Day 1

Sunday, March 13

Depart Hunter Street

Wow what a wonderful day. We started extra early from the student building at Hunter Street with over 80 students and about 18 adults. Two chartered buses and one truck traveled south toward New Orleans, LA. We were fortunate enough to get to stop in Meridian, MS at Northcrest Baptist Church where we were a part of the service. After practicing a little bit for sound check, they found out that Northcrest televises their services. Someone asked what does that mean? To which Rob answered “you will be on TV in the homes of those who tune in in the area so make sure you don’t miss the chair when you sit down!” That seemed to get the attention of most of them to step it up a notch. They did and the congregation was so warm and welcoming. We really felt loved by them and especially when their youth group were so friendly and taught them new games to play. Something about Ninja!

After taking a group picture, we were off again towards New Orleans. We arrived at about 5pm and unloaded all the luggage, hauled it upstairs and made our beds before we had the pleasure of walking a few blocks down to the mess hall. We were treated to yummy pizza and got to see some of the other groups here this week to serve the people of the city of New Orleans. After dinner all of the groups came together in Price Hall for a worship service kick off! We sang some familiar songs and learned new ones. The director of Mission Lab 2011 informed us that we were setting a new record with 500 students from TX, OK, MS and AL. WOW!!! He preached from 1 Cor. 1:1-7 and reminded us that we cannot show Christ to others unless we first have Christ living in our hearts. We will be the hands and feet to those who cannot do for themselves whether it is painting, cleaning up lots, mowing lawns or prayer walking and visiting with retirement home residents. Everything we will be doing this week whether we perceive it as small, God will use to his glory! We ended worship and then everyone walked a few blocks to the chapel where we talked about the day and what to expect tomorrow. We had snack and then groups went to their rooms for their family devo time with their group leader. The first day and night is always so exciting that sometimes it is hard to get them to settle down go to sleep. As I write this at 11:50pm, I think it might finally be quiet in the halls! Pray for good weather and for God to move through all of us that we may be Christ to others this week. Pray also for no more toilets to overflow! Ha! Ha!

In Christ, Melanie Haynes

Day 2

Monday, March 14

Jackson Square

What a great day! Today started with breakfast at 7:30am in the cafeteria. We had biscuits, bacon, grits, sausage, eggs, cereal, and yogurt. After we filled our tummies, we headed to Gentilly Baptist where everyone went through a short orientation before we split up into teams to prayer walk the surrounding neighborhoods. This was a fabulous experience for all involved. Some groups were able to pray over neighborhoods and others were able to knock on doors and visit with the people inside. We were able to ask for specific prayer needs and sometimes were able to pray with them at that time. It was a neat time for the students to hear about the struggles and triumphs of the people on each of the streets. Many houses were rebuilt and others were completely abandoned.

After regrouping and eating a sack lunch at the Seminary, we headed to Jackson Square for our afternoon performance. When we arrived, we had a short sound check and off we went! This was so cool as so many different people drove, walked, horse rode and stood to watch the performance. It was a treat to see our familiar friend and former Minister of Student Choirs, Jonathan Rodgers and his sweet daughter, Savannah. They drove over to hear our group. While at the Square, we encountered many people from different walks of life. One man came up to Rob at the end and just hugged him and with tears in his eyes thanked him for our message. THAT IS A TOTAL GOD THING! YEAH! After our performance, all the groups got to hang with their leader and sightsee for 2 ½ hours. We walked, and walked and walked some more. Be sure and look at the pictures from today and you will see what some of your kids purchased!

After we left the Square, we headed to a mall where we met up with our wonderful sound guy, Josh. He always has everything set up and ready for us! Thanks! We were able to perform all of our tour music and the human video. That is so moving. Though there were not many people in the mall, those that heard really enjoyed it and some even videoed it. After an hour of dining in the food court and letting some of the daredevils bungee bounce, we loaded the buses and headed back to the Seminary where we debriefed in the chapel. Some of the students wanted to share with you some of their highlights from today…

Quotes:

What did you find the most eye opening today?

“When I prayed that his family would be saved, God spoke to Rob’s heart and gave him hope that God would save his family.” The only reason we were able to meet Rob was because a student had misplaced their money and had to go back.” Garrett

“The thing that was most eye opening today was the diversity of people and how I saw them respond to others.” Claire

Where did you see God working today?

“During the prayer walk, I was praying that God would lead us in the right direction today and that if we encountered someone with the temptations of sin, that we would not be afraid or scared like it says in the Bible. At the Jackson Square concert, during the middle of one of our songs a guy was yelling at us and he was obviously against what we stood for, some were afraid but I was not because I knew God was with me.” Hub

What was your favorite time today?

“My favorite time today was seeing everyone’s reactions to what we were singing. I looked excited to hear what God was saying through us.” Bailey D.

I must say – we had a very full day and were blessed beyond anything we could imagine.

In Christ, Melanie Haynes

Day 3

Tuesday, March 15

Lower Ninth Ward & Chateau Retirement Center

The day started with another wonderful breakfast at the cafeteria. It is about a 5 minute walk so after you stuff yourself you are able to walk it off. We dressed in our work clothes and headed out to the lower ninth ward. When we arrived, Theresa the president of the neighborhood association welcomed us and told us what needed to be done. You will see from the pictures that everyone dug in and gave it their all. It was so rewarding to know that we were able to use our labor to bless the two families whose lots we cleared. As we worked, students found treasures and put them on a set of steps. Some of us went on the hunt through the neighborhood to find workers in the area. We carried snack packs and visited with them.

Miranda ~ “We met a man that reminded us not to worship things. We should enjoy our things but don’t let them rule our life because they can be gone in an instant. He was so appreciative of the work we were doing called us heroes.”

After we finished working, we had a nice picnic on one of the lots. We then took turns changing on the buses into our performance clothes. We freshened up and headed over to the Chateau Living Center. Wow! This was so fun to visit with the residents. The students spent time mingling and finding out about their stories. We performed for them and then headed back to the dorms for clean up, rest and free time.

Jacob ~ “I met a guy named Randy at Chateau Retirement Center who was trying to share a passage in the bible but was having a hard time. He just wanted us to know how much he loved his bible.”

Haley, Samra & Claudia, ~ “There was this Spanish lady at Chateau Retirement Center who was sitting by herself and we were able to speak with her because we have been taking Spanish in school.”

After some were able to rest and others discovered how much fun it would be to hot iron the boys hair, we loaded the buses and headed off to CiCi’s pizza. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the all you can eat buffet. We had a great round up time in the chapel before group time and then celebrated Jonah and Claudia’s birthday’s with a cookie cake. Everyone got into their rooms by 11 and who knows when they actually turned off the lights and closed their eyes. What a WONDERFUL day we had today!

In Christ, Melanie Haynes

Day 4

Wednesday, March 16

Headed Home

What a great trip!
We had another wonderful breakfast and then we all had to pack up our rooms, turn in our keys and get our luggage onto the bus. We headed out around 9am and some slept while others watched movies! We ate lunch at the Meridian Mall and then returned back at Hunter Street after a God filled tour. To God be the glory!! Can’t wait to see everyone tonight!

In Christ, Melanie Haynes