Nikki remembers...

Excitedly, we all loaded into our vans and headed for the lower 9th Ward. This was our first day of gutting homes, and excitement was high as we anticipated tackling the work for which we had come. There was light, cheerful banter in the vans, and we were all pretty pumped.

Two teams (including mine) were sent to gut this cute little blue house. The other team was sent inside to begin gutting, while our team was told to begin clean-up outside. I was completely unprepared.

As my new friend, Ali, and I began cleaning up trash around this house and the neighboring houses, we soon found deteriorated pages from a cherished photo album. This struck me particularly hard, as these homes now had a personal face. They weren't just abandoned, empty homes...they were homes where real people like you and me lived and did life. We came across old cupboard doors. Lots of what we found was simply trash. You can imagine all that was floating around in the flood water. We were working outside a home which had spray-painted markings on the outside indicating that a dead cat had been found inside. It smelled as though it was still there. As Ali and I worked outside the home, the stench was overwhelming even through our masks. We frequently had to walk a few steps away, gather our composure, take a deep breath, and return to our task.

Before long, our team was called in to join the team in the house. They wanted us to work in the garage which appeared to have served as an extra bedroom. This, too, surprised me. I guess I'd assumed that while we'd be gutting homes, the homeowner's contents would have been long since removed. But this was not the case. This house had not been touched in nearly 2 years. All of the homeowner's earthly possessions laid in a jumbled mess throughout the house. The garage in which we worked was covered in a thick coat of sludge. We sifted through clothes and Christmas decorations and bedding. For once, I was thankful that my contacts had clouded over...it made me oblivious to the cockroaches that were often seen scurrying across the floor. Though the work was hard...both physically and emotionally...our whole team persevered. Of course, when someone yelled, "Rat!" all the girls (including me) screamed and ran like wild women outside. But before long, we re-entered...energized and renewed for the task at hand. It was nothing of our own strength. I was regularly reminded that friends and family all across the country were praying for our humility and servant's hearts.

Once the garage was mostly done, I went to the main bedroom of the house. It had pink walls. I discovered a bulletin board in the rubble. Tacked to it was a letter with the homeowner's name and address. Once again, this project took on a more personal feel. And then I wondered...had Shirley survived the flooding? Was she still around? I was relieved to learn that she was actually the person to request our help in gutting her home.

Outside the house, we were instructed to make 5 piles: one for overall trash (the largest pile), one for appliances, one for flammables, one for salvagable items, and I can't remember the final pile's function. As you might figure, the smallest pile was the salvagable items. I removed a small knick-knack shelf from the wall with its untouched knick-knacks. I was also overjoyed to find a cameo. I wondered if this might be a family heirloom...something special the homeowner might find great joy in being returned to her. A framed picture of a toddler boy with a bright smile...a grandson perhaps...was also among the saved items. That was about it.

When we left that day, my heart was filled with much to ponder. God was teaching me about humility and servanthood and perseverance and compassion. But perhaps most of all, God impressed on me the life of a woman named Shirley. Though we've never met, I've found myself thinking about and praying for her...her life and her eternity. How I'm praying that God will use the devastation she's experienced to draw her into a rich, vibrant, living relationship with Him. Won't you join me?

~ Nikki

New Orleans Si

One of the highlights of the trip for me was playing with the kids and doing Challenge Circle with them. It was really a neat experience, because for some of them, you were the best part of their day. The first night we went and played with the kids, I was a little hesitant that it would be a good time, since I am a shy person around others. But after awhile of having little kids hanging on my neck and passing a football back and forth with some older kids, I got over being quiet and shy and had an amazing time being a circle coach (even though it was chaos the first night). I had not originally planned to be a circle coach, but someone forgot that they volunteered for it, so I got to do it. J. At first I was really nervous, but after awhile it was a lot of fun and I’m glad I got to do it. The experience impacted me because God helped me when I was out of my comfort zone and helped me realize that He can take a shy kid like me and get other kids hype for Jesus. He also gave me a lot of patience in dealing with all the kids as well.

Another highlight of the trip for me was helping move some very heavy bricks into someone’s front lawn, for one of our projects. A man that went to Castle Rock Church had a problem of people parking in his lawn since there was a club across the street from his house. He had tried to put some big rocks in his lawn to try and stop them from parking, but they just picked them up and moved them out of the way. So he had a group of four from the team I was in and we went and we got some VERY BIG pieces of brick and we put them in his lawn. It was amazing, because they couldn’t be sitting on the sidewalk, but they fit around the sidewalk like they were supposed to be there. It was really cool to move the big pieces of brick, but to see his big smile when we were finished moving them was encouraging to me. It was neat that I got a part in sharing in the man’s happiness. This experience impacted me because God can use you in little things that mean so much to someone else.

