Where He leads...: July 2007

My intention this summer was to write an update for each week. Obviously that did not happen and I apologize immensely for not staying faithful to that.

A million thanks to those of you whom I know have stayed faithful in prayer for me throughout these busy weeks. Looking back, I know I couldn't have gotten by so well without those prayers. The summer has continued to be intense and extremely challenging physically, mentally, and spiritually. My heart is continually breaking for the enormous need that surrounds me here. I'm one to get easily caught up in the physical brokenness of this city… the abandoned homes that adorn every street… the unkempt yards that are now jungles… having to actually search for the sound of laughter… all signs of a city destroyed—as if it's been forgotten. In many ways, I think it has.

But as depressing and overwhelming all of that is to me, I have to continually remind myself that I'm here for a far greater purpose than swinging a hammer, hauling a wheelbarrow, and pulling weeds. My most significant purpose here isn't even to rebuild homes. I believe with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength that God has me here to be a part of the transformation of lives that is taking place throughout New Orleans. As my boss Rob reminds us each week, "God's glory is being proclaimed in this city like never before!" Hallelujah! What a wonderful place to be! I hear of—and talk to—so many who are scared to come to this place. They hear the news of the National Guard being stationed here, of the murders and crime, of the mold and mildew, and they are frozen in their life of security. They've seen the news, but have they seen the faces of those who are hurting here? Have they looked into the eyes of a woman who has lost all earthly possessions? A woman who is broken beyond description… who sits on the porch of her FEMA trailer all day long praying for a miracle… praying for someone to drive down the street with good news. Good news just this once. Maybe this is the day that something does not go wrong. That a contractor will actually keep his word and finish the job she has paid him for (unlike the last one that ran off with thousands of dollars and uninstalled sheetrock lying on the floor). Maybe the day is soon coming when her two boys can come back home, because now, the trailer is too small for all three of them. Her two boys who she loves and who want to protect her, because face it—in this city, a mother could use the safety that two older boys could bring to her home simply by her not having to live alone.

I have seen her face. Her name is Michelle. And there are tens of thousands of Michelles in this city right now.

I've had the opportunity to pray with her twice, and now I'll ask you to please pray for her as well. Pray that God will give her the strength and renewal she needs for each new day—and that SHE will seek Him for that strength. Pray for a volunteer crew to come to the city that knows how to sheetrock so I can send her some help. (And I have 40 other homes on my list that need sheetrock also. My list has 157 homes on it altogether with needs ranging from yardwork, to painting, to roofing, flooring, and everything in between. It grows daily.)

We've got two full weeks left of MissionLab. Then our wonderful summer staff leaves and it'll be time to breathe and time to regroup and reorganize. Volunteers will slow down some, but the work remains. Pray that God continues to send teams down here to help rebuild throughout the year. Pray that God sends people here who are not afraid to work long, hard hours… but most importantly, who aren't afraid to share the name and the love of Jesus Christ. May His love transform us as we transfer it onto others.

Be blessed. Seek Him first.

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