katrina relief in LA..

packed up and went to mandeville, la on thursday and spent the weekend working with the relief team at the tammany oaks church of christ where tim hines is heading up the work and many TORCH members are helping to contribute to the ministry through relief work.
first of all.. the damage is unbelievable, but God is working powerfully through the volunteers there. i'm posting pictures of some of the areas that i saw and worked in, but as in most cases, pictures don't really do it justice. you need to see it for yourself. you need to go there and help those who are in need. i don't understand why it is so easy for us to pick up and leave the country to get dirty and sweaty to minister to people (not that that is a bad thing, i am not saying that at all, i love the work in foreign fields). what i am saying is that our fellow americans are hurting and suffering, and there is so much we can do to help. thousands of relief workers are there right now helping, but we, as christians need to be there ministering to them. there is no greater way to show Jesus than to go into someone's home that you don't know and help them scrub their floors and move out their ruined furniture and give them food and water, BUT don't stop there.. you are there with them, pray with them, talk to them about what Jesus has done in your life.
this is what is happening right now in lousiana. i know we can't all give our time, but we can give other things. visit toccrecovery.blogspot.com to see how you can help and get updates on the work that is going on. also keep those who are giving their time and efforts in your prayers. it is HOT in louisiana and many are outside working hard day after day. pray that God will open the hearts of those who are being ministered to, and keep those who are ministering focused and driven.
remember why we are here. remember our purpose to this world

NCR