The Home Stretch

"The children and advisors were all nestled, snug in their seats while visions of New Orleans danced on their feet". Okay, maybe that is a little too much drama but as you can see most were hunkered down for the last leg of the return trip home. We got back Monday evening about 7:30 p.m.

The ride home was long but a good one. The bonding that occurred on the bus concluded with the exchange of addresses and emails and phone numbers. We go our separate ways but we carry both the mission and challenge as well as the shared experience of New Orleans 2009.

Now it is time to let the "servant church arise" through our words, witness and worship. This will be the final post for now, but I invite readers to comment and youth to add to it as Jesus, Justice and Jazz live on in our ministry and our lives.

Homeward Bound

From the closing worship this photo reflects a little of the color and majesty of this gathering. It was a two and half hour communion service accented by a wave led by Bishop Hanson as part of his sermon and a hip-hop "Holy, Holy, Holy". We departed the dome around noon and after a couple of stops have arrived in Sikeston, MO. for the night. We depart at 7:30 am for the the 12 hour ride to our final destination.

On The Road Again

Saturday! It was a relaxing free day. We had our learning experience in the learning center with numerous opportunities. Also returned to the interactive center for some final activities to participate in. Mostly it was a day to be on our own to sample some great food and soak in some culture we may never forget about this great city.

This picture is only one from Bourbon Street. A picture cannot convey the atmosphere nor spirit of what might be considered a little more "seedy" side of the city. One of the highlights was returning in the evening to the Red Fish Grill, voted number one seafood restaurant four years in a row. No words to describe it! From the setting to the service to the seafood, just remarkable. While the the kids danced, Peg and I rode the trolley through the Garden District. We saw some real mansions for homes and they were breathtaking. The end of trip got a little hectic but it was a final activity that will leave an impression not soon forgotten.

It is time to load the bus, head to the dome for the final worship and then the ride to MO where we spend the night before heading back Monday morning!

FINAL FULL DAY

This picture was on the lower level of the dome yesterday while we waited for the delayed bus. The evening was awesome. We were on the floor level of the dome! Knowing the sound would be deafening we allowed the kids to go forward and we were in sight of them, that is until "Skillet" came on. There was a mad dash to the stage they were playing on. Afterward they told us they were about 20 feet from the band, and it looked like something out of a rock concert. In unison the hands were waving, the shouts were being raised, the flames, sparks and lights surrounded the stage. It was loud, our ears were "fried" after skillet finished it final set but it was a once in lifetime experience. NO words can express or describe the energy all the way back to the motel as the mass of people filled the streets.

A view from the balcony of our 12th floor room Saturday morning gives a glimpse of the sky line. All slept in and then took time for a little site seeing, last minute shopping and hanging out before we make it down to the convention center one last time for our learning center event at 3:00 p.m.. After that we will make our way back to the dome for the last evening session.

Servant Day....Southern Slow Down

The day began at 6:00 am. as we walked to the Dome to launch our Servant Day Project. Of the 42 buses present, bus 40 was missing, our bus. But a relief driver was secured and we were off to Joe Brown Memorial Park. We spent about four hours removing brush around a lagoon adjacent a walking track. It was hot! We sweat! It was hotter! We sweat more but what was accomplished was incredibly rewarding.

What made it even more special was finding out that a press conference featuring our ELCA Bishop Mark Hanson, the Council Woman of Jefferson Parish where the work was done and the Mayor of New Orleans, C Ray Nagin would take place on the site we were working. How impressive is that? Out of 38,000 youth and adults we were among the two hundred to witness this press conference. We were greatly moved by their overwhelming emotion and appreciation for the work accomplished this week by the ELCA youth. In an area where Lutheranism is not strongly represented this response reinforced that we are one body in Christ!

We are off to the dome to tailgate this evening and with a special pass for early entry we will be seated on the main floor (thanks to Peg for her bum knee). The kids are excited about it as one of their favorite bands Skittle is being featured.

From Shrimp to Service

Day 2 in New Orleans began with the Interactive Center. After a brief orientation the group enter a room about the size of four football fields. It was filled with activities that had to do with the theme of Jesus, Justice and Jazz. There were games, social issues awareness, opportunities to donate blood, cut you hair for chemo patients, test your courage, team building exercises, servanthood projects like have your feet massaged and countless others. Fours hours flew by and some want to return to do more.

The succulent plate above is but one of the many seafood delights along the river walk food court. Then it was a ride on the trolley to the French Quarter to sample a little culture and beignets ( powdered sugar doughnut) one of New Orleans' specialties. A walk back through the French Quarter to window shop and see the sights and then on to the dome for the evening mass gathering.

Outside the Dome! Opening Session!

Hello! Sorry I did not blog last evening! What a day! A few minor miscalculations meant a later arrival into New Orleans than expected. After waiting two hours and 15 for a pizza delivery at 12:15 am this morning, we finally retired for the evening after a bit stressful but energetic day.

The drive from Memphis was on and off showers but the drive was at time breath taking. Lush

trees and a green landscape made interstate travel less boring. The unbelievable journey over a bridge that stretched for miles into the city was a marvel to behold. Scenes of devastation and renewal provided a real contrast to a city on the rebound. 38,000 people in the Dome, quite impressive. Getting there later than we wanted, priceless, given the fact we ended up near the top. But the presentation was !!!!!!!

Over cast and humid, that is a staple for weather here! As I blog from the lobby of an unbelievable hotel the sun rises. About the only down side to this hotel, which the chaplain here for the event says costs between 300-600 a night is that free internet is only available in three places and that was a compromise just for the event, otherwise it is 6.95 an hour. So be patient.