Holy Trinity at the Gathering

I guess I didnt write when I got home I didnt forget I just didnt know what to write…. Have been to New Orleans I must say this it was AMAZING! There were so many people. When we say the houses that had the numbers it was a different story for each house what they lost who they lost, things like that. All I can think now is why did this happen.. What was the reason that the Gathering was in New Orleans other then to help and serve but there are other places that need help too. I’m glad that I got the opertunity to go with my group to experience what I did and given the chance I’d go again to make a even bigger difference. Thank you all who supported us and helped us raise money. Thank you for helping make a difference.

Gratitude for the Lutheran teens who visited New Orleans

Lutheran volunteers descend on New Orleans – video

It’s Raining Lutherans! – blogofneworleans.com

Some 30,000 Lutheran Teens Hit New Orleans for Jesus, Justice, Jazz – The Christian Post

Something’s afoot in New Orleans with biggest convention since Katrina – WWL News Talk Sports

Biggest post-Katrina convention visits New Orleans – Forbes.com

LIFTING, LOVING, LEARNING – The Times Picayune

Teens will attend youth gathering in New Orleans – The Ogle County News

Youth groups heading to New Orleans – Red Wing Republican Eagle

Biggest convention since Katrina hits New Orleans – WXVT

City flooded with teens giving their time to volunteer for N.O. – WWLTV

‘Army’ Of Young Lutheran Volunteers Flood City – WDSU

“Jesus Justice Jazz”: 2009 ELCA National [sic] Youth Gathering – Examiner.com

There is a big collection of pictures at Gatheringpics.

well not much really happened yesterday. we went to the interaction center and played some games. i made a rock sculpture and a mosaic. it was pretty neat learning how to do the mosaic. while we were there pastor and dee dee gave blood. i wanted to as well but i didnt weigh enough so i couldnt. when that was all over we went to eat. nothing happened to my food this time. thankfully. we went shopping for a little while and made our way to the dome. the dome was all bout jazz so it was pretty cool that you got to hear all of it. its a very different type of music. but now today our day is pretty much about airplanes.

Went to the Interaction Center today. It’s like a big state fair but every booth is an activity to describe what changes need to be done in our world, and how to do it. The games gave the kids experience to go through what others go through. For example, one was trying to get into a bathroom door in a wheelchair. I gave blood today. That’s alot for me, since I’m scared of needles! We went for lunch and shopping at the river walk. What more to say, food and shoppiing-next to a river even?–Awesome! Then we went to the superdome for another great concert, the Katina’s. We heard from a speaker that started a program Back On Our Feet; running for the homeless. What do ya’ think Fit and Faithful? This has been a great Learning experience, and great fun!

We didnt really do anything today. We went to the interaction center we were there for a few hours. Pastor and Dee Dee gave blood and lots of it. Then we went to the River walk and Zach and I got this stuff and painted our hair red well it was pinkish but samedifference. Then we went to the superdome. We came back to relax which lasted for like a whole 15 minutes then we were called to our room for final 15 then we went to(are going to) sleep! GOOD NIGHT ALL

Today was a special day because we met a very special person, Brian, a friend of pastor Tim’s. He gave us an outstanding, educational tour of post Katrina. He brought us right into the reality of the disaster with his detailing. The holes on the roof tops where people were escaping from their homes. The code markings on the sides of the houses indicating whether the house had been inspected, bodies found, family pets found. Empty lots where there once were homes. It was definitely a reality check. It certainly made the most impact on me to why we’re here, in New Orleans. It was comforting then to see the new construction that churches and different volunteer organizations have started here. There’s still much more to be done. For lunch he took us to a fun diner that showed a more laid back side of New Orleans. There I had plantains for the first time. Finally, he took us for a refreshing New Orleans treat, Snowballs! They reminded me of flavored,(coconut for me), snow cream like my mother and grandmother used to make. It was delicious! Meeting Brian was the highlight of the week for me. Thank you Brian, dahlin’! The topper of the evening goes to the Christian rock band Skillet! I forget my age when I go to a good rock concert! They were awesome! It’s been a wonderful day.

What an insane day today. We got to see some houses that survived Katrina and see how they marked the houses when they searched for dead bodies! Or how some houses had holes on the roofs because people had to saw their way out of their homes. We also say places that were just really tall grass where homes used to be, also we learned that the water was about 13ft up in the air.. We also learned that when you got back to your home and if you wanted to stay in it that you had to take everything off the walls until you get to the wood beams and then you had to let them dry. The one house that we went to had nothing but the beams and a toilet but the beams looked as if they were rotted! It was kinda cool but kinda weird at the same time! We also went to the dome again I had fun but I guess something like bugged me the whole time but I enjoyed it to the best of my ability:) We ate lunch at Slim Goodies the food was okayish! Then we got this snoball it was like shaved ice, I got grape flavor it tasted like medicine………. Well I guess that was the adventure of my day…..

I’m so excited I can’t get to sleep! (4am does come awfully early though. )