Marathon

This year the trip is more like a marathon than a race. In years past we would have been home by now; sleeping in our own beds, showering in our own bathrooms, doing the mountain of laundry that follows a mission trip. We stayed this year to take part in an event called Feed The Multitudes, which feeds and cares for thousands of homeless and needy people on the 4th of July every year here in NOLA. I am really hoping it will be an amazing experience for the students and leaders alike.

Right now we are getting ready for church and eating breakfast. It feels like a luxury that we slept in until 7:45 this morning. When we come to New Orleans we are hosted by a church here that we have come to love: Celebration Church. Five years ago Celebration lost their building to the Hurricane Katrina and they have not been back to their main campus since. They have been very fortunate to have an alternate church campus - the Lord really provided for them. Anyhow, today is their homecoming. The building renovation is finally done and today is the first service back home. I could not be more excited to be here for this day.

As I have been reflecting on Celebration's five years away from their church, I have been wondering what it would be like for us at home. Where would Marine View meet if we lost our entire campus? What would church feel like if we lost 80% of our regular attenders? I just cannot imagine. It would be so hard. Celebration has made it through, however and they have even grown as a church. Most of their regular attenders have never even been to this new/old campus becuase they became a part of the congregation after the hurricane. They way that God has restored this congregation and this building is such a picture of the work He is doing in this city. It is Sunday - the day we remember the resurrection of the Lord and the day that this church is being resurrected. Let us worship.