turnaround

Today, our intrepid team turns around and begins the homeward journey. It will be good to have them back, safe and sound in their own homes and beds, having spent the week working hard to see that OTHERS could be safe and sound in theirs

The report today was of some touring of the area, to note the progress ... or lack of it. Fascinating things to consider:

On our very first trip to New Orleans, 90 days after the storm, was all about demo. Tear out. Gutting. Mud and sludge and filth and mold and rip-and-tear labor. The last two days of our team's work was with the poignantly insightful Mrs. Simmons. We cleared out debris, tore out everything including appliances, and peeled the house back to its foundation and framing.

Would you like to see Mrs. Simmons house as Jim photographed it this morning -- eighteen months after the storm? Ta - da ! Look! You can see the foundation! and the framing! Unbelievable. Unbelievable ... and so. completely. wrong.

Not quite the 'turnaround' we'd hoped for, is it?! The need for help is so much bigger than we can imagine ... and so much more than we can meet on our own ... and yet we are there.

We contribute to the mission fund.

We pack our bag and get in the van and make the trip.

We provide a meal for family left here at home while another goes off to serve.

The need is great, but God is greater. And God is there through people like these -- people like YOU.

We are there working week by week, group by group, house by house ... praying and praying and working and praying some more. Praying and working for justice, for healing, and for hope.