You will encounter them on the streets: runaways, the homeless, drug addicts, children and families living in poverty. . . people from every walk of life aimlessly roaming the alleys of the Big Easy. Ever since hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, the people of the city have dealt with homelessness and desperation. Even though the city is being rebuilt, the process is slow. Here you will minister to the brokenhearted and devastated in our own country. You will hear stories and offer love, acceptance, and practical help through service projects and shelter assistance.
Here is just one testimony of a young woman we met last year. “ I walk the streets most nights…and sleep during the day. I ran away because I had to. But, I don’t know what to do next. See, the thing about running is that it’s no good unless you have something to run to.” Come be a part of rebuilding homes and hearts this summer in New Orleans, showing
them through your love that Jesus is the one they must run to.
Mission Trips & Dates
Trip Q June 17 – June 23 | $399
Ministry Rating: 4 of 5
Physical Rating: 3 of 5
Must be 13 years old by trip start date.
These mission trips are “meet you there” trip which begins and ends in New Orleans.
A Missionary’s Story
We spotted a kid who seemed really interested in the YWAM and Teen Mania stuff. He was dressed in all black and looked really depressed. I learned that his name was Daniel and he was 19 years old. He told us that he had been kicked out of both his parent’s houses and was now living with his grandparents. I had shared my testimony and asked him how he liked it. He said it was great and that he could really relate to my story. Then I asked him about church and he said, “Oh no, church is not for me.” He stated that he believes in God sometimes. Then I told him, “Man, our God is so much more than church and rules! Our God is about people.” I told him about Jesus healing on the Sabbath and the story of the shepherd who would save his sheep during the Sabbath. He liked the stories and I asked if I could pray for him. Instantly he said yes! I prayed for him and he shook my hand. I could see that power of God changed his life and he stayed longer searching for answers.
Quick Facts
Background: New Orleans was founded in the year 1718 by Jean Baptiste La Moyne, Sieur de Bienville. At first, it was nothing more than a trading camp on a curve in the east bank of the Mississippi River. Later, the city was organized into a rectangular, fortified community, which still exists today as the French Quarter. The resulting streets were named for French royalty and nobility.
As the community grew to the west, north, and east, it followed the curve in the river, and became known as “the Crescent City,” because of its shape. Because the city was surrounded by swamps and marshes (with a sea level of approximately six feet at its highest point), the spring rise in the Mississippi River level, and tidal surges from hurricanes resulted in the building of levees around the city and the river. This also explains the ground level “basements” for most of the old structures in the New Orleans area.
Even to this day, the city’s massive pumps and canals drain the city (annual rain fall can be between 60″ and 100″). The total miles of canals (above and below ground) in New Orleans exceed that of Venice in Italy.
The lagoons in City Park, along City Park Blvd., are all that remains of what was once Bayou Metairie. Other bayous remain, including Bayou St. John, Bayou Sauvage, and Bayou Bienvenue in Chalmette.
Although established as the capitol of the French colony of Louisiana, it was actually twice the capital of Louisiana. The capital was moved from New Orleans to Donaldsonville in 1825, to Baton Rouge in 1846, to New Orleans in 1864 (during Reconstruction) and once again to Baton Rouge in 1879. Politics is timeless.
Canal Street, once the widest street in the world, was named for a canal that was planed for, but never built, in the median. For decades, the only use for the median was public transportation, mostly by the Canal St. Streetcars.
The first New Orleans “Skyscraper” was built in 1807. It was the first four-story building in the city, and is still standing and in use, on the corner of Royal St. and St. Peter St, in the French Quarter. New Orleans also had the first Opera House in America.
Source: http://www.atneworleans.com/body/main.htm
Ministry Partners
YWAM New Orleans: Steve and Bronwen Niles both grew up in Christian families, but the turbulence of the late 1960s and early 1970s drew them away from their roots to the hippie movement. Steve sought adventure and a cause by traveling throughout North America and Europe, while Bronwen’s search for meaning led to drug use. A turning point came for both of them in 1971. Steve surrendered his life to Jesus in Holland, and Bronwen cried out to God in a Los Angles hospital. Their paths crossed when God led both of them to attend a Discipleship Training School (DTS) at YWAM Hammonton, New Jersey. They married in 1973.
In 1987, God called Steve and Bronwen, their two children, and four Hope House staff to join YWAM New Orleans to establish a Hope House that would be multiplied in other places. This has happened and in 1997, Steve became the director of the overall ministry of YWAM New Orleans. YWAM New Orleans is a diverse outreach center for evangelism and mercy ministries. Many teams of young people from all over America come to New Orleans and receive God’s heart for the plight of the people living in the inner city. In 2006, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina under Steve and Bronwen’s leadership 70 outreach teams participated in YWAM New Orleans’s disaster relief efforts in the Gulf Coast of Louisiana.
Stories and Videos
Coming Soon!
Mission Trip Details
Schedule:
• 17 June –Depart for New Orleans
• 19 June –Train for mission in New Orleans
• 20-22 June –Minister in New Orleans
• 23 June –Spend the day touring New Orleans
• 24 June –Depart for home and change the world
Packing List
Required Items
• One large duffle bag or roller bag (it must be less than 50 lbs.)
• One sleeping bag, pillow, and sheet
• One carry on (generally a backpack)
• Air mattress for housing – highly recommended, you will be sleeping on a hard floor
• Bible, notebook, and pen
• Mini flashlight and batteries
• Nalgene or Wide mouth water bottle
• Hammer
Clothing
• 5-6 tops, with no political, secular music/movie messages.
• 4-5 pairs of pants/jeans/shorts ( it will be very hot and humid in New Orleans)
• Pajamas, undergarments, and socks (enough for entire trip)
• 1 church outfit
• Jacket, Coat or nice sweater.
• Hat and sunglasses
• Tennis shoes
• Cheap plastic flip flops (for showers)
• Work Gloves, safety glasses, face mask
Toiletries
• Personal Items, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, etc.
• 1 Towel and a washcloth
• Sunscreen (at least SPF 30)
• Anti-diarrhea medicine (preferably tablets), Kaopectate or pill equivalent
Food
• Candy, Toys, Prizes to give away to children you meet (must be packed in your bag)
• 1 Plastic Jar of Peanut Butter (28oz or larger)
• 1 Plastic squeeze bottle of Jelly (22oz or larger)
*Due to airline regulations, your PB&J must be packed in your checked baggage.
Miscellaneous Optional Items
• Chap stick, vitamins, etc.
• IPod or MP3 player (absolutely no secular music!)
• Band aids, cold medicine, Aspirin/Tylenol
• Powdered drink mix to put in your water (Gatorade)
• Spending money (suggested $50)
• Camera
• Raincoat or poncho
More Important Information
• Theft is always a possibility when you travel. Please don’t bring anything that you can’t afford to lose. We recommend that you label items with your full name.
• Please note that personal cell phones may be collected and held by GE leadership until designated talk times.
Mission Trip Leadership
Q Trip: Jeremy and Michal Steiner
