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.