Jeanette & Don, adult leaders
Don and I were blessed to deepen our faith at the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans, joining 16,000 other Christians in a week of spiritual growth. Our journey spanned 2,500 miles with 17 youth and 4 adult chaperones.
Getting to know our youth and chaperones was a highlight, as we shared our faith and experiences, strengthening our sense of Christian community. The nightly mass gatherings provided powerful and inspirational messages and music on being authentic, contributing to root cause solutions, loving our neighbors, and finding comfort in walking with the Lord every day.
We had an incredible experience in the city of New Orleans including the cleaning of storm drains in the Hollygrove Dixon neighborhood, walking over 100,000 steps all over the city, cruising the Mississippi, enjoying the local culture, and amazing cuisine.
We are deeply grateful for our congregation's support and prayers, which made this journey possible. God's presence was palpable throughout, reminding us of His goodness and the joy of following Him.
Great time getting to connect with the kids, Allison, and Katelyn. I think my favorite was showing them how not to complain about heat, walking, or other perceived hardships. Sleeping on floors, endless hours in the vans, and unplanned detours added to the memories.