Rare Pearls Found near Lagniappe!

A few weeks ago, Curt and I stopped at a convenience store to get some bottled water. An older couple noticed the MNA logo on my shirt and offered to buy the water for me (I would not let her and instead bought hers). She thanked us for being here (we hear that kind of stuff all the time), and let us know that the church was making a tremendous difference in the recovery. I think that was the first time I understood what many people have been saying since we got here. She didn’t know if we were Baptist, Methodist, Christian or even Presbyterians. Nevertheless, she identified us as being the body of Christ. That was a great encouragement to me. The body of Christ is quite diverse and gifted in different ways, but together we are advancing the Kingdom through deed ministry. This family did not seem to know anything about strict subscription, creation days, predestination, ordination vows, federal vision, new perspective on Paul, old perspective of Paul, etc. What she knows is that we are here, and we are “The” church, and she is curious why. Why would folks give up vacation days, time away from family, loss of income, endure the heat, and sleep on a cot to gut someone’s home 1000 miles away? It just doesn’t make since. They do know we are committed to something, and they are curious to hear our story. And we are thankful to so. The ground used to be hard on the gulf coast. Now its like powder. The planting is easier nowadays. Now the Church has unprecedented access to reach the lost people living here. Spurgeon says that those who dive into the sea of affliction bring up rare pearls, and Piper says that the pearl of greatest price is the glory of God. Our calling here on the coast is to show those whom Katrina chewed, that He is more to be desired than what they have lost. We do so with hands, feet, and open hearts. God is transforming lives here. One shovelful of muck at a time, one nail at a time, one shingle at a time, one piece of sheetrock at a time, one meal and one prayer at a time and even one bottle of water at a time. God has ordained this great privilege and responsibility for us to build his Church. Pray that we would be faithful to serve well, to use our own brokenness to advance the gospel here and across North America. To make lost people found. Pray, “…that our service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints.” Romans 15:3 Arklie Hooten, MNA ShortTerm & Disaster Response Director Mission to North America