Thoughts on New Orleans and rebuilding

I went with my two boys this past week and watched "Princess and the Frog". It was kind of throw back to the old-school Disney animated feature: strong female character, chaos, and big musical numbers. It certainly wasn't as funny as others but it was solid. My big reason for going? New Orleans was the city of choice! And that reminded me that this year we're bringing another team to New Orleans.

Our first trip was in December 2005, only months after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city. What we saw that year is hard to describe. In many ways, seeing the Ninth Ward completely wiped out was surreal. In many ways it looked like we entered into a war zone but instead of bombs, homes were destroyed by water and the force of the wind. We were called to help one homeowner in the Ninth Ward that year all she wanted was for us to recover some money in a little storage container. The rest of the house was waterlogged, unable to be salvaged.

But now after five years we're heading back for what probably is our last time in New Orleans. First, I'm grateful that we have been able to partner with Castle Rock Community Church. We've gone from cleaning up to actually helping to rebuild the city. There's still a long ways to go but the fact that we've hung in there to help make a difference in a city that desperately needed outside help is something very special to me. In many ways, New Orleans, like Calcutta, India and Jerusalem, Israel feel like home away from home. It's because I've spent time there and gotten to know people.

The other thing that always strikes me is the caliber of people that we have brought with us. They could spend their money and time elsewhere. But instead they choose to come with us, using their time, talent, and skills to help rebuild some pretty poor parts of New Orleans. Oh yea, the food is great, and it's fun to be there but there's a bigger reason to go... to give our lives to something redemptive... something that is at the very heart of the gospel. I consider it a real privilege to co-labor alongside some pretty cool people. I'm so impressed with their desire to actually pay a portion of the trip out of their own pocket and their love for the Savior which leads them to loving those who are on the margins.

There is much to do with college students! But it's always works out well when we combine great teaching and training on how to live life well in the Spirit connecting that with works of compassion and mercy! Spiritual formation is best "caught" when we intentionally teach on the heart while we give our bodies to laboring for God's Kingdom. We lead with the body and then check our hearts. Spiritual formation always has a missional component. I can't wait to get back to Castle Rock to see fiends and to engage our students in something that will hopefully shape their worldview for the rest of their lives!