In Their Own Words - Andrew

My trip to New Orleans was a tremendous blessing in my life. During this week I got the chance to step out of my comfort zone and serve in a community that I am not accustomed to. Throughout the week I saw God at work through the kids that we worked with as well as the interns and their stories of God's sovereignty! I learned a lot about team work and what it means to truly give up your own agenda to sacrifice a few comforts to bless other people.

I cannot wait to go back again next year and I hope you can pray for the city of New Orleans and the ministry that God has formed there.

In Their Own Words - Sarah

This trip to New Orleans was an experience I had never imagined would be so influential as it was. I fell in love with everyone I came in contact with down there including the staff, the locals, and especially the children. An overwhelming peace was ever present over me while I was down there. There is something about constant service to God and others that satisfies the heart and blankets you with a peace that can only be found when you are living as one in accordance with God. One thing that I will never forget is the time we spent with the kids at the projects. The kids would get so thirsty when we were playing with them and ask us for water. Every night I would arrive with a full water bottle and leave with it empty. Every night, this verse would come to mind, Matthew 25:35 ³For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.² seeing God¹s Word and will come to life down there changed my life. I thank God that he was able to use me, even in small ways, as his vessel to share his love.

In Their Own Words - Marissa

I had an absolute blast in New Orleans. It wasn't all fun and games, though.
I witnessed some pretty amazing things down there. I think one thing that really struck me about that week was the joy and hope the children there possess despite their situation. I had always known that I was supposed to have a heart for the poor, and that loving the poor was showing love for Jesus Himself. I thought I did love the poor, because I cared what happened to them and sometimes thought about them. New Orleans taught me that loving the poor is so much more than just thinking about them once in a while and sometimes remembering them in your prayers. It is actually physically getting dirty and sweaty and gross to play with their children; it is doing things that are sometimes scary, like putting yourself in an entirely unfamiliar environment in hopes of being a witness to those around you; it is doing something you may not want to do in order to serve your King. After my week in New Orleans, I can now truly say that I have a heart for the poor, and I hope to return in the near future for more inner city ministry.

In Their Own Words - Esther

New Orleans has been an amazing experience!! I've learned so much and grown closer to so many people! Both years it's been really hard to leave because there's so much I love about being down there, like the kids, the interns, all the youth groups, cheers, scheduled devotion time, and there's so much more. One thing that's really great about Urban Impact is that even though you're down there to serve they have chapel and scheduled devotion time so I've grown so much in my faith from being there. One of the things I've taken away from this experience is to always put God first, they have a saying God first, others second, and I'm third, which I really started to think about over the week. Thank you for all of you that supported the team by prayer or financially. It's really great being in New Orleans and knowing there are so many people praying for you!! I'm really glad I've been able to go to New Orleans, I really hope I can go next year!!!

In Their Own Words - Karen

It was fun to be able to go back to New Orleans this year! I love going to New Orleans because it's fun to get to know all the people on our team better and to get to know all the other teams that are down there with us.
Going down there is awesome because on top of being able to play with kids and show them God's love we have scheduled devotions so that we can read our Bible, pray and grow closer to God. It is so cool to see what Urban Impact is doing in New Orleans and I hope that I will be able to go next year!

In Their Own Words - Bekah

This year was my first year going to New Orleans. At first I was a little apprehensive because I didn't know what to expect. When my sister decided to come with as a chaperone, I was really excited. Despite my slight apprehension, God really showed me how much He is in control and that I didn't need to worry about anything.

One of the things that really stuck out to me on this trip was how all of these people could come together and minister so effectively with virtually no "get-to-know-each-other" time because of our common bond in Christ. Another thing that really impacted and refreshed me was just seeing the powerful ministry that Castle Rock and Urban Impact have and being reminded of the importance and impact of the simple Gospel message. The testimonies that we heard were also really encouraging and through them I was reminded of the greatness and awesome power of God.

This trip changed me in ways that nothing else could, and it brought me closer to God and to my youth group. I thank God for the things I learned, the friends I made, and the opportunity I had to be a part of this ministry for a week.

In Their Words: Alex

I had sooo much fun returning to New Orleans! I feel so comfortable there and feel God’s presence so much! I had a lot of fun getting to know the interns and kids. Some of them were the same and there were some new faces. God really taught me that His will is perfect and is a lot better than mine. I really thought that it would be awesome if my team won the challenge circle one night. We didn’t win Monday or Tuesday and then Wednesday we couldn’t have the challenge circle because it rained so I was feeling disappointed. But then on Thursday, our last day for the challenge circle, my team won!! All the youth with me, and the kids on our team, were super excited! I realized that if things had gone like I wanted them too the week would have been great. But because it went by God’s perfect plan it was 100 times better! I am hoping to go back next year and thanks again for all your prayers!

In Their Own Words - Ashley

Matthew 5:16 says, ³In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.² It's stating by shining out the Lord's love, all eyes will be pointed to the Lord. This was my mindset as I was in New Orleans.

Going to New Orleans with the First Evangelical Free Church Team this year was a God-given, amazing, eye-opening, and life-changing experience. From our constant cheers to time spent with children, everything was pointed to the Lord. The Father humbled me when I saw the devastation and open love of those we encountered. My faith was growing in leaps and bounds, and was patched up by the compassion of Christ.

This time was used for learning about Jesus, others, and yourself. I was reminded I can put my trust and hope in Christ in the times of temptations of the devil. I learned ways to spend my assets (time, money, etc.) to glorify God to the fullest each day. From myself, I found the will directs the heart, and when it's God's will, the soul will truly be full.

Through one of our simple VBS cheers, I was reminded of what our everyday mission as Christians is. Mark 12:30 simply says to love the Lord with all you got, and love people until you drop. I will continue to do as the Lord says, and stir on you to do the same also.