Final Update from NOLA...

One last update from New Orleans before I pack up this computer for the return trip.

Side note: I've got the TV on in the background tuned to the local cable access channel. I've seen parts of two documentaries on the history of New Orleans schools, including post-Civil War and turn of the century, both extremely poignant after our visit to the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis. Currently the channel is showing the 2009 Annual Martin Luther King Choral Concert. They are intentionally calling this the 18 annual such concert, even though this is the first concert since Katrina. It is yet another heartening sign of recovery, although it's clear there is still so much work to be done. On the other hand, there's much similar work to be in St. Louis and we weren't hit by such a natural disaster.

We had such a full day today that I'm going to jump to a blitz description of our last full day's events. We grabbed breakfast in the hotel's common area (and breakfasts have been quite good), then headed over to the Convention Center (5 minute walk) for our Interaction Center time. Because we had spent some time there the previous day, we chose to spend the afternoon doing a little sightseeing of New Orleans and took the trolley to the far end of the French Quarter. There we split into smaller groups and grabbed lunch and shopped at the flea market.

The afternoon was intentionally light because the group had committed to getting to the Dome early enough to get seats on the floor. We had gotten good seats on previous nights but never on the floor. We were dreading the wait because of horror stories from other groups from previous days, waiting in the NOLA heat for up to 90 minutes and NOT making it to the floor. We were blessed with good weather -- unseasonably mild temperatures (upper 70s) with a stiff breeze. The wait wasn't that bad and after some excellent group maneuvers we landed some choice seats on the floor.

Tonight's program was particularly strong -- and I'll save the details for other posts. But for high points we saw the Flying Karamazov Brothers (yes, the juggling act), a couple of inspirational speakers (as we have each night), plus a mini-concert by The Katinas (and that's not a typo -- it does look like the name of the fateful 2005 hurricane. It was the only musical act that our group decided to remain longer at the Dome to hear an extra musical set and then buy music and t-shirts.

I forgot to mention that tonight's program had two special guests: the New Orleans mayor, Ray Nagin, and ELCA Bishop Mark Hanson. Each were given only two minutes; the mayor was gracious in acknowledging all the youth's gifts to the city, while the Bishop read a letter of recognition and commendation (my words) sent today by President Obama. Hopefully the text of that letter will be available soon.

Eventually we made it back to the hotel, and the teens have showered and mostly packed. Tomorrow we load the buses with our luggage at 7, head over to the dome for the 9:30 worship (with the usual pre-event activities starting at 8:00), and after that (roughly 11:00?) the buses will start our return journey. Estimated time of arrival in St. Charles is 1:00 AM. Looking forward to the last day of this marvelous faith journey, and also to our return to St. Louis (although not necessarily the bus ride itself!)

Final side note: as I wrote this entry I listened to three very good high school choirs. When I popped my head up to the see the fourth choir, I pulled a double-take: it's a special guest choir -- a gospel ensemble who flew in all the way from Norway! Great stuff and I'm glad I turned on the TV -- I was going to boycott it this week but granted myself a waiver to watch the rich local programming.