A calling

Two weeks ago group of youth pastors gathered together and headed to Haiti. I don't know any of the youth pastors personally, I've been in the same room with some of them at Youth Workers Conventions, but I know a few of them through their blogs. As I read through their blog entries and prayed for their journey, I was reminded of my own experience in Mississippi that first trip.

I remember arriving at the New Orleans airport and the overwhelming feeling of emptiness that washed over me there. It was so still. I remember driving into Pearlington the first time and wondering what I was getting my group into. There were no streetlights, no signs of life anywhere. That first day it was all a little surreal, we went to church and were greeted with hugs and appreciation that overwhelmed us. As the week progressed we kept hearing more stories, seeing more devastation and when the week was done our hearts were broken. There was no questioning if we were going back, the question was when.

Reading about the experiences of these youth pastors, as well as Trinity's experience in Haiti, I've been reminded that God calls us to the places that God wants us to go. For me, the place isn't Haiti (right now) but Mississippi, for some it may be both, for others it's somewhere completely different. Helping people recover their devastated lives isn't a competition, it's an act of mercy, grace and compassion. Bringing a moment of hope into someones heart is what is important.

My experience leads me to believe that God calls us to the place where we are going to be the most affected and effective. It doesn't matter where that is, close to home or far away, the important thing is that we listen to what God wants from us and that we follow God wherever God is leading.

Oh when the Saints, go marching in...

The parade for the the Saints will be held tomorrow in NOLA but today at the airport as the players flew home after winning the Super Bowl, there were crowds ready to greet them with open arms and lots of screams of joy. Quarterback Drew Brees said in a press conference "Four years ago whoever thought this would be happening? It's incredible." And he is right.

The email Debbie and I got from Ben in Mississippi was full of rejoicing as well (I quote "WHO DAT, WHO DAT, WHO DAT, SAY DEY GON'A BEAT DEM SAINTS!!!!!!"). After four long years of heartache and struggle, the Gulf Coast is rejoicing over something good.

Announcement

This Spring the Young Adult group and a few "chaperones" will be heading to Mississippi. The group is set to leave on March 25th and return April 2nd. Unfortunately not all the young adults college breaks line up, the decision was made based on the availability of the most people.

At this point Mississippi 9 team members are Debbie Bates, Jonathan Bates, Michelle Burt, Sammy Keener, Brittany Overbeck, Joe Shreve, Harold Whaley and Kanda Whaley. There are a few other young adults still trying to figure out if they can go or not.

As with all the trips, we are trusting that God will direct us and lead us where God wants us to go. We appreciate your support, encouragement and prayers! PayPal is still working, if you feel God leading you to support the team financially please do so. There will only be one fundraiser for this trip, a Golf Tournament in April, other than that each person will be responsible for coming up with the money to go. Again, trusting in God!

Mississippi, here we come!