We've had two weeks home to do laundry, go through e-mail, and basically re-enter our normal worlds where New Orleans and Katrina are far away (Tom & Cindy excepted, of course.) I'm wondering, if asked what you remember about the trip, what is your answer? What story or image is the first that comes to mind? Here's a place to record those so others in our group can read them.
I'll begin. I found myself remembering the varieties of communities within which we shared meals. First, we ate together ourselves, many times, shoulder-to-shoulder around the table. Having been away from everyone for quite a while, each time we ate together was a reunion with my family. We ate with the Richmond folk as the guests of Miss Catherine. We were her guests gathered around her table even if the dining room overflowed onto the front porch and across the street. At the Dragon's Den, we joined with others who basically just needed meals, either as volunteers or as hungry residents. We divided ourselves and joined table communities in a different way. We were the guests of Anita and Amasa in their home and then they joined us. Almost like a square dance where the dancers move in and out amongst their 'square' in familiar, patterned steps, we moved in and out of meals sharing and receiving. In doing so, we were following the pattern of Jesus who moved in and out of meals with his disciples and the people he encountered on the roads and gathering places as he taught. It was in the breaking and sharing of bread together where two travellers found Jesus on the road to Emmaus.
I have more thoughts but, at this point, I look forward to hearing from any of you who are so inclined to share your thoughts in this new venue. At the moment, this blog is closed to others outside of our mission group but that can be changed. Feel free to comment on what I've written or use the Comment feature to add your own. If you'd like to write more extensively, please let me know and I can add you as an author. -Mary
A space to share memories and reflections and explore where and how we experienced God, saw the face of Jesus or felt the Holy Spirit as we worked together to rebuild New Orleans.
1 comment:
Mary,
Thanks much for getting us a blogspot to share ideas on our New Orleans experience. I wouldn't mind taking a crack at writing a few pieces. Please consider me one of the authors.
The week went by so fast, all in the presence of a community that had come to New Orleans to do one thing: whatever we were asked to help a few families get further along toward their goal of being home.
And as Stan wrote so aptly in the Chapel House guest book, 'That, we ten, have done.'
The week so full of great moments that I have a hard time picking just one. But I'll think about it. I've got a few things to say about New Orleans mission work!
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