A Reflection on the Katrina Project…as we begin our next year

You know, often we embark on an adventure with expectations. Sometimes the results of that adventure meet our expectations, sometimes…not so much.

Recently it has become a necessity to focus on our ministry house in Central City. For those of you who are familiar with it, we affectionately call this 4-plex “The Quad.” (You can see pictures on the photo pages.) It is often a challenging experience for those who work there. You are pushed out of your comfort zone and you are faced with things and people that you otherwise could or would have avoided. You may have installed flooring, did some painting or maybe fastened some trimwork. You pull away at the end of the week thinking, “Why am I here Lord, I didn’t even minister to a homeowner.” “I didn’t have a direct witness. ”

I know where your hearts are, you want to see a kingdom impact and that is our one and only focus. If New Orleans were to flood again tomorrow, why did you work on that flooring? Who cares about trim or tub surrounds? The answer is simple…WE ARE THE BODY.

To our joy we are able to witness the fruits of your labor. We have seen people, ordinary people, broken people and sinful people come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ because of you. People are getting tied into the local church. They are being discipled and loved. We are seeing 1 Corinthians 3:8-9 in action:

“The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.”

As the body of Christ we have done this thing together. When teams wear their white “I LOVE NO” shirts people don’t see them as a church from central Indiana or New York or California…they are Castle Rock Evangelical Free Church, Central City. When volunteers go through the line at Wal-Mart in Covington they are Trinity Church. We now have Wal-Mart cashiers as members of Trinity because of your contagious joy! WE ARE THE BODY.

That bottle of Gatorade you handed someone… created an identity the next week with someone else wearing that white shirt because of your love and compassion. This is kingdom work…no less…and we are grateful for you.

Next month we are going to move full time missions staff into the Quad. Your hands and your hearts will be a part of the evangelism and compassion that will be taking place on those broken streets of Central City and the northshore EVERY DAY. As you are back at work or at your home church I urge you to consider the kingdom difference that is going on down in the city…All because you painted some trim or handed out some Gatorade…some difference huh?

Today I am reminded greatly of Christ’s sacrifice. He would have died for one…just one of us. What about us? What’s the significance of us traveling all the way to Louisiana? What if we help just one? It seems pretty important when you are the one on the receiving end doesn’t it.

I thank Jesus for His sacrifice. I praise Him for every hand, every heart, every prayer and every dollar that has been put forth to make a kingdom impact in this ministry. As we embark on our next year of ministry may He be glorified in ALL we do. Your trips here are part of a beautiful portrait that Christ is painting for His kingdom…His people. Let us go out there and continue to gather His people. We’ll storm the gates together. WE ARE THE BODY.

In the powerful name of Christ our King,
Mandy Prince
EFCA Crisis Response

I invite you to share your thoughts/experiences.

We are now taking applications for the next year of kingdom work! Come back and touch one life…eternally.

1. mandy 10.07.07 / 4pm

   I spent the week of Sept 10 in NO finishing drywall. What a joy to be part of God’s work at the Quad. Also a pleasure to meet the Crisis Response folks at Trinity. It’s so great to see people called out from around the country to serve together in the effort in NO. Praying for you to stand firm,
   Jeffrey Wilber