Once I learned to receive love, I was able to give it. In New Orleans, I received more love than I was able to give. - Gwen
On the 22nd of July, 3 Thistle Farms employees, 2 staff members and 2 volunteers made the trek from Nashville to New Orleans. Becca Stevens, our founder and Executive Director, had been asked to speak at a gathering of 36,000 Lutheran teens at the Super Dome. Niki, Bev, Gwen, Ali, Marlei and Melissa were particularly excited to see Becca speaking in front of that many people and in such a huge stadium (of course Becca might not have been quite so care-free as the rest). Two of the employees who went, Gwen and Bev, have shared their views of the experience with us.
Gwen
Going to New Orleans was a wonderful. I thank God for my recovery and being clean so that I am now able to see the world. I have no limitations. And I realized that in New Orleans. When I was in my addiction, I was always thinking about drugs and caught up in that. I couldn’t see beyond it then, but I can now.
I became very emotional when I first saw the Super Dome empty. All I could think about was the devastation that came with hurricane Katrina. Then when I saw it filled with 37,000 teens, I saw that it was filled with the spirit of God.
Beverly
Becca spoke about grace and learning to love one another. It’s hard to love the homeless person sometimes, or the drug addict, or people that are struggling, but Becca got that message across really well. She is so humble and honest when she speaks.
Click here to see a quick (and loud) video taken from up high in the Super Dome, right before Becca comes on to speak. And click here for some (very) casual comments from the team while setting up our product table at the Super Dome.
Interviewed and compiled by Caitlin Bradley.
Video clips and photos of the inside of the Super Dome courtesy of Melissa Wert and her handy iPhone.
We were there, heard Becca and briefly got to meet you all afterwards. It was an amazing week and a privilege to hear all the speakers and to meet you. May God continue to bless us all so that we may be a blessing to others.
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