"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace...This will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed." - Isaiah 55:10-12a, 13

Today I had the chance to do something in this city that I have never been able to do before, go exploring. I went and got coffee in a familiar part of town, looked at the map once and just started driving. I drove through the Garden District, past Tulane University, Notre Dame Seminary and the New Orleans Art Museum. But more importantly I drove past life in New Orleans. I saw some of the most beautiful homes I could imagine with lush gardens and beautiful decoration, but I also saw something else. I saw street, after street, after street of empty homes. I have seen this before, but I began to see more of the scope of the tragedy this day. I began to see just how widespread the destruction truly is.

The more I drove the more I wanted to see. I wanted to know all there was to know about this city. I wanted to know each story of each family or individual who had their life forever changed by this disaster. I wanted to know who was rebuilding and why and why others have not yet, and may not ever return. My heart began to ache again for this city. I felt assurance again this day that this is exactly where I am supposed to be. My work here is not done, it is only beginning. God is up to something great here and I am blessed to be called to be a part of it. Lives have been affected but God is bringing people to a place where he can meet them full on and lavish himself upon them. I pray that I am able to communicate well what he is doing here and how he is working because he is moving in mighty ways.