The LORD is working!!!

How's this for God working?! Today, a woman came into the Child Development Center to pick up her child. While talking, Jeff and George engaged in some friendly converstation with her. She proceeded to tell them that she was frustrated with New Orleans and getting out of town for good. Her landlord had kicked her out of the place she rented to allow for some of his family to move in who were displaced by the flood. So, she decided to go online and search for a place to live. She took a "home placement survey" to determine what area in the U.S. she should search for homes based on her answers and interests. Guess where it said she should move? Raleigh, NC!!! Coincidence? I THINK NOT! Jeff immediately got online and searched for some affordable apartments. He told her about all the YMCA's nearby and how we can help. So tommorow, she is packing up her house and driving to Raleigh(she told us that she hopes she gets their before the movers so she can find a place ASAP and tell them where to deliver her stuff). But, before she leaves she is coming in to talk to us about schools, etc. so she can pick a place to live. We are currently trying to arrange a way for our team(or a bunch of Y volunteers/leaders club kids, etc.) back home who can help her unload the truck when she arrives-we'll keep you posted!

We also found out that many of our parents at Kamp Katrina had thier power turned on for the first time last night! That was around one full month without power in their home...some lived out of hotels, while others roughed it at their home. Once again, parents would come and express their sincere thanks for all the work we are doing...such an easy motivator to keep us energized!
Over at East Jefferson, John shared a very powerful story about a Y member who he had time to chat with. This man is a mailman who suffered some injuries during the storm and half of his face is paralyzed. While talking to John, he said he was so glad that the Y was
now open, and that "...for my one hour each day at the Y it seems like everything in life is back to normal."

We got to journey on two adventures tonight. Our first, we walked through neighborhoods behind the Child Development Center and looked at some of the damage. Trees through houses, power lines down, major debris on the side of the road, gererators blaring, the whole works. Our second, a group trip to Wendy's (drive through only, still closing ealry) where we proceeded to order 13 meals...let me just tell you that when only a few resturaunts in town are open and lines are extremly long, people tend to frown when you make 13 orders! Did I mention to you guys and gals that the Red Cross provides food for us and the Kamp Katrina campers each day? The joint relief effort down here is truly amazing. Well, we keep on truckin through the days and constantly give thanks to God that he has chosen us to do his work!