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Is a week’s worth of serving enough to change the world? Yes! This week has changed several residents’ world completely. As crews set out for the day they had little idea of the huge impact that would make in the lives of the citizens of New Orleans. As the crews have been working at their sites, they have also taken time to prayer walk through the neighborhoods and to evangelize door to door. The World Changers were lead by the Holy Spirit to share with 76 individuals and through the Holy Spirit’s work the 5 have received Christ as his personal Savior, 21 people want more questions, 2 people recommitted their lives and 12 want more information, 55 people requested prayer, and 38 tracts were handed out. Wow! The Lord is faithful to His laborers!
This redemption story is not the only “wow” moment we witnessed this week. In a city where the people have suffered much devastation from hurricane Katrina, the community is now giving back to those who have supported them. This is such an incredible sight to see, as the people of New Orleans are willing to give all they have to help those who come to serve them. Half of the crews were provided lunch each day by their homeowner or a supporting church in the local area! They have served us in a way that changed our worlds. The hard labor of this week truly displayed the truth of “its better to give than to receive.”
World Changers understand one major truth in life. Life is not about me! The students have displayed a selfless attitude today as they continue to serve Christ through mission work. There are many students who have shown by their actions this week that they are more concerned about the welfare of others above their own.
This week our mission’s offering was given to three different ministries. Our students had the opportunity to support student missionaries who will be spending their semester in Canada working on evangelism. Canada, although a neighbor to the United States, is very different from us concerning religion. (Example: There are 3200 Baptist churches in Alabama. There are only 160 Baptist churches in all of Canada!) 93% of Canada is unevangelized! Student missionaries supported by our offering will be ministering to other students who live in Canada.
The next ministry that we will give to is the Kaleo Conferences. Kaleo stands for “called.” Students have learned this week that God has set them apart for ministry. Some students are set apart, or called, for vocational ministry. These specialized events serve as a “stepping stone” as they mentor students through their call to the ministry. By giving to this offering, students make it very affordable for other students to go to Kaleo conferences.
Our last opportunity is Urban Evangelism. Five US/C2 missionaries will be placed in a urban area to work along side the local churches. They will listen to the needs of the churches, provide them with resources, help with building plans, and coordinate street evangelism.
Our students were challenged to give sacrificially. Worship costs! God paid the biggest sacrifice on our behalf as He gave His one and only Son to die for our sins and to free us from the chains of death! Students understood the price of such a sacrifice. God has richly blessed us, so that we can glorify Him by providing for others! The goal for the missions offering was $1,500. The students and group leaders received the message of giving sacrificially and obeyed by giving above the expected amount. Altogether the New Orleans World Changers gave $2,041.25!!!!!!
Praise the Lord for His provisions and for the Holy Spirit prompted the hearts of the students. May the Lord bless them through the testimony they have made to all who will benefit from this offering!
The Lord has blessed us this week as we work with some amazing homeowners. Their stories of courage and perseverance have impacted us in a deep way! Crews have been placed all over different parts of the New Orleans to work with many different types of residents with extremely different backgrounds and life stories all for one specific purpose: God’s love.
One incredible resident we have had the privilege of serving is Ms. Cynthia Tooney. Ms. Cynthia is a reverend of a church in central New Orleans. When hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, Ms. Cynthia was displaced from her home. Her house suffered severe damages due to 4-5 feet of flooding. After the hurricane many families began to use their insurance one to restore their homes….not Ms. Cynthia, however. Ms. Cynthia’s first concern was not herself but her church body. She began renovating her garage so that her church could meet weekly. She used every penny she had to provide a place of worship for her church body. She has been living with friends and helping them as much as she can with rebuilding their homes.
World Changers were able to provide the necessary labor to allow Ms. Cythnia to move back into her own home. Monday night was the first night that Ms. Cynthia has been able to sleep in her own bed for 5 years!!!! PRAISE THE LORD! She is such a blessing to all who encounter her testimony.
Ms. Cynthia’s house is being restored this week! We are excited that she will be able to return home after 5 long hard years. However, after hurricane Gustav her garage (church worship place) was completely destroyed by termites! Please pray that the Lord would continue to provide for Ms. Cynthia and her church family. Pray that a building would be provided so that her church family can continue to gather weekly!
“You can be a World Changer…. 1,2,3,4 Go! Go out and change the world!” 200 students sang along to the tune of the world changers theme song during opening celebration yesterday. Today each crew ventured out into New Orleans to share the love of Christ with the community as they served others for the glory of the Lord. What a testimony to the city of New Orleans to see so many willing students giving up a week of their summer to serve others! Pray that the students will be able to press on and preserve despite the heavy rainfall we are receiving in the city. New Orleans has received little if any rain for two months. How awesome is the Lord to bring a downpour as crews set out to change the city! We strongly believe that the Lord is going to rain down His grace and mercy through these students!
Last night during our worship service students were challenged to live their lives set apart from the world. We read in 1 Peter 2 that as Christians, we have been called out as a chosen people to be set apart for the use of our Savior. Today the students are putting their faith into action as they show the city of New Orleans the love of Jesus Christ through their service.
“Allons!” The Cajun word translated “Let’s Go!” is a perfect description of the World Changers summer staff and participants! As loaded trailers, buses of excited students, and supportive group leaders make their way to New Orleans, Louisiana, our summer staff team welcomes them with nail aprons, tools, bandanas, and plenty of hard work! We are excited about the opportunities we will have this upcoming week to minister to the residents of New Orleans! Our coordinating staff has been fervently praying for each participant and their experience here at World Changers 2009! We know that our labor is not in vain because we will give all the glory to the Lord… and that is something to get excited about!
So, who is this super excited Louisiana summer staff?! Let me introduce you to the individuals who are blessed with the opportunity to serve the participants and group leaders this week.
The Louisiana Team:
Team Leader/ Office Manager: Bethany Siebert, Jefferson City, Missouri
Missions Communication Specialist: Callie George, Lyons, Georgia
Music Leader: Grayson Hall, Marshall, Texas
Audio/Video Technician: Quinton Soronen, Jackson, Mississippi
Project Coordinator: Beverly Turner, Fort Smith, Arkansas
Construction Coordinator: Robert Turner, Fort Smith, Arkansas
Associational Coordinator: Brent Doriety, New Orleans, Louisiana