Finding God

Sometimes, you have to stop and look around to see God.
I’ve been reminded of this almost constantly during this trip, and how He works in ways we’d never expect. Even in the midst of incredible destruction, He is there…but to see him requires a second look. A bright flower growing from an overgrown, untended lawn; a more colorful, well-built home than the one that was there before; a special union between two churches; friendships that would not have existed before. We are not simply rebuilding houses--nailing, caulking, drilling, sandpapering, and the like—we are helping give people hope, to restore their previous lives. But this would be impossible to do on our own. It is only through God’s strength and love and the gifts of the people around us that we are able to have the determination to get up early each morning and do His work with love and patience. It is also a blessing that despite the fact that this horrible tragedy still continues to affect people even three years later, and the media has stopped reporting on Hurricane Katrina and society has seemed to lose interest, many other groups just like ours continue to work to rebuild New Orleans and the general area. The city has not come back, however. The French Quarter may have been rebuilt, but there are so many homes that still lay in shambles, like a giant, sprawling ghost town. Less than half the original population has returned. It will take a very long time for some to come home, and some will never come back at all. But there is always hope. We are so blessed to have been even a small part of that hope, to be able to tell the story of the hurricane, and the people who have weathered the storm. There is still so much to be done, and it may never be the same, but someday New Orleans will be alive with its spirit again. We will never forget our experiences here.
(Extra hugz and love to all :D
<3
>>Madison<<)