Team Testimonies!

Team Testimonies River Church New Orleans Mission June 28 – July 6, 2016 

Wendy Haase
 I had no idea what to expect on this mission trip, even though we had pre-meetings for three months. What I realized first was that each person on this trip has their unique individual quirks… and gifts. This is a team in every sense of the word, the body of Christ. Everyone was initiated with humor about those quirks, and at the same time, acknowledged for their special gifts. There were 7 adults and 6 children…. And no drama…. No fighting. There was so much laughter and love. I, myself, was truly impressed by them all. Each of special…. A child of God. I believe God was truly pleased. One specific mission we worked on was the Desperate Reality Rescue Mission group. It was a 21-day rescue mission that ministers to the homeless in New Orleans on Saturday nights. Hy McEnery (one of our main ministry partners) participates on a radio station that takes calls from troubled people who are homeless or addicted in some way. The “team” goes out on the streets trying to rescue people off the streets, giving them a shower, a meal, a place to sleep, in air conditioned sleeping quarters. (the heat index on most days was around 105 degrees). The Mission also help with getting people off of drugs, finding a job, etc.. The people we met on the street were actually quite humorous, mostly under the influence of something, desperate, sincere, but almost all believed in God and knew the Scriptures well. Many had a strong spiritual upbringing, but came across troubles along the way, but they were just grateful to wake up each day!!! I found listening to their stories… the people on the streets, to be the most rewarding. My most favorite, Jacob Daniel a redhead “Ginger Snap” who actually started to stop and pray for others as he left us. We prayed for him and he for us. We explained that God loves him just the way he is here and now. He doesn’t have to change to come to God… God will help him and see him through. God will show him how. He left a big smile on my face and totally made my day! I don’t think I will ever forget him! Thank you, Jacob Daniel. 

Brooks Guif 
This trip was an experience: physically, mentally and spiritually. It is hard to put into words how life changing it was. To go and feed all those people at Feed the Multitudes! There was this one guy I was talking to and he got down on his knees and prayed for me. That blessed me so much! I had prayed for him because he was getting frustrated with Jesus! If you want to experience this mission trip to New Orleans, you have to have an open heart. I promise you that if you do, something good will happen! 

Elijah Piala
 I thought me and God were close already. Man, was I wrong! I’ve never felt God’s presence more when we were doing free prayer. Everybody could just feel the energy of God running through them. It was especially special when me and my mom talked to and prayed for this guy named Gary. He told us about how he got on the streets and what his life was like before that. We probably talked to him for about 25 minutes. Before the trip, I thought I wasn’t much of a helper. But that changed too! When we were at the 2 homeless shelters, I really liked putting food on the plates and serving them to people. At the second homeless shelter, we saw our friend Gary again! So we talked with him a little bit and we took a picture with him. The main goal of this trip was to get outside of our comfort zones. I thing we all did that in some special way. We did things we wouldn’t normally do, we talked to people who we wouldn’t normally talk to. Both of those things changed someone’s life in a positive way. Overall, this was a great trip and a great experience. 

Kent Beckman 
This was my fifth mission trip to New Orleans, but God never stopped surprising me the whole way through. One of the most important things I took away from the trip is how important it is to listen to God when He tells you to do something. We were getting ready to serve at an event called Feed the Multitudes and for the days leading up to it, I wanted to be a part of the security team. However, God had a different plan in mind. He told me I should do foot washing and it was one of the coolest things I’ve done in my life. People were so grateful for what I was doing. I had the chance to pray with people who needed hope and it was a big honor to be used by Jesus to spread His love. I am very glad that I once again had the opportunity to come and suggest anyone considering this trip to ask God what He wants. Trust me, if He wants you to come, He will find a way to make it work. 

