Southern Heat

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

The Facts:
We have three teams working in the New Orleans vicinity. Barry is leading a roof framing team with Becky, Clare, Jordan, Brandon, Brandon, Connor, Zach, Devon, Hadassah, Morgan, Victoria, Brooke, and Leesha. Jarin is leading a painting team with Duane, Molly, Kyle, Ben, Chris, Quinton, Klarinda, Leanne, Kelli, and Courtney. Doug is leading a drywalling team with me, Erica, Austin, Doug, David, Jon, Elizabeth, Kayla, Kayla, Hannah, Megan, and Heidi. Doug & Jarin’s teams are working in New Orleans East, and Barry’s team is working in Mandeville on the north shore.

The Story:
Our group has adjusted really well to a TON of unexpected miscues, breakdowns, and disappointments. When our expectations aren’t met, it’s easy to get frustrated and discouraged. The next step is often a cranking complaining and perpetual bad attitude. God has been gracious to us and given us cheery, uplifting youth who pick their friends up and boost the morale of everyone around them. They are worth their weight in gold—keeping the scales from shifting toward a grumbling mob.

The camaraderie created in this type of environment is exciting to see. It’s counterintuitive to think that less than ideal circumstances would yield such positive results. I think suffering polarizes people—it’s difficult to be ambivalent when you’re uncomfortable. We haven’t prayed for an easy trip; and we haven’t gotten it. I praise God we’ve seen positive fruit in the midst of scorching heat.