I love to vacuum. I know this is weird, but it’s so satisfying to me because you can

see the carpet go from dirty to clean. You know you made an impact. The carpet is

better than it was. It’s now extra soft under your bare feet. Call me if you want me

to vacuum your house … I’ll come right over.

And I promise this is relevant.

When I was first asked to lead the trip to New Orleans, I wasn’t planning to accept. I

saw New Orleans as a super clean carpet that didn’t need vacuuming. Katrina

happened a decade ago. They are a city in one of the wealthiest nations in the world.

They don’t need help. In my head, I had always felt called to areas of great need – I

went to Haiti weeks after their earthquake, I’m heading to Nepal next week to help

with relief efforts there, and the World Race took me to poverty stricken nations all

over the world. Surely New Orleans didn’t need me. So, my immediate response

was, “do you have any third world countries that need leaders?”

I did one of those “I’ll get back to ya”s and took some time to think it over.

Eventually, I felt in my heart that I was meant to go on this trip. I realized that it was

my first missions trip within America. I’ve done missions in 25 countries. I had

been neglecting my own back yard simply because I didn’t see the need. People

here have shoes, refrigerators, education, freedom. They are doing just fine.

As soon as I arrived to New Orleans I realized just how wrong I was. Dispersed

within the bright buildings and gumbo was need. So much need. Devastating

poverty. Parts of the city looked like Katrina happened last year. Parts of the city

smelled like vomit from all the alcohol. Houses were spray painted with messages

like “police please protect my house.” Homeless people were on every corner. I got

the overwhelming urge to give New Orleans and big hug. And to tell everyone just

how loved they are.

It may seem silly, but it was an eye opener that I don’t need to travel to the other

side of the world to help people, to find people who need to be heard and

encouraged, and to help shine a little light.

We had a wonderful time on our trip. It was refreshing to see so many passionate

high schoolers – willing and ready to help in any way they could. We played sports,

put siding on a shed, passed out food and water, prayed for and with the people of

the city, and had some good food and shared laughter. I am so thankful for the

experience and will continue to pray for light to shine on New Orleans.