"This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.' This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?' declares the LORD Almighty." - Zechariah 9:10

Pastor John (P.J.) uses this passage when he talks to teams about the dreams that we have for New Orleans. How we would love to see a city where old men and old women can sit on the front porch and watch children play in safety and security in a city that honors God. The passage speaks about the "remnant" of this people and P.J. says how often in this ministry since the storm the staff has felt like a remnant of His people but God continues to bless each and every one of us as we seek to follow Him.

I ask for your prayers today for one of our teams who was shown in a rather violent way what life in the neighborhood can mean. They were working on "the quad" yesterday and witnessed a woman being beaten by one of the drug dealers from the area. Apparently it was bad enough that her leg was broken. The police arrived after she and the man were gone. Please pray for the team that they would be able to process through what they have seen and please pray that those on staff who counsel them would know what to say. Please also pray for this woman. There isn't any way to know what has happened, but pray for her safety and for healing. Please also pray for the safety of our teams. Our ministry is known and respected in this community and their I love N.O. shirts are a banner of the ministry that sets them apart, but we still must be careful and prayerful. Thank you in advance for all your prayers!