Thoughts on Lacombe

I went to Lacombe Friday to work on the houses the church is sponsoring. There is no doubt that we are rebuilding a couple of houses and I suppose helping to rebuild some lives in the process. Going there the first time, I wondered at whether in light of the devastation we should be invevsting resources in rebuilding such hazard prone areas. This trip one of the crew question whether one of the houses was worth rebuilding. My only reply was I guess it is to her. This raises the question, however, of what we do about the real devastation that is poverty. These places in Lacombe were not like our homes and won't be when we leave. In fact when we are done some might still ask is that house worth rebuilding. I wonder. I read with interest the story in the paper about new Erath and even more the Canadian automaker sponsored new community. It seems to be a sensible approach. Would we do better to pool resources and build a habitat community on high ground. The problem is so large our efforts sometimes seem like spitting in the ocean. But maybe that is what we are called to do. Jesus repeatedly dealt with individuals and meeting their needs. Maybe it is why the gospel message has to be primary, We must multiply those equipped to meet the needs while at the same time actually meeting them. I've talked to some folks about what we are doing and who we are and the tendency is to address the issues separately, but I believe the two are inextricably linked and interdependent. Anyway these are just some random thought generated by the experience of Lacombe.

On the personal side the trip was satisfying and frustrating and humbling all at once. Satisfying that I was doing something outside myself. Frustrating because operating in a venue I have always enjoyed, it was apparent that this is one area of my life that PD has snatched away. And out of that frustration, the humbling experience to be the one asking for help and taking direction instead of the other way around. To be acutely aware of what you can't do and aware of other's awareness of your inadequacy. It wasn't much fun and yet it was satisfying.