This week has gone by in a blur, and this report is definitely not going to have the same flair and style that Debbie is able to write with. I am tired and slurred speech tends to come across in an email.
God has really been working and preparing this city for the huge influx of teams this summer and daily we meet local pastors and church leaders that are expanding their vision of what the church is called to do at a time like this. I have yet to meet anyone in the city that has expressed any anger or confusion as to why God would allow such a natural disaster to hit the coast. They all see the bigger picture and even if it is a small glimpse of what God is doing, they are ready and willing to be a part of what God is doing.
Just this morning I met a local pastor, and he shared some of his stories and experiences. Before the storm he had a church of 150 people, after Katrina he had a church of 13 people and no building. He felt God telling him that he was the pastor of a small church, now he is being called to be the pastor of the community. He has since had 250 people from churches in Michigan come and rebuild his church. He has changed his classrooms into dormitories and built on extra showers, to allow people coming back to the city a place to rest and clean up while they are rebuilding their home. It is humbling and a real privilege to meet people like this and to see the fire they have after losing everything. It seems to be true that the greatest hindrance to the church being what Jesus calls us to be is the buildings we surround ourselves with. We envelop ourselves in the comfortable buildings and drive through the neighborhood we are meant to be ministering too.
I have heard stories of churches that lost their buildings that have voted to join congregations with other denominations. And the votes were 92% and 96% in favor from both churches. There is no place here for denominational pride and territorialism. God has removed that in New Orleans and it is such a good thing to see. The body of Christ is working together and really making a difference. As far as I can see the only effective and long term relief and rebuilding of personal homes, is happening because of Christian groups and churches. We are just privileged to play a small part in that.
Our team of leaders arrived on Monday, and I was able to share with them a bit of the vision the Lord laid on my heart for the city. They are an extraordinary group of people from all over the country, from Texas, to Minnesota. They are between the ages of 21 and 26. At this stage they are completely overwhelmed with all the information and logistics we have given them. Please pray for them especially tomorrow, as they meet their mission teams for the upcoming week and they begin their leadership role as Project Leaders.
We are being housed all over the city. The mission trip participants are staying at five different churches, our leadership team is living in four different apartments/ offices. So the logistics of that alone is proving to be a challenge.
I am completely aware that God has control over the summer mission trips here and that we are simply to obey and follow His leading. I offered the leaders a “way out” on Monday night. I told them that if any of them felt confident that they could handle the next eleven weeks, and they in themselves had the strength and ability to handle this, then they could go home immediately. We are united in our dependence on the Lord and in His protection and guidance.
Please pray for us this week and for the participants coming to the city for the following:
- Protection from all harm
- Endurance in the heat and long days
- Wisdom to handle the logistics
- For many people to be saved as a result of our service.
- For strength and rest for our leadership team.
Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement. Please check my blog at http://atholbarnes.myadventures.org/
God bless you all
Athol
