Earlier this month I went back to the area devastated by Katrina.  I had been there six months before and I knew what to expect.  The shock of "it can't really be this bad... not in America.." had worn off. This time I could wrap my mind around the monumental task that lay ahead of me.  It was better than 6 months ago but still horrible.  Over a year after the storm it's still a mess.  Those who have returned, and there are many who haven't, rebuild- that's the new normal.  It will never be the same but I can help with what I can.  The economy is a mess, the local goverment is backwards, but I can attack mold, I can pull down flood soaked dry wall. I can sweat and work hard, I can push and pull and exhaust myself.   People displaced,  families in white FEMA trailers, Volunteers in mold suits, ruble and beauty... the new normal... it's surreal.  I said I was over the shock but maybe not fully.

What do I see this time that's different from the last time?  I see an area that is bent but not broken.  I see more Hope.  I see strangers from all walks of life, all ages, all beliefs, working hard to make it better.  Those who are seeing all of this for the first time don't realize how bad it was.  Those who have never seen it, those still at home, don't know how bad it still is.  With images of broken homes on top of crumpled cars, even still there is hope.  Those who believe and have faith in the Lord hold to Him as the only thing that stands after the storm.   Others without Christ find something to believe in... the human spirit, the will to survive, but even they must be struck with the fact that there has got to be something bigger than human effort that we can cling to.  I saw this in amazing contrast as I worked side by side with people who want to do good, but maybe didn't have any belief in Jesus to cling to. There were some amazing conversations with people who are seeking and with others that are still very hard.  I wonder what they think about this storm and if they see God in this?

Here are a couple of images that I captured to help tell the story.. I hope you can hear it.