10.21.2005
Preface
Well, it's finally here! I'd like to thank my wonderful coworkers at Sonoma Developmental Center's General Acute Unit and Sutter Medical Center Santa Rosa's Cardiac Telemetry Unit for sending me to Louisiana with over $900.00 Thank you Hope Chapel for giving me and many other people the opportunity to help. Thank you to Liz Jones for sharing her pictures with me (some of which are used in my stories). I will be updating the picture portion of these posts when I receive more pictures from the rest of my team. To my blogging buddies, this blog is to be read from top to bottom, unlike a regular blog. Enjoy!
10.20.2005
1
I didn’t think I had many expectations going into this. But now that I think back on it, I really did. I wanted to feel useful and I wanted to feel valuable. The story of my life, isn’t it? And so all about me. I admit, I went in with a less than positive attitude. It’s probably because I didn’t want to be disappointed—again, so all about me. So I put up my walls and hardened my heart, just in case. I guess since I’m not the kind of person that handles disappointment well, it’s just as well. Maybe I just need to start looking at disappointments differently. I’ve always heard that we should view interruptions in our lives as appointments with God. Maybe disappointments are just a kind of interruption.
I’m glad I went. In fact when people ask how my trip was, the only words that can to it any justice are “life changing.” I wasn’t disappointed at all. The food was better, the sleeping arrangements were better, the showers were great and I really felt valuable, no matter what I did. God changed my life and the lives of every person in our group. Little snippets of memories keep coming to mind that will change the way I live from now on.
My first hesitation about this trip was regarding potential personality clashes, you know the usual power trip control freak kind (and I’m speaking of my own personality as much as anyone else’s). This was a worry that was quickly proved unwarranted. Because of this trip I have come to value the relationships I made in Louisiana over many of the other experiences I had.
I have friendship bonds that have been woven tightly because God Himself has bound them together.
I was only there for five days and most of my team I will continue to see on a weekly basis, but I still cried when I had to leave a few days before the rest of the team (because of my work schedule).
I’m glad I went. In fact when people ask how my trip was, the only words that can to it any justice are “life changing.” I wasn’t disappointed at all. The food was better, the sleeping arrangements were better, the showers were great and I really felt valuable, no matter what I did. God changed my life and the lives of every person in our group. Little snippets of memories keep coming to mind that will change the way I live from now on.
My first hesitation about this trip was regarding potential personality clashes, you know the usual power trip control freak kind (and I’m speaking of my own personality as much as anyone else’s). This was a worry that was quickly proved unwarranted. Because of this trip I have come to value the relationships I made in Louisiana over many of the other experiences I had.
I have friendship bonds that have been woven tightly because God Himself has bound them together.
I was only there for five days and most of my team I will continue to see on a weekly basis, but I still cried when I had to leave a few days before the rest of the team (because of my work schedule).
2
God blew me away, or should I say blew my shell away—my walls. As Pastor Troy explained, “Satan’s tools are fear, doubt, and unbelief.” Ironically, as Katrina blew down the walls of buildings, God blew down the walls of fear, doubt, and unbelief in many of our lives.
We were brought down to our foundation (Jesus) and in a mere week learned how to re-build the way God wants us to. The first wall began to break the moment we set foot on the Celebration Church property. We were welcomed by complete earthly strangers like we were old friends. Each team member we came in contact with greeted us with introduction, a warm smile and quickly proceeded to show us the ropes. Even in the church, I’ve never felt such a warm welcome and genuine delight from others. These people were so glad that we were there. God used this to show me how I should greet and treat those I meet (to get the full value of this sentence, you need to rap it)—and not just visitors at church but everywhere. Now, I realize that this is largely a ‘southern’ thing, but can you imagine what an opportunity you could create if you were genuinely friendly to people you didn’t know here in California?
It comes up again and again in my mind, the multitude of ways I have learned how to love others on this trip. My eyes have really been opened. I have not loved others the way I should and one of the problems has been that I did not know how. I think every moment and memory from this trip taught me how to love. I could just sit for hours (and I did) listening to stories from Pastor Troy and Lance (church leaders we met there who led us in field trips into the neighborhoods) about what happened when they put their love into action. Then I would watch in awe as they did it. They did the thing. The DID love. And I got a glimpse of what it might have been like to be a disciple. I wanted to learn from them. I wanted to listen and watch and be taught. The dilemma that comes along with this, is taking what I’ve learned and personalizing it. It seems to be easier to copy someone in how they love in their world but as soon as I get back into my own world, I’ve got to figure out how to follow the concepts and let my personality and my strengths shine through. It’s probably not such a bad thing that I was there only briefly—just enough to get a taste without the temptation to be someone I’m not. While this may not always be a problem for most, it is a constant struggle for me. I find it extremely difficult to personalize the attractive characteristics I see in others without appearing like a groupie.
We were brought down to our foundation (Jesus) and in a mere week learned how to re-build the way God wants us to. The first wall began to break the moment we set foot on the Celebration Church property. We were welcomed by complete earthly strangers like we were old friends. Each team member we came in contact with greeted us with introduction, a warm smile and quickly proceeded to show us the ropes. Even in the church, I’ve never felt such a warm welcome and genuine delight from others. These people were so glad that we were there. God used this to show me how I should greet and treat those I meet (to get the full value of this sentence, you need to rap it)—and not just visitors at church but everywhere. Now, I realize that this is largely a ‘southern’ thing, but can you imagine what an opportunity you could create if you were genuinely friendly to people you didn’t know here in California?
It comes up again and again in my mind, the multitude of ways I have learned how to love others on this trip. My eyes have really been opened. I have not loved others the way I should and one of the problems has been that I did not know how. I think every moment and memory from this trip taught me how to love. I could just sit for hours (and I did) listening to stories from Pastor Troy and Lance (church leaders we met there who led us in field trips into the neighborhoods) about what happened when they put their love into action. Then I would watch in awe as they did it. They did the thing. The DID love. And I got a glimpse of what it might have been like to be a disciple. I wanted to learn from them. I wanted to listen and watch and be taught. The dilemma that comes along with this, is taking what I’ve learned and personalizing it. It seems to be easier to copy someone in how they love in their world but as soon as I get back into my own world, I’ve got to figure out how to follow the concepts and let my personality and my strengths shine through. It’s probably not such a bad thing that I was there only briefly—just enough to get a taste without the temptation to be someone I’m not. While this may not always be a problem for most, it is a constant struggle for me. I find it extremely difficult to personalize the attractive characteristics I see in others without appearing like a groupie.
3
Day 1
Our first dinner at the school where we were staying flung us right into Louisiana culture with jumbalaya, grits, goulash, collard greens and my childhood favorite—sweet tea.
After dinner, we helped thread electrical wire through the rafters of the classrooms. The flood waters required that the sheetrock walls be replaced half way up and the electrical work be rewired.
