Pre- New Orleans Trip

Well, today is the day that I am preparing to go to New Orleans. I am excited but unsure of what this experience will be like. I have been reading the weather broadcasts and it's supposed to rain a lot down there but a little rain won't stop me. I remember back in 1999 when I first moved to Kinston, NC the area was devastated by Hurricane Floyd. In my thoughts about this post-Katrina effort I am wondering if I will see the same damage and that awful smell that loomed over the city. After Floyd we were literally locked into the city for days and the water completely damaged eastern North Carolina. Trailers and neighborhoods were damaged but people's hopes and dreams couldn't be replaced. I can only imagine that the Gulf Coast experienced 10 times the damage that eastern North Carolina received.

I have been asked many times, "what made you decide to go there?" I made the decision to help with the rebuilding effort after watching the initial news broadcasts of Hurricane Katrina. I could not believe that there were people begging for help right in our backyards and nothing was being done about it. I, like so many Americans, felt hopeless because I did not have any money to give. When an issue is not in your face everyday, people tend to forget about it and I felt that was happening in the Gulf Coast. When the time came, I knew that I could give of my time which is something that I was taught to do in church. Christmas is the time that we give out gratitude for what Christ has done for us but what would be the ultimate gift? For me the ultimate gift is to help those who are in need. Ironically I had a conversation with a friend yesterday and I asked him this question, "where will you find Jesus on Christmas?" He had not really thought about it in that way but I highly doubt that he would be pushing parents in Walmart trying to get the last Tickle Me Elmo or waiting in line for a Playstation 3. How about you? I believe that Jesus would be helping, giving and working while imparting His love into others. Some may not be able to travel that far during this holiday season but I encourage everyone to give out of the love that Christ gives to you.


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Alecia J.