back to Denver

We had a good driving day today. Tonight we're staying at friends'
Dallas, TX (and just had an incredible meal!), and continuing the
journey back to Denver tomorrow.

The last few days of ministry in New Orleans were amazing! We've got
a couple stories that we'll share here in the next couple days.

Thanks for your prayers!

Lundi Gras in New Orleans

What does evangelism look like? Mardi Gras, the second largest free
party in the world, has definitely attracted every variety and flavor
of Christian and evangelism technique. From tract-toting, joyful,
song-singing Christian groups one hundred strong, to individuals
offering to pray for people; from hateful condemnation pouring from
bullhorns (and in the name of Jesus?!?), to requests for forgiveness
offered gently from an apologetic Christian's knees.

I've been so proud of our group. In the midst of all this, the common
comment of people we meet about us is, "I love you guys! I hate these
other Christians, but you guys are great!" We have resolved to have
fun (frowns are never very attractive), and to look for what God's
doing in the midst of that.

Last night our group was able to help a guy on the streets get a place
to stay for the night before his job interview. This act of
compassion was funded by a few others who made money by busking (once
they resolved to give the money that was coming in to this guy, they
made about $100 in less than an hour!).

While we've been in the city, Anna and I have been looking for beauty,
grace, and evidence of Jesus in hidden places. Yesterday we found it
in a celloist named Bracken who was filling a lonely intersection with
his melodies. He called his songs "his offering", and didn't seem to
care too much about making money (though we did tip him :o). We
chatted with him about peace, cello-playing technique, and Bach
suites. It was beautiful.

Thanks for your prayers. Please continue to pray for our group, that
God would continue to give us opportunities to get to know people and
speak into their lives. Also pray for the work that God in doing in
our students' lives. It's interesting how getting on the road to do
outreach always seems bring stuff up in our lives as well. It's great.

Saturday in New Orleans

Yesterday was our first full day in New Orleans, which included an orientation with Steve Niles, director of YWAM New Orleans, and hitting the streets in the evening. The French Quarter is close to where we're staying, just a short ferry-ride across the Mississippi River. Once we got there, we split into small groups and prayed throughout the downtown area and talking to people. Each of us met some great people. A couple of our new friends came by our house today, and we were able to worship Jesus with them and encourage them.

This morning John, our amazing YWAM host, gave us a tour of the 9th Ward, the neighborhood heaviest hit by the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. It was sobering to see physically how much Katrina continues to affect this city, as only a handful of rebuilt houses stand in a neighbourhood that hundreds of families once called home.

In a couple of hours we will again head downtown. I recall the words of our pastor a couple weeks ago, "People usually aren't looking for clever people." We want to see people drawn to Jesus. Pray that people will be drawn to Jesus tonight, and that we will be known by our love.

en route

We just woke up in Dallas, TX. We had a good drive till here
yesterday, and stayed with some friends' families. We're looking
forward to arriving in New Orleans tonight.

Mardi Gras

On Wednesday we'll be taking our students for outreach to New Orleans
during Mardi Gras. We'll be gone Feb 18-26, and will be worshiping on
the streets, praying for people, taking any opportunity to serve, show
the love of Jesus, and build relationships.

Would you pray for us as we go?

Pray for safe travels (it's 24 hours' drive each way). Pray for
strength and unity among our team. Pray for divine opportunities to
serve and speak into lives.

Your partnership in prayer is so important to us. Thank you.

brent and anna

Outreach teams return

Our 4 short-term outreach teams returned this week. It has been good
to see familiar faces and here amazing stories. Our teams did
everything from hanging out with street kids in Mexico City and San
Fransisco, to seeing a troubled teen come to Christ through much
prayer in Tokyo, to helping local churches and YWAM ministries join
together to reach their communities in Argentina. All of our teams
were able to come alongside existing YWAM ministries and churches to
fuel and encourage their ministries their their efforts. It was also
encouraging to see the changes in our students over their two months
overseas.

February update

We've had a busy and good first month with our winter training
programs. The last week in particular was significant one in each of
our students' lives. God spoke to each of our students in regard to
their identity in Christ, and we saw some healing take place in many
hearts.

Personally, we continue to get settled in, and, in addition to our
full-time work leading YWAM training schools, we have also begun to
get more involved in a local church, and are pursuing a couple
opportunities to reach out in our local community.

Please pray that our students would continue to press into what God's
doing in their lives at this time. Later this month we'll be taking
our students on an outreach in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Please
pray that we would take the opportunities God gives us to speak words
of love and serve people in need during our time there.

Thanks for your prayers and support.

love brent and anna