"And there's the pool if you want to swim"

So I had some computer issues last night, hence the late post from yesterday, but now real quick before breakfast i'm going to try to get in some things from our travel and first day.

First, travel yesterday was flawless. We all got where we needed to go on time and everyone’s luggage came with us. The weather was great when we arrived – sunny and toasty. Pastor Bruce and Deborah picked us up and it was really good to see them. Bruce showed the new travelers some of his special driving “techniques” and then we eventually got to the India House, the hostel where we are staying this week. (www.indiahousehostel.com)

Basically, it is a set of 4 or 5 houses filled with bunkbeds. There is some community space out back with laundry, showers, a pool (?), some tables, a stage for a band to play, and just some sitting space with a little pond. There is a main house with a kitchen and dining area, a couple of common rooms, and the main desk. Our “house” is like a shotgun, but with a very high roof. We go in through the back and have a bathroom then 4 bedrooms that just sort of flow into each other. I was expecting 4 inches of personal space when I imagined the hostel situation, so this is pretty plush. I mean, hey, it’s not like we’re sleeping on tarps or anything. erAll around there are all kinds of paintings. I'll post some more later on, but here is a picture of a painting and the fish pond.





So after we got here and settled in, we took a walk down the street for snacks. No Comment. When we got back, Pastor Bruce came over to the hostel and shared a half hour sort of “low down” on New Orleans culture, some of the issues that the city deals with, and some of the people that we will be working with this week. It was crazy how fast that familiar feeling came back, of holding in balance the extreme hurt, violence, and prejudice the city has, and the powerful hope that Pastor Bruce has which allows him to really believe that it can get better. It always helps to remember that at one time he was in quite a mess with his own life, but someone investing in him changed his life, and if there’s hope for him, there’s hope for anyone else.



The one part of yesterday that was really tough was that during his talk, Pastor Bruce shared that the woman I saw in October who was dying of AIDS passed away a few weeks ago. I knew that already, but he also shared with us that she hasn’t been buried yet because her family can’t afford it. The church did a funeral for her, but that’s all they can do. It’s one of the things that I deal with in when I am here is the “are you kidding me” thoughts that constantly go through my head. I remember after Katrina how outraged Americans in other parts of the country were that people were herded like cattle into the Superdome and onto bridges, denied food and water, and basically left for dead on the rooftops of their homes. But part of why it is so important to me to do the blog is to remind people that stuff like that goes on every day, right here in America. People spend and spend on stuff, acquire tons of money, and other are lying dead in morgues because their families can’t afford to bury them.

On that light note, that is about all for yesterday and it is time for breakfast. No idea really what is in store for today, so please keep praying for “God appointments” for our time here. Thanks for reading, and don’t be disappointed – I’m sure the blogs will be super long again soon.