Day 3: unsolved problems

Today was an interesting day. Beginning the day with worship was fun and the learning activities are fun. My favorite thing of the day was the "I was adopted from a country other than the USA." It was an amazing experience. I learned a lot of family problems between both parents and adoptive parents. It was actually life changing. Later we ate and worshipped but ran into problems with caucuses because Guyanese was not specified. Solutions have not been made, but all is good. I look forward to tommorrow's youth gathering!!!

Hypocrisy in Acceptance?

Today was frustrating. When we went to the multi-ethnic youth caucus, we felt unwelcomed by the advisors. Going into detail would be a bit tedious at this point, because I've told the story too many times today, but suffice to say we were disapproved of how it was facilitated. Maybe it was the result of a miscommunication, but there was lots of tension today.

A post from Kadin.

Trip continues (by Janeane)

Dear church,

I had a great time for the past days until today. I felt outcastes when they tried to tell me that I don't belong with multi-ethnic caucuses. I thought it was a step back from what we have done so far and what MYLE was all about. Over all it was an unexpected bad day.

Love, Janeane

Day 3 without febreze

Once again another febreze day. We met and interacted with a lot more youth today and it gets better and better everyday!

Mark

The Beauty of Individuality

Day 3 started with a wonderful worship service as usual. It was very enlightening and gave us the extra boost we needed for the other activities that were planned for us. I attended two sessions; one about dating and violence and another about the way women are pecieved based on beyonce. ' number one single "single ladies". The leaders provided everyone with valuable information that can be use and reuse in the future. The long day was ended with a very different worship based on the Native Americans Culture. I continue to learn new things everyday and I cannot wait for tomorrow.

Making Connections

Yesterday was a long and packed day of activities. Our morning worship was about music and finding the beat. Rev. Ruben Duran preached, "God is the music... The more we listen the more we can be in tune with that and find the reason God is calling you by name."

We went through the day's activities. Ashley and I both served on panels to share more with others about our families and communities.

We've gotten a chance to make a lot of new connections while here. In the evening we got a chance to go to the Ethnic Associations Receptions. We got to know some of the people from Salam Arabic Lutheran Church in Brooklyn NY. We had a great time together and hope to see more of each other through the week and then back in New York. Ashley also got some dance lessons from a new friend that comes from central New Jersey. We also happened to meet the son of a former pastor of Our Saviour. They were in New York in the 80s and moved to Puerto Rico after their time at OSLC. More connections and more experiences today!!

Baptized in the Water!

Febreze on your "stanky leg"

A post from Mark:

Today we had to go to a "church club" where the top songs were "Baby Got Book", a funny version of baby got back. I bet everyone is wondering what's your stanky leg? It's a song and dance and nobody from our group could do it! So if you can YouTube stanky leg and try to learn it!

A post from Kadin

So the first full MYLE day was today. It consisted of mostly workshops
on racism and diversity. The discussion session in the multicultural
youth group was interesting, and I enjoyed meeting new people. The
evening worship service was full of energy, and the band was really on.

Unfortuantely, I missed Ashley's stankey leg because I got stuck on an
elevator -- which leg is the stankey one?

Day 2: What's color got to do with it?

Waking up from yesterday's activities was not fun. The beds are comfy. I like them. After breakfast of cold cereal, the team and I went to morning worship. After morning worship we did several activities having to do with diversity and racism. The activity I enjoyed the most was the diversity circle where you can relate to other youth. Tonight there is another dance and I look forward to tomorrow.

Evening Worship Energy!

We have a new song to teach everyone when we get back to New York!!

Kadin's new friend Omar from the MYLE House Band

How many instruments can Allesha play at one time?

After this she added the triangle and a maraca into the mix.

NOLA Trip Continues

Today I felt accepted because I was in a group with a lot of multi-
ethnic youths. I loved hearing all of their experiences being multi-
ethnic and dealing with their family and friends and racism. I loved
this workshop and hope to have more fun on the days to come.

From Janeane

MYLE, up close and personal

It's hard to get to know 900 people, especially when you're 17 and trying to look cool and composed, but have no fear readers, I am slowly getting there We met on three different sessions of smaller groups today, the one I enjoy the most being the pannel. I served on as a member of an inter-faith family. About 20 of the people chose to come in and listen to our stories. Some of them about our struggles with faith and others about their joys. I was thankful for the genuine interest and curiosity of all who came. What I appreciated most was being able to listen to the stories of my fellow pannelists, who belonged to interfaith families that ranged from Muslim to Buddhist. At the end if our discussion, the panelists took questions from the audience. Some of them were terribly personal, but it was good because I know all of us were pushed to think a little deeper about our faith.