I don’t know if this is really a spiritual gift and I don’t really know how to explain it, but I’ll try my best: I found that I not only noticed when other people needed something, but also found I wanted to give them what they needed even though I could have used it myself. I found that I have a heart to help meet other people’s needs.

I learned that God is the same God here and there. I also learned that having a relationship with God is very important to get through the day and through life. Without Him, it is extremely hard to do anything on my own.

I also learned that even though I was tired, even though my neck was killing me, even though I was crabby, even though I didn’t want to get peed on, even though I was annoyed, God wanted me to show the kids there His love. I saw a little bit of how God views His people. Yeah.

~ Silas

Steph writes...

New Orleans. It's hard to describe the trip with one main thing that happened or one emotion that seemed the strongest. The thing was the whole trip was pretty much amazing and way different than what I thought it was going to be. Now I knew that we weren't supposed to assume anything because no one really knew what was going to happen. I was trying, but I think every one of us had an idea of what was going to happen. It's hard for me to describe what happened personally within my heart, but I will try.

I realized how selfish I can be. Going through a smelly, roach infested house and thinking to myself "this was someones living space, the place they called home" was hard for me. Knowing that my house is perfectly dry, the right temperature, and yet I still come up with things to complain about is dumb. My perspective on life could use some changing....but I guess at any given point in life people can look at things and complain. It's our human nature.

Anyways, getting back to what I learned and such. One of the things that I got the most out of was the afternoon sessions. It seemed like everyday I was reminded or I learned something that had to do with me personally. One of the first days I remember the speaker speaking about being bold, which I knew I needed to hear before going out and working with the different kinds of people we met throughout the week. In past experiences I would always look to stand behind someone who was older than me to do the talking/communicating, but now finding myself in the position of the oldest it was "my turn" to do the speaking up, not hiding behind. I didn't run into too many people that I had deep conversations with, but the couple of people that I did happen to talk to I found myself not being afraid to just start talking. God gave me the boldness that I was looking for in myself :)

I think a lot of us throughout the week had a hard time dealing with how God wanted to do things with us or through us. By that I mean the weather. I know in my own heart I was having a hard time missing events because of rain. Throughout the week I was reminded constantly that God was in control. I think it was Dingo who one night was praying about good weather, but instead of saying, "Lord please don't let it rain," he said, "Lord you made the rain so if you want it to rain, please let it rain." That struck me, and I've decided from now on to try to not complain about the weather.....because really, what do I have to complain about? If God wants something to happen, HE AND ONLY HE will make it happen.

That's about all of what happened with me that I can put into words, but one last thing to those of you reading this who went on the trip---I had a blast getting to know you all deeper. :)

~Steph

Elijah speaks

While in New Orleans there were thousands of great and memorable moments but one of them really stood out. During the week there was this boy that came with us to Challenge Circle the two days, and tagged along in some of the stuff we did. His name was Devonte and he was really excited to go. The first time I met him he was extremely friendly and had an attitude of gratefulness in everything he did. I thought it was amazing that a kid who had known me for not more than an hour had already become friends with me. This struck me as the attitude that Christ would want me to have everyday, in every enviornment that I am in.

One gift that was definitely shown to me when we were at Challenge Circle was that I love working with kids younger than me, and just showing them God's love.

The biggest thing I learned those five days was there are people that are waiting for us to love and help them, and we should do our very very very best to get out there and provide them this affection.

~Elijah

Mr. Erik's Neighborhood

For me the highlight of the trip was Challenge Circle because I could connect with the kids by just playing football or circle games. God showed me that I can praise Him with my kind nature with kids. God used this to impact me in how I should treat everybody. I learned that it doesn't matter who you are and where you're from. You should always love your neighbor as yourself.

~ Erik

Braden's Memories...

The highlight of my trip would be the couple hours a night when we would go to the Projects and play with the kids. While tearing down walls and having cockroaches crawl out all over was fun, the kids were amazing. One boy who stands out in my mind would be Cheddrick. From day one he was on my shoulders and also was on my team for Challenge Circle each night. This boy was amazing. On the last day that we were there, he shared with me how it was for him during Katrina. You don't normally hear a kid's perspective on the disaster. He also shared with me how he did in school and why he wasn't doing summer school when he should have been. He told me of his home life and who he thought Christ was. He told me that I was his best bud and he was never going to forget me. The last day we were going around stealing hats off of interns and at one point he took one and put it on my head saying that I should wear it because I was his best friend. It broke my heart when I had to say good-bye and how he wouldn't want me to go. Playing with these kids taught me that I have a heart for kids, so I went from New Orleans to a bible camp and counseled there.