Ashley Guif 
When I met Libba and Hy McEnery (our main ministry partners), there was a day when we all went to help out , me and Destini helped kids make paper beads and there was this little girl and she was very shy and scared. Later on I was told that she was thrown in the trash by other girls. This little girl was only 3 years old! The second time we saw her she wanted me to help her make beads. She wanted to take pictures with me and also she laid on me and wanted me to hold her. When it was time to go, she said with very sad eyes, “I don’t want you to go.” I give her my bracelet to remember us by. When I first Trachelle, I thought that I’d never have her so close to my heart. She made an impact on my life. She was a great help to my brother when he’d get mad with me, Trachelle would tell him to be nice and always caring wherever he was at or what he was doing. When we all got to sit down and hear Trachelle’s testimony of Hurricane Katrina, Trachelle was so attached to my heart that her story made me cry. Before I knew it, it was time to say goodbye – I don’t want to leave her! 

Connor Piala 
This trip has changed my whole life! After we got off the plane in New Orleans, we got all our beds made and we had Hy & Libba (our main ministry partners) over. They were our hosts for the week. The next day we went to Hy & Libba’s house. It was a mess because people give them all kinds of furniture to pass along to others. We cleaned, picked figs. The next day we scrubbed the fence surrounding the house. The next day we started to paint the fence. Saturday we went to eat beignets (French donuts) and then we did Free Prayer – which is holding a big sign that says, “Free Prayer!” and people come to you if they need it. Then we went to Hy & Libba’s and we cleaned a lot of the attic upstairs for them. This week want’ all work because we went shopping in the French Quarter. We went to Ozanam Inn where we served food to the homeless. We went to another church to sign up for different ministries/jobs to do on the 4th. Monday was Feed the Multitudes. We each had jobs. I worked on face painting in the kids area. Everyone was having a great time!!! We did “Free Prayer!” for a little bit. It went by very fast. Tuesday we went to Hy & Libba’s where ENORMOUS progress was made in the attic, then we went to the Rescue Mission where we fed a lot of people. I hope you consider coming to New Orleans because they need the help! 

Surina Kubiske 
This is my second time on a missions trip to New Orleans. I knew the ropes and the location, but there’s always so much more to learn. Like, it’s not where you go, it’s what you do. Taking a seemingly insane leap of faith isn’t as hard as you’d think. When you completely trust God and let Him work through you, joy wins out over fear every time. Love will break any and all barriers that people put up. Even though I knew the important, visible facts, I didn’t know some of the new lessons that were waiting for me. When I got here, I was so unsure of my purpose or what God wanted me so badly to learn. The cliché answer to that would be, “And then God put all the answers together for me on this trip!” But I’m not a very cliché person. I also wish that it was true. God revealed much to me, but they were answers to the things that mattered to Him , not what mattered to me. That happening really emphasized how unimportant some of the questions that go racing through my head are. Really, it was the lesson that God does work in mysterious ways and all we have to do is wave our white flag, drop it, then tightly grasp His hand for the ride. It’s scary, exciting, saying “God…. Uh, are You really sure about this?” Lots of times, and then…. “Wow. God… I love You so much more for taking me on that adventure.” In fact, if I could describe missions trips, that last description there might just be what I’d say. God is always, always faithful and He works in such a fulfilling way, bot on the inside and through the other team members. So save your “Good for one miracle” card and just trust Him. 

Destini Gezzi 
I go to church, but I didn’t understand missions truly until now. On this trip, one of the things that impacted me most was when I was in the Desperate Reality Radio Show booth. I got to hear the homeless and struggling people’s stories; where they talked about their addictions and were asked if they knew what they were doing was wrong. From that they were told about God and how the people could go to a special place to work out addictions and give them a place to stay. It was very sad to hear the stories of these people, and very eye-opening to things I take for granted sometimes (shelter, food, water, etc…) It made me want to help them. I felt God working here because we saved lives. The other thing that really impacted me was when I was teaching the kids at Miss Libba’s house how to make paper beads. I saw God working here because all of the kids opened up to me and were talking a lot more. LeLe (sp?) one of the little girls, was really shy at first, then she opened up to me and Ashley. I felt that God was working in us then. In these 2 situations, I felt amazed. I really do think in all of these times God was there with us and guiding us. I felt scared and out of my comfort zone sometimes, but with God, I have learned that you can overcome anything. God is amazing! I believe that He was always helping us, and making sure we were all safe. God is good. I would definitely recommend going on a mission trip. You get closer to God, friends, strangers, and you have so much fun. I would recommend going if you need more spiritual growth. 

