New Orleans, Here I come!
Hello, friends! Last summer I had an email list to update everyone on my mission trip to Thailand. This summer I thought a blog would be the best way to keep everyone updated. I will be posting them on my Facebook, but if you know someone who does not have Facebook and would like to read this, feel free to send them the link or print it out and give it to them. I would love all the prayers and support of friends and family.
So what am I doing this summer? From May 21--August 2, I will be in New Orleans, Louisiana working with an organization called MissionLab, a ministry of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Their motto is Learn Missions. Do Missions. Be a Missionary. I will be serving as a summer missionary, facilitating mission trip camps primarily for church youth groups. Ministry sites include children's ministry, homeless ministry, prayer walking, food bank ministry, choir/drama performance, adult ministry, street witnessing, construction, and international ministry. I will have the opportunity to lead small groups in Bible study, ministry, and worship.
This summer's theme is Simmer (hence the blog title). New Orleans is a place known for it's amazing food. Dishes like gumbo take time and patience to create. You have to let the ingredients simmer for a long time to achieve the best taste. The Christian walk can be the same way. Bible study, prayer, fellowship, and ministry all take time to do well and to be effective. These things are not boxes that we can quickly check off our lists; they take time.
I know that I often overload myself with work, school, and other responsibilities. Sometimes my relationship with God feels more like a Hot Pocket than gumbo. I would rather stick it in the microwave for two minutes and run out the door than take the time to let my food simmer. Instead of reading a Bible verse as I dash my 8:00 a.m. class or sending up a quick prayer as I fall asleep, I want to spend time sitting with the Lord. I want to let the richness of his presence infiltrate my life, slowly changing me into something worthwhile. That is what I hope the Lord will teach me this summer, and that is what I hope I will be able to share with high school students and the people of New Orleans.
I am so very excited about this opportunity. While I have been on shorter, international trips in the past, I am eager to spend an entire summer on mission here in the States. While I have never been to New Orleans before, I am looking forward to the music, the food, and getting to know the people. I have also never met my team before, which would be nerve-wracking if they weren't so incredibly wonderful. We have communicated with each other on our Facebook group, asking for prayer requests, answering silly questions, and even planning coordinating headbands. I think they will be an encouraging and affirming group.
Please pray for unity within my team (from left to right: Dayna, Tyler, Evan, Hannah, Allan, Collyn, Grace, and Ryan). Pray that we would work well together for God's glory.
Pray for the students and churches who will be coming to MissionLab over the summer, that God would use them for a mighty work and that he may even call some of them to be missionaries.
Pray for health and safety for everyone at MissionLab.
Pray that we would all be attentive to hear God's will and to do it!
Thank you for your prayers!
~Grace
So what am I doing this summer? From May 21--August 2, I will be in New Orleans, Louisiana working with an organization called MissionLab, a ministry of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Their motto is Learn Missions. Do Missions. Be a Missionary. I will be serving as a summer missionary, facilitating mission trip camps primarily for church youth groups. Ministry sites include children's ministry, homeless ministry, prayer walking, food bank ministry, choir/drama performance, adult ministry, street witnessing, construction, and international ministry. I will have the opportunity to lead small groups in Bible study, ministry, and worship.
This summer's theme is Simmer (hence the blog title). New Orleans is a place known for it's amazing food. Dishes like gumbo take time and patience to create. You have to let the ingredients simmer for a long time to achieve the best taste. The Christian walk can be the same way. Bible study, prayer, fellowship, and ministry all take time to do well and to be effective. These things are not boxes that we can quickly check off our lists; they take time.
I know that I often overload myself with work, school, and other responsibilities. Sometimes my relationship with God feels more like a Hot Pocket than gumbo. I would rather stick it in the microwave for two minutes and run out the door than take the time to let my food simmer. Instead of reading a Bible verse as I dash my 8:00 a.m. class or sending up a quick prayer as I fall asleep, I want to spend time sitting with the Lord. I want to let the richness of his presence infiltrate my life, slowly changing me into something worthwhile. That is what I hope the Lord will teach me this summer, and that is what I hope I will be able to share with high school students and the people of New Orleans.
I am so very excited about this opportunity. While I have been on shorter, international trips in the past, I am eager to spend an entire summer on mission here in the States. While I have never been to New Orleans before, I am looking forward to the music, the food, and getting to know the people. I have also never met my team before, which would be nerve-wracking if they weren't so incredibly wonderful. We have communicated with each other on our Facebook group, asking for prayer requests, answering silly questions, and even planning coordinating headbands. I think they will be an encouraging and affirming group.
Please pray for unity within my team (from left to right: Dayna, Tyler, Evan, Hannah, Allan, Collyn, Grace, and Ryan). Pray that we would work well together for God's glory.Pray for the students and churches who will be coming to MissionLab over the summer, that God would use them for a mighty work and that he may even call some of them to be missionaries.
Pray for health and safety for everyone at MissionLab.
Pray that we would all be attentive to hear God's will and to do it!
Thank you for your prayers!
~Grace
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