In minutes, we were dirty and sweaty. After some miscommunication, misunderstanding, and the realization that we might have done all of that work incorrectly… suddenly it was late and we headed to the showers before someone told us to redo the work we had just done. The unclear and incomplete directions were an aspect of the trip that I found very frustrating. This taught me to be all the more flexible or “fluid”. We were reminded to remain “fluid” many times while we were there. We all learned to look for work and figure it out. It was frustrating to not have clear guidance so we all adapted and stepped up to take responsibility whenever possible. When I think back, we really hauled ass those days at the school. It’s amazing what can get done when a group of hard workers come together looking for some way to help.
Some of my favorite times were right before we went to sleep with generous portions of girl talk and sore stomach muscles from laughing so hard.
We all quickly learned the value of Tylenol PM and wearing lots of clothes to bed. We had no idea how well the air conditioning would be working in the classrooms when we packed our suitcases. We went to bed that first night pumped and ready to do whatever it took to make a difference.
Our first dinner at the school where we were staying flung us right into Louisiana culture with jumbalaya, grits, goulash, collard greens and my childhood favorite—sweet tea.
After dinner, we helped thread electrical wire through the rafters of the classrooms. The flood waters required that the sheetrock walls be replaced half way up and the electrical work be rewired.
In minutes, we were dirty and sweaty. After some miscommunication, misunderstanding, and the realization that we might have done all of that work incorrectly… suddenly it was late and we headed to the showers before someone told us to redo the work we had just done. The unclear and incomplete directions were an aspect of the trip that I found very frustrating. This taught me to be all the more flexible or “fluid”. We were reminded to remain “fluid” many times while we were there. We all learned to look for work and figure it out. It was frustrating to not have clear guidance so we all adapted and stepped up to take responsibility whenever possible. When I think back, we really hauled ass those days at the school. It’s amazing what can get done when a group of hard workers come together looking for some way to help.
Some of my favorite times were right before we went to sleep with generous portions of girl talk and sore stomach muscles from laughing so hard.
We all quickly learned the value of Tylenol PM and wearing lots of clothes to bed. We had no idea how well the air conditioning would be working in the classrooms when we packed our suitcases. We went to bed that first night pumped and ready to do whatever it took to make a difference.
10.19.2005
4
Day 2
The morning of Day two was difficult and I greeted the two hour time difference with a groan. We woke up at 5 a.m. California time. Olwyne was always ready to get the day going and more than willing to usher us into the day right along with her by turning on those horrid fluorescent classroom lights. What would we do without a trip queen bee/mom?
After breakfast (which included biscuits and gravy, of course), we had a daily devotional time that Lance led us in. It was more of a short sermon/pep talk to start off our day with the right mindset. It was something that I looked forward to each day.
Lance was a scruffy guy with a come as you are attitude. I’ve never seen someone who loved Jesus more.
He took his responsibility as “brother’s keeper” seriously. He would go to all lengths to introduce others to Jesus and had a way of relating with absolutely every human being. He did all this while being completely and genuinely himself. He was real.
We were briefly oriented to the “store” and posted there all day. The old gym on the school campus was filled with rows of makeshift isles and shelves. Anyone from the community was welcome to come and fill a shopping cart with supplies. We gave out non-perishable food, water, ice, cleaning supplies, baby diapers and formula, medicine and medical supplies.
Everything was free and everyone was welcome to come back daily as needed. We served hundreds and hundreds of people that day. I was stationed in the medical corner for the day and was very grateful to be able to use my nursing brain cells. People mostly wanted pain relievers, sinus medicine, band aids and antibiotic ointment. I did get to do a few other fun things (well, fun if you’re a nurse, I guess).
I gave a tetanus shot, gave a man a new glucose monitor and supplies, looked at a toe that squirted out pus when you pushed on the toenail, and answered a lot of questions. I was in my element.
The morning of Day two was difficult and I greeted the two hour time difference with a groan. We woke up at 5 a.m. California time. Olwyne was always ready to get the day going and more than willing to usher us into the day right along with her by turning on those horrid fluorescent classroom lights. What would we do without a trip queen bee/mom?
After breakfast (which included biscuits and gravy, of course), we had a daily devotional time that Lance led us in. It was more of a short sermon/pep talk to start off our day with the right mindset. It was something that I looked forward to each day.
Lance was a scruffy guy with a come as you are attitude. I’ve never seen someone who loved Jesus more.
He took his responsibility as “brother’s keeper” seriously. He would go to all lengths to introduce others to Jesus and had a way of relating with absolutely every human being. He did all this while being completely and genuinely himself. He was real.
We were briefly oriented to the “store” and posted there all day. The old gym on the school campus was filled with rows of makeshift isles and shelves. Anyone from the community was welcome to come and fill a shopping cart with supplies. We gave out non-perishable food, water, ice, cleaning supplies, baby diapers and formula, medicine and medical supplies.
Everything was free and everyone was welcome to come back daily as needed. We served hundreds and hundreds of people that day. I was stationed in the medical corner for the day and was very grateful to be able to use my nursing brain cells. People mostly wanted pain relievers, sinus medicine, band aids and antibiotic ointment. I did get to do a few other fun things (well, fun if you’re a nurse, I guess).
I gave a tetanus shot, gave a man a new glucose monitor and supplies, looked at a toe that squirted out pus when you pushed on the toenail, and answered a lot of questions. I was in my element.
10.18.2005
5
Before “shoppers” left the building, someone from our team asked them how they were doing and what their Katrina story was. Healing began to happen when people told their stories. Many, many people were prayed for right there with their carts.
The stories we heard were overwhelming. A young, beautiful, strong woman was preparing to go into ministry with her husband. He had some sort of brain injury and several subsequent brain surgeries. All of this caused a personality change in him. The woman stuck through it though because she loved her husband so much and wanted to support him. One day, he told her to leave. Not wanting to add any more stress to his healing brain, she left. She had intended to stay with a friend and get a new start in the New Orleans area. She was not aware that there was a hurricane coming and arrived to find her friend evacuated to a location unbeknownst to her. This precious woman stood there at her cart in tears as a group gathered around her to pray.
She had no family, no friends, no job, no car, and no home. We must have prayed with her for 20 minutes or so and not an eye was left dry.
Another group of ladies sticks out in my mind. Four senior aged women—all sisters had found one other after the storm and were sticking together like glue. They were so happy to have each another.
I remember they had a glow like children and an unspoken closeness that only sisters could understand. Not many left that place without encouragement through prayer and a listening ear.
The stories we heard were overwhelming. A young, beautiful, strong woman was preparing to go into ministry with her husband. He had some sort of brain injury and several subsequent brain surgeries. All of this caused a personality change in him. The woman stuck through it though because she loved her husband so much and wanted to support him. One day, he told her to leave. Not wanting to add any more stress to his healing brain, she left. She had intended to stay with a friend and get a new start in the New Orleans area. She was not aware that there was a hurricane coming and arrived to find her friend evacuated to a location unbeknownst to her. This precious woman stood there at her cart in tears as a group gathered around her to pray.
She had no family, no friends, no job, no car, and no home. We must have prayed with her for 20 minutes or so and not an eye was left dry.
Another group of ladies sticks out in my mind. Four senior aged women—all sisters had found one other after the storm and were sticking together like glue. They were so happy to have each another.
