Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Youth Group

07/21/2024

Day.... last. Tomorrow we leave... as long as there are no issues at the airport. I have heard a lot of stories because of the cyber attack.... so.. keep us in your prayers. If you ever get a chance, worship with 16000 people... it is an experience... created to be deciples.... we were hot, we were tired, we (me) had blisters, we were crowded, we were challenged, we were inspired, we were brave, we met people, we were energized..... we were deciples.

The youth is not the future... the youth is the present.

Thank you to everyone that made this possible.... Amen

07/20/2024

Day 6. Interactive learning.... after breakfast we went to the interactive learning center. We walked around and learned about different cultures and lifestyles. The kids tried out a new profession.... they even paraded around the center in their new uniforms....... I spent some time with someone I've met at a few of the networking things. Sat in his poetry class. He is a brilliant author and poet. He was also the Houston gathering favorite performer. Joe Davis. Look him up. The Mass gathering was created to be disruptive. We learned that being disruptive to make things better is a good thing.... so.... you may want to be ready.... there may be some disruption coming.... I learned that Facebook is for old people........ that one kind of hit me a little hard... I don't want to learn the snapgram or instachat....

07/19/2024

Day 5.... after breakfast, we went to the Marriott to worship with all the kids in our synod... on the way, we were stopped by a hotel concierge, and he asked us if we knew the most diverse city in the world... of course, we guest New Orleans.... but we were wrong... if you want to know the answer... talk to Eleanor...... Ran into some people we knew from home and met some new people from close to home. It is a great time and a meaningful service... ask the kids what a zip lock bag has to do with baptism... (I want to see if they were paying attention) after service we decided to skip the goose chase and get on the trolly to search for some legendary cemeteries. The first two were locked shut for obvious reasons.... no Nash, not to keep the dead in... for rehabilitation. They were pretty run down. We got back on the trolly and took it to the end and found one that was open to walk though. It was a cemetery for volunteer firefighter's widows. It was very interesting to see the difference from our cemeteries and theirs. And then it started to rain... so we got back on the trolly and headed back. Grabbed some lunch in a back alley pizza shop and stopped back at the motel to wait out the storm. Mass gathering was chosen to be free. It was some very controversial subject matter. Our final 15 talk turned into an hour. But, we learned that even when we don't feel loved, someone is proving you are loved, even if they show it a little differently.... show up and walk side by side.

And 16000 people rocked the house during mass gathering singing Queens "Bohemian Rhapsody".... I and Journeys "Don't Stop Believing".

07/18/2024

So, we are under severe thunder storm watch and flood watch... we could use an ark... anyone... "NOAH" guy??

07/18/2024

Day.... 4??? Yeah... 4. Today was our accompaniment day. Service... this year service looked a little different than the other gatherings I've been to. We arrived early... because if you aren't early you are late. Good thing we did, because there was a long line after us to get in the building for launch. We were a little disappointed that we didn't get to go out into the community this year, but what we learned was just as important... we learned that most kids in this city, if they don't have a place to belong, they end up in gangs or worse. We watched a video about how music saves these kids. A local marching band came in and performed for us and lead a parade where we then carried hurricane relief kits to be blessed and then to the docks so they could be distributed to the people of New Orleans during storms. We planned a relax day because of what we expected to be working on, and maybe it was a good reason ... we had a storm roll through and this time it dumped a little water down.... it just about ended as we got ready to walk our just over a mile trek to the smoothie king for the Mass gathering... smoothies were a good treat. The speakers talked about created to be authentic. Find your scar and don't hide it, embrace it. Be an always person....

07/17/2024

Day 3. It wasn't as hot here as back home... it was only 92. After breakfast we went to tour the Mardi Gras museum. It is where all the floats are made for all 40 parades in 2 weeks. Bet you thought it was just 1... we learned about Styrofoam sculpting and paper machete... that is what is on most of the floats... vbs... we need to get Styrofoam!!! we learned all about Marti Gras and it's religious ties. After lunch we went to the community center for some game time with other kids. We were carefully watching the radar.... there was a storm a brewin... but nothing.. not 1 drop. We walked a little over a mile to the Smoothie King Center for our first mass gathering... the energy is indescribable. After the Gathering, we hustled back for dominoes pizza and our final 15 talk. It's a good day to be in New Orleans.

07/16/2024

Day 2.... or 32.... not sure.... heat is hot.... I even said, next person to complain about the heat buys dinner.. we went to the Red slipper Cafe for breakfast... they loved the French toast... not waffles... definitely not waffles.... and pancakes.. I got eggs Benedict with chicken.... then we walked down to the Mississississippi river. We made our way to the WW2 museum for a few hours of learning. Then to a Katrena memorial art statue. We went to Gus's for some world famous chicken. Then we registered and got our shirts and bracelets to get into everything. Then we found out there is an outlet shopping mall connected to the motel... I reminded everyone we don't get to take extra luggage home. Then off to shake shack for supper. Tomorrow evening is the first mass gathering. I sure hope is is hot again.... I know some people ask why we go a day or 2 early... we have heard a lot of horror stories of cancelled flights and breakdowns. It makes it less stressful.

07/15/2024

Day 1 (Part 2). We went for a long long long walk across the street to a little cafe for dinner. We wanted to try some authentic New Orleans cuisine... Eleanor got the chicken tenders and Marissa got a burger. Nash had a hamburger steak....... Sam and I got some Po Boys sandwiches. We all shared a chicken and sausage gumbo with Cajun Jambalaya rice. We came back to the motel because the tAble was having a masquerade tonight in our motel and we wanted to see them in their masks.... we were a little disappointed that most of them were carrying them instead of wearing them on the way to the ball. The tAble blesses and encourages young people who live with a wide range of physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities so that they might grow as wise, faithful and courageous witnesses.

07/14/2024

Day 1. (Part 1) We got up a little late since we didn't get to bed until 4 am... lunch was egg omelets, pancakes, ham, at Mommas. Then a walk to the grocery store for water and snacks. A little nap... and then a walk up canal and some of the French Quarter. When in New Orleans.... beingnets.... soooo good. The architecture is amazing!! Street perfomers are so good. Did a little souvenir shopping. Mid 90s, real feel is 105... so sweating a little.

07/14/2024

07/14/2024

Heading to new orleans