Mark Inman 
I am amazed at seeing God at work this past week. From the Brat Fry fundraiser the week before mission to the Mission Team Blessing at church before we left! Immediately I felt the Spirit begin to work. I will never forget the trip to the airport with all the luggage on our laps. The arrival in New Orleans on Tuesday presented a new look in climate, cultural change, a more laid back way of life. Although it is hot in July in Illinois, this had a special blend of humidity. On Wednesday we met Hy & Libba, our mission partners. What a blessing to work with and for during these 8 days. The story they have about the way of life after Hurricane Katrina was amazing. Then came along this short, feisty lady named Trachelle. She ministers along with Hy & Libba. I knew it was going to be a Spirit-filled week! For a few days we painted and organized Hy & Libba’s house, shed and attic. They are repairing their historic bed and breakfast. They also collect all kinds of furniture for the poor families they minister to. They also serve at several mission rescues and homeless shelters, so there was work to be done for them. This was just about every day along with ministering and serving mission rescues and homeless shelters. Saturday night some adults went to do street ministry and others went to pray in the radio station that was doing live reports with calls. I stayed at home base with the younger team members, so others could go out. On Sunday, we worshiped at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church. This was a complete cultural change for me with a powerful message. I believe we should all love one another in worship. I have developed a better understanding of different ways to worship, knowing that we are all God’s children. On Monday, July 4th, it was, for me, a Spirit-filled day to say the least. We fed about 5,000 people a free lunch: jambalaya, chicken, hot dogs, red beans and rice and lots more. Victory Fellowship has been doing this every 4th since 1990. Tuesday we served at Hy & Libba’s again for the last time. We also went to New Orleans Mission center to serve dinner. That night, Trachelle shared her Hurricane Katrina testimony with our team. She, Hy & Libba shared some very sensitive information about before, during and after what locals call “The Storm”. In short, if God’s will allows me, I plan on coming back to New Orleans as well as looking to do God’s work in my own backyard. 

Jen Piala 
Before heading onto the streets of New Orleans to visit and minister to the homeless, I was anxious, nervous, and excited, but ready! God had prepared my heart with a gigantic desire to be there, on the streets showing God’s love. After about 30 min meeting discussing how to stay safe, where we were to go, and what the plan was, we all prayed. I then piled into a van with a mit full of strangers – soon to be mentors. These guys had all been in the streets themselves at some point and they were now equipped to rescue others. These men had big hearts for the Lord- they would approach the men and women on the street and say things like, “You’re making excuses now. You say you’ve been praying for God to help you – and now here I come along. Don’t you know He sent me?” See this team had the opportunity to show the homeless a place they could shower, eat, sleep, get some clothes and so forth. They were bold but gentle, firm, and loving. You see these men had turned their mess into their message and they now had this gift to relate to the lost on the streets – bring them hope, love, and Jesus. God restored them. Our team brought 4 men to the mission house that night. We prayed for countless others. I saw God on these streets and in the faces of this team. The experience was exhausting and empowering all at the same time. If you’re thinking of going on a mission trip, all I can say is – Follow God’s prompting. If he says go, don’t question- just go! 

Robert Haase 
I want to express my joy and the unwarranted blessings received while in New Orleans this year. I came down this year wanting to be a blessing to the people of New Orleans through Jesus Christ. It turned out this year that Jesus blessed me through the people of New Orleans. I saw and talked with people at, possibly their lowest, and most of them had one thing in common. They still praised the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. They still had hope in Christ and seemed that they just needed some hope from their fellow man. I hope a little of this hope was provided by this mission team. We know that all of our hope, grace and blessings come from the Lord but a great deals of these are manifested through our fellow man. We need to listen to that small quiet voice and give these people the inspiration to take that next step in their faith walk.

Karen Williams
(coming soon)