I remember they had a glow like children and an unspoken closeness that only sisters could understand. Not many left that place without encouragement through prayer and a listening ear.
6
That night, us girls hung out again before bed singing together, getting shushed from the boys room next door, and laughing so hard at Katie’s helicopter legs that we almost peed our pants (or in some people’s case did pee their pants depending their age and how many children they had had).
We bonded in a way I never thought would happen on that trip and it’s something that I should have been praying for ahead of time.
I have a greater appreciation for the power and necessity of prayer. Pastor Troy told us a story about how a lady asked him to pray for her to receive the gift of healing. He asked, “So you’ve been visiting hospitals and nursing homes, praying for the sick, right?” She responded, “No.” Then he said, “Well, why in the world do you think God would give you the gift of healing?” I looked back in my journal and read what I wrote before I left for New Orleans. I asked God to teach me how to pray. I am blown away by how he answered. He taught me how to pray in more ways than I had ever dared to ask or hope.
We bonded in a way I never thought would happen on that trip and it’s something that I should have been praying for ahead of time.
I have a greater appreciation for the power and necessity of prayer. Pastor Troy told us a story about how a lady asked him to pray for her to receive the gift of healing. He asked, “So you’ve been visiting hospitals and nursing homes, praying for the sick, right?” She responded, “No.” Then he said, “Well, why in the world do you think God would give you the gift of healing?” I looked back in my journal and read what I wrote before I left for New Orleans. I asked God to teach me how to pray. I am blown away by how he answered. He taught me how to pray in more ways than I had ever dared to ask or hope.
7
Pastor Troy announced that we would have a worship service that evening. When we gathered later I was coerced into singing with those leading the music, including Angie and Troy. I shared something that God had put in my head that night. It was a verse from Psalm 51 (which happened to be the verse that Jimmy asked me to read during worship the Sunday I got back). God does not desire our sacrifices. He wants us. All of the service and good things we were doing didn’t matter if our hearts weren’t in the right place. That time was amazing. A member of our team decided to live for Jesus that night.
There was a woman that came to the distribution center that day. She was a middle-aged woman and she was giving us suggestions on things that could be improved in the gym. Her know-it-all attitude drove me crazy. I just wanted her to go away. But instead, she hung around and “helped out.” A little while later, Troy brought a large duffle bag full of brown t-shirts for our team.
They say Refugee on the front and have Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.” The Raven ministry’s logo and web address are on the back. We headed off to dinner and I entered the cafeteria dumbfounded. There sat that lady eating dinner and wearing the brown shirt that we all had on. I thought it a bit weird since no one knew this woman, but shrugged it off and got in line. I was a bit annoyed that she was still around. Later that night during the worship time, God led Pastor Troy to begin praying for this woman. As she came up to the front, her body was shaking with sobs. She wailed before God and Troy prayed for her healing and freedom. Then, my heart broke as I realized what God wanted me to see. It’s as if this woman was brought to our group just for those few hours specifically for the lesson God needed me to learn. I had rejected this woman. I was annoyed that she was wearing a shirt like ours and all I desired for her was for her to go away. Pastor Troy put our shirt on her back, invited her to dinner and accepted her into our group just as she was—exactly what Jesus would have done and the exact opposite of what I would’ve.
There was a woman that came to the distribution center that day. She was a middle-aged woman and she was giving us suggestions on things that could be improved in the gym. Her know-it-all attitude drove me crazy. I just wanted her to go away. But instead, she hung around and “helped out.” A little while later, Troy brought a large duffle bag full of brown t-shirts for our team.
They say Refugee on the front and have Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.” The Raven ministry’s logo and web address are on the back. We headed off to dinner and I entered the cafeteria dumbfounded. There sat that lady eating dinner and wearing the brown shirt that we all had on. I thought it a bit weird since no one knew this woman, but shrugged it off and got in line. I was a bit annoyed that she was still around. Later that night during the worship time, God led Pastor Troy to begin praying for this woman. As she came up to the front, her body was shaking with sobs. She wailed before God and Troy prayed for her healing and freedom. Then, my heart broke as I realized what God wanted me to see. It’s as if this woman was brought to our group just for those few hours specifically for the lesson God needed me to learn. I had rejected this woman. I was annoyed that she was wearing a shirt like ours and all I desired for her was for her to go away. Pastor Troy put our shirt on her back, invited her to dinner and accepted her into our group just as she was—exactly what Jesus would have done and the exact opposite of what I would’ve.
8
Day 3
Day three will stay with me for the rest of my life. Our group dressed in our uniforms (khaki pants or shorts, white or gray shirts and our ID badges) and headed to the projects in downtown New Orleans. The neighborhood consisted of government issued brick apartment complexes for the poorest of the poor in the city.
The buildings were two and three stories with park like spaces between them. Our intention in going there was to pass out ice and water and pray with people, but we later found out that no one had been let back in that area yet. We knocked on doors but no one was there. It was the most eerie place I have ever been.
It was very quiet except the sound of the helicopters flying overhead and the occasional fire alarm chirps from the buildings. The ground was covered with debris and trash, rotting food, dog and cat carcasses, children’s toys, and tons of seashells brought from miles away. There were many cars left behind because the gas was not available or the people did not have enough money to pay for it. The water level came up high enough to completely cover the cars. There were boats brought miles inland from the gulf and parked just like they were cars.
Huge trees surrounded by cement were uprooted and one big oak tree I saw had cracked right down the middle.
The stench was unbearable in areas mostly due to rotting food covered in maggots. I have never seen so many flies in my life. I have no idea how the people in the projects lived and I wish I could have seen it before all this devastation. From what I was told from Troy and others who had been around that area many times before, the area was densely populated. Multiple families lived in each small apartment.
The area was known for having a lot of crime with one of the highest murder and rape rates anywhere. I probably would have thought the neighborhood was devastating even in its normal state. The sadness there was overwhelming and it felt heavy on my heart. When the search and rescue crew had gone through the area, they went into each apartment and counted the bodies. The outside of the building was spray painted with symbols indicating how many live animals were found, how many dead animals were found and how many dead bodies were found.
We ventured beyond this neighborhood and did find a few people across the street who were allowed to come back into the area and assess the damage. One family had returned to check out their grandfather’s house. Their family had narrowly escaped and were rescued by helicopter after spending two days on a bridge with no food or water. As people came back into the city one by one, they were discovering that whatever had not been directly destroyed by the water was now being destroyed by mold and mildew. Upper level apartments untouched by the flood waters had mold creeping up the walls from the lower levels. Bleach was one of the hottest items in town. People were trying very hard to salvage their homes. Others in our group talked with some guys who were back to see what was left of their barber shop. Not much. A few others were invited into the home of a lady they met to see the damage. Every single thing was destroyed from half way down the wall.
Police presence was heavy in the area. They stopped every person they saw to check why they were there. Not many people were being allowed back into the area yet.
