Nsmbcmissions's Blog

We Fall Down, But We Get Up

nsmbcmissions — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 03:45:30 +0000

Today, started off with the group going to Urban Ministries, Inc. in Durham, North Carolina. Urban Ministries is an organization that provides food, clothing, and shelter for the homeless. The group was assigned to paint the walls of the men’s shelter. Many of the group members did not have experience with painting, so this was a learning experience. Hey, has anybody seen Darius??? Moving on, the group did a very good job at painting.

After the mission, we as a group grew tired, and decided to go back to our rooms until the barbecue. We barely made the barbecue, but after two hours we finally did. Some of the foods at the barbecue were fish, baked beans, hamburgers, and a lot of other delicious dishes. The barbecue concluded and the parade of nations started. Our family groups, similar to care groups, were broken up by different nations that Lott Carey represent around the world. The parade of nations was lead by the Helping Hands Missions Band (the same group, who we served on missions for on Monday). Hmmm… Did anybody see Willie, lead the band??? LOL!!! (Inside joke)

The last night, here at Lott Carey was concluded with an Evening Concert and Communion Service. Several youth performed a drama skit that captured the attention of the audience. The skit included the important messages of redemption, responsibility, and reconciliation. The skit provided laughter to the youth and chaperons about real live issues. After the skit, the choir transitioned into ministering. For the youth of Lott Carey, only to be here for such a little time, the choir sounded good. The choir ministered several songs, before the guest soloist from Bermuda performed. She performed several songs as well. During this time of her performance, she miscalculated how far back she was on the stage and she fell off. Luckily, she was ok. She quickly got up, without any help, hence the saying “we fall down, but we get up.” LOL!!! God does have a sense of humor in the aftermath. Before, we sign off on the last full day at Lott Carey. Please, remember that you can’t have real love without honesty. (White Lies!!!)

Another Day In the N.C.

nsmbcmissions — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 05:20:05 +0000

(Bus Driver) “Good Morning cotton pickers I mean corn pickers.”

Today was the gleaming day for us. We went to a field of corn that was ready to be picked. Despite the 102 degree weather, our group was able to pick 16,500 pounds of corn in 30 minutes. What a shocker, huh?!? But it was a great experience that everyone enjoyed and once again it showed us that everything you do, whether big or small, does make a difference.

We would like to give a late shout out to Martha for getting us here safely!

I am really enjoying myself on this trip. The kids here are so inspiring. I’ve never seen so many teens, especially boys, praise God with so much energy. When I go to the evening services, I feel like I’m at a real church and it puts a big smile on my face. They are serious about Christianity and I can tell they really love the Lord. And guess what…they’re cute LOL! BUT ANYWAYS, I’m having a wonderful time.

Tonight’s sermon was really good and I felt like it spoke to me. People start out in the high chair, which basically means they want to be spoon fed about everything. They want to be infant Christians and don’t want to take their Christianity to a higher level. Then there are the people who are in the metal chairs, which means they are in the middle. They have been told by God what their calling is, but don’t step out on faith and accept their mission. So they don’t move on to the King’s chair. When you’re in the King’s chair, you’ve accepted God’s calling and therefore follow that calling FAITHFULLY! Tonight, I accepted my calling and I feel great already!

Welp..that’s about it for now…..can somebody ppplllllleeeaaaasssseeee tell me what that knocking noise is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Kiaunna

Day Two: The First Mission

nsmbcmissions — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 02:25:57 +0000

Today was our first day of wonderful missions for the week. We were sent to the Helping Hands of Raleigh. This organization was started by a sweet, joyful and loving woman named Ms. Wiggins. They give donated and used items to the needy, such as toys, clothes, stuffed animals and furniture. We met a lot of interesting people from Raleigh who were also giving community service hours to Helping Hands. No matter what the various reasons were that we were at that place this afternoon, the time that we spent sorting and loading a truck of items that would be sent to Haiti made us think that the small amount of work that we are doing does really matter.

One of the workers shared some jokes with us. Now one thing we were all curious about was how the mouse was able to get away from the elephant? Also, how can a dog survive underwater? These are just some of the many “funny’s” that we will never understand, but they have become more hilarious over time.

Overall everything is going well, and we are learning to deal with other people’s personalities and “ways” through these fews rules that have been put into a song…

1…2…3: We won’t complain.
4…5…6: I will keep an open mind.
7…8…9: We’re only here til’ Thursday.
10: JJJJJJEEEEESSSSSSUUUUUUSSSSSS!!!!!!
20:…SHUT-UP!!! (from Ms. TaNikka).

