1. ELCA Youth Gathering New Orleans July 20-27, 2009

2. From ULCH: 24 young adults, 4 adult leaders A Caravan of 4 buses with approximately 200 people It was a long bus ride

3. We arrive in New Orleans The most important thing about going to New Orleans was the people. Whether they were fellow Lutherans or New Orleans natives, getting to know new people and hear their stories was a very enlightening experience.

4. The best thing about New Orleans was the community we built. Also the help we did, and the music and long walks. New Orleans…

5. …the history…

6. …the culture… The most important thing about New Orleans is the people. Some are loud, some are quiet, some are musical. Street vendors, psychics, one-man-bands, six-man-bands, shoppers, and tourists. Colors of skin and clothes explode the streets. The most important thing about New Orleans is the people, and the most important thing about the people is that they’re still there after the storm.

7. …the food…

8. …the atmosphere… I really liked the atmosphere. The architecture was cool, and the occasional jazz musicians just added to the fun. Wandering around and taking in all the people and sounds was the best.

9. The Aftermath of Katrina Lakeview District… The most important thing was seeing the different sides of the city, like by class. We spent most of the time in the lower-middle class areas so seeing the wealthier area that people could afford to fix was interesting.

10. Upper 9th Ward The most important part of the New Orleans trip for me was going on the tour of the poorest area of New Orleans. Here you could literally see the damage to these peoples lives and homes. And even after a few years, it has been barely restored. Rebuilt houses sat next to empty, trash ridden lots. Foundations and parts of people’s houses lay around. The contrast between the convention and this area was ridiculous. How could so poor and so rich be so near to each other? How do the richer people of New Orleans not feel guilty and help?

11. Lower 9 th Ward The most important thing about my trip to New Orleans was seeing all of the Katrina damage. This was important because I could actually see everything and everyone that ULCH was praying for. It made me feel sad... and a little hopeful because of all the volunteers who are helping the victims rebuild their lives.

12. The gathering begins

13. Nightly at the SuperDome The most important thing about going to N.O. was being reminded that we are servants of God and we’re obligated to reach out and help those less fortunate than ourselves, including those affected by hurricane Katrina.

14. Day One: Service Project Our service project at Vic A. Pitre was the most important thing. Every bit counts towards getting New Orleans back on it's feet. The students and staff benefited most, and it helped people there at the very least.

15. Morning: Reading Program The most important thing about the national Lutheran youth gathering is the service project we did. We helped some children to read and tried to get them to enjoying reading more.

16. Afternoon: sorting textbooks

17. Day Two: Workshops The most important thing about New Orleans is that we learned. We learned about the people, the landscape, the history and the disasters. But the most important thing about New Orleans is that we learned.

18. Day Three: Interactive Center

19. The End of Each Evening: “Final Fifteen” The most important part of new Orleans was the community that the youth formed. We had a lot of power and influences that we used to better the community of New Orleans along with the youth that participated.

20. And another long bus ride home

21. In the end… Local groups estimate that the work ELCA youth did in 3 days would have taken them 3 years. “Change for Change” collected $129,000 in 3 days. The largest convention since Hurricane Katrina was a boost to the city’s tourism industry. The most important thing about the youth gathering was that we made an impact on New Orleans and New Orleans certainly made an impact on all of us. We hopefully helped the economy and the kids we read to. We had fun in the interactive center during the day and the Superdome at night, but the most important thing was the impact we made on New Orleans and the impact New Orleans made on us.

22. More at: http://www.elca.org/Growing-In- Faith/Ministry/Youth-Ministry/Youth- Gathering.aspx http://www.elca.org/Growing-In- Faith/Ministry/Youth-Ministry/Youth- Gathering.aspxIncluding: Pictures and highlights of each day Video of each night’s gathering: all the speakers; bands; Lil’ Luther & other short videos Bishop Hanson driving a bathtub in a robe