DownshoreDrift

On this blog, I will probably have a lot of information over time on what is happening in my home area of New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast concerning the rebuilding after Katrina. I really believe that this is such a critical time for the church to live out the commands and opportunities that God gives us to transform this world (Isaiah 58:12; Isaiah 61:1-4; Matthew 24:14; Matthew 28:18-20).  If you are wanting to keep up with what is going on, two great resources are available.  One is the website of Joe McKeever, the Director of Missions for the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans.  I met Joe on a trip down there in December and he is doing a great job.  Check out his site and hear about what God is doing through the Baptist churches there.  It is really amazing to see how they are coming together.  The other resource is Nola.com.  It hosts the Times-Picayune newspaper and each day there are articles about the recovery.  It really gives me something to pray for as I think and pray about what is going on there.

I believe with all my heart that God has called the church to help with the rebuilding of cities. In many ways, Christians were the first on the ground to proclaim the gospel in word as well as deed. What if we stayed in this for the long haul and helped provide strength, support, and the muscle that it takes to rebuild homes, businesses, and lives?  Could it be that God has placed us here for such a time as this? Joe McKeever thinks so and  paints a beautiful picture of a "New" New Orleans.  If we really do possess eternal life and the blessings of God, what if we blessed others with what we have received (Matthew 10:8)?  I believe that in 20 years we will look back and see this as a divine window that God opened to change the future of a region and to create a witness for the truth and love of Jesus Christ that will affect the world as we love people in need - one person at a time. 

If you are growing tired of hearing about this, know that the situation is still grim and people still need your prayers and support.  Check out Charlie and Martie Elgin's website concerning their work on the Gulf Coast to see what I mean. They are trying to gather resources  and volunteers to help construct storage pods for people who live in FEMA trailers and have had over 500 people request help.  The work goes on and on, but God is being glorified, people are being helped, and lives are being changed.  It is amazing what happens when you step out in faith and follow the Lord.  The "Pods for God" effort is a $150,000 project, but God is providing and people are receiving the help that they need.  A spiritually dark region is being changed one life at a time and seeds are being planted that will bear eternal fruit.  The Bible says in Galatians 6:9-10, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."  I pray that this will be the legacy of our church and all of the others that God has called to help in a desperate time.