The Petra Zone

Louisiana Gov. Blanco declared Wednesday a day of prayer. "As we face the devastation wrought by Katrina, as we search for those in need, as we comfort those in pain and as we begin the long task of rebuilding, we turn to God for strength, hope and comfort.�

I personally feel totally overwhelmed. Words cannot describe the devastation seen on TV, so I cannot fathom what it must be like to see it in person. The devastation is so total, and the relief effort so large it is hard for me to get my mind around what to pray for. Fortunately, according to Romans 8:26, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."

I have a sense that this disaster is going to affect the US even more deeply than we can imagine. For the first time in this nation's history (excluding the displacement of the Native Americans), we are going to have what amounts to a refugee problem. People here cannot fathom leaving a place and being relocated to tent cities or other "temporary" housing. A lot of these people are not going to be getting homeowners insurance settlements to rebuild their lives. Even the poor in this country are not used to being without TVs and indoor plumbing and other amenities many nations do not have. There will be riots, martial law, and politicians clamoring for more and more welfare. I'm sure a lot of people think it will only affect the South, and so what? To some folks in this country, the South is as far removed as a third world country. But it's not, and this is going to change America. I'd like to think this will be a wake up call to many who will try to put themselves in the shoes of the residents of the gulf states and realize that accumulating 4000 sq foot houses, Hummers, home theaters and all the plastic surgery they can afford is not the treasure that will last, or that is important in this life. In fact, I will be praying for it. Unfortunately, most will continue along in their safe, self-absorbed little worlds. I hope I am not one of them.

Wow Bridget,

I soo agree with you! That's EXACTLY the same thoughts that have been in Warren's and my mind.

With us travelling with the older RV (and drooling as we see the fancy buses going down the road with the matching trailers to go with them) and losing our home and not exactly sure what will happen when we get back to Beloit or where we will be staying.....the thoughts of my little sheltered life back in Clovis, NM, when I was married to my first husband and raising kids, going shopping with my friend Susan and buying nice decorations for our houses and going to each other's place to hang pictures or whatnot. I miss that life.

BUT - at the same time - I don't!!! I am thrilled about what we get to do and minister to people. I love what I do, singing and bringing hope to people and that's what we would love to go do down in Luisiana right now. We called the Red Cross, but they only take trained people down there and basically told us they didn't need us. But we would like to feed people (Warren's BBQ, we got cookers) and we got a water unit that will purify water. People there will be in need of prayer, counseling and hope. We don't know where to start yet. We are praying for the Lord to open doors for us.

But going back to what you said and me sometimes feeling the desire to want my "Egypt" back, of the secure little life, all the bills paid, the kids in school, a nice decorated house and dusting my collectibles. I can just see myself being this 4000 sq ft person with the Hummer in the garage, the jacht in the harbor and the finest designer clothes, going to the gym to look good, get my nails done and go to the best hair dresser that knows how to do the latest styles. Sounds nice - but - like you said all this is fleeting and even though I never ever lived in a 4000 sq ft home (never would want to, too much work.....just thing about dusting the place ..... oh, yeah, if I'd have a 4000 sq ft house, I forgot, I'd have a maid ), my little "safe" life, was nothing more than a scaled down version of the life you described.

Interesting isn't it? It's all relative.

Now - the poor, the rich, they are all in the same place. Displaced, some without hope and some wondering what next. Some who trust the Lord and some who need to trust Him and some who are angry at Him.

Being on the road and not having TV, we haven't seen the devestation. Warren has had a chance to look pictures up on the internet, but I can just imagine how bad it must be.

Thank you for saying what you did - and making us think. Because it's all too easy to want to go back to "Egypt" when one is wandering around in the desert and right now in Luisiana there are MANY who are wandering around in the "desert", displaced and wondering where to go.

As the Spirit of the Lord guides us in how to pray, we keep praying and also hope to hear direction from the Lord in how to help.

True words! MJ and I have family in that area and we have heard both good and bad reports about the areas our relatives live in. We hope to be able to hear from someoone soon on how they are all doing. Mj and his family are from that area. His mother has been called to go down and try to help people there in whatever way she can.

Your statements are so true. I hope the people who are living in 4,000 square foot homes and driving SUV's will take the time to give to the effort there. I even hope that all the rest of us will take the time to atleast pray for those still trapped in those horrific conditions. I can not imagine the desperation they are feeling right now. It really breaks my heart...because i have been to new orleans and I fell in love the cajun culture and people..they are so precious. The shootings are tragic and do not exemplify the way the people are there. They are kind and good hearted people who have been through so much already! We just need to intercede for them in prayer and give in anyway else we can!

Cat

The news on TV is just heart breaking, these folks are badly in need of prayer and God's healing touch. They're going to be in for a rough time in the days ahead.

It's horrible. If it were up here Stephanie and I being blind don't drive. where would we be and being a police/fire dispatcher would I be able to leave? Scary.

I watched news from Saudi Arabia and Japan on an international cable channel, and even they were talking about this. Unfortunately, I didn't understand what they were saying.

On behalf of my family, my church family (Hilltop Chapel Assembly of God of Dover Hill, IN), and myself, I wish to extend my prayers to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Those people need help like never before.

just as an interesting note:

M�xico is sending help over there

dan, why? I mean, why? LOL, why were you seeing those channels?

There's a cable station called SCOLA that reaches the UNI area. SCOLA broadcasts news and TV programs from all over the world. I've been wanting to watch it more but I haven't been able to. My spanish professor suggested it for educational purposes.