There were designated areas set aside as dog food drops. Bags of dog food lay split open on the ground for the strays. The food was covered with flies and maggots and bowls of filthy water set next to the food. There was such a heaviness in me as we left. I can’t imagine the panic and fear that struck these people. And now all that remained was the sickening final silence. It felt like a bomb had been dropped there.
That was only the beginning of the day.
Day three will stay with me for the rest of my life. Our group dressed in our uniforms (khaki pants or shorts, white or gray shirts and our ID badges) and headed to the projects in downtown New Orleans. The neighborhood consisted of government issued brick apartment complexes for the poorest of the poor in the city.
The buildings were two and three stories with park like spaces between them. Our intention in going there was to pass out ice and water and pray with people, but we later found out that no one had been let back in that area yet. We knocked on doors but no one was there. It was the most eerie place I have ever been.
It was very quiet except the sound of the helicopters flying overhead and the occasional fire alarm chirps from the buildings. The ground was covered with debris and trash, rotting food, dog and cat carcasses, children’s toys, and tons of seashells brought from miles away. There were many cars left behind because the gas was not available or the people did not have enough money to pay for it. The water level came up high enough to completely cover the cars. There were boats brought miles inland from the gulf and parked just like they were cars.
Huge trees surrounded by cement were uprooted and one big oak tree I saw had cracked right down the middle.
The stench was unbearable in areas mostly due to rotting food covered in maggots. I have never seen so many flies in my life. I have no idea how the people in the projects lived and I wish I could have seen it before all this devastation. From what I was told from Troy and others who had been around that area many times before, the area was densely populated. Multiple families lived in each small apartment.
The area was known for having a lot of crime with one of the highest murder and rape rates anywhere. I probably would have thought the neighborhood was devastating even in its normal state. The sadness there was overwhelming and it felt heavy on my heart. When the search and rescue crew had gone through the area, they went into each apartment and counted the bodies. The outside of the building was spray painted with symbols indicating how many live animals were found, how many dead animals were found and how many dead bodies were found.
We ventured beyond this neighborhood and did find a few people across the street who were allowed to come back into the area and assess the damage. One family had returned to check out their grandfather’s house. Their family had narrowly escaped and were rescued by helicopter after spending two days on a bridge with no food or water. As people came back into the city one by one, they were discovering that whatever had not been directly destroyed by the water was now being destroyed by mold and mildew. Upper level apartments untouched by the flood waters had mold creeping up the walls from the lower levels. Bleach was one of the hottest items in town. People were trying very hard to salvage their homes. Others in our group talked with some guys who were back to see what was left of their barber shop. Not much. A few others were invited into the home of a lady they met to see the damage. Every single thing was destroyed from half way down the wall.
Police presence was heavy in the area. They stopped every person they saw to check why they were there. Not many people were being allowed back into the area yet.
There were designated areas set aside as dog food drops. Bags of dog food lay split open on the ground for the strays. The food was covered with flies and maggots and bowls of filthy water set next to the food. There was such a heaviness in me as we left. I can’t imagine the panic and fear that struck these people. And now all that remained was the sickening final silence. It felt like a bomb had been dropped there.
That was only the beginning of the day.
9
After our return, we loaded up smaller boxes with food and other miscellaneous supplies. We also loaded more ice and water. We headed to Kenner. Although far enough away to escape the flooding, the hurricane winds destroyed many homes, especially roofs—yet another way for water to damage the homes. The low income neighborhood we went to was also known for crime. A few girls knocked on the door of a house across the street and the neighbors outside told them to stay away from that house because the owner didn’t like to be bothered. They said that he would come out with a shotgun to make it very clear. We started passing out boxes and ice to those who were hanging out in the street. As we did, people began to come out of their houses with curiosity. We explained why we were there and offered to pray for the people as they took the supplies. Not one person turned down the offer to be prayed for, usually responding with a very positive, “Sure, baby.” We went through the apartment complex knocking on doors and handing out boxes and ice. A few people stick out in my mind. First was a little girl who lived in the neighborhood. She was almost seven years old and not one bit shy. She talked and talked and kept a handful of us entertained with her animated stories and adorable accent. Her hair was done up so perfectly with ribbons and bows. After I moved on, a few ladies in our group told this girl about Jesus and prayed with her after she decided to follow Him. She’s one that will remain in my prayers. Someday I hope she can look back on her life and know that she is a precious person and how much God loves her. I pray that she meets others that will help her walk with Jesus. I hope this seed will grow in her life. Throughout this trip, I have learned (or relearned) that my prayers are effective and very powerful. I will pray with boldness and without hesitancy.
I met an elderly couple there and had the opportunity to thank God for their safety and their health. They were so warm and welcoming and you could see in their eyes how much it meant to them that someone cared enough to knock on their door, give them food, hold their hands, listen to their story and then pray for them. It was so rewarding. From there I went around the corner with some others and met a man doing yard work. We offered him a box but he explained that he was the landlord and that his tenants needed the supplies more than he did. He told us that he was a Believer and that all the property he owned in the New Orleans area (two four-plexes, a couple duplexes, and a handful of houses) had not been damaged in any way from Katrina. This man truly had favor with God. We did not go anywhere on the trip where we did not see destruction. He introduced us to one of his tenants there who was a thirty-something single mom that had just returned after being evacuated. The electricity was back on but her refrigerator had been broken for some reason. So she welcomed the box of food and especially the ice. I don’t know what it was about her, but I will never forget her beaming smile and warmth as her little ones peeked out from behind her. She said she was also a believer and thanked us for our work. Her smile and her manner really put me at ease and stuck with me.
From there, we drove to a different neighborhood—also not flooded by damaged in other ways. There was not one area that we saw on this trip that was not destroyed in one way or another. The destruction was consistent and widespread. We again passed out boxes and ice. We first stopped and asked an older woman putting out some trash if she could use a box of food. She said “no.” So we asked if she could use any ice. She said “no.” Someone from the back of the van yelled up to the front, “Ask her if she needs prayer.” So we asked her if she could use any prayer. She said “yes, of course.” So all nine of use piled out of the van and gathered around hear and her neighbor friend. We listened to both of their stories and then prayed for them. I can hardly imagine the people of my city responding with a yes when asked if they could use any prayer (but have I really been going around asking people if I could pray for them?). Not one person on this trip said no to me when I asked if I could pray for them.
I met an elderly couple there and had the opportunity to thank God for their safety and their health. They were so warm and welcoming and you could see in their eyes how much it meant to them that someone cared enough to knock on their door, give them food, hold their hands, listen to their story and then pray for them. It was so rewarding. From there I went around the corner with some others and met a man doing yard work. We offered him a box but he explained that he was the landlord and that his tenants needed the supplies more than he did. He told us that he was a Believer and that all the property he owned in the New Orleans area (two four-plexes, a couple duplexes, and a handful of houses) had not been damaged in any way from Katrina. This man truly had favor with God. We did not go anywhere on the trip where we did not see destruction. He introduced us to one of his tenants there who was a thirty-something single mom that had just returned after being evacuated. The electricity was back on but her refrigerator had been broken for some reason. So she welcomed the box of food and especially the ice. I don’t know what it was about her, but I will never forget her beaming smile and warmth as her little ones peeked out from behind her. She said she was also a believer and thanked us for our work. Her smile and her manner really put me at ease and stuck with me.
