By Amber Plumer 03.28.2014

Freshman Mattie Milliken had never been to New Orleans before joining a group of 11 students on the Apostolos missions trip this Spring Break.

 

“We didn’t get a lot of specific details or information on what exactly we would be doing, but it all worked out really well,” said Milliken. “I was excited to meet new people and just serve in any way I could.”

 

The group, who tag-teamed with Crossroads Missions to provide relief to Hurricane Katrina victims, spent each morning and afternoon constructing a house and cleaning the property.

 

One day of the trip the group explored downtown New Orleans, eating beignets at the famous Café Du Monde and admiring street vendors and entertainers. On Thursday night, the group helped an outreach event with a local church.

 

“We grilled hotdogs, played with the kids and got to know people from a pretty rough neighborhood,“ said Milliken.

 

Milliken not only helped others grow in their faith, but the experience helped her spiritual journey as well.

 

“I definitely grew spiritually over the trip in large part due to Crossroads Missions, the staff and the program itself,” said Milliken. “Every morning we had devotions and then small groups... The main focus of the week was the topic of God's grace and how we can share that with people around us.”