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)
