Youth Gathering Trip 2009 New Orleans
Day 1:
Well, we made it! After 18 hours in a van, we finally made it to Memphis! It
rained the whole way down, causing much delay and many, many bathroom breaks.
:0) We can't believe this day has finally come - as for so long it was in the
future. But now that it is here we are so glad and so excited to have begun our
journey. It was a long day and now that we are all tucked in our hotel rooms
(finally at 11pm) we will get some rest so that tomorrow we can get up bright
and early and pay a quick visit to Graceland (the home of the King of Rock and
Roll) and then join the other 38,000 youth and their leaders and we all converge
on New Orleans for the National Gathering. I can't wait to report to you
tomorrow about the festivities at the Superdome...so tune in then to hear all
about it!
God's Blessings!
Pr. Rhonda
Day 2
Well, we made it to the "Big Easy"! And so did 38,000 other people...and you can
tell! The streets are streaming with kids and youth leaders as we all make our
way from one place to another! We made a quick stop at Graceland before we left
Memphis this morning. Check out the pictures of us at the home of the King of
Rock and Roll - the kids really got a kick out of seeing this cool estate. Then
it was onward for another day in the van. And after several more bathroom breaks
we pulled into the Ritz Carlton - to the fanciest hotel most of us have ever
been in. They even turn down the beds for us in the evening...wow! After all the
travel and the walking - it will be nice to be pampered a little.
Once we checked in - we were off to the first Mass Gathering in the Superdome.
It was AWESOME! I had to be checking the kids in - but Tina and the kids were
able to experience the music, the sights, the sounds, even the fireworks, as
they welcomed all of us to New Orleans! Marc Kielburger with Free the Children
delievered a GREAT message tonight and inspired all of our kids - not to mention
the music with Peter Mayer and the House Band and Agape` who were pumped up and
ready to go as well. All in all it was a great way to start the Gathering and we
are certainly looking forward to our first full day of festivities tomorrow!
This was the sign we saw as we entered town near the airport....the whole city
has been overtaken - it's GREAT!
Day 3
Today was a great day! We were hearded into the "Interaction Center" - which is
hard to explain if you can't see it...but picture the state fair for Christian
teenagers inside....everything from Chrisitan colleges to Karioke - from service
project to crafts - from athletic events to social awareness - all inside the
convention center - just for kids. It was great. Three in our group even decided
to give the gift of life through the giving of blood in the interaction
center....I was so proud!
Then we had another mass gathering in the Superdome in the evening causing much
excitement. We heard from wonderful and inspiring speakers that talked to us
about God's Grace and God's love for each and every one of us...what a fantastic
message for kids! We can't wait to bring all of this back to you on August 30th
at our dinner and storytelling evening!
Check out our pictures!
Blessings!
Pr. Rhonda