Being Fake vs. Being Saved

nsmbcmissions — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:27:50 +0000

It was a long, but funny drive down yesterday so no post from Saturday.

This morning Ms.TaNikka delivered a great sermon based on Romans 7 and 8 that had everybody realizing that the persons who probably makes us the most upset are ourselves when we are sinful. We also learned the difference between a Christian habit vs. a lifestyle. Then we broke up into family groups that represented a country that is in Lott Carey. We are in families with strangers, so we ate lunch together so that we could bond and get to know them.

This afternoon we listened to advocacy groups talk about their issues. A representative from Keep NC Beautiful did a presentation on recycling and reducing waste. (We are so glad that our church already recycles.) Bishop Don Williams spoke on ending world hunger and poverty. (With it being a hot afternoon, he didn’t keep too many people’s attention but he was passionate.) We broke up into our family groups again and had regular classes, learning about Micah 6:8. After classes, we all had dinner and talked about our day and the many interesting people that we met or saw.

In evening service, Rev. Robert James preached to us about how fake we can actually be, even though we are church people. The scripture for the sermon was Luke 7:11-17.

The best news of the day was when I (Nayo) accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior this morning. I had a feeling and went for it, and I’m glad I did. It was the best decision of my life. We had a good day, and we have our first mission assignment tomorrow.

It’s all up to me . . .

nsmbcmissions — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 05:44:32 +0000

Today is our last day doing missions in the city of New Orleans, so we had to cap it off with a bang. Starting from the beeping of Rev. Williams phone at 7: 30, to the never ending frustration of Ms. Jamie wanting us to go to sleep, we went hard. We completed painting Ms. Solomon’s home and got a new assignment. We arrived at Ms. Baker’s crib not knowing what we were getting into -our minds were set on completing the task at hand. Helping and moving most of the stuff in Ms. Baker’s house was real overwhelming. We did and observed things we weren’t accustomed to. Ms. Baker explained to us how she lived in a camper and also hadn’t taken a bath in her bathroom in five years. Despite these conditions, Ms. Baker surprised us with a display of her son’s LSU Jerseys and championship rings. Having the chance to put the jerseys and the rings on and take pictures (YES THE AUTHENTIC’S-THE REAL ONE’S) we were geeked. We did a lot of work on Ms. Baker’s house but there is still so much more to do. What we did for her, she says, “was a BLESSING!!!!” She explained to us how our work brought her another step closer to moving back into her house. This is especially interesting because most of the house had no drywall, just insulation and there was even a rotting wall. We wish that we could stay and do more for Ms. Baker.

The low point of the day was missing two of our team members. But God is ever faithful . . . so even though someone got sick (and yes there was an emergency surgery) . . . we thank God that it is as good as it is. This is what we are learning from the survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Walking to the levee and learning from Rev. and Mrs. Duplessis, residents of the lower ninth ward, was invaluable. It is hard to believe that this new levee which is 12 feet tall, 2 feet wide and made of concrete replaced a 6 feet tall, 9 inch wide levee made of dirt, sand, and newspaper. Even though we were able to see a positive change in the lower ninth ward from last year the amount of work left to do is staggering considering that the storms were in 2005.

We leave New Orleans changed for the better, more appreciative of what we have, and more aware of God’s goodness. We also realize that one week a year isn’t enough. If it is to be . . . it’s up to me. We are determined to keep New Orleans in the forefront of our minds and yours.

Ms. Solomon

nsmbcmissions — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 06:38:19 +0000

Today, we finished the mission of painting Ms. Solomon’s house.

The mission was, to say the least, was an awesome experience. Helping Ms. Solomon via painting her house was such a great experience for us all. Throughout the mission, tonight especially, we learned some juicy info about New Orleans (the past, the present and the overall history of this place) in the eyes of a wise elder who has truly been through hell and back. From being through Hurricane Katrina and having to live in a trailer for 4 years, owning a newly rennoveated home is truly a blessing in itself. Hopefully I can speak for us all when I say that helping Ms. Solomon opened our eyes to a whole new perspective of what older people in New Orleans have lived through. The way that she openly shares her testimony without cringing or stuttering makes Ms. Solomon a strong Christian and trust-er in Christ. It amazes me to see how much a lot of people in New Orleans went through due to some dern water. It is so mind-boggling that the thought of it makes me second-guess myself. It is safe to say that Ms. Solomon is an honorary hero in all of our eyes.

