We're in New Orleans

We've been here for two days now. The first was quite a travel day, starting out at 3:00am our time and ending at 11:00pm New Orleans time.

As always, we faced a couple of curve balls like delayed flights and understaffed Budget Car Rentals. We finlly arrived, though and saw our first few glimpses of a destroyed American city. LIfe is beginning to get back to normal here, however thousands of people are still displaced in different cities. We heard stories of the first few weeks here and learned more about what our time here would be like. The key words, "Be prepared to work hard!"

This morning we were our work orders and headed out to begin the process of "mudding and gutting out" homes. This process includes taking every single possession from a molding, putrid home out and into four huge piles on their front yards. We're all exhausted, yet filled with stories of hope, destruction, mercy, and compassion.

It is so cool to be a part of a larger team here. There are 115 people at SUM this week, all working as one team to see New Orleans healed and for people to be met with the loving compassion if Jesus and the provision of relentless God.

April 13--Storytelling

Ever since we were little kids, we have loved good stories. There is something about a story--when told well--that is so much more powerful than the best television show or movie. Perhaps it is because often times, stories are real life experiences told by people who really experienced them. Over and over and over in the Bible, you see Jesus using stories in a different way. Jesus' style of teaching wasn't to get up in a pulpit or on a stage and talk at people. Instead, he chose to live life with people and then use stories to teach them.

What is on of your favorite stories that Jesus tells? Why? What is it's signficance to the way that people in the text might have lived? What is the significance to the way that you live?

Storytelling can be used in a similar way today. God doesn't just let you experience something powerful so that you can tell an entertaining story. Perhaps he gives you such experiences so that through the telling of your story--you can teach the rest of us something about God.

Take the rest of your time this evening to sit together with the students who went to Mexico. Share your stories of what God did in Ensenada and in your life. You teach us!