Here are my first reflections since I've been home:
o I couldn't wait to go through all my digital pictures last night with Sallie and explain each and every one of them.
o I didn't really miss watching TV for 9 days
o I was brought to tears while reflecting on Thurston's story with Sallie this morning.
o It was great to be welcomed home by my family and prayer partner. I've felt very much like I've been held up in prayer all week.
o I've been going through the names, faces, and stories of all the people that I met last week over and over in my mind.
o My job seems quite insignificant today.
o God showed up big time for our team, prayer partners, and families last week.
o Will we go back?
Several people at work have asked how my trip was by saying "Did you have a good trip?" or "Did you have a nice vacation?" My reply has been to say how overwhelming, humbling, and rewarding the trip was I've been describing the enormity of it all by saying "If you go to Deering High School and destroy all the homes within a one-mile radius and then multiply that by 1000, you might be approaching what the devastation is in New Orleans."
Bob Gardner
1 comment:
To Bob and all who went and posted their thoughts on this blog:
I just want to say that I understand. In January of 2006 I took a small team of volunteers to Biloxi, MS, to volunteer with Samaritan's Purse in their relief efforts there. It was literally a life changing experience for me. Added to my previous short-term missions experiences it led to my decision to leave life as I knew it and go to work for Samaritan's Purse International Relief. It no longer seemed like enough to simply work to pay the rent - I had to do more because I was ABLE to do more. Not everyone is able to go(as was stated by another commenter) some people have commitments and obligations that are impossible to leave. It required a great deal of sacrifice, but the rewards are greater. I started out in Pakistan (earthquake relief/reconstruction), next I will spend a couple of months in Alaska (fire reconstruction). I did accounting in Pakistan and I will do cooking in Alaska.
I wonder which of you will step out of the boat, onto the raging sea, where Jesus is? He's holding out His hand...
Thank you for sharing your thoughts,
Donna Henderson
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