I wanted to share a thought from a NOLA team member and a CUMC member who served during the Easter Egg Party/Hunt:
When I think about the event of the trip that stands out most in my mind, I think of Hebrews 13:5
"…the Lord says never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." and He is faithful.
I am, by nature, an untrusting person, so when we decide to go to "the Wall" and hand out our hygene bags to the homeless population, I thought…could be okay, but something bad could happen. I play out the scenarios in my head. When we pull up and the military police have just turned on their lights to stop a fight in progress among 2 of the homeless, I was sure this idea was a mistake. But, nonetheless, the group stayed the course, as I am turned quickly in doubting Thomas. We get back to the van and Sam is there (the policeman in charge of the homeless division), with no gun might I add, and homeless people lining the wall (100 or so, all staring at us or so I thought). We are clearly outnumbered. I don’t want to get out of the van, but everyone else does, so, of course, I have to (because there is safety in numbers). As I am at the tip of my panic, up drives a car with 2 people in it, a truck pulling a trailer, another car, another car, and so on. All of these people (about 50 or so) had come from a local church to prepare and serve dinner to the people. As each car drove up, I could hear God saying, "see Jamie, I told you, I wouldn’t leave you." It turned out to be the defining moment for me and if I had let my fear take over, I would have missed out on this wonderful opportunity that God had given me to feed the people and to serve our Lord. Thanks team for not backing down.
Jamie
"Even though I was cold and somewhat sick. I think it was one of the most rewarding Easter’s I have ever had."
Gary
Leave a Reply