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New Orleans LA, US Urban Mission Trip
June 27 to July 3, 2009
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| Ministry Detail |
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Project Overview:
The primary ministry focus in New Orleans is rebuilding people instead of structures. NOLA is a city where physical reconstruction has outpaced emotional reconstruction. People who are overwhelmed and/or struggling with depression can be found in every racial and economic category. Inevitably, the Lord will guide us to specific people. He has shown little concern for their class or race and we have found ourselves working in middle class neighborhoods and the inner city. Your ministry, just like Katrina itself, might impact people from all walks of life. We are able to help them restore their lives and homes and give them hope. We have found that the Lord has used prayer walks to lead us to the many of the work/ministry sites in the city.
Ministry Description:
Your group can help make an impact for Christ in New Orleans through prayer walks, sports evangelism, feeding programs, door to door ministry and evening outreach. We have found vacant school lots are great for Vacation Bible School. If one is willing to step out of their comfort zone and follow the Spirit’s leading, you will have a chance to build a meaningful relationship with many different types of people.
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| Trip Requirements |
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Participants must: 1. have accepted Jesus as Savior and have a living, personal relationship with Him. 2. be willing, experienced, and comfortable with sharing their testimonies and a Gospel message. 3. be willing to submit to authority. 4. demonstrate a servant’s heart. 5. acknowledge Jesus as Lord.
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| Food & Lodging |
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We partner with several local ministries for housing, all air conditioned. You will need to bring all bedding.
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| Dress Code & What to Bring
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Dress Code:
FEMALES Ministry Dress (evangelism, church services, school devotions, door to door, Nursing homes)- Wear skirts that reach below the bottom of the knee or longer, Capri pants or khaki slacks, and shirts with sleeves that cover the shoulders. You can wear short sleeves, but they must cover the shoulders and upper arms. No cap sleeves or sleeveless shirts of any kind. Shirts should not have scoop necks or low v-necks.
Construction/Sports Dress/VBS/ Feeding Programs-Jeans, capris or knee length shorts. Work shirt or t-shirt, (no tank tops, cap or sleeveless tops). Shirts should not have scoop necks or low v-necks. Boots, strong shoes or tennis shoes.
MALES Ministry Dress (evangelism, church services, school devotions door to door, nursing homes) -Nice pants (slacks, khaki slacks), nice shirt with a collar, nice shoes or tennis shoes.
Construction/Sports Dress/VBS/ Feeding program-Jeans, pants or shorts to the knee. Work shirt (no tank tops or sleeveless), boots, strong shoes or tennis shoes
No flashy clothes or jewelry. Do not bring clothes with logos and advertisements. Something simple like Old Navy is ok, but remember what you wear is a physical representation of who you are. Both guys and girls do not bring clothing that is tight, too small, or form-fitting in any way. Do not bring pants that are low-cut. If you can bend over and touch your toes without showing any skin in the back, then your shirt and pants are ok. If you can raise your hands all the way above your head and not show your stomach, then your shirt is ok. No open-toed sandals. All shoes must be close-toed and preferably closed-heel, as well.
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| Travel Information |
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Airport & Transportation:
Groups may drive to New Orleans, or fly into Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY). They must provide their own ground transportation while on the project.
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Shots & Vaccinations:
An updated Tetanus shot is STRONGLY Recommended for ALL projects.
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Suggested Travel Agency:
- Donna Booth, CTC Domestic and International Travel
Consultant
MTS Travel
9440 Philips Hwy, Ste 3
Jacksonville, Fl. 32256
Phone (800) 888-8292 ext 208
Email donnab@mtstravel.com
- Karol Fleming, CTC Domestic and International Travel
Consultant
MTS Travel
9440 Philips Hwy, Ste 3
Jacksonville, Fl. 32256
Phone (800) 888-8292 ext 208
Email karolf@mtstravel.com
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Suggested Travel Insurance:
We highly recommend all program participants have health insurance coverage for international trips. It is important to know that most regular health insurance plans do not cover you overseas. Health coverage is not a requirement for domestic trips, but still recommended.
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| Location Information
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Location Description:
One of North America's most distinctive and culturally diverse cities, New Orleans is located in southeastern Louisiana on the Mississippi River delta. It is one of the most active ports in the United States, about 110 miles from the Gulf of Mexico. New Orleans can be characterized by its striking contrast between the rich and poor. Blocks and blocks of slums exist alongside the wealthy Garden District.
Weather:
During the summer months, New Orleans is hot and humid. It has a semitropical climate, with an average daily temperature range of 73-91°F in July. The city averages 62 inches of rain per year.
Area Attractions:
The Aquarium of the Americas, Jazz Heritage Festival, Audobon Zoo, D-Day Museum, Museum of Art, Riverboat Tours
Food ... and lots of it! Try a Po-Boy, a large sandwich on a French loaf stuffed with fried shrimp, roast beef, or fried oysters. Or try crayfish in Louisiana etouffee, gumbo, or jambalaya---followed by beignets (deep-fried pastries). Gumbo, muffalota, red beans and rice ...YUM!
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| People, Culture and Religion
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The French originally settled New Orleans between 1718 and 1762, and then ceded it to the Spanish, resulting in a unique French-Spanish culture known as Creole. Many Creoles still live in the city and have a major influence on the cuisine, culture, and dominance of the Catholic faith.
The large black population of New Orleans also has a strong influence resulting from the importation of slaves from Africa and the 1790s slave uprising in Haiti.
The population of New Orleans has substantially declined since large numbers of families began relocating from the inner city to the suburbs in the 1950s. Many descendants of the Germans, Irish, Italians, and Anglo-Americans who immigrated during the 19th century have moved there. According to the 2000 census, African Americans constitute 67.3% of the city's population; whites, 28.1%.
Counties are known in Louisiana as parishes. The Catholic parochial school system, which extends into the outlying metropolitan parishes, is now one of the largest in the United States.
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| Statistics
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Population:
476,492 - New Orleans (U.S. Census Bureau 2001) 1.3 million - metropolitan area (2000) ++++++++ Today (2006- post Katrina): estimates 180,000 - New Orelans 300,000 - metropolitan area (again estimated by post office officials) |
Poverty Rate:
27.9% live below the poverty line. (U.S. Census Bureau 1999) |
Literacy Rate:
97% USA
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Average Annual Income:
$27,133 (1999) |
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