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Dear Group Leaders:

This has been a great week of ministry here in NOLA. We have seen this week’s team participate in homeless ministry both at tent city and at Broad Street. We have seen the group make a great foothold into the work at Phyllis’ house and we have seen a great VBS. This week’s group seemed to really connect with the kids they ministered to at the VBS site. The kids around the city really crave love and that is what it is all about. 

Last night I was talking with our setup representative here in NOLA, Drew, and we both agree that a lot of the rebuilding in NOLA has to do with rebuilding lives and not just property.   As with any structure or city, you can’t build without a good foundation. That is why I feel the Lord leading us to really focus a lot of attention on children this year. They are the foundation of the city-the beginning of the rebirth, if you will. 
This has been confirmed so far by the fact that ministries are after summer programs and VBS so kids can be reached and discipled. Moreover, this will also serve to connect the families of the children to the partner church causing growth throughout the rest of the age groups in the city. What this means for you as group leaders is that you will need to be ready to spend time ministering to children while you’re here. You will get to do other ministry too but it looks like VBS and/or children’s outreach will be a good part of nearly everyone’s schedule. I know there has been some confusion regarding VBS curriculum. When it is received, how much you’ve got and what you’ve gotten have all been issues. 
 
In addition a potential hurdle has been created by the request of some of our partners to send the same group to VBS each day. The partner’s request is brought on by a desire for continuity. The belief is that continuity in staffing will help to build meaningful relationships with the kids and create a better environment to share Christ and make disciples. I am in 100% agreement with our partners on this issue.   I want your groups to serve in many ways while you’re here but I also want that service to be what our partner’s need and, more importantly, what God wants.

I know that VBS and young children’s ministry might not be your passion or that of your student’s. I know however, that you recognize the critical need to minister to children. Right now it is a critical need in this city. If you’re like me, when someone says VBS, images of multiple songs, lots of posters, crafts, all kinds of snacks, skits and Bible stories from a standard curriculum come to mind. Basically its lots of details and stuff and can be one big headache to run especially if it is not your passion. For many of you, I just described VBS at your local church. Things are a lot different in the inner city of New Orleans. 

The kids here in NOLA crave love, attention, and acceptance-things they might not be getting at home. They are energetic and might seem a bit unruly compared to the kids at your local church. You will probably not be able to get them to sit as still as you would like for a Bible story but you might be able to work it in during a craft, while there is a simple snack or after you have played games.  You have to be creative. In a nut shell, my advice is to not worry about the program or the system and just tell your students to be ready to love kids and play with them until they are too tired to do it anymore. Tell them to be ready to let the neighborhood kids climb on them and be ready to pick them up and spin them around. Be ready to “let the little children come…” and show them the love and the truth of Jesus Christ. 
Be prepared to share the truth of your lessons but don’t get caught up in having to accomplish a set program and don’t fret if you don’t get through everything you wanted to. Don’t be afraid of letting your personalities come out and making lessons relevant to the kids in the neighborhood. The logistics of multiple churches with more or less curriculum might be a challenge but again, I ask you to be flexible and let loving kids and teaching truth guide more of your preparation than curriculum necessities.

In addition to ministry prep, you need to be prepared for the trip in general. Your students will have a much better time if you drive home a few points before you leave for NOLA. 

1) Bring your water bottle-it’s hot and humid here and you need to drink lots of fluid.

2) Be ready to adhere to the dress code. It is not negotiable and will be enforced. For your convenience, I have included a copy of the dress code from the AIM website.

FEMALES
Ministry Dress (evangelism, church services, school devotions, door to door, Nursing homes)- Wear skirts that reach below the bottom of the knee or longer, Capri pants or khaki slacks, and shirts with sleeves that cover the shoulders. You can wear short sleeves, but they must cover the shoulders and upper arms. No cap sleeves or sleeveless shirts of any kind. Shirts should not have scoop necks or low v-necks.

Construction/Sports Dress/VBS/ Feeding Programs-Jeans, capris or knee length shorts. Work shirt or t-shirt, (no tank tops, cap or sleeveless tops). Shirts should not have scoop necks or low v-necks. Boots, strong shoes or tennis shoes.

MALES
Ministry Dress (evangelism, church services, school devotions door to door, nursing homes) -Nice pants (slacks, khaki slacks), nice shirt with a collar, nice shoes or tennis shoes.

Construction/Sports Dress/VBS/ Feeding program-Jeans, pants or shorts to the knee. Work shirt (no tank tops or sleeveless), boots, strong shoes or tennis shoes

No flashy clothes or jewelry. Do not bring clothes with logos and advertisements. Something simple like Old Navy is ok, but remember what you wear is a physical representation of who you are. Both guys and girls do not bring clothing that is tight, too small, or form-fitting in any way. Do not bring pants that are low-cut. If you can bend over and touch your toes without showing any skin in the back, then your shirt and pants are ok. If you can raise your hands all the way above your head and not show your stomach, then your shirt is ok. No open-toed sandals. All shoes must be close-toed and preferably closed-heel, as well.

3) Bring your water bottle, it is hot and humid here and you need to keep your kids drinking often.  This is so important that it will be our rule here this summer that you will not be able to leave for the worksite without your own personal water bottle. Our water coolers will be going too but you need your own bottle.        

As always, this letter will be up on the blog site and please feel free to email any questions.

In His service,

Mike

P.S. Bring your water bottle.