Rus Willette - A Range of Emotions

I have a number of memories from New Orleans. I remember Erica and Lester. I remember the thousands of people still living in trailers. I remember the fact that almost 3/4 of the work force in New Orleans never returned to that area. It makes me wonder why we bother. We cannot fix much in a week. It creates in me a frustration that we cannot do more. I remember missing my family. I remember clearly how much there still is to do. I remember how tired I was. I remember a man at Lowe's that we spoke to for almost 15 minutes while we waited for the truck to be loaded. His story was about escaping from his home through the roof with his children tied to him. I remember all the people who said thank you. I remember the heat and humidity. I remember the humility (maybe humiliation) that comes from experiencing loss at a distance. I remember the home we walked through still in ruin from the flooding two years after the storm. I remember the sorrow of seeing the fields of grass where homes stood. I remember all these things so clearly. My emotions range from frustration, to humility, to sorrow, to resolve. I want the love of Christ to be seen in me. Please pray I am aware enough, through all the emotions, exhaustion, heat and work, to recognize the opportunities He presents me. I remember being blessed beyond anything I could imagine. I have confidence that God will bless all on this trip in the same ways. Here's to another hard, hot and tired blessing.

- Rus Willette, adult leader