From there, we drove to a different neighborhood—also not flooded by damaged in other ways. There was not one area that we saw on this trip that was not destroyed in one way or another. The destruction was consistent and widespread. We again passed out boxes and ice. We first stopped and asked an older woman putting out some trash if she could use a box of food. She said “no.” So we asked if she could use any ice. She said “no.” Someone from the back of the van yelled up to the front, “Ask her if she needs prayer.” So we asked her if she could use any prayer. She said “yes, of course.” So all nine of use piled out of the van and gathered around hear and her neighbor friend. We listened to both of their stories and then prayed for them. I can hardly imagine the people of my city responding with a yes when asked if they could use any prayer (but have I really been going around asking people if I could pray for them?). Not one person on this trip said no to me when I asked if I could pray for them.
10.17.2005
10
We drove down a few streets and stopped to talk with some people outside in front of their house. I spoke with a lady named Sara Lee. She was a grandma who had raised something like 16 children, over half of whom were her own. She currently has custody of her grandchildren because their mother was addicted to drugs. Sara Lee had another daughter and grandchildren living with her and she was also caring for a girl named Mary who was developmentally disabled.
Sara Lee told stories from her life that would bring you to your knees. Instead of asking if we could pray for her, it was tempting to ask this amazing woman of God to pray for us. “Blessed” is the word that comes to mind when I think of her. She told us about her son, whom she raised in the church. God told this woman that her boy was going to be a preacher. So she prayed and prayed over her son. She would walk up and down the streets of her neighborhood praying over her son and his future ministry. Her son would complain that he couldn’t get away with nothing because of she was always after him. Sara Lee would say to her son, “No child, it’s God you can’t get away from. He’s the one chasing you.” Her son stayed out of trouble when everyone else around him was in fights and being arrested. She kept praying and believing what God had told her. One day her son got in a pretty bad fight. He came home and turned his life over to God. He is now a preacher in California. Sara Lee was so proud as she told her stories, the whole time saying how she believed what God said.
Sara Lee’s son was always trying to get her to move to California with him. This storm had given him even more reason to want her out of the area. She explained that her daughter was deep into drugs but it didn’t matter. She was determined to stay put for her daughter. “What if my daughter needed me? I can’t leave.” Then, Sara Lee said something that summarized the conversation, the day, and the entire trip. She said, “God’s first, others is second. I’ve gotta be last.” My eyes welled up with tears to get a taste of this woman’s faith and her selflessness.
I have such a desire in my heart to not live for myself, just like Sara Lee. It’s a legacy that you could see passed down to the people around her. Helen was a woman who was currently living there with her children. Weeks before the hurricane, Helen had three major deaths in her immediate family, including her husband. And then Katrina hit on top of all that. Among other hardships, Helen spent 22 hours stuck in her car with her kids trying to get away from the storm. This woman held her head high and said God was going to take care of her and she was going to make it. I tell ya, books and books could be written with these stories.
Donated beanie babies were passed out to the children and we prayed for this family.
We told Sara Lee we’d be back to pick her and her family up Sunday morning for church. She said she hadn’t been to church in a month and missed it badly. She said, “I don’t care what denomination it is, as long as they preach the undiluted gospel.”
After dinner that night, my team had a “debriefing”. We told our most memorable stories of the day. After a day like that, we had so many overwhelming feelings and it was so good to get to share some of them.
Sara Lee told stories from her life that would bring you to your knees. Instead of asking if we could pray for her, it was tempting to ask this amazing woman of God to pray for us. “Blessed” is the word that comes to mind when I think of her. She told us about her son, whom she raised in the church. God told this woman that her boy was going to be a preacher. So she prayed and prayed over her son. She would walk up and down the streets of her neighborhood praying over her son and his future ministry. Her son would complain that he couldn’t get away with nothing because of she was always after him. Sara Lee would say to her son, “No child, it’s God you can’t get away from. He’s the one chasing you.” Her son stayed out of trouble when everyone else around him was in fights and being arrested. She kept praying and believing what God had told her. One day her son got in a pretty bad fight. He came home and turned his life over to God. He is now a preacher in California. Sara Lee was so proud as she told her stories, the whole time saying how she believed what God said.
Sara Lee’s son was always trying to get her to move to California with him. This storm had given him even more reason to want her out of the area. She explained that her daughter was deep into drugs but it didn’t matter. She was determined to stay put for her daughter. “What if my daughter needed me? I can’t leave.” Then, Sara Lee said something that summarized the conversation, the day, and the entire trip. She said, “God’s first, others is second. I’ve gotta be last.” My eyes welled up with tears to get a taste of this woman’s faith and her selflessness.
I have such a desire in my heart to not live for myself, just like Sara Lee. It’s a legacy that you could see passed down to the people around her. Helen was a woman who was currently living there with her children. Weeks before the hurricane, Helen had three major deaths in her immediate family, including her husband. And then Katrina hit on top of all that. Among other hardships, Helen spent 22 hours stuck in her car with her kids trying to get away from the storm. This woman held her head high and said God was going to take care of her and she was going to make it. I tell ya, books and books could be written with these stories.
Donated beanie babies were passed out to the children and we prayed for this family.
We told Sara Lee we’d be back to pick her and her family up Sunday morning for church. She said she hadn’t been to church in a month and missed it badly. She said, “I don’t care what denomination it is, as long as they preach the undiluted gospel.”
After dinner that night, my team had a “debriefing”. We told our most memorable stories of the day. After a day like that, we had so many overwhelming feelings and it was so good to get to share some of them.
11
Day 4
Day four can be summarized by the words “manual labor.” After breakfast we had our daily charge/encouragement/Bible time led by Lance and then immediately to work. The school we were staying at was to open on Monday and it was Friday. There was still a lot of work to be done. We started off by moving desks.
Then moving more desks then moving more desks. This is a picture of Thomas during his turn at desk Jenga. We got a large load of bunk beds and we move the very heavy pieces into the new gym where we would be sleeping.
Once the beds were assembled, we moved out of the classrooms. A very large tarp partition divided the gym into rooms so the boys and girls were separated. Care was taken to be sure that the beds were not placed too close to the tarp wall to keep peekers at bay (because we have nothing better to do than sit in the gym and peek at naked boys). Once moving was done, we did odd jobs like break down a mountain of cardboard boxes and hang up donated clothing on the racks.
There were rows of clothes racks all divided into sections. A ton of clothes were hung already but there were still a lot in boxes waiting to get out there. Some people donate the funniest things. This is Katie saying, "What is this? Who in the world donates this?"
I heard over and over again from people donating supplies that we were the only distribution center in town that could keep up with the donations. We were the only place that actually had enough people working to keep everything running smoothly. Instead of donated clothes sitting in boxes for days, we got them sorted and hung up so people could find what they needed. Because of that, we had a lot of people from the area bringing more and more clothes. We had so much clothes.