I also can't forget to mention the mega dance party (yay!) that took place for two hours tonight. Armed with our dancing shoes, we hit the dance floor. And amidst the hordes of awkward dancing and break dancing circles, I could feel a larger sense of continuity forming, and it was good.

'The Three Amigos'

Today has been a very interesting day. At 9:00 to 10:00 AM we attended a worship service. It was a very wonderful service, the guest speaker was Pastor Robert Duran, from Lima, Peru. He spoke about everything from growing up in Lima and being one with the earth to marrying a woman of a different desent. Pastor Duran talked about "The three amigos" which means the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - each need one another to operate.

Later on we went to two workshops which focused on Racism and Diversity. Both were quite interesting - it was great to see how many different culture and race have yet so much in common. We all interacted very well with each other.

Well, I'll tell you how tomorrow goes.

Diversity Circle

Teamwork!!

Fun at Lunch!

Morning Worship

Start of Day 2

Before we get into day 2, we should have a picture recap of day 1:



We got in and checked into our rooms. We weren't ready to register so we took sometime to see a little of the city and have some fun.

We got a chance to see a little bit of the differences between our city and this one and we got a chance to talk to a few locals.















The first thing we did as a MYLE group was to attend worship. Ashley, Allesha, and Marissa were all helping with worship as offering collectors and communion assistants. We were all given musical instruments for the MYLE worship services this week.

























That night we had a cultural celebration. We shared foods from various areas and enjoyed performances from groups. We also got to catch up with another familiar face.












Today we'll be worshiping and attending more workshops. It should be a really great day!!

And so the fun begins

A post from Ashley:

Exausted beyond belief? Check.
Overwhelmed by all that's going on? Check.
Excited for all the fun that's yet to come? YOU BETCHYA!

We arrived safe and sound in NOLA this morning. After lunch, we took some time to explore the French Quarter of the city and even got to do a fair bit of interacting with the locals, who are amazingly friendly.

Allesha, Marissa, and I were lucky enough to have the opportunity to serve as worship volunteers, collecting offering and assisting in communion. All 900 of us were given a variety of musical instruments to use during worship. It was different, but kinda cool.

First Day In NOLA

The first day arriving in New Orleans was very exciting. I met people from different states at the first service. Everone was very friendly and warm toward each other. The service was different from Pastor Bob but never the less it was just as fulfilling. Well, more tomorrow.
Marissa

The begining

A post from Allesha:

After arriving at church at 5 am, leaving New York at 7 am and arriving at NOLA at 9 am, having all but 2 hours of sleep, I have to say I fell good. Since we arrived at NOLA early, we decided to take a good look around the French Quarter. Walking there and spending quality bonding time together wasn't bad. It was the sun that was bad. I believe we have all gotten browner, except for Rebekah who is pink.

We went to worship with the MYLE group. Participating in it as a worship assistant made me feel special. Mixing with MYLE people was interesting. I look forward to the days coming.

Day 1. By Kadin.

Having been up for almost 39 hours now, I'm surprised I'm able to think straight.

The worship service was probably the highlight of the day. I really liked the emphasis they placed on the multicultural aspects of everything, among other things. When they had the group of teenagers come up to tell everyone what country they were from, it was shocking how many different places were represented. I also liked Pastor Keen's sermon -- the "call and response" style that he had isn't something I experience much, and it was refreshing to experience something
different.

Day 1: Airport lady steals my febreze

Todays sermon was pretty awesome. Rev. Keen was pretty good, but not better than our own Pastor Bob.

A post from Mark.

NOLA trips begins (from Janeane)

Dear everyone,
Our NOLA trip got off to a funny start with Mark at the airport. Then
we went sightseeing and ended with a great sermon by Rev. Keen.
Love, Janeane

Safe landing!

We're on our way!!

Everyone got here on time and we're about to board the flight to New
Orleans!!

We're Ready to Go!

It's the week we've been waiting for. We've been preparing and praying together as a team for seven months. We've gotten to know each other better and ourselves. Each month we've gone through the "Getting Ready" materials sent from the ELCA and we are finally ready.

Through congregational support, we have been able to raise the entire amount needed for our team of 6 youth and 2 adults. We are all incredibly grateful for the support and well-wishes! Thank you!

Join us throughout the week by checking into this blog. It is the best way for you to stay connected with us as we make this life changing journey. Come often -- we'll be posting often! And don't forget to leave comments!