Photos: Raymond and Donna with LCA students / James in Boston / See more photos on Sherry's blog

 
Two thousand years ago, a young boy willingly donated his simple lunch and it fed more than 5,000.  Just a few months ago, 11 Lexington Christian Academy sophomores and juniors, including four international students, willingly donated their time, talent, and financial treasures, and miracles unfolded every day in the still-recovering New Orleans.  Just like the young boy learned, all we have to do is be available and willing, and God will use our simple offering and multiply it beyond our wildest dreams.
 
Again this year, the title for the New Orleans trip was Hearts and Hands Serving Together.  The theme verse was John 14:21...and we were expectantly looking for God to SHOW himself to us, and again He not only showed Himself, but awed us! Here are examples of just some of the daily miracles: JetBlue saved us $390 by waiving the luggage fee of our additional 13 filled-to-over-flowing donated suitcases and contents we were taking to New Orleans to stock an empty Boutique. Then later God provided a new gas oven for the volunteer house we were staying in and it cost almost the same amount of money we saved, $399!!  A wheelchair-bound man, Raymond Greene, who could not leave his front porch by himself, now can wheel himself to freedom down and up a state-of-the-art wheel chair ramp that was designed and handcrafted by the male chaperon, Coach Tim Slighter, and our students. Raymond's wife Donna, suffering from Diabetes, can now feel safer and her life is brighter with a newly painted bright kitchen, living room and her own flowers in four planters filled with live flowers. A growing homeless ministry here in Boston, Dick May Homeless Ministry, donated their surplus of professional and summer clothes in 13 large bags so an empty cement room in the small church in New Orleans, pastored by the family we served last year, is now filled with over 1,000 articles of clothing for their free Boutique.
 
But the biggest miracles of all happened in hearts: the shy, quiet, 20-year-old nephew of the family we served, who had been abused for years by his mother, radiantly came alive when he was surrounded by the love and joy of Christ that flowed from our team! Not only did we see a huge change in James' outlook, demeanor, speech, and sense of humor but he became the standard of work ethic, gentleness, teamwork and his servant's heart touched our hearts.  As James was finishing the ramp and had one last screw to drill into the wood, a student reported that he stopped working and said:  "I don't want to finish because then you will leave."  Although he and our students didn't know it at the time, God was working out the details to fly James here to Boston for a week to be re-united and to surprise his new friends on April 23!  The week was a surprise to James as well when he realized his goals and dreams could become a reality after visiting an Air Force recruiter, Gordon College, and a Career Fair, and numerous Christian families welcomed him into their homes.
 
Our teens pushed themselves outside their comfort zones in many areas and worked long hours often doing jobs they never dreamed they would or could do. These seven women and four men, who did not know each other well before the trip, became a close, fun-loving, unified team as the week progressed. They came to appreciate the life they live and had more understanding and empathy for those who are less fortunate than themselves. As a couple students stated: "At the beginning of the trip, I wondered what I could do to make a difference, but by the end, I realized I really do matter." The Greene's neighbors, those driving by, members of the church who received all the clothing for the second year, as well as the specific families we served, all were amazed and thankful that 11 teens and two adults could make a difference and do matter.  In fact, the pastor's wife from last year's family, said she wants to serve alongside of us wherever we go in 2011 so she too could help "her" city!
 
We all took to heart the Sunday sermon we heard by the pastor of the church who owns the volunteer house.  Pastor Ray Cannata said we are "to dry the tears of God, by serving and drying the tears of others."  We did not dry all the tears of those who are still hurting hurting almost five years later from Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, but for the second year in a row, God, the God of miracles, used 26 hands, plus the mighty and gentle hands of James, to bring tears of joy and thanksgiving to another family, thus drying the tears of despair and hopelessness. He awed us!
 
It again has been my joy and privilege to design, coordinate and co-lead this amazing group of young men and women.  As long as there is a need in New Orleans and there are students who are willing to give of themselves and serve with their hands and hearts, as God leads, my heart's desire is for us to join God in whatever He is doing and you will see me in New Orleans. One week, one family at a time, many hearts changed forever!
 
Thank you for this opportunity to see God at work!

See Sherri's trip blog for more pictures!

Sherri Martinelli is a motivational speaker to women and teens and is planning her fourth trip with teens to New Orleans in March 2011.  Speaking also with Stonecroft Ministries in the Eastern U.S., she loves sharing the joy of Christ through her testimony and one-woman drama. Previously created, produced and hosted two weekly Christian radio shows for moms, authored a parenting book/calendar which sold world-wide, Sherri now splits her time as the Director of Women's Ministry at First Baptist Church of Sudbury, speaking, and as an Executive Recruiter.  Sherri celebrates her 30th wedding anniversary with Ken and looks forward to visits from her three twenty-something children.