Then someone said the word “frappacino” (not a good word to say out loud to a bunch of ladies who have been working hard all day in the sun and haven’t tasted a drop of Starbucks since Houston). A few of us became ravenous gluttons and snuck out to find this sweet nectar of the gods. We made an executive decision that it would be a responsible move for us to take a break and have a moment to rejuvenate and relax with a cool, smooth, sweet frappacino. After all, we would return re-energized and much more useful. So we piled into our rental car and headed out. For not being familiar with the area, we were still able to hone in our radar and stiff out two Starbucks stores. We squealed with excitement only to find that both of the stores we had found were destroyed by Katrina. Damn that Katrina, now things were getting personal. Not willing to drive 20 minutes and chance getting lost (can you imagine how we’d explain that?) we stopped at Target instead for a few things we had needed (no really, we did).
We came back to the school to discover that all of the clothes from the racks had been packed up in boxes and moved to the other Celebration Church. This whole operation was to relocate in order to make room for school to start. The other church had a bigger parking lot that would be useful for more tents and a bigger distribution area. We would still sleep in the gym and continue to have meals made for us at the school, at least while I was there.
Day four can be summarized by the words “manual labor.” After breakfast we had our daily charge/encouragement/Bible time led by Lance and then immediately to work. The school we were staying at was to open on Monday and it was Friday. There was still a lot of work to be done. We started off by moving desks.
Then moving more desks then moving more desks. This is a picture of Thomas during his turn at desk Jenga. We got a large load of bunk beds and we move the very heavy pieces into the new gym where we would be sleeping.
Once the beds were assembled, we moved out of the classrooms. A very large tarp partition divided the gym into rooms so the boys and girls were separated. Care was taken to be sure that the beds were not placed too close to the tarp wall to keep peekers at bay (because we have nothing better to do than sit in the gym and peek at naked boys). Once moving was done, we did odd jobs like break down a mountain of cardboard boxes and hang up donated clothing on the racks.
There were rows of clothes racks all divided into sections. A ton of clothes were hung already but there were still a lot in boxes waiting to get out there. Some people donate the funniest things. This is Katie saying, "What is this? Who in the world donates this?"
I heard over and over again from people donating supplies that we were the only distribution center in town that could keep up with the donations. We were the only place that actually had enough people working to keep everything running smoothly. Instead of donated clothes sitting in boxes for days, we got them sorted and hung up so people could find what they needed. Because of that, we had a lot of people from the area bringing more and more clothes. We had so much clothes.
Then someone said the word “frappacino” (not a good word to say out loud to a bunch of ladies who have been working hard all day in the sun and haven’t tasted a drop of Starbucks since Houston). A few of us became ravenous gluttons and snuck out to find this sweet nectar of the gods. We made an executive decision that it would be a responsible move for us to take a break and have a moment to rejuvenate and relax with a cool, smooth, sweet frappacino. After all, we would return re-energized and much more useful. So we piled into our rental car and headed out. For not being familiar with the area, we were still able to hone in our radar and stiff out two Starbucks stores. We squealed with excitement only to find that both of the stores we had found were destroyed by Katrina. Damn that Katrina, now things were getting personal. Not willing to drive 20 minutes and chance getting lost (can you imagine how we’d explain that?) we stopped at Target instead for a few things we had needed (no really, we did).
We came back to the school to discover that all of the clothes from the racks had been packed up in boxes and moved to the other Celebration Church. This whole operation was to relocate in order to make room for school to start. The other church had a bigger parking lot that would be useful for more tents and a bigger distribution area. We would still sleep in the gym and continue to have meals made for us at the school, at least while I was there.
12
The rest of the evening we took it pretty easy. We gathered after dinner to play UNO (pronounced “you-know” if you have an English accent).
We had about 10 people from our group. A few of us had been waiting for the proper time to ask Troy some questions. What God did with this question and answer time, none of us expected. Troy told story after story about sharing Jesus with others. These are some of the points I got from all he said (yes, I took notes—gahead, call me a nerd!):
· Promote Jesus, don’t protest the sin
· Give people hope
· It’s easy to tell people about Jesus if they look like you. Reach outside of you comfort zone but don’t try to be someone you’re not and try to change your style thinking others will take you more seriously. If you’re not a homey, don’t act like a homey. People can sense if you’re being fake.
· Don’t dilute the crimson blood to a pastel pink so it’s palatable.
· Churches today are aiming to attract high maintenance, low impact converts.
· Don’t miss the defining moment in your life; failure to take a stand keeps us out of the history books.
· Are you ready to take a stand for Jesus right now? If not, then walk to the back of the bus and sit down.
· Am I gonna believe what you’re half selling?
· Don’t pass out anything without boldness and belief.
· Fear leads to a lack of boldness. Psalm 28:1 says that the righteous are as bold as lions. Fear and timidness are problems with righteousness.
· Insecurity is self righteousness
· Ask for healing from unrighteousness
· Satan’s tools = fear, doubt, unbelief
· God gives us a way out of every temptation (even the temptation to keep our mouths shut about Jesus).
· Satan knows that we are children of God and he can’t have us but if Satan can shut you up, he can keep someone else from going to heaven.
· You can evangelize and not have the gift of evangelism—in fact, we’re commanded to no matter what our gifts.
· There are two kinds of Christians: soul winners and back sliders
· We were born again to be ministers of reconciliation. If you’re not doing that, what are you?
· What if you only went to work when you felt like it? Why do we think we can get away with sharing Jesus only when we feel like it? “I’m only going to evangelize if the moment’s right.”
· The church has made it an option to share Jesus only if the emotion is right.
· This trip is just reasonable service, it’s not above and beyond your call of duty.
· If it’s important enough for you to come to Jesus, why isn’t it that important to bring others?
· What would happen if God gave us as much mercy as we gave others?
· Mercy = meeting the need. If you’re hungry, then mercy is food.
· Where is the urgency? Life is a vapor.
· We don’t believe what we preach, or else we’d do it.
· Motivation vs. manipulation: the business model of the church will draw people but it is not doing what the Bible says to do.
· We’re doing church for one another, not for the lost; something’s wrong
· What does the testimony of your life say Jesus is? What does your worship say Jesus is? What does your prayer life say Jesus is?
· We are more concerned with the things that concern men, not what concerns God
· Who do we build our church services around man or God? We build the service around what man will think is convenient so more people will come, and we aren’t sensitive to when God wants us to change it for Him. What if there is not enough time to fit everything in the service? Do we cut something out so people don’t get restless or do we just go longer?
· We’re concerned that if we make God first, the people won’t need us anymore.
· No church should be prospering while another is suffering.
· Joshua 1 – fight with your brothers until they’ve taken their land, and then you can take yours also.
· Because we know this light, now we have a responsibility to go home and spread it.
· Someone is waiting for you to be obedient.
· If you’re not using what you are gifted with why would God give you more?
· Your acts of obedience or disobedience affect more people than just you.
· A lie from the pit of hell = If they’re meant to get saved then they’ll get saved no matter what.
