Tomorrow, at 6:00am, a sleepy-eyed group of teenagers will pull into the church parking lot as the sun rises over Charlottesville. They will load suitcases, pillows, ipods, work clothes, and water bottles into the vans and promptly fall back asleep as the vehicles begin the long trip South.
They are going back to New Orleans for the 4th Summer in a row, and when they arrive, they will ask the same question they always ask, “What can we do to help?” It’s the kindest of questions because of everything that is packed into those words. The question acknowledges that someone has a real need. It takes the burden of the need personally and doesn’t pass it off to someone else. It assumes that a shared partnership exists, “What can we do to help?” And finally, the question leads to action. Too often we acknowledge real needs and talk about partnership, but never actually get our hands dirty.
These students will get their hands dirty.
I can’t wait to tell you more about the ways they will serve and the things they will learn. If you have a moment right now, please pray for them. Pray for their hearts to be softened to the Holy Spirit. Pray for their minds to understand God’s love for the city of New Orleans. Pray for their bodies to persevere through the hard work. Pray that when they ask, “what can we do to help,” they will discover overflowing joy in responding to the needs of New Orleans.
