This is an office building. They are abandoned as well, and the ruined once-good items are thrown out the window to pile up. Reminds me of Matthew 6:19: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust (and hurricanes) destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is your heart will be also.”

The line on the house is where the water rose to and remained. The debris is typical–every house has a similar pile of trees and trash in front of it, throughout the city.

Notice the lines on the car–these are where the water levels were. There are thousands of cars that are ruined, many abandoned.

I spent two weeks recently in New Orleans as part of the Katrina recovery that The Salvation Army is involved in. It was an amazing experience, one that both gave me joy and deep frustration. Joy in seeing the volunteers giving selflessly of their time doing humble work for long hours; seeing the Army at it’s best in many respects as we gave out both cleaning supplies and Bibles, food and prayers….joy at seeing the determination of people who want to rebuild their city. And joy in seeing God at work in everything. I will post some pictures when I remember to bring them here, but I already know the caption for them:  “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth that rust and moth destroy and thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where rust and moth cannot destroy nor thieve break in and steal; for where your treasure is your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21. On my last day I drove a canteen since I’d given my duties over to the new supervisor. As we fed the people a single mom came up and apparently she comes every day for meals. She is back living in her smelly, moldy, house because she has no other options. Her daughter, named Alissa, showed me her new doll from the canteen toy box. She combed the doll’s hair and smoothed her clothes lovingly. She seemed oblivious to the sights of trash and decay all around her, not to mention the smell that is always there. She had a new doll, and nothing was going to take her joy away. When I think of the zillions of toys we all have–kid or adult– I am humbled by the joy this child had with one doll in the midst of her want and difficulties. “We come here every day!” She said happily. How glad I was that The Salvation Army was there every day.

Well I am finding that it is not so natural for me to do this xanga thing. Still, it is a good time for an entry having just completed the re:generation weekend with many of the territorial young adults. We had a good time! I had the chance to teach two missions workshops and enjoyed talking to many people interested in some sort of missions opportunities. I’m happy to say that one of the locations that we requested for Summer Mission Team 2006 has been approved! No, I’m not going to say where yet–partly because with SMT the applicant does not choose where they are sent. Once all the applications are in and the committee meets, then the locations will be announced. I will make sure to have it here quickly.

Beyond that we are working to place several young adults that are interested in longer missions service; between six months and one year. This is an exciting next step and I ask your prayers as we try to develop systems to connect people with places all over the world. It that is something that interests you, contact me by comment or at chris_shay@usc.salvationarmy.org. Unfortunately at this time all opportunities are for those persons who are members of the Salvation Army. Hopefully in the future that might change!

Here’s a few new pictures. These are from Ecuador:

This week I add a couple of pictures of our Summer Mission Team interns, Tony and Janelle. They spent the summer in Osorno, which is in the south of Chile. Unlike the usual format for SMT, interns go to one place and stay put. This way they can assist in the ministry for a longer period of time.

SMT internships are available for successful former Summer Mission Team members who have spent at least one summer overseas. If you fit that description and have an interest in this next-step program, please contact me!

I’ve had the chance to volunteer a couple of times at the Chicago Fosco Park intake center for Katrina victims. Working with the people who now are up in the Chicago area staying with family and friends, seeing Louisiana driver’s licenses, and particularly hearing the various stories, has been amazing. I am so blessed and so grateful that God has given me the chance to be a small part of encouraging people who are hurting. Many people are spending time and effort down south helping with the practical ministry of clean-up and caring for victims. I hope in the months to come that many more of us will have a chance to volunteer in the same way. In the meantime, pray for those affected and those who are working, if you haven’t been doing so already.

We are working on the sites for next year’s Summer Mission Teams already, but in the meantime I will post a few pictures each week of the various people and places that the 2005 teams visited. If you are a Central Territory Salvationist, then don’t forget to contact me for a 2006 application!