Sunday afternoon we had the opportunity to visit the hardest hit areas of New Orleans, the 9th Ward. It was so desolate and disparaging to visit; however, the Lord opens our eyes to the light of renewal...I mean that's what it is all about...tearing us down and building us back up the right way...in God's way. We saw many lots with no houses and just steps, lots with concrete slabs, and vacant houses hammered by the hurricane with the furniture still left in it. A few blocks down the road there is an understanding why nothing was left. Steve brought us to the levees that brought New Orleans to ruins. I was awe-struck when it was realized that we were looking up to the water. The very thought that the the levee broke and all of the water from the canal came rushing in just makes you wonder how anyone had time to leave. God's will had me turn to the right to see a house being rebuilt. It is in his grip what he wants done and praise him that it is.
We begin to leave the 9th ward and pass by a couple of vans from another church helping to rebuild a house and the irony to that is I was thinking "are we the only ones helping?" Again, proof that God's plan is already mapped out for us.
Day 3 of our journey involved us returning to St. Roch church. What did they have in store for us today? Ben was our project leader and asked if anyone was handy in laying tile....immediately my wife shoves me out in front of the pack knowing full well I did not have any experience. God's will wants me to have experience or my wife...either way, I am willing to try it. I was placed with a husband and wife (Jamie and Sara :-) ) as well as my son.
The job seemed simple enough....find the center of the room, lay the tile to see if it is the best fit, and then lay the glue and place the tile.....simple enough. We get started and find that after the first 1/4 of the tiles were placed, the glue is very, very, very tacky. Jamie, Sara, Steve, and myself had a great system going, then we branched off. Steve teamed Sarah up with Kim and I was with Jamie...Jamie was a great partner with patience and a positive attitude. You needed that because coming close to the end, the glue was all over us. We had to literally had to pry our hands off of the trowel, the marker we were using to mark lines, and it got to the point where it became laughable to see what we could put our hands on without gripping it to see what we could pick up. God places us in situations for a reason. For learning, for coping, for helping others in need, and to branch out and lead others.
Today was a great day!!! I can't wait until the morning.....its only the beginning and we are so lucky to be able to share this with you.
1 comment:
So great to hear from you guys! Thanks for the update and the pictures!
Praying for you!!
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