WOW – WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!

Sr. SPY left for New Orleans on Thursday, July 15. We boarded a 56 passenger bus with youth groups from Phillipsburg and Natoma, and began our journey. We arrived in New Orleans midafternoon on Friday. After getting registered for the Gathering, picking up our back packs and Bibles, we had an early dinner and called it a night.

On Saturday, we toured the French Quarter, French Market, Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, rode the Street Cars, and ate at the Hard Rock Café. Saturday night was the opening Mass event at the Superdome. There were over 25,000 youth and leaders at the Gathering this year. What an awesome experience!

Sunday was our “Look” day. There were a few choices for off site sessions to tour the cemeteries, a tour of Tulane University and a tour of the hurricane-damaged Lower 9^th Ward. The tours only had a limited number of people who would be able to go, and when we were in line, they were filling up quickly. We were able to get the last 8 tickets for the Lower 9^th Ward tour for the day. What an interesting session that was. Our tour guide grew up there and explained a lot of what happened to her family. We were able to go into her church, Trinity Lutheran Church. It is the last of the Lutheran Churches to be repaired after the flooding from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Three of us were able to run/walk in the 5K at the Superdome on Sunday also. (Well, two ran the 5K and 1 walked a 3.33K!)

Monday was our “Listen” day. We attended Bible study in the morning and different sessions during the day. That night we ate supper at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, and it was really great!

Tuesday was our “Live” day. We were chosen to participate in a Servant Event. Our event was at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. We sanded, primed and painted their wrought iron fence. They had over 4 feet of water in their sanctuary during the flooding. Tuesday night’s Mass Event was the Communion Worship service. They did a reenactment of the crucifixion and resurrection that was awe inspiring. God is so good!

Wednesday morning we attended the final Mass Event of the Gathering. We loaded our luggage before we headed to the Superdome so we would be ready to go. After the closing Mass Event we ate lunch at Mulates and took a tour of Mardi Gras World. We loaded the busses at 3:30 and headed home.

We arrived home on Thursday morning. Let’s just say sleeping (or trying to sleep) on a bus is an adventure, so we were all rather tired, but we all came back refreshed, refilled and renewed.

It has been a pleasure and joy for both of us to work with these amazing youth. We thank you for all of our continued prayer support as-well-as your financial support. Without you, we wouldn’t have been able to be a part of this faith building experience.

Sr. SPY Co-Leaders,
Becky Gruoner and Kathleen Adams

Remember…Jr. SPY Nights are 4 PM in the Church Basement or School Gym, normally on the 3^rd Sunday…Sr. SPY Chats are 6-8 pm, normally on the 4^th Sunday, in the Youth Room (above the Church Office)…For either SPY, bring a 2 liter soda, a snack, a Bible, and a friend…and remember ~ we can’t wait to see you!

What do YOU think?

Got a neat idea for our Youth Group? Let one of the leaders know about it. If you have an idea for an activity, a lesson, a fundraiser, or anything, give it a voice and we’ll give it action!

Here are some Web Sites you might find interesting!

Lutheran Education Association – www.lea.org

Concorida University System – www.lcms.org

Christian Answers – www.christiananswers.net

The Library of Congress – http://lcweb.loc.gov

The Upperroom – www.upperroom.org/devozine

Lori Humble, Jr. SPY, 682-6192
Kathleen Adams, Sr. SPY, 651-8155
Becky Gruoner, Sr. SPY, 682-1959