No Busting for Us! We made it!

After a fantastic start to the trip and a wonderful sendoff from the parent in Rogers, we made it safe. We stopped in St. Louis for a wonderful tour of the Western Expansion Museum and a trip up the Arch. Man is that high up! Most of the youth and people who are on the trip hadn't been there before so I enjoyed watching people enjoy the incredible view. Check out the pictures.





After St. Louis it was the night time portion of the drive. We had dinner and then left the driving up to the bus drivers and we did the best we could to fall asleep. Some got a few hours some got a few minutes. After a short stop in..actually I have no idea where we stopped because it was very early and very dark and looked like any other gas station out there. Rick and I threw the football and the students went into the bathroom and connivence store. Then back on the bus for another 5 or so hours. Let's just say that New Orleans was a welcome site when we could get off the bus and stretch.

When we arrived we saw lots and lots of water. it's no wonder that there is such a flood problem. There is tons of water. When we hit land again we arrived at Grace Lutheran Church. Word of Peace and Grace are partnering through our Vacation Bible School program and we stopped because of their amazing story. Check out their website and come to VBS in a few weeks to hear their story. http://www.gracenola.com/ We met their pastor and a few members that told us some stories. It was truly Amazing Grace.

We were still very hungry because we ended up a little behind schedule and so breakfast was the next stop. We found a great grocery store and purchased our milk and other perishables. Then to a park not far from our hotel for a much needed meal.

Finally it was on to the hotel and a free afternoon. The students took naps, swam and hung out at the hotel while a few of us went t register everyone at the convention center. While we were there we found out an interesting fact that the work that is done in New Orleans over the next three days will equal 3 years of work for normal volunteering efforts. Wow this is going to be amazing.

The walk back was interesting because we got caught in the rain. One second cloudy sky the next downpour. No wonder people carry umbrellas all the time. But after the typical five minutes it was done and we were on our way. I gathered the group when we got back to the hotel and we left for the Superdome we took a walk down Bourbon Street. The best way to describe the walk was an "eye opening experience," for most of the passer-bys.



The dome event was awesome and full of speakers, music, giant conga lines and the Bishop of the ELCA arriving to the gathering in a motorized bathtub and bathrobe. It was a night full of special moments and it seems as though everyone is looking forward to a great week.





I am tired as is everyone else so I think this is about it for today. Keep us and New Orleans in your prayers.

dain

check out more pictures on my FLICKR page