Happenings in New Orleans

Here's an update from Mark Lewis about things going on in New Orleans and the ministry through Trinity Church.

God Sightings

Don't miss the blessings of God. I have been learning to see the big God behind the small things. I see and hear GodSightings daily, and need to remind myself to not miss their significance. We had an impromptu sharing time this morning before devotions. I continue to be awed by God's work in and through people here in LA. Here are some GodSightings from last week.

- This past Sunday, a team from Iowa Falls EFC went to the I-HOP restaurant after attending Trinity Church. The team of 20+, all wearing their team shirts, was approached by a man as they finished their meal. The man said to a team member, "You know Matthew 26:6 - 'Do not let the right hand know what the left hand is doing.' Thanks for helping." He then laid enough money on the table to pay for the entire team's meal and walked away.

- A volunteer who had just arrived on-site had an unfortunate accident, fell and broke her arm. In the hospital waiting room, an older lady started a conversation with her. When she found out that she was a volunteer, the woman asked where she was working. When she told the woman Trinity Church, her face lit up and she proceeded to tell how a volunteer team from Trinity gutted her house.

- Another team was working on the home of Miss Rachel, a former children's ministry worker at Trinity Church. She was grateful that the team replaced her leaking, storm damaged roof, and asked the team to take some pictures for her. When trying to immediately print them out, she ran out of paper and was disappointed. That evening, the team had all of their pictures from the day developed and put in a personalized scrap book to give to Miss Rachel the next morning.

- This past Saturday, a team leaving from California had one of their volunteers wake up with bad back pain. Thinking he was not able to make the trip, he called the team leader. The team leader prayed and within 1 hour the volunteer was amazed that the pain had left him. So far this week, he has been pain free.

- A team stopped for coffee on the way to their job site. As they were paying, a man came up and said, "You're from Trinity Church aren't you?" They said yes, and he pulled out his wallet and paid for the coffee.

- This past Wednesday night, I met Maryann. We had a team demolish (yes, demolish not gut) her home. She has a modular just around the corner from Trinity Church, and on Wednesday evening she came for dinner. After getting to know her, I asked what her housing options looked like. She responded, "I am living in a FEMA trailer, and I feel like I am living in a tin can grave. I am waiting on the LA Road Home Funding, but I'm not sure I'll qualify." We will make a point to follow-up with Maryann.

- A man from Nebraska was serving this week with his family of 6 for their family vacation. As they were roofing, he fell a good height from the ladder. He collected himself as the family came running. He had only a minor bruise. There were tears of joy and prayers of praise, as they realized that the fall could have had grave results. Praise the God who cares for us.

- A lady was helping to organize a team of volunteers to come to Trinity Church. She shared that their trips have impacted people's lives. I asked if she would send us some stories as encouragement and testimony. She said she would, and that she had to look no further than her husband. She said the husband she sent to LA didn't come back--a new man did. She said he had been indifferent towards his faith, but since his time here he rises early every morning in the Word and was getting involved in accountable relationships with other men.

God is doing great things. He is risen indeed! Thank you for all your prayers and continued support for Katrina ministry.

Mark Lewis, director
EFCA Crisis Response