More Tired, and More Challenged....

Hello again from New Orleans! Today was another day at Ferry Place.

I am, if it is more possible, even more tired, mentally and physically, than I was yesterday - but - its a good tired.

We put on siding, built corners and partitions that go with the walls to be placed inside the homes of Ferry Place. I am sorry that i don't have more pictures but in my hast - i forgot to bring the camera with me. Put we have many pictures which I hope we can publish tomorrow or Saturday.

For those of you who may not know, Jenny Warren was gracious enough to prepare nightly devotions around the theme of building - BUILT - B is for Beginning, U is for Understanding, I is for Invested, L is for Labor of Love, and T is for Transformed and Thankful. Each comes with deep questions based on a piece of scripture.

And these have been harder for me than the physical work at the work site (even though I think I should have bought stock in Ibuprofen before I came to New Orleans). The devotions are deep and thoughtful. One was on the meaning of what it means to serve God, another hard intangible. I don't know if I really know what it means to serve God - I do know what it means to serve others, to help them when help is needed, and I hope this is serving God. I tend to think that most folks are in some way an image of God - and if we help them, we help God. I hope (there's that word again - RHINO - Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans) that those I have had a chance to serve by teaching them how to work on homes will use those skills again, for New Orleans' residents certainly need the Hope.

Another devotional was on the parable of Jesus and the vineyard owner who paid all who labored an equal measure, those that showed up early and those that came in the last hour of the work day. One of Jenny's deep questions was about "Is there something better than fair?"

I hope so - No one in New Orleans would say that they been treated fairly - I tend to think of this as grace and grace as compassion - isn't it better that we have a God who is willing to provide the grace - no matter when no matter how much. I hope we are able to provide a little of that grace and compassion to these lovely folk in New Orleans.

I'm very tired physically and mentally and will be going on a tour of the areas not yet rebuilt in New Orleans tomorrow.

May a little piece God's grace find you tonight - Rob L.