To be out in the hot and very humid weather of New Orleans, serving those who have been through tragedies some of us could never even dream of, was a life changing opportunity.

The 2008 International Campus Ministry Conference (ICMC) was a time I will never forget. To be surrounded by other faithful college students from around the world is always an amazing experience, but this went to another level.

Many times I forget that not every city in the United States is as thriving as those I have been blessed by God to live in. I forget that there are parts of America that need to be remembered and given more attention to than they actually receive. To be working in the muggy weather, standing in the scorching sun of New Orleans, Louisiana, taught me to be grateful for what I have.

Many times I find myself longing for the newest or latest piece of technology or desiring things I want but do not need. But driving through the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, the area that with some of the worst devastation after Hurricane Katrina, brought me to tears, I realized that I have far more that I could ever ask for or deserve. To see the devastation and destruction the city was still in, even three years later, tugged at my heart strings. It created a desire in me to do whatever I could to help the deserving citizens who had lost everything in this tragedy.Being with other college students who had the same desires and convictions as I did encouraged me to the point where I could not see myself doing anything else on that Fourth of July.

The presence of God during the 2008 ICMC was overwhelming. I could see him working everywhere from the talks that I had, to lessons delivered, to the overall attitudes of every college student there. It was so encouraging to see the efforts everyone put in just so they could attend the conference: Everything from the money that was sacrificed to the time taken off from work and school to be able to worship God.

I was most impacted by the lessons at the conference that discussed learning to “rebuild the city” by having a heart to save the lost and being a living sacrifice. I was impacted during Marty Wilkinson’s lessons entitled “A City More Glorious” because he talked about how sacrifices are never convenient. There is never a convenient time to sacrifice so why not start now? This conference was definitely an eye-opening experience that I wish every campus Christian could have attended.

I was so inspired by the many students who held the same convictions and desire to know and learn more about God. To know there are others who are fighting for their relationship with God and going through the same things that I am has helped me to realize that I am not alone and there are so many people who I can help and who can help me as well. Rebuild the City!!

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See the new ICOC campus website: www.hereamisendme.net