One unique thing about New Orleans is that on one side of the street there is the hood and on the next the Hilton’s. It amazes me so… But back to the project. Hopefully we get to work with another group of Missionaries for our last assignment because that would truly end this mission trip with a bang.

[Before we go let me just say this - before going on Bourbon Sreet, carry about 10 gallons of Holy water and about 1,000 Bibles to give out because that place is where Satan resides in the flesh! From grocery stores to gentlemens clubs, Bourbon Street carries it all. What it needs is Jesus!]

-R.V. and L.T.

A Paint Shower

nsmbcmissions — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 23:25:32 +0000

Day two of painting was very productive to start off. We made it to the site and jumped into our assignments, we painted nearly the entire interior. Thanks to Ms. TaNikka for buying a boom box to play music which helped keep the team motivated.

Before completing the job, Corey amused us all by taking a paint shower. Except for the loss of materials our hope was not deflated we went on to complete the project. Khary stepped up and stood out offering young Corey the shirt off of his back. (Way to serve.)

In conclusion to our day we all went back to housing quarters to wash up, eat, and have a night on the town at the French Quarter. After a long day of hard work it is time for a little bit of fun.

What’s going to work?… Teamwork!

nsmbcmissions — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 05:30:45 +0000

We primed the walls

sealed the gaps

finished working for the day

and went back to our housing quarters to eat.

The AGENTS of Change have experienced God’s favor on this trip. Not only are we the only team staying at our housing quarters, we were placed at the only worksite with a port-o-potty. These luxuries may seem small in our everyday lives . . .but in the mission field they are priceless.

The team worked on the home of Ms. Solomon who has been living in a FEMA trailer in her backyard for the last 4 years. It was nice to meet her on our first day because it motivated us by putting a face to the project. Our project is to paint the interior walls. Before we could paint, we had to prime, mud, and sand some of the walls today. We know we did a good job because we got as much primer on ourselves as on the walls. Also, we took extra steps to conserve supplies, so that nothing would be wasted. All in all today was a really bright day. The weather was so good that Ms. TaNikka thought she saw the second-coming of Jesus for a few seconds . . . but it was just Rev. Williams opening the back door to let out the paint fumes. (It was the sun not the Son!)

When we finished working for the day we went on a field trip, where Corey and Ray were christened the “ghetto surveyors” after they were underwhelmed by Hollygrove, the home of Lil’ Wayne . . . only to learn that we confused the street with the neighborhood and it wasn’t his home at all. Yet, no one wanted to get out of the van and explore. . . . it was real enough.

After a tasty dinner that was prepared by Ms. TaNikka, Ray, and Margo a few of us visited with our beloved Ms. Tanya and the rest of us went to a local restaurant to watch the NCAA championship. Overall, it was a great day. The team is off to a great start and we are really getting to know one another.

And a new trip begins…

nsmbcmissions — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 20:28:13 +0000

The Agents of Change Youth Missionaries are in New Orleans and ready to work. This particular team of 13, 7 males and 6 females, is together for the first time ever and is determined to make the best of this opportunity. We are here for different reasons . . . some more interesting than others . . . as we learned in our first devotion . . . but we are all committed to taking initiative, doing our best, and remembering that we are a team.

We arrived on Easter again this year and after settling into our accomodations (much nicer than last year’s), we went to eat at Deanie’s Seafood Restaurant.

This year’s surprise MVP is our very own DAW (Rev. Williams) who has already proven himself to be an asset to the team when it comes to figuring out how to transport 13 people and a week’s worth of luggage or groceries in a 15 person van!

Trip Accomplished… the Mission Continues

nsmbcmissions — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:55:19 +0000

Morning Devotions at the MSY Airport

We have now arrived back from New Orleans. This trip is officially over. Everyone got through the airport security swiftly this time with no incidents due to long sweaters or life-sized bottles of lotion (Ms. TaNikka and Ms. Jamie) . We have left New Orleans with many memories, new friends and lessons that will undoubtedly affect us for many years to come.

Although our trip is over, we know that the mission continues. Four years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struct the Gulf Coast there still are many families displaced, homes demolished and persons living in devastating conditions. Our hope is that we do not forget them and that we continue to help those who are still crying out for assistance.

Praise God we have made it home. Thank so much to our Pastor and church family, to our friends and loved ones and to every single person who has read this blog and prayed for this team. We never would have made it without you… AMEN!