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Posted in Information by Ryan Hewitt on 4/11/2012
Being my first time in the beautiful city of New Orleans, I was amazed at its unique culture, character and charm. A city that has deep roots and heritage, but is also in the midst of rebuilding what has been lost. This unique character has created a city filled with proud and strong, yet vulnerable people.
Each day we would take a team out into the city for an “Urban Plunge”, riding the street cars, walking along the riverwalk, etc. As our team of adults and students would journey out into the city, many of the students on our trip would say that they were afraid to talk to strangers, to which I would respond “Just ask them questions about themselves”. Upon returning, many students would respond, “I asked them a question then they started talking…. and I never got to say anything else.” They were amazed at how willing people were to open up and share about their lives. These students would feel as though they had not offered anything to those they interacted with, to which I quickly disagreed. I told them that they were exactly what that person needed at that time. They were someone to care enough to ask a question, a willing ear ready to listen to their stories, someone taking the time to see them as a person.
How often do we walk through our days and just glance over all the people around us… those we encounter in the grocery store, on the bus, at work, etc. We are a people and a culture with a constant agenda, and so often unless the person in front of us is helping or hindering that agenda, we fail to even notice them. My encouragement to the students, adults, and myself was to make sure when we all leave this beautiful city, that we take a name, a face, and a story with us. True compassion is rooted in suffering with someone, entering into their story. These students did just that….they talked, laughed, and cried with the people of New Orleans. And in the process they realized that although they came here to love, bless, and encourage these people and this city, they were actually the ones that left feeling loved, blessed, and encouraged. The gospel of Jesus came alive this week, both in the people of the city as well as the participants, and I feel blessed to have been a part of it.
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Posted in Information by Delilah on 3/29/2012
 I would first like to say WOW!!!! This is my first missions trip out of my home state Minnesota and honestly I was very nervous. I wasn't sure what to expect, but when we got here Bill was very welcoming and loving to us. He was knowledgeable and it really helped A LOT. On this trip I have done a variety of things and got me out of my comfort ZONE.
 I went to Pastor Mel's the first day. It was awesome. I got to mingle with people and talk with them. They told me their stories and it was powerful. I was able to relate somewhat with their struggles because my sister in law has struggled with addiction to drugs and alcohol her self, so I understand how hard their struggles can be.
 I have also went on the street cars, the fairy's, did feedings at RRRP, and the river walk. I talked to people and got into some wonderful and touching stories. I am absolutely glad I came on this trip it has taught me so much about different cultures and also myself. I hope that I helped change a persons life, they certainly changed mine.
 GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME, AND ALL THE TIME GOD IS GOOD!!!!
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Posted in Information by Candy Link on 3/27/2012
The Children at the Jesus Project Ministry are so precious. The ladies there that run the project are so! Awesome!. They have such a heart for God. I am so impressed with the center. The children are so respectful and fun to be with. You can see how God is moving strong at the center. It was a joy to help serve at the center. Love the children.
The Bethel Colony -Mens Center, is a very cool place to visit. The men there are so grateful. I had a chance to chat with the folks there, it was enjoyable.
I can see myself coming back!!
You can see God moving in New Orleans, WOW! Praise God!
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Posted in Information by Adventures In Missions on 3/19/2012
I have just returned from an amazing time in New Orleans. During this trip I got to experience many different things.
  
Day one we went to a house in the 9th ward destroyed by hurricane Katrina in 2005. As we walked up to the house there was a foul smell, of mold, and other nasty things. Families were not allowed back in their homes for 3 months after the flood. We made our way into the house to discover something I never thought I would see. A house that was falling apart, there were holes in the floor, the ceiling was falling down, all the copper wiring had been ripped out of the walls. As we walked around we discovered the shaving cream and other things on the top shelf of the bathroom, placed there before the flood. We also saw where the water line was in the house. I can't imagine what it would have been like to experience that.
  
During our time in New Orleans we worked with a group of 44 from Texas. Their group was mostly middle school and high school students. There is nothing cooler in my book than watching young people share the word of God with those around them.
  