· Expectancy cultivates an atmosphere for the miraculous.
· Until you pray the dangerous prayer (God, do whatever it takes), heaven and earth won’t take notice.
· Go so beyond the call of duty that you risk it all.
· Praise God for those times of inconvenience.
That was just the highlights of what Troy talked about. I was so enthralled, I was sitting on the edge of my chair intently sucking it all in and writing like a maniac. By the time he was coming to a close, I was in tears as were most of us. The Holy Spirit had shown up and the words that Pastor Troy was speaking were penetrating our hearts like only the Holy Spirit can do. I was overwhelmed by the fact that Jesus had given me a job and I had not done it. I had not loved people enough to share my Savior with them. Over the next hours (yes hours) we went through an entire roll of paper towels. One friend accepted the gift of prophecy and began to pray incredible things for each of us. We prayed the baptism of the Holy Spirit over another friend. Prayers were prayed over us that were things that no one but God could know. God was speaking through each of us to encourage one another. I cried because I was sorry I had not done what God commanded me to do. I cried because I knew the people around me loved me. I cried because I went into the trip with such a bad attitude. I cried because I knew God loved me and cared about me so much that he used others to tell me through prayer. I cried because God was so good. I cried because it was all so real. Thank you God for bringing our group together through that experience.
We had about 10 people from our group. A few of us had been waiting for the proper time to ask Troy some questions. What God did with this question and answer time, none of us expected. Troy told story after story about sharing Jesus with others. These are some of the points I got from all he said (yes, I took notes—gahead, call me a nerd!):
· Promote Jesus, don’t protest the sin
· Give people hope
· It’s easy to tell people about Jesus if they look like you. Reach outside of you comfort zone but don’t try to be someone you’re not and try to change your style thinking others will take you more seriously. If you’re not a homey, don’t act like a homey. People can sense if you’re being fake.
· Don’t dilute the crimson blood to a pastel pink so it’s palatable.
· Churches today are aiming to attract high maintenance, low impact converts.
· Don’t miss the defining moment in your life; failure to take a stand keeps us out of the history books.
· Are you ready to take a stand for Jesus right now? If not, then walk to the back of the bus and sit down.
· Am I gonna believe what you’re half selling?
· Don’t pass out anything without boldness and belief.
· Fear leads to a lack of boldness. Psalm 28:1 says that the righteous are as bold as lions. Fear and timidness are problems with righteousness.
· Insecurity is self righteousness
· Ask for healing from unrighteousness
· Satan’s tools = fear, doubt, unbelief
· God gives us a way out of every temptation (even the temptation to keep our mouths shut about Jesus).
· Satan knows that we are children of God and he can’t have us but if Satan can shut you up, he can keep someone else from going to heaven.
· You can evangelize and not have the gift of evangelism—in fact, we’re commanded to no matter what our gifts.
· There are two kinds of Christians: soul winners and back sliders
· We were born again to be ministers of reconciliation. If you’re not doing that, what are you?
· What if you only went to work when you felt like it? Why do we think we can get away with sharing Jesus only when we feel like it? “I’m only going to evangelize if the moment’s right.”
· The church has made it an option to share Jesus only if the emotion is right.
· This trip is just reasonable service, it’s not above and beyond your call of duty.
· If it’s important enough for you to come to Jesus, why isn’t it that important to bring others?
· What would happen if God gave us as much mercy as we gave others?
· Mercy = meeting the need. If you’re hungry, then mercy is food.
· Where is the urgency? Life is a vapor.
· We don’t believe what we preach, or else we’d do it.
· Motivation vs. manipulation: the business model of the church will draw people but it is not doing what the Bible says to do.
· We’re doing church for one another, not for the lost; something’s wrong
· What does the testimony of your life say Jesus is? What does your worship say Jesus is? What does your prayer life say Jesus is?
· We are more concerned with the things that concern men, not what concerns God
· Who do we build our church services around man or God? We build the service around what man will think is convenient so more people will come, and we aren’t sensitive to when God wants us to change it for Him. What if there is not enough time to fit everything in the service? Do we cut something out so people don’t get restless or do we just go longer?
· We’re concerned that if we make God first, the people won’t need us anymore.
· No church should be prospering while another is suffering.
· Joshua 1 – fight with your brothers until they’ve taken their land, and then you can take yours also.
· Because we know this light, now we have a responsibility to go home and spread it.
· Someone is waiting for you to be obedient.
· If you’re not using what you are gifted with why would God give you more?
· Your acts of obedience or disobedience affect more people than just you.
· A lie from the pit of hell = If they’re meant to get saved then they’ll get saved no matter what.
· Expectancy cultivates an atmosphere for the miraculous.
· Until you pray the dangerous prayer (God, do whatever it takes), heaven and earth won’t take notice.
· Go so beyond the call of duty that you risk it all.
· Praise God for those times of inconvenience.
That was just the highlights of what Troy talked about. I was so enthralled, I was sitting on the edge of my chair intently sucking it all in and writing like a maniac. By the time he was coming to a close, I was in tears as were most of us. The Holy Spirit had shown up and the words that Pastor Troy was speaking were penetrating our hearts like only the Holy Spirit can do. I was overwhelmed by the fact that Jesus had given me a job and I had not done it. I had not loved people enough to share my Savior with them. Over the next hours (yes hours) we went through an entire roll of paper towels. One friend accepted the gift of prophecy and began to pray incredible things for each of us. We prayed the baptism of the Holy Spirit over another friend. Prayers were prayed over us that were things that no one but God could know. God was speaking through each of us to encourage one another. I cried because I was sorry I had not done what God commanded me to do. I cried because I knew the people around me loved me. I cried because I went into the trip with such a bad attitude. I cried because I knew God loved me and cared about me so much that he used others to tell me through prayer. I cried because God was so good. I cried because it was all so real. Thank you God for bringing our group together through that experience.
13
These are a few of the things I remember that were prayed over me that night:
• Gina, you love to spend time alone with God. You could sit for hours with him talking and listening. God does not want you to thing that there is something wrong with you because of that. Embrace it. You have big holes in your ears. Listen closely to God and he will speak things. He’ll tell you private and intimate and precious things that you will treasure. Things that will be between only you and Him. You will begin to pray for things and pray for people that God brings to your mind, people you may not even know, people in other countries. Be sensitive to the Spirit. You have such a sweet, gentle spirit.
• You are beautiful. You think outside the box. God uses you to help others think differently.
• We all love you so much, Gina. There is something in your life that is luring you, some kind of temptation that keeps passing by you and trying to get you to take it. Stand strong, you are loved.
After prayer, we sang “Better is one day in you courts…” (which is ironically the song we sang the Sunday I came home—a song that we haven’t sung for a very long time). Thomas played the guitar and led us and then Angie played and we sang “Lord I’m amazed by you.” By the time we left, it was almost 2 a.m. I was approached by two different people and told how much I was loved and how much I meant to them. I was on a Holy Spirit high and my eyes were so puffy I couldn’t open them all the way. I had been so encouraged that I wanted to go out and tell everyone about how great my God was. At that moment, God told me to begin praying for the people on the plane and for the opportunity to share and pray with someone.
