Nearly two years ago, Hurricane...
Illustration
Nearly two years ago, Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast and the city of New
Orleans. The images of people wading through chest-high water, stranded on rooftops,
losing their homes and all their belongings will be forever etched into our collective
memory. The sense of loss is hard for most of us to imagine.
Churches across the country continue to send work teams to that region. Special offerings have also been sent. The recovery effort continues and will continue for years to come in many communities. People have returned from such trips describing block after block of destruction. Construction materials are often in short supply. There have even been reports of contractors taking advantage of victims of this tragedy.
Debbie recently returned from a week-long mission trip. Because of back problems, she was not able to physically do much work. "I can paint," she said with a smile. However, that week she did not spend much time painting or cleaning instead she talked, offering words of encouragement to the people whose home her group was repairing. She spent time listening to the experiences of those separated from family members, of people who lost so much. Almost a year ago, a group had come and worked, and promised to return, but never did.
If anything positive is to come from this terrible tragedy, it is a renewed awareness to help people who struggle to make ends meet. As followers of Jesus Christ, we have a responsibility to help those who are hurting. Jesus teaches us to love one another, "Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another."
Churches across the country continue to send work teams to that region. Special offerings have also been sent. The recovery effort continues and will continue for years to come in many communities. People have returned from such trips describing block after block of destruction. Construction materials are often in short supply. There have even been reports of contractors taking advantage of victims of this tragedy.
Debbie recently returned from a week-long mission trip. Because of back problems, she was not able to physically do much work. "I can paint," she said with a smile. However, that week she did not spend much time painting or cleaning instead she talked, offering words of encouragement to the people whose home her group was repairing. She spent time listening to the experiences of those separated from family members, of people who lost so much. Almost a year ago, a group had come and worked, and promised to return, but never did.
If anything positive is to come from this terrible tragedy, it is a renewed awareness to help people who struggle to make ends meet. As followers of Jesus Christ, we have a responsibility to help those who are hurting. Jesus teaches us to love one another, "Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another."
