New Orleans

I was in New Orleans last weekend for a conference and had a chance to visit alot of the city. The first thing I noticed was all the closed down businesses. Even in the French Quarter, where the flooding damage was minimal, there were many closed businesses. In other parts of the city, the flooding damage from Katrina was obvious. There were entire neighborhoods unlivable. Still not even cleaned up! And it wasn't just poor neighborhoods... we went though a ritzy part of town where these big beautiful houses were practically destroyed. Some were still charred from fire. Others still had spraypainted words like "911" or "Please Help" or "Pets Inside".

This picture shows where the water line was on one house. There were literally thousands of homes like this or worse.

As sad as that is, there was hope. The city was trying to "return to normal" and the reality is that it likely will... in a few years. Right now, the most hopeful thing in the city is the churches! Yeah, the churches, along with some other local organizations, are taking matters into their own hands and fixing up houses and people's lives. I visited the Carrollton Avenue Church of Christ that runs "Operation Nehemiah" which helps build homes of church members. Others help people find houses to live in while they wait for theirs. Between the damage I saw and the hope I found, there was more than enough fodder to make me want to go help myself! And don't be surprised if I do... maybe in 2007?? We'll see.

On another note, I did get to see many of the things the city is famous for... good food, good music, and good times. We had beignets at Cafe Du Monde which were awesome. We ate at Mother's (President Bush ate there last month). We also walked down the Riverwalk (a big mall near the Mississippi). Also, we went to Jackson Square, which is a famous corner of the French Quarter and home of the Saint Louis Cathedral. All in all, it was an "action packed" four days.

Oh, and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were staying at out hotel because Brad Pitt was filming a movie called "The Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons" which was being filmed at our hotel and is due out in 2008. We watched a little of the filming (I even accidently got myself put into one of the scenes before being asked to move). They drove by us in a white Rolls Royce so I can now say I "saw" them!

In the end, it was a very good trip. I learned alot about how much bigger the world is... and realized how quickly it can be destroyed and how people have the ability to overcome so many adversities. I think we can learn from the churches in New Orleans who seem to be living this verse everyday and showing that it's true:

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Think about it. And Be blessed!
Vince