Seminarian Genikwa Williams (center) volunteered to help rebuild homes in New Orleans' Ninth Ward.

Thirty-two seminarians participated in January's Mission Encounter, funded by National Ministries and American Baptist Churches of the South through One Great Hour of Sharing funds designated for Katrina relief.

To say that I was anxious to get to New Orleans for a recent mission trip would be gross understatement. It was my first-ever mission experience, and I had so many expectations about what I would see and do.

I had volunteered to help rebuild homes in the city's Lower Ninth Ward, the neighborhood that suffered the most damage and loss when Hurricane Katrina ripped through the region with its deadly flooding. I knew what we were being asked to do, so I expected to get dirty—real dirty. I knew I'd be tired at the end of each day of scraping, painting, and tearing out moldy sheetrock. I even anticipated a few sore joints and achy muscles, packing a tube of BENGAY® just in case.

What I didn't expect was the level of devastation still remaining more than four years after that terrible tempest tore through the city. It was heartbreaking, to say the least. We found foundations where houses once stood. Some homes were nothing more than skeletons, having suffered extensive structural damage in the 20-foot-high floodwaters. Other homes that had been locked up shortly after the waters receded still contained water-stained furniture, family photos, and other reminders of the life that once filled their walls.

I was beyond frustrated. I had no idea things were still so bad. This was not at all what I had expected to find. But as we worked on the various projects and talked with community organizers, neighbors, and other volunteers, another facet of this community's tragic story began to emerge from the ruins—the strong faith and resilience of the people.

Loved ones and friends had perished in the storm. Considerable resources were lost. Piles of debris, abandoned homes, and dilapidated dwellings still scattered the neighborhood. Yet the people of the Lower Ninth Ward were optimistic about the future of New Orleans. They had faith that the God who saw them through Hurricane Katrina and all that transpired afterward would continue to strengthen and provide for them. They believe that they will rebuild. They know they will be alright.

Their hope was so encouraging. It challenged me on so many levels. I realized that I can do more to support relief efforts in New Orleans, as well as other mission endeavors at home and abroad.

This revelation isn't just for me. It's what Jesus Christ expects from all true believers (see Matt. 22:38-40; Matt. 25: 31-40; Luke 10:29-37; et al.). We can all do more, so much more.

Genikwa R. Williams—freelance writer, communications specialist, and fulltime master of divinity student at Philadelphia’s Palmer Theological Seminary—was one of 32 seminarians who volunteered for January’s Mission Encounter, funded by American Baptist Churches of the South and National Ministries through One Great Hour of Sharing-designated Hurricane Katrina relief funds.

< < Back