Out of Chaos, Hope

Her story is like many others you might have heard.  She had one payment left on her home the month Katrina hit.  The home she'd known for 35 years was flooded and ruined in one day.  She lived in a hotel room until she was told she had to leave and then she got on a bus to Houston.  When she was told she could return, she came back and hired a contractor who started work and then disappeared when the money ran out (and left behind such poor work that most of it had to be redone).  She also had a heart attack two years ago and the medical bills are piling up.  And now, despite the help from Project Homecoming, her house still needs over $9,000 worth of materials to be completed...money she doesn't have (but you can send a donation today).

Yet Velma Lewis walked through her home today, smiling, shaking hands, and thanking everyone by name.  Her great-granddaughter giggled as she walked into her room, showing us where her sticker collection would go.  Her son beamed as he pointed to the place where he plans to put an aquarium filled with freshwater fish (because salt water aquariums are just too much work).

I can't help but wonder if I would have the same quiet hope and thankful spirit if I were in their place.  If I had experienced the loss of everything I held dear...would I have their strength?  Could I praise God through it all?

I'm also struggling with what it means that almost all the Christian denominations and organizations have already pulled out of New Orleans and Katrina/Rita related work.  The funds have dried up, people and churches have stopped giving and coming to volunteer...what message does this send?  My seester-in-love wrote these words in her excellent post today:

We should never forget to follow through and see the work to completion. If we fail to do so, what kind of God are we really representing? The kind of God who grows tired of the view in one place? The kind of God who is incapable of spreading resources around to make God’s presence known and bring about redemption?

I pray that God will use me in these coming days to make a difference for Mrs. Lewis and her family.  But more than that, I pray that when I leave here, I can build support that will sustain recovery work until the last displaced person is home.