Lifting trees and each other

This is my first experience blogging - quite an interesting experience sharing my feelings and thoughts with who knows how many people. My own emotions and feelings are on a roller coaster ride, so this whole blogging thing seems somewhat cathartic for me and somewhat educational for all of you.

Today and our first day working in Louisiana were full of moving and lifting things. This morning we worked at the camp where we are staying - they are building a larger mission center for future volunteers (the relief efforts will continue for up to 10 more years). The majority of the time we moved dirt, tree stumps, branches, garbage, debris, etc.. The work we've been doing and will be doing as we muck out a house is not glorifying, many of our group are sore and tired; the emotional drain of being amidst so much destruction is taking its toll. Yet, as we've been lifting garbage to clear out areas, we've also been lifting each other up and lifting up the love and passion we have, sharing ourselves with each other and those in this community.

This evening we continued to experience southern hospitality as congregation members invited us to their house. Together we lifted up the issues of politics, race and New Orleans pre and post Katrina. We discussed the enormity of Katrina and the issues facing the people and city of New Orleans. We came together to lift up and hear the voices from those who lived and experienced Katrina, those still dealing with life post-Katrina. Now, this blog, and all of us returning to Trinity are going to be sharing in the lifting up of the stories from the south, stories of hope, destruction and life.

Peace,

Kim Knowle