Wednesday July 22nd New Orleans

Wednesday starte out well. We had the bus loaded by 8 am, and took a walk along the levy to see where it had broke, and had been repaired. We also saw the large bulge in the dike that had it given way, would have flooded Metriare instead of Orleans.

A note: Pastor Todd will be coming to Minnesota next summer, and we offered him a place to stay in Circle Pines. St. mark and Our Saviors will have to "fight" over who gets to host his family.

As we walked back Sheri spotted a fish market, we were told by Pastor Todd to buy Gator sausage. the fish market wasn't open, but Sheri talked to a man in the back. We found out that the owners were St. mark members, and had donated the beverages for our stay. Sheri wrote them a note of Thank you, and we were on our way to the Gathering.

I insisted on being dropped off at the convention center to register while everyone else got dropped off at the hotels. This was because my greatest pet peave is standing in line. My Plan worked well, because we got to the convention center, found our booth (synod 3) and proceded to register. In the ELCA's infinite wsidome they divided the registration into the 6 synods of the church. The only problem is that 90% of the Elca members are in region 3. Not to worry We were first in line. The first thing the girls at the desk told us was that we didn't have the correct paper work. I protested that I had followed the directions and printed it out before we left. No problem, we got out of line went to another room and printed the "correct" form. It was the same as the other form with the words "final" at the top. Back in line (they're getting bigger now) and to the front, to find out they can't find us in their book. After some discussion we find out there is another room for churches with a balance due, so out of line and into the next one. At the front of the line again, we try to pay, and they don't accept anything but a check. No problem, I have checks, but they are back at the hotel with the kids. By this time the Convention Center is really filling up. I get a call from Cindy that the Hotel doesn't have our reservation, and they changed all the rooms from doubles to singles. Also they only had 17 of the 22 names I sent them, and had adults in kids rooms. I only sent the rooming list 4 times, maybe they would have kept one of the copies. While Cindy was sorting all that out, I decided it would be faster to go back to the hotel myself and get the check. I asked a cop where the Orleans was. He said two blocks that way (east). I decide I could run that far and back. After I had jogged 3 or 4 blocks I looked at a street sign and realized that the hotel was at least a half mile farther. Mean while, Sheri had called Cindy, and arranged for Rich to drop off the check at the convention center (she always has a better idea). By the time I had jogged walked back to the convention center the check had arrived. Back in line again, and we finally get our wrist bands so we can pick up all our gathering materials and back-packs.

The back packs had full size bibles, which is cool, but 22 were too heavy for three people to carry. We decided to take a cab back to the hotel.

Back at the Hotel I went to the desk to straighten out the snafoo. They informed me that the gathering had set up the rooms, and that's what they were told to give us (single bed rooms). By this time I was hot sweaty, and had a bit of road rash from my jogging. I tried to tell the desk clerk that I had changed the rooms by calling Omni, and had conformation numbers. He told me that my mistake was calling the hotel, making reservations and getting conformation numbers. I then remembered people saying that things are just a bit different in the south as far as service. I will be reminded of that "phrase" several times on this trip.

We decided to take a trolly to a flea market to eat and do some sight seeing. After we showered, and got everyone together, we found a trolly. Nick asked a street vendor for information on where the Trolly was. They guy wouldn't tell him until he gave hime a dollar. Nick obliged, and the pointed to a spot 200 feet away... Money well spent. we went to wait for the trolly, and 30 minutes later realized that it would be too long of a wait and decided to take the trolly tomorrow(Thursday). We went up to a food court to wait in long lines to eat. By the time many got to the front of the line the food kiosks were out of what ever it was they would eat. Luckly someone from another church spotted me, I must have looked like I could use a meal), and gave us a pizza they couldn't eat. We gave it to the kids, and some of them had a piece.

By the time we all got done eating it was time to head to the Dome to the first mass gathering, we decided to wander that way. It was a 25 minute walk (really 45 with all the dawdlers), and the stopping to make sure we hadn't lost anyone. we got in line at the dome at the only gate they were going to let 37000 people in. As we waited in the hot sun, the crowd got closer and closer. After an hour wait, the doors opened and just like a rock concert, people forget they are individuals, and elbows pushing and shoving to get in drained us all. we got on to the floor for the first gathering.

Once we had sat for a few minutes, collected our senses, got some water, we got to enjoy the only good part of the day for me. The mass gathering has flashing lights, good Christian music and great speakers. The kids all conga danced around the auditorium, while the house band was playing. There is so much energy at a mass gathering that you can't describe it. You must witness it for your-self. All the conga lines running around, people high-fiving each other when they pass, and the pure energy of that many Lutheran Teenagers is awe-inspiring.

After the gathering, we headed back to our hotel in the french quarter, and got our first taste of the street musicians in New Orleans. The musicians were great. We heard a brass band, with a tuba player that could play louder that I could have imagined, and a trumpet play that was Phiminominal (fabulous). Swimming (for 10 minutes) Devos, and we were all in our rooms by 12:30 or so.

Tomorrow is our work project.