This being my last night, I was completely satisfied to end my trip on that note, even though the rest of my team would stay three more days. Once we broke into the gym and were finally in bed we all got about five hours of sleep that night.
• Gina, you love to spend time alone with God. You could sit for hours with him talking and listening. God does not want you to thing that there is something wrong with you because of that. Embrace it. You have big holes in your ears. Listen closely to God and he will speak things. He’ll tell you private and intimate and precious things that you will treasure. Things that will be between only you and Him. You will begin to pray for things and pray for people that God brings to your mind, people you may not even know, people in other countries. Be sensitive to the Spirit. You have such a sweet, gentle spirit.
• You are beautiful. You think outside the box. God uses you to help others think differently.
• We all love you so much, Gina. There is something in your life that is luring you, some kind of temptation that keeps passing by you and trying to get you to take it. Stand strong, you are loved.
After prayer, we sang “Better is one day in you courts…” (which is ironically the song we sang the Sunday I came home—a song that we haven’t sung for a very long time). Thomas played the guitar and led us and then Angie played and we sang “Lord I’m amazed by you.” By the time we left, it was almost 2 a.m. I was approached by two different people and told how much I was loved and how much I meant to them. I was on a Holy Spirit high and my eyes were so puffy I couldn’t open them all the way. I had been so encouraged that I wanted to go out and tell everyone about how great my God was. At that moment, God told me to begin praying for the people on the plane and for the opportunity to share and pray with someone.
This being my last night, I was completely satisfied to end my trip on that note, even though the rest of my team would stay three more days. Once we broke into the gym and were finally in bed we all got about five hours of sleep that night.
14
Day 5
We all went to breakfast looking not too much different than the night before—only eyes more puffy. We spent the morning finishing the classroom dry-walling and cleaning in preparation for Monday’s classes. I go to work alongside Peetah Nesbitt and a guy from another team that morning. What a blessing.
It’s so fun to know people at church and then go on a trip like this and realize that you didn’t know them at all. Trips where you spend every waking hour together are the best way to really REALLY get to know people. Angie and Katie and I shared a little more with each other about the night before.
Telling each other how much we meant to one another. We were sad that I had to leave early but I was lit on fire and ready.
We all went to breakfast looking not too much different than the night before—only eyes more puffy. We spent the morning finishing the classroom dry-walling and cleaning in preparation for Monday’s classes. I go to work alongside Peetah Nesbitt and a guy from another team that morning. What a blessing.
It’s so fun to know people at church and then go on a trip like this and realize that you didn’t know them at all. Trips where you spend every waking hour together are the best way to really REALLY get to know people. Angie and Katie and I shared a little more with each other about the night before.
Telling each other how much we meant to one another. We were sad that I had to leave early but I was lit on fire and ready.
15
A large part of me wanted to sell everything and join Troy & Co. I think I could’ve too, but I knew that there were people in Santa Rosa that needed my prayers also. Troy said that there came a huge sense of relief when he found out all of his material possessions had been destroyed. He said it was freeing and to now devote 100% to ministering to others was a dream come true. I think I would have to agree. I have spent time reflecting on America and the “American Dream”. We are addicted to our possessions, to our material stuff. On this trip so many people had lost everything but they still held their heads up, trusted God and know there was more to life than stuff. Call me pessimistic, but I don’t see things all playing out the same way here in California. God’s big and He’s able to anything, though. Who knows, maybe widespread tragedy brings out something good in people. Since being home, I get the sense that so many people are defined by their possessions and driven by their desire for more. Who would the people of California be without their stuff? It truly is an addiction. I know I have more than enough but I don’t give it away. I know I have more than enough, but I still work harder to get more, always focused on the next purchase or upgrade. I know all of this is unhealthy (just like any other addiction is unhealthy) but will I ever be motivated enough to make a change? Will I ever break free from my stuff addiction? The same excuses come to mind that one might use for smoking. It’s too hard to quit; I don’t want to quit, I like it; everyone around me does; I’ll quit sometime, just not now; it won’t be like this forever. It we’re lucky we’ll break the cycle when disaster hits—loss of health if we’re smoking and loss of possessions if we’re materialistic. But this doesn’t always stop everyone. When are we gonna stop running like hamsters on a wheel? When are we going to open our eyes and realize what’s really important, what our purpose is? I pray that it does not take a disaster like Katrina to wake people up. I know deep inside, though, that that’s probably what it will take. I’ve learned to boldly pray that scary prayer that Troy talked about, “God, do whatever it takes to bring these people to you.”
16
On the flight home, there was a lady (Donna) who was sitting in front of me and I overheard her telling her story to the man sitting next to her. She had just gone back to New Orleans to assess the damage to her home. She said she lost everything. She lived right in the heart of the city, the part that got the worst of the flooding. She said that her home was under 10 feet of water. God told me, “Gina, this is that person on the plane ride home I’ve put on your heart. Donna is the one you need to pray with.” I put it off and put it off, and my heart was pounding. It’s funny how God gets the message across, though. Each time I was about to say something to her and then chickened out, the captain came on the overhead speaker and announced that the flight was going to be delayed. That happened twice. The first time, I chickened out the captain said that the plane was going to be delayed because of a storm we had to go through. Then I chickened out again and the captain announced that there was too much air traffic coming into the airport and we would have to circle for a while longer. We finally landed, pulled into the terminal and once the seatbelt sign went off, I leaned forward and said, “I overheard you talking about your home. I was just in Metarie helping with relief efforts.” We shared some stories and struggles and then I looked at her and asked, “What’s your name?” She said, “Donna.” And I asked, “Donna, would it be all right if I prayed for you right now?” She said, “Of course.” So I prayed protection over her and her daughters. I prayed for strength and peace. When we were done, she gave me a very big hug and said, “Thank you so much,” and “it’s so good to see young people in ministry.” I’m not sure I quit smiling all the way off the plane. My prayer and plea is to take this experience home with me. I don’t want this to be a “camp experience” that slowly fades once in a different environment. This was one step in that direction. I had brought it as far as Houston, maybe I could make it to California and still hold onto that boldness!
17
I get chills as I remember a phrase that was said over and over again by many different people that night we gathered to play UNO. I’m sure these people did not realize what they were praying as the Holy Spirit prayed through them, but God brought it to my attention. While we were bathing in the Holy Spirit that night, many people were praying in tongues. Mostly under their breaths, but I still heard this one phrase: “NO SOLO AQUI”. In Spanish, that means “Not only here”. That has become my prayer as well. “What you’re doing on the Gulf Coast, God, do in California. Use me not only in New Orleans but everywhere my foot steps, may I claim it in the name of Jesus. Use me to love people and tell them that they are not living until they’re living for Jesus. May everything that happened in New Orleans—what happened in the lives of the residents who lost everything and realized Jesus was all they needed, and what happened in the lives of the relief workers who learned how to love and learned that Jesus is the only thing worth living for—may it all happen not only here. No solo aqui.