One other part of the trip that stood out to me would be when we took the 9th Ward tour. I was able to walk around in what used to be an elementary school and see the destruction there. There were computers inside other computers and desks in windows and ceilings caved in. There was one part of the building that was completely caved in and pipes hanging down from the walkways. This just brought the realization that God can destroy anything he wants and this is his Kingdom and he can do with it what he wants or sees fit for it.I took away from this experience that I have a heart for kids and so I plan on working with them more in the next few summers.

~ Braden

Rachel's thoughts...

This trip was such an amazing experience! One of my favorite things we did in New Orleans was the Challenge Circle. As soon as our big vans pulled up, excited kids with huge smiles came running. It was so much fun playing games with them. And even though we usually came home with sore backs and without voices, it was worth it to hear those kids laugh and see their smiles. I met some really sweet kids that I will never forget.

Another thing that really impacted me was the prayer walk. Even though it has been two years since the hurricane, there were still sheds flipped upside-down, toys lying on the ground, and empty lots where homes once stood. Keke, one of the interns, was in New Orleans during Katrina, and she shared her story with us while we were walking and looking at all the damage that was caused by the hurricane. It was such an incredible experience to hear from someone who was actually there and to hear what it was really like during this tragedy.

Through this trip, God has brought me so much closer to Him. I can't even imagine going through something like Hurricane Katrina without Him. To have everything you've ever worked for destroyed from one storm, everything you own ruined, and to lose so many loved ones would be absolutely devastating. If that had happened to me and I didn't have the Lord as my Savior, I don't know how I could carry on. I would feel so hopeless. You can always buy new things, but people are irreplaceable, and so many people lost their lives to Hurricane Katrina, not to mention I'm sure many of them weren't saved either. It's very sad to think about, but that's one of the reasons why it is so important to get out there and share the gospel with others. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to help the people of New Orleans and serve my Savior, and this experience is something that I will never forget.

~ Rachel

Impressions on Briana's Heart

As I think about all the things that happened on the trip, two moments stick out in my mind.

One morning, we drove to the 9th ward, one of the more damaged areas. Each team took a different street and prayed as they walked. While we were walking, it started to sprinkle. For me, the rain drops symbolized God's sadness because of the death, destruction, and poverty as a result of the storm. A few moments later, a loud thunder clap reminded me of God's anger towards the violence, political corruption, and ignorance, as well. When it began to pour, we took shelter in a nearby abandoned home. As the tears streamed down my face, Lori said, "Imagine that...we are taking shelter in a home that this family can never come back to." Those words, the little girl's dolls laying on the porch, and the empty, gutted home are images that I will never forget.

The other unforgetable memory was Challenge Circle. Those kids were so trusting and needed so much love it still makes my heartache. The girls always wanted to go on our backs, hang on our arms or sit in our laps. And many of the girls I played wtih were 12 or 13. One girl, named Ronnishar, told me I was her best friend-I only saw her for two nights and I was her best friend. These kids taught and loved me more than I could ever have done for them.

So, thinking back, when I was asked, "Did the trip meet your expectations?", I said "No, my expectations did not meet the trip!" Isn't God amazing?!

~ Briana

Eric's insights...

The highlight of my trip was playing with all the little kids. When we pulled up to the projects and got out, within five to ten minutes the kids would come running from everywhere. All ages from 1 & 2 - 12 & 15. For these kids this was the best 2 hours of their days. It just touched me when they came to play with us. They had a smile on their faces even through all the stuff they have to go through. It was such a blast throwing a football and doing Challenge Circle. It is indescribable what it meant to some of these kids. It was worth every second of it.

Another experience that really impacted me was when we went on to the streets and cleaned up. We talked to people about what we were doing. It impacted me by showing me how New Orleans is like one big family and that if you're there helping they love you and respect you. It was great that they would listen to what we had to say about our Savior and how awesome He is.

I learned that God has put a burden on my heart to help people. If possible I would love to go down there again or go somewhere else to help others in need. I also learned how to have patience and that it's all in God's time. We shouldn't worry about how or when it's going to be done.

I really learned to love God and appreciate all that He has done for us. He is almighty and wonderful. New Orleans has really taught me that. God showed me He has blessed me with more than others and that I need to share my love and my passion for Christ.

~ Eric P.

Joe's cuppa thoughts

One of the highlights of the trip for me would be the time spent working with and getting to know the other people from the other churches. It was awesome how well our churches intermingled so quickly. It reminded me that we all serve a great God and that we are a family.