Through out the week we did many different projects. We did homeless ministry under the bridge where we would go talk to people that had no hope and share with them the love of Jesus Christ. We also did some painting projects, construction, went and shared our stories at a homeless feeding shelter. Over all it was an amazing week. There were relationships built that will last a life time. I think the best part for me was seeing every kid find their voice. There was so much change that happened in them this week I feel so blessed to have witnessed that!
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Posted in Information by Project Leader on 7/10/2011
I really love how AIM puts such an emphasis on listening to God. Because missions is the work of God He knows the hearts of the people we need to share the gospel with. One of the highlights for me was the trolly ministry. To bring Christ up in a conversation with a total stranger was verve wracking and totally encouraging. I have really been challenged to bring up Christ in my conversations with the unsaved in my hometown in Iowa. God is truly using AIM to bring people to Christ and bring us teens closer to Him.
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Posted in Information by Project Leader on 6/22/2011
With a spare half hour in my day I decided to take my family
to a small park in the projects. Because our team doesn't live or do ministry
there, it was a place I'd never been. Not being one who always pays the best
attention to my surroundings, I found myself in my current setting very aware
of who was where and what they were doing. One man in particular caught my eye.
In the neighborhood we were in he didn't really stand out, but for some reason
he caught my eye.
The playground we were at was right next to an old run down
building that once housed community clubs. Across the street was a small store
where one could buy pretty much anything you may need, and I mean anything. The
man who caught my eye was walking out of that store when he approached me. He
began his introduction by asking who we were and what we were doing, and he did
this with a smile. After telling him, very briefly, that we were there as
missionaries leading teens in the area, he asked if he could talk to me
honestly. I agreed.
The beginning of his story didn't shock me. He told me that
he smoked pot, and lived in the projects. He went on to tell me that last night
while trying to buy drugs, his dealer threatened to hurt him and stole $15.00.
Coming from the projects had made him hard, he told me. He was raised in an
area where you had to fight to keep what was yours and this person took from
him what was his, and he was going to make it right.
After having his money stolen last night, the man said that
he got in his car heading out to kill his dealer but on the way got into a car
accident. This accident ruined his revenge, but only for that night. He went
home frustrated but still intent on harming this man. He looked me square in
the eye and said, He stole from me so I have to hurt him, and after a brief
pause he continued, but I have been praying and don't think I should.
Today, by chance, in the middle of an area rarely used any
more for play, God created an opportunity to save a life. Today by being in a
place where God could use his child, a man reached out in desperation to go
against what he has always done. Today, grace prevailed over revenge.
I will never take credit for this conversation. I didn't
initiate the prayer. The man who sought to avenge the theft of $15.00 with violence
placed his hands in front of me and asked me to pray for him. And we prayed.
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Posted in Information by Project Leader on 6/22/2011
When it was decided that our youth group would be going on a mission trip to New Orleans i was so excited. I couldn't wait to be in one of the most famous cities in the world! I couldn't wait to hear the jazz music, eat the food, but mostly be relief after Hurricane Katrina. As the trip got closer our group talked about what we would be doing while there. The leaders at Adventures in Missions told us that the people down in New Orleans not only need help re-building houses they also need our love and compassion. We were told we would be doing a lot of relationship building. I didn't understand what this meant at first but as soon as I got here it clicked. Our group talked to people and tried to get to know them. We all learned very quickly that New Orleans is very unique. Every single person had their own story, their own problems, and their own successes. All the stories were awesome to listen to and there were some amazing testimonies. But, what really stuck out to me is that even though there are so many differences and so much uniqueness there also is acceptance. People down here accept and love the differences. That is so eye-opening to me. It's so easy for me to be shy around those that are different. I get so nervous and I don't know what to say. Although, that changed when someone from New Orleans talked to me first! They wanted to know me and they accepted me. However, they did make fun my Minnesota accent, but all together it was great. Then during a debriefing time that AIM leaders talked to our group about asking the Lord. Ask the Lord what to say. Ask the Lord for confidence, and the exciting thing is that it works! With God's confidence and love, I was able to step outside my comfort zone to talk to new and different people. This all happened in only 2 days! I can't wait for whatever else god has planned for me, my group, and also for all the people in New Orleans.
Aimee Pugsley
It is so amazing for us as staff, who have been apart of this city for a couple weeks to see others come in and find a place in their hearts for New Orleans. We have fallen in love with this city and the people here and are glad to have groups come and take part in loving on everyone here.
AIM staff
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Posted in Information by Project Leader on 6/15/2011
Today we sang, we read scripture, we prayed, and were pulled out of our comfort zones into worship with God. We learned that people experience worship in different ways, and were encouraged to worship in our own way! Whether that is closing our eyes and singing, raising our hands, or dancing around the room. God made us all unique, our personalities, our voices, and our faces! When we worship, God looks down on us and hears his unique creation.
"Nobody sounds like My Samantha"
"Nobody looks like My Toby"
"Nobody dances like My Kristen"
How awesome is it that God delights and is captivated by our pure worship?!
"Today was very spiritual in all sorts of ways. We learned a lot more about God, and what God did for us. He shows his love in a very amazing way! God is amazing and we couldn't ask for better!"
- Abbi Baker, Sharla Harris, Daylee White
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Posted in Information by Support Staff on 6/14/2011
Two Groups arrived here on Sunday ready for the week ahead. It is only the first half of our second ministry day and we can already see God moving in amazing ways!
Our two shining groups are from Texas and Georgia and have melded together under one roof to bring God's light into the New Orleans streets.
Yesterday our groups learned the importance of being a light for God no matter where they are. The groups road the infamous trolly system and talked to the people around them. Then they learned the beginning steps to infecting the community with life by giving out water at the RiverWalk. It's exciting to see how just a bottle of water can open up the doors to communication, shared stories, and prayers!
Today our groups split up into teams and ministered in a rehab center, a home for the mentally disabled, and did a prayer walk. The importance of having a listening ear was a big thing today, and our groups learned that most of the time ministering to others just means being a friend to those in need.
We are excited for the night ahead, and can not wait to see what all God has in store for the week!
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Posted in Information by Project Leader on 6/11/2011
Wow! What an amazing week! It started off with walking off the bus and ended with an amazing night of worship. At the beginning of the week the group made gospel bracelets. That was a lot of fun! Tuesday the team passed out water bottles on the River Walk. The team learned to appreciate what we have because to some people we are the lucky ones. Wednesday the team made lunch for the homeless under the bridge. We heard a lot of testimonies about hurricane Katrina. Thursday the team had ATL time. We ended up breaking into groups and going to different locations. The team grew together mentally and spiritually.
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