We have arrived! After a hardy day of travel the group pulled into the First Christian Church in Metarie LA at about 7 p.m. this evening. We were greeted by Diane Fonderline of Disciples World Missions. Diane and her husband Tim arrived from Asia a year ago to assist with relief efforts here after helping folks through the tsunami. Tim has vast experience with building efforts and they are both a wonderful asset to DWM team - we are blessed to have their leadership. Diane shared that this is truly an ecumenical labor of love with resources from Disciples, United Church of Christ and Church World Service. She noted that participation in Week of Compassion helps to support the efforts here and thanked Avon CC for our participation there.

Tomorrow we leave at 7:40 for St. Bernard Parish. Diane shared three important points.
#1 - Drink lots of water - when you have had enough - drink some more. The temperature is in the upper nineties and humidity is high, these conditions are prime for energy zapping.
#2 - Be flexible. You may be working a job you love one moment and called to do something you hate the next. Well, that's the world of mission. Flexibility is key.
#3 - Take time to share in the community by getting to know our neighbors. An important part of mission is hearing the stories of those we have been called to serve. I so appreciate her taking the time to remind us its not the dry wall we hang, or the walls we paint but the lives that are touched. The folks from St. Bernard Parish have a lesson to teach and I believe God has given us everything we need for the journey.

As we drink our water may we be mindful of the life we are really thirsting to find. Jesus told us we would find meaning in life living among the least, the last and the lost. As we seek to be a help in this place may we be aware that we are called to be servants of others. And finally as we enter into this community may we be mindful of where we see God.

We look forward to blogging and sharing in the conversation.

Peace
C