NOLA: Beauty from Ashes

Pearl River during the swamp tour

Alligator!

This week has been a fantastic one! We have a really great team from Diamond Bar, CA working with us this week. It has been fun getting to know them and see them grow through their experience in New Orleans. I helped put in a laminate wood floor this week, and I got back up on the roof! This time I used the nail gun to put on shingles. On Wednesday, all the interns joined to ESL (English as a Second Language) students on a swamp tour! It was a ton of fun; I ended up in the front of the boat, zooming down the river with the wind in my face (heaven!). We saw alligators up close and personal, several birds, lots of cool flowers and trees. I really enjoyed seeing the local ecosystem and hear about the culture around the rivers and bayous.

Part of being here in the New Orleans area is hearing the homeowner's Katrina story. Each person experienced the hurricane in a different way and many of those experiences have left their mark. Imagine this: You live in the upper Ninth Ward, and have received warnings for serious hurricanes several times over the last few years. Each time, nothing serious came of the warnings and life goes on. Once again, warnings are given for a new hurricane: Hurricane Katrina. And once again, you shrug it off. Only this time, the storm comes directly towards the city. Streets begin flooding and water is rising, but still, nothing has happened to cause you much worry. Then, BOOM! You hear a sound like an explosion. Suddenly a huge wall of water, like a tsunami, is coming towards your home. The levees have failed. In fear, you dash to the highest ground you can find, which happens to be your attic, with your children. Watching the water rise up higher and higher, the innocent conversation of your little son keeps you from giving in to panic. You remember that a boat is nearby, and using that you get to a safe place. For the next three or so days you live with many other people on a bridge. A bridge. After being rescued from this "safe place" it is several months before you can get back to your house to assess the damage. And ten years later, though you are able to live in part of the house, the rest is still being rebuilt. This is Brother Larry's story. 

This is only one of thousands of stories, and each is a little different. Some were the only homes in their neighborhood that were seriously flooded. Others left before the storm and came back to find their home ripped off the foundation and completely missing. Many people lost loved ones and pets. Hundreds of people displaced from their homes and communities. But even in the midst of all this destruction and devastation, there is hope. 

This August will be the 10 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Yes, we are still rebuilding homes and relationships. Yes, there are still empty lots, tumbledown houses untouched since the storm, and broken families. However, there are numerous homes that have been rebuilt, families back in their homes and communities, new relationships formed with homeowners, countless volunteers, and staff members within the ministry, and people who have come to know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. People have met here, who would not have met if not for Katrina. Relationships, growth, life, and hope. All in the wake of a terrific disaster. This is God's mission field and it is beautiful. 

With Brother Larry (center) and Mark Hopper from CA

I met Brother Larry on Monday, and I got to hear part of his story. This man is incredible. We are still working on his home and he can walk around with a smile on his face, a welcome, open hand to everyone who comes by, and a sweet, gentle spirit. He praises God for everything that has happened to him. It was amazing and humbling to meet Brother Larry and see how God is working in his life. 

Beauty, hope, life, community, and relationship springing out of disaster, despair, and brokenness. This is God's pattern, this is the Gospel. And I get to be here and see it play out. What a privilege and honor.

Yesterday, I took a very long drive up to the middle of Mississippi on my retreat day. I deliberately got alone with God for the purpose of refocusing and hearing His voice. He showed me that my focus during my time here had quickly shifted to trying to be a "good missionary" and get things done. I need to shift my focus onto knowing Jesus, seeing Him every day, and making Him known. This is the greatest thing I can do with my life. 

Knowing Him, and making Him known.

If you are feeling the need to step back, refocus, and realign your life with the path Christ has laid before you, I encourage you to do so. Take the time to get alone with God in whatever way He has provided: take a walk, go for a drive, sit on your porch, go to your room, find a quiet corner at work, etc. Just get alone and seek His face. If you enter this time with an open and humble heart, you won't be disappointed. God loves to meet His children. 

Mississippi/Louisiana border!