Going to New Orleans...

How ironic that our last post (2 1/2 months ago!) was about hurricane Katrina. We just returned from a week down in New Orleans and it looks like in 1-2 weeks we'll be heading back down there for a while (as in 6 months or more). It's gonna be one of the hardest moves we've made, yet the way it's all come about is amazing and leaves no room for doubt that we're going where we've been called.

The devastation down along the Gulf is more than you could ever imagine. The hurricane in and of itself was one of the most damaging ever to hit the U.S., and the flooding in New Orleans was among the worst disasters to ever hit the U.S. Put them together and it's really overwhelming - hundreds of thousands of homes have been destroyed, literally. Millions of lives have been directly affected.

As disaster response normally (if there is such a thing) goes, there is an initial wave of people who are ready to go and help within 24 hours. That wave (no pun intended) lasts for several weeks, and then the next wave of people come, typically with humanitarian intentions - "We just want to help the people however we can". After a few weeks or even months, this wave starts to die out. The media's attention is shifted elsewhere - the hero stories have been told, the dramatic photos of the damage have been taken, the world moves on. And as a society whose attention follows the media closely, we forget what happened and lose touch with what is happening in those areas. Often, communities are back on their feet enough at that point to carry on and complete the rebuilding process. This time is different, however.

With Hurricane Katrina, the devastation is so widespread and incredible, that even if every family were able to quit their jobs and return home immediately to empty what is left of their houses, then in the cases where the shell of the house can be saved, gut the inside and then find a contractor who won't take advantage of them...even if they had the money to rebuild...the millions of people who have been affected would be working for years just on their own house, getting it to the point of being re-inhabitable. And that doesn't even touch on where they're gonna live in the meantime, or the nightmare that insurance and banks are. That doesn't take into account the emotional toll that this has taken on people - it's not easy returning home and finding everything you own covered in mold and rotting. Antiques that have been passed down through the generations. Your grandmother's recipes. Your family photos. Your child's teddy bear. Your wedding dress. On and on the list goes, and it's a list that everyone at some point realizes is merely comprised of "stuff" and can let it go. And even though you have let go of everything, there is still an emotional toll involved in the process.

We are going to New Orleans to cry with people, to listen to people, to talk with people, to share with people and then turn around and communicate with the rest of the world what is still happening, the needs that are still present and the challenges that face a community that needs hope. New Orleans has the potential to emerge from Katrina stronger than ever. I'm not talking about the economy of the city. I'm talking about the millions of people who have realized that there is more to life than "stuff". There has to be because they've lost it all.

Comments

[Andrea Gall]

God Bless you guys as you work with the devastation in New Orleans. You are in my prayers. Rest in the peace of knowing this is where God is sending you and He will not take you half way. He will complete the process with you and provide ALL the things you NEED along the way. Plug into Him to be refilled when you are pouring into others and find you are running on empty. I love you.

Andrea

[Peter T. Loewen]

Hey you guys, well its been a long time. I have stumbled across your blog a few times, I figure I would say hi. It sounds as if you guys are doing quite well. I am glad to hear that you are out there doing your best. God be with you and your endeavours in New Orleans.

[sarah Kesler]

wow, it seems like you just settled in only to move again, but hey go for it! I think it's really cool what you are going to do. Just live and minister along side them as the rest of the world moves on.
oh shawn i got that job, im going on day three full time now. its basically me doing photoshop editing, my wrist was really sore, theres a learning curve but so far so good, minus their stupid pcs are junk balls. ha ha
oh yeah someone from this years kaleo mentioned that they are looking at new orleans for a missions trip option this year....

[Rob]

Saw you updated post on Typepad and thought I'd check it out. Been to Gulf coast twice now--Long Beach--and expect we'll be going back regularly as long as the need lasts. The first trip just completely devastated me--never saw such destruction before in my life.

Have two transplanted famalies in our church from New Orleans. Thank God for you willingness to serve in this capacity.