Thousands of uplifted hands…..

Thousands of uplifted hands, reaching and begging for whatever is thrown to them - this could describe a 3rd world country or a place where a major catastrophe has taken place. But, the reality is, it happens day after day during the Mardi Gras parades in MS and LA. Yet, we know God is still in the miracle working business as sixteen brave “weekend missionaries” braved the cold and wind to travel to Gautier and Waveland, MS to assist God Cares Ministry during two Mardi Gras parades.

On the journey South on Saturday morning one of the duel back tires had a major blow-out. Damage was caused to the fill-up gas hose, the mechanisms that hold the tire, thrusting wood and debris up through the floor and into the bus everywhere. God’s hand was there in that no one was seated in the seat right above this now gaping hole. However, one our team members was hit in the calf with flying debris in the seat in front of this hole. She received a hematoma and has since totally recovered.

God’s hand was also there in that the least spark could have caused the gas tank to explode blowing up the bus and passengers.

God’s hand was there in that Pastor Jason was able to successfully get the bus from the left lane through traffic and safely off I-59 to the side.

God’s hand was there connecting us with Northport Baptist Church, who came with a bus taking us to their church and provided us with shelter and food until UBC’s second bus made it to us. They also made arrangements to have the bus towed from the interstate to where it could be repaired.

God’s hand was there getting us to the parade site before the parade began, despite the four hour trip interruption with the bus incident.

The parades are held during Mardi Gras in numerous cities and are very “secular” in nature. It is a time for the floats and parade participants to drink, party and be totally worldly. Beads and trinkets are thrown from these floats to the thousands of people lining the streets, begging for whatever is tossed out. The people lining the streets are drinking and partying including men, women, and children. The smell of beer is everywhere. It is a very spiritually dark area. This happens in every town at every parade for weeks.

God’s hand was there as sixteen “weekend” missionaries rode on the float and walked the parade

routes handing out tracts and Bibles to thousands of people. Many people clamored for what we were handing out, soon realizing it was a message of salvation, but still taking a few minutes to read it or pocket it for later reading. Bibles were given to many with the hope that they will be read. We handed out about 20,000 tracts, 2,000 Bibles and 2,000 Jesus Loves You stickers!

There wasn’t time to individually talk with many of these folks as we walked by. However questions were posed such as, “Do you know where you will spend eternity?”; “If you die today, will go to heaven?”; “Read this, there will be a test later.”; “Give me a high five – Jesus is alive!”; “Jesus loves you!” So little time, but so many seeds were planted.

God’s Cares Ministry (http://www.godcaresministries.net) is doing an awesome job to participate in these parades weekend after weekend and we were so thankful to be able to team with them in just these two parades.

God’s hand was there with us, keeping us safe, melding us together as a family for the weekend allowing us to share His word with thousands of uplifted hands!