It was after 11 pm last night when I finally got home from returning the bus to the BCM, officially ending the Send Me Now NoLa #1mission trip. I stopped by our house on the way back into Athens to unpack our suitcases and stick a few things in the wash. We leave in a few short hours to drive to Hilton Head for the week. Nick was also falling asleep in the bus. By the time I returned he was long asleep in his bed with his dog. It's good to be home if only for tonight.
As we were packing the bus to leave Canal Street Church yesterday Michael and Julie Hitch drove up to say goodbye. Kyle Todd texted him the night before to see if they would come by so we could take a group picture with them. It was a bittersweet parting. In the short time we worked together we grew to love each other and this wonderful couple. The ministry of The RICC, the non-profit started by the church leadership, is in an incredible position to help change the community over the next few years. The students on this trip got but a glimpse of the possibilities of ministry in this ancient city.
On the way out of town we began the process of debriefing the experience. I asked questions to prompt reflection and each person shared their insights, struggles, and views from the trip. We dropped Shari at the airport for her flight home to Barbados for the summer and continued to debrief as we drove toward Mobile, Alabama. Marcus took notes and I will share them in a later post.
The last question I asked was, "What Now?" After each student shares they asked me what I had learned. It took a few minutes for me to explain my thoughts. I've been to New Orleans several times on mission trips over the past few years. I was impressed at the initial response to the needs in NoLa after Katrina. Volunteers flooded the area with resources, volunteer hours, and prayers. Much good was done by the crews of volunteers. Workers through the Baptist Disaster Relief ministries were consistently at work, thousands of college students among them, repairing homes and lifting spirits of the citizens. Volunteers returned home recruiting others to the cause. Even Government officials proclaimed that New Orleans would not be forgotten and enough resources would be contributed to rebuild the city and area better than it was before.
But the hurricane and resulting flood were a long, long time ago. While a few teams are still at work, most people have moved on to help with new disasters. Instead of returning to NoLa, groups now go to New York or to Oklahoma. Don't get me wrong, there are needs there too from storms this past year. The problem is that New Orleans has all but been forgotten except for a few who have remained focused. Money that was donated for Katrina relief has mostly been spent. It is difficult to keep sending teams back when so many other needs are constantly before us in the media. It is more flashly to respond to critical needs that can be followed on the news.
What I learned from this week is to stay focused on the dreams God has given me, to remain true, not to chase after whatever is new, whatever seems most immediate, or even what seems essential. Yes, as Christians we need to be open to God's leading in all kinds of ways. That's easy for me. I'm very adaptable, creative, and flexible. Sometimes, however, I tend not to stick with things and to change just for the sake of changing. This week has shown me to stay on task until the job is done and to remind the students with whom I work to do the same thing. Each time I close my eyes to sleep I return to the streets of NoLa. I see the many boarded up and decaying homes that were never rebuilt. I see the neighborhoods that are in ruin and the side streets throughout the city that are almost impassible because of the potholes. Volunteers are still needed. Homes still need to be repaired. groups like the RICC are still making a difference and are partnering with other groups to do even more.
Often we are blinded by what is shiny and new. but even in the best of times our clouded vision has never been very good. We see "in a glass darkly." God, however sees the big picture. We need to stay focused. God is calling others to respond to the many new tragedies that seem to arise daily. Of course, if God calls you you should go. But don't just respond because everyone else is doing it or because it is the new thing.
Stay focused. Don't forget NoLa and the entire gulf region. They still need us!
What dream has God given to you that you are tempted to abandon for something new or fresh? Ask God to renew your dreams, to dream again in you, to give you joy in the work at hand. And let's get back to work!
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