Rebirth

New Orleans.

Why New Orleans? The only answer I can give is: God. He put this place on Me and Adrienne's mind while we were living in France. Random. I never would have thought I would live here again. Most don't get it, but we do. We love this city. We know it is right where we were supposed to go. Neither one of us had a job when we signed the lease for our apartment. I still don't. I am learning how to wait. Patience is truly a virtue. I trust God has a job for me out there that will be a perfect fit. I can't wait to write about it soon!

New Orleans has the most homeless people per capita in the United States. Pre-Katrina there were about 6,000 homeless people, now there are 19,000. Wow. There is a huge need here. I am blown away each day as I meet transplants from all over the world that have moved to this city. They have left their comfortable jobs and homes and have come here to help with the homeless, the broken, the rebuilding, the collapsing school system, and the oil spill cleanup. Thank you. It challenges me to DO SOMETHING. The New Orleans Mission is constantly flooded with homeless guests and are always in desperate need of volunteers. I will use this time of unemployment to serve them and I will be blessed because of it.

I believe there is no better time to be in New Orleans. I know there are good things for this city. I can't wait to be apart of something big, to be apart of the rebirth of New Orleans I see all around me. I don't think it's ironic the whole world has had its eyes on this city for the past 5 years. This place will be different, the dark cloud will be blown away and the flowers will bloom again. They are being planted right now.

My challenge for the next few weeks is to get to know my neighbors. I want to get to know them, serve them, and love them. To live in community with the community that surrounds me. To branch out. I leave you with a challenge: Go hang out with some strangers.