Being RADICAL in New Orleans!

Last week, the Fort Valley United Methodist Church from Fort Valley, GA sent 16 teens and 4 adults to New Orleans on their churchs' first missions trip with Adventures! The team's youth leader, had been on an Adventures Ambassador trip to Peru 10 years before, and knew that he wanted his youth group to experience God in the same way he did in the Amazon jungle! I had the privilege of leading this group of middle/high school youth and their leaders on our 6 day trip, and it was truly a blessing to watch them make a difference in the city and become more radical in their walk with the Lord! We spent the majority of the week doing various homeless ministries, but half of the team also got to spend time every afternoon partnering with a local VBS. It was such a gift to witness the growth and development in myself, the participants, and the individuals we had a chance to partner with and serve. The team was an incredible group of world changers, and I can't wait to see them on future trips!

Here's most of the week in pictures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Cowboys feeding the homeless on day one under the bridge next to the New Orleans Mission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spaghetti, cookies, water, and toiletries were given out until everything was gone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our pal Jefferson teaching Team Cowboys a few gospel tunes!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Cowboys looking a little zombie like on the way to the Canal Street Car line for afternoon ministry on Monday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Cowboys riding the ferry boat across the Mississippi River and doing some relational ministry with strangers in the French Quarter!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Isaiah getting outside of their comfort zones on the Canal Street car and meeting/ talking to new people!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Cowboys working hard in the humidity and heat to help the men at Bethel Colony South unload and sort a HUGE storage bin of donations for their brand new thrift store!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pastor Mel from Bethel Colony taking a moment to speak with Team Cowboys to share their vision and pray for the team!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Isaiah fed the homeless in record time! It was an amazing and humbling experience for everyone involved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Isaiah in action! James (in back with the striped collared shirt) was one of our amazing ministry and lodging contacts from Jesus Miracle Power. He has one of the biggest servants' hearts!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Cowboys handing out free water bottles, cookes, and toiletries to anyone in need on the Riverfront in the French Quarter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Josh, Bryce, and Gage working the Drink Tent at Victory Fellowship for their annual "Feed the Multitudes" event on the 4th of July! Over 5,000 were fed a delicious cajun lunch, and were treated to manicures, massages, shampoos and haircuts! It was an amazing event!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was busy all day doing manicures in the Spa tent. My first customer and I were featured on the evening news!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Cowzaiah watching fireworks on the 4th after a long day of service. God used every single one of us for a great purpose this week!