It's hard to pick just one or two highlights from such a week, but another thing that I won't soon be forgetting is the sentence "lemme on yo neck." While I like little kids and such, going into the trip I wasn't really looking forward to hanging out with them as much as some others. But through the Challenge Circle and just playing random games with them, I grew to love them and looked forward to playing with them. Most of the kids we were in contact with were very poor, so simply playing with them made them very happy.

I think of the quote that says something to the effect of: "God does not call the equipped. He equips the called." I learned that I sure am NOT "equipped." I learned this when I was thrown into a position as the "hype coach" of had to create a rap/cheer. I had nothing except 15 kids staring at me, waiting to hear what I had. All the while having only 2 minutes to make something good. I decided to let them handle it by asking if they had any sweet beats or things of that nature. While I may not be equipped to make a sweet rap, or have the arms the size of Nick's waist, or know how to form letters with my hands (G-O-O-D M-O-R-N-I-N-G.....it's hard to do that in lowercase letters)....a willingness and a good a good attitude are all that God needs to do something special. Someone once told me that God doesn't look for our ablilities -- He looks for our availabilities.

~ Joe

Lori's impressions...

My "face of New Orleans" is actually two faces that are connected in my mind. Russell and LaJohn were two boys who came out for Challenge Circle at the Melph project. There was a noticeable difference in their ages and size, but I got the definite impression that they aren't easily separated. They both engineered it to be on the yellow team the first night and stood beside each other, even though the kids were supposed to be arranged from shortest to tallest. Whenever the ball came to Russell he gave it to LaJohn and whenever LaJohn got to the ball first, he passed it to Russell.

On the second night we were there, Russell ran out without LaJohn. Before the game started, Russell asked if he had time to run and get LaJohn. We waited a few minutes and the two friends returned together. They behaved in exactly the same way they had the first night, showing the utmost consideration for each other and cheering each other on in the games.

On our last night at the Melph, the boys were riding around together on one bicycle, LaJohn pedaling and Russell riding behind him. I watched them, drawing a blessing from their obvious love for each other. Their care for each other and the way they looked out for one another reminded me of the friendship of David and Jonathan. I don't know if these boys know Jesus, but they definitely grasp the beauty of unselfish love and friendship. I pray that the Lord, through the ongoing ministry of Castle Rock/Urban Impact, will one day bring these two memorable young men to Himself.

~ Lori

Ellen's ponderings...

Hey folks...New Orleans was an amazing week for me. I had two things that God really put on my heart that week. While we were at New Orleans, one of the statements that was key was, "Blessed are the flexible, for they won't be bent out of shape." We didn't really know exactly what we were going to do. We were just supposed to go down there and do whatever they wanted us to do. If you don't know me that well, I'm not really flexible. At all. I have a structured plan every day during school. If I'm not in the bathroom getting ready for school at a certain time, my whole day is out of whack. And that's only the beginning. I was a little nervous going down there without a lot of information...I wondered if I could do it at all. But miraculously, God helped me through it. He was the only One I could rely on to help get me through the week. Amazingly enough, I didn't even have a problem. I just said, "What do you want me to do?" And I went with an open and willing heart. Now I know that I can be flexible, but I'll never be a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type of girl.

As many of you already know, I've felt called to be a missionary in China since I was little. Because you can't go into China as a missionary, I've decided to become a nurse. One thing that I learned as I was down in N'Awlins (as the New Orleans people would say), is that I love helping with disaster relief (especially taking down walls). If I become a nurse missionary in China, and God doesn't lead me somewhere else, I felt as though God was telling me to go to areas where disasters happened and help clean up. First, I'd help people and care for their wounds. Then, I would help gut houses. Again, this will happen only if God doesn't change His plans for my life. But I'm flexible now, I'll do whatever God wants me to do. I pray for the strength and courage, but I know with God, I can do it!

~Ellen

Nick writes...

For me this trip was not a spiritual high or anything. I went because God gave me some amount of muscle and I figured I could use it. I was not particularly looking forward to playing with the kids either but when we went to the projects my heart broke for them. For some of them the best part of their day was challenge circle and it was an honor to be a part of that.

I have been pretty busy after the trip and I haven't really had time to think about what God has taught me but I do know this: God will use you whether you are athletic or geeky, small or large. One of my favorite memories of the trip is watching my team find their little niches, seeing their individual strengths come out. Whether its using your muscle (we had a rather strong young man named Brent, his arms were as big as my waist) to gut houses or your soft heart to love on some little kids with no bladder control. I guess being on the trip and seeing young adults like me serve God together helped me understand a little more about my own heart and my own passion for serving.

~ Nick