I thought I'd send out a quick update since this storm called Gustav is brewing and many of you in other parts are wondering what we're all up to down here. Well I can't speak for everyone, but I'll tell you that I am getting myself prepared. I always knew that should a threat of a storm ever arise I'd want to be as close to the action as possible. Not because I'm a storm chaser or purposely like to put myself in danger, but because I want to be able to help in some way. Since I moved to New Orleans, I've been taking classes through the Red Cross because I decided that would be one of the best and easiest ways to minister to the community in a time of need. So despite my plans to spend my Labor Day weekend in Florida, I'll be sticking around Louisiana or wherever Red Cross assigns me to work in a shelter or with distribution or whatever. The seminary has issued a mandatory evacuation beginning tomorrow at noon. Red Cross is ready to accept volunteers as early as 10am today, so I will finish getting my things in order to be ready to leave campus today. I doubt I'll have much time for or access to communication while I'm with the Red Cross. My number one priority will be letting my family know I'm safe. I'll catch up with the rest of you on the flipside. :)

Thanks for your prayers for me, for this city, and all affected by natural disasters. I want to ask you also to pray for my friend Rebecca Jordan and her family as they are dealing with the recent death of her father, Dale Ross who has been battling cancer for sometime. He was one of my favorite Maryvillians, and I enjoyed keeping up with all of his travels and mission trips... many of which were to New Orleans. Ironic timing, this the day of Katrina's anniversary. The last time I saw Dale, he was pouring his heart into a rebuilding project in New Orleans, donning his bandanna, "whistling while he worked". I am a better person for having known him. He was a great man and will be greatly missed.

I'm going to close with a recent update I received from my friend Chaz. I don't really have the time or the clarity of mind to pour out my thoughts and impressions as New Orleans is bracing for a potential hit... (of course we're praying against that!) But I appreciated what Chaz had to say, and I hope you'll find it both informative and enlightening as you are either here in the city making your own plans for the weekend or if you're watching the track of the storm from afar. Thanks, Chaz, for your insight.

>>Though it may sit in the recesses of your mind I am sure you have all heard by now that Hurricane Gustav has his compass pointed to New Orleans. This city is know for throwing hurricane parties with friends, and they are proud to be the home of a alcoholic drink recipe known as simply a “Hurricane”, yet the past two days something has been different in this great city. Though just emotions, the vibe of this community is weighty and thick. Colleges are closing, lumber is being purchased, and the roads are getting packed already! Just 3 years after 1.4 million people left a city, only to return finding devastation, anarchy, and traces of what was once something we all think of as more than just a house … they had only traces left of their home. Today New Orleans finds itself on the eve of Katrina’s 3rd anniversary. Tomorrow night it is expected that an evacuation of the city will be called, 3 years to the day from when Katrina slammed her name into history. The city is not ready and we know it. We, the people of this city are. We are prepared this time, skin is thicker, lessons have been learned, and hurricanes have commanded their respect!

Please be in prayer for this city over the next few days as Hurricane Gustav approaches the Gulf of Mexico and our great city! It is “hoped” by engineers that our levee system (that is STILL being reconstructed) can withstand Cat. 3 hurricanes, but this test is one that we cannot afford to fail. Pray that the levees hold. If they do not people like myself will be sitting far from home watching on TV just like you as the waters rise. The only difference is, we will be looking for our homes on the screen. The last storm put the apartment that I am in under 8ft. of water. I am moving what I can into a friends apartment upstairs before I fly out with the hope of minimizing damage.

Today I began to prepare for a sermon on Psalm 23 that I have to deliver in two weeks. It is a verse that most pull comfort from and draw strength in knowing that God is with us even as we stand in the shadow of tragedy and/or evil. We can draw strength because in these times of trial and strife we are still just in the shadow of the Valley of Death. If we are in the shadow of something it means that we have not taken a direct hit! Hard times will come and go … BUT, we can feel safe and protected knowing that God is right there with us as our protector. Sometimes that protection is from ourselves and sometimes it is from something like a storm that I have dubbed, “Hurricane G-Unit.”<<

Blessings to all,
Hannah