New Orleans on the Verge

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 19:25:50 GMT

April 10th, six weeks into our adventure and I am just now having an opportunity to write to everyone. I want to apologize for not sending anything out sooner. We have had an interesting time to say the least. I know everyone would like to see a journal style entry but to save everyone some time I will try to do my best and shorten the story. It all began with a long road trip from Phoenix to New Orleans then up to Louisville Kentucky for our first week. Andrea was able to meet me in Louisville with the kids and we had a great week meeting new people. We were then on our way to New Orleans for good. Upon arrival we found many bumps with power, water and food. We were fortunate to be able to figure out what we needed and getting our bearings of the area helped tremendously. Unfortunately we continued to have problems with power for the next five weeks. The reason being there is no power coming from the city and we are totally dependent upon generator power. This should have been a good thing until our first generator seized because a radiator house came loose and the engine overheated. Our second generator arrived shortly after that and we were praising God for a few days when the governor came loose broke a belt and also overheated. This time we were fortunate to save the engine and just have to order a new part. Easy right? No, this engine is a 1979 Ford and no one carries a governor that old. So praise God we were able to locate a close match in Michigan and have it shipped down. I would love to tell you that that solved the problem but still to this day we have problems with broken belts and a downed generator.

We have also had to deal with our fair share of traffic, no gas stations, Home Depots, or grocery stores for at least 15-20 miles because everything in this area is still either without power or people have just not come back yet. We also have had our own issues with mold, snakes, and mice/rats here on our own campus. Yes life has been exciting and without boredom for sure.

On top of all this, my team and I have experienced an abundance of spiritual attack. We are in an area where people are being served, loved and listened to. People everywhere are so open to the gospel it is unbelievable. I can’t tell you all the stories of home owners who don’t know Christ and who are willing to hear why we are here and wanting to know more. I truly believe that New Orleans is not just about relief or church planting but I believe it is on the Verge of revival. This is why I believe the spiritual attack is so thick and in our faces daily. If I could please ask for one prayer I would ask that you pray for my team and that God would continue to make them strong in the face of the enemy, help us to recognize the enemy and through His power alone defend and overcome the enemy’s attacks and temptations.

I must thank those who have decided to step forward and support us on a regular basis with prayer and those who have come to us with financial resources. Your contributions and prayers are making a difference for the Kingdom.

My last thought for this entry would have to be what I have learned from this past month. I have to say that God has been working on my heart for months now in regards to humility. I now see why that is so important. I have learned that only through humility can one truly seek God. It is only in humility that all of my selfishness, pride, materialism, and control issues are stripped away. It is only in humility that I can allow the spirit to lead as the apostle Paul has challenged us to follow. It is only in humility that we can give everything up and find that Joy only comes from Him and Him alone, which is contrary to the world. And it is only in humility that even someone who claims to follow Christ can admit to.

Thank you all for praying and listening. God bless you all!

Following the Invisible,

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Wed, 23 Nov 2005 21:58:48 GMT

Well here we go. This hopefully is my first entry and we will be off and running on our newest adventure of blogging. Thanks to Scott we now have a site to post our propoganda (ha,ha). I will keep plugging away once I find out how to work this thing.

Saturday, October 15, 2005

Sat, 15 Oct 2005 00:09:06 GMT

Hey Matt... here is your new blog!! Welcome to the future.

Scott

mattwoodward's Xanga

New Orleans on the Verge

Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Saturday, October 15, 2005