day 4- Sunday, June 26

We did wake up when the alarm rang
And before eating breakfast, good morning we sang
We then did some devos and went to a meeting
About the history of CasleRock before some more eating
Before we did eat though, sing songs did we do
And a tour of the city we also did too
And last but not least about culture we learned
More useful knowledge all of us had earned
Next we ate lunch and then got into groups
Training was great, no one said oops
After learning day camp we learned how to run
The challenge circle, it was really fun
We then did eat dinner, spaghetti it was
After going outside for some bball we went back in because
It was time for some prayer to grow closer to God
For getting beignets, yes, did most of us nod
So to Cafe Du Monde all of us were sent
Next back to the yellow house we all went
And quick showers we took to not be a hog
So the last thing to do was to write this blog.

Poems by Karen B.

Day 3- Saturday, June 25th

We started the day with some devos at ten
And once in the van we all did cheer when
We saw New Orleans on a green sign
Which made us so happy, much beyond fine
Next we stopped at a Walmart at it did we eat
There was a subway inside, it was sort of neat
Once again we were on the road
Heading to the yellow house which would be our abode
The Lake Ponchatrain bridge we eventually were on
On it we were even when twenty minutes had gone
Down in New Orleans when we were finally moved in
We unpacked upstairs but left food down in a bin
After learning the rules some pizza we ate
And later that day the volleyball was great
Next we did shower then to bed did we go
This week would be great that we did know.

Day 2 - Friday, June 24th

When we awoke we could not wait
We finally left, just around eight
We got to Saint Louis and looked for the Arch
When we did find it, to it we did march
When we finally realized the wait was too long
We had to declare that to stay would be wrong
For we did not want Dave to get any more tired
We figured more sleep was what he desires
So we went back to the can to eat some good lunch
Some people made sandwhiches for all us to munch
After a rest stop in the van we'd cram all
And soon after that we would spot a camal
After more driving we stopped for more food
Which made us all happy, it put us in a good mood
Only a few hours more of driving we had
Which made us more happy, it made us more glad
But what made us most happy was when we got here
At the hotel, for now New Orleans was near.

On The Road- Day One!

We arrived safely in Keokuk, Iowa at 8:30 PM.  We had a little free time as well as a devotion led by Justin O from Romans 8. 

Drum roll please. . .A Poem.

Before driving off and leaving today
We got in a group and proceeded to pray
We were then ready for the rest of the day
Even though in the van all day we would stay
After six hours of driving we decided to eat
Which gave us a break from being  in a van seat
We then got to drive for a few hours more
And finally again did we escape out the van door
Now we are ready to rest in our hotel
So that good news to New Orleans we can go tell.

Please continue to pray for safety as we travel and good health.

And They Are Off...

The team was so excited!

They were already starting to bond!

Families came to pray over the team before they left...

Many prayers for traveling mercies and then they were gone.

New Orleans Team Leaves at 1:00 pm

If you would like to come and prayer over the team please join us at First Free Church at 12:30 pm.

Stay Tuned for Updates from New Orleans 2011 Team