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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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Posted in Information by Support Staff on 6/6/2011
One group has headed back to their homes, and another group has entered our midst. It is always a transition time for us leaders, and we love each kid that walks through our doors. We are excited about this new team from Kansas (REPRESENT!) and the mighty things God is going to do in their lives. We have just finished our first day of ministry, and this group is ON FIRE! How awesome is it to see young people with a burning desire to serve Jesus?! Be sure to check back for updates from the team as well as the participants on this trip! Again, we are so excited!
Please pray for protection of the group, and that their spirits will remain high!
With Love,
Ali (Support Staff)
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Posted in Information by Project Leader on 6/2/2011
Today was so great. We went to feed the homeless people who were up under a bridge. We made sandwiches and had chips, mustard and mayonnaise packs and water to hand out. When I stepped foot onto the ground of where they lived I felt something. Those men were not ashamed to talk to us. After giving them the food, we spread out and split into groups to go talk with them. The people were so greatful. We prayed for them after every conversation asking God to lead them in the right direction, because God is Almighty! I enjoyed giving back to the community. They really touched me. I want to take that back to Albany with me.
Sincerely,
Terriyunna
Tonight we were able to pray over the group. One main thing that we prayed was that these kids would not let this trip be the end of it. That they would go home and continue to reach out to their community and continue to show people Christ's love. This group has been such a blessing to us and it is only our first week! They all have such amazing hearts and so much to offer to those around them. I pray that they would never forget that.
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Posted in Information by Project Leader on 6/2/2011
The man sat quietly with his forearms on his knees, staring past us, through us, beyond us. I could see an apparent lack of interest in his eyes as yet another group of christians handed out another meal to his homeless companions under his bridge. I'm sure he'd seen it a million times. He knew we'd be gone soon, with our questions about Katrina's effect on his life and our offers of prayer. Soon enough there would be new faces with new conversations about the same old storm, and new believers earnestly petitioning God on his behalf. Yes, I'm sure he'd heard it all a million times and expected a million more to come.
I silently wondered what would bring a man to live this way. Sleeping on hard concrete underneath an interstate over-pass, with all his earthly possessions lying beside him in two 20 gallon trash bags. Most people wouldn't take those two bags if they were paid to, and yet these men held them as their own treasures. I hope this encounter with poverty will inspire the students that have accompanied us to pursue a life far better than this.
An attempt at a conversation with the jaded man fell short. He seems reluctant to give more than a one word answer to anything I say. I figure I'll sit with him for a while and at the very least, provide some companionship while I'm there. But I can't stop thinking about his tired, lifeless eyes.
Across the street, a group of homeless men and women sat out under a group of trees that provide a little shade in the sweltering New Orleans heat. They were either unaware that we were there to give them food, or they didnt want any because they never came over to the table we set up. I decided to walk over with another intern and take the meal to them.
We didnt expect any engaging conversation so we gave them the food and turned to walk away with a smile and a "God bless you". As we began walking away though a mans voice called to us. He introduced himself to us as Ron and it became clear that this man had a strong faith in God. "I know God will make a way out of this, he always makes a way", the man said with passion and conviction. I was stunned to see this man in terrible circumstances praising God and His Faithfulness. The man's eyes lit up as he shared how the Lord was bringing him to healing and victory through these hard times, and the fire in his heart was contagious.
Now I've heard it said that the eyes are a gateway into a mans soul. Today I came to believe that in a new way. I was blown away to realize that two men, both in the same circumstances, both living out their days under a bridge, could have such different perspectives on life. One had no desire to even talk. No desire to engage. No life in his eyes. And the other... well... he had hope.
At the end of the day, that is what Christ is to our dying world. Hope. Thank you Jesus, for being our hope.
Ephesians 5:14 "This is why it is said: 'Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'"
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Posted in Information by Support Staff on 5/31/2011
We have had a wonderful team with us this past week! They are so full of life and energy, and a willingness to talk and connect with others. Today we took our group of four-teen teens ranging from 13-17 years of age, and went on a ride in the New Orleans Street Cars. Each kid was encouraged to get to know someone on the trolly. Under our watch, we saw these kids interact with the fellow passengers and opened the door to witness. "Where are you from?" a passenger would ask. "We are here with Adventures in Missions doing Missions work in the city of New Orleans" one of the 13 year old boy exclaimed.
A young persons boldness and confidence can blow your mind sometimes!
This morning one of the girls on the team mentioned how she would really like to have some "girl time". The other three girls chimed in that they would like to go to a women's ministry. That afternoon Bry (summer intern), the girls, and their amazing leader, set out to a women's rehabilitation program , Jesus Miracle Power Ministries. For the next 4 hours we sat and talked to these girls, painted each other's nails, sang and danced! It was like one big party filled with joy and freedom! We connected with these girls on a personal level, heard their stories, and felt free to open up and share ours. I can honestly say I felt so blessed to just be there, to be loved on, and to learn. We come into these places with the mentality that we are there to minister to them, when the reality is, most of the time we are ministered to.
I am sitting here, end of the day, staring at my Zebra striped nails holding the memory of this afternoon.
I will cherish it always.
LIVE TO THE FULLEST IN GOD,
Ali Petrocelli (Support Staff)
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