New Orleans Trip - Part 2

It seems to me that the biggest problem to starting over – whether it is in hurricane stricken New Orleans, in inner cities across the countries, or even in our own sin torn lives – is the feeling of helplessness and futility that accompanies the effort. Where does one start? And even if a plan is enacted, where does one get the resources needed to accomplish the task?

Take for example the problem both in New Orleans and in many inner cities. Many people who are living in poverty would like to get out of the crime-ravaged areas and avoid lives of crime themselves. But they have no skills or marketable trades. They don’t have money to get those skills through college or classes. And they don’t have money to move out of the inner city to a better environment with better job possibilities.

They need to break the cycle. But this is so much easier said than actually done. Just as people who have dealt with addictions know, you cannot just change overnight. And when the resources are lacking, people continue to spiral downward into depression, ineffectiveness, and in many cases a life of crime or continuing in the life of whatever got them there. The cycle is never broken.

I witnessed this firsthand in New Orleans as people here 2 years after Hurricane Katrina attempt to put their lives back together. They want to rebuild, but they have no money. They want to make all of New Orleans beautiful and inhabitable (not just the city and the French Quarter), but they just don’t have the resources. Thankfully I was introduced to 2 organizations that are working diligently at breaking the cycle.

The first one is called Jericho Road (.pdf). Their mission statement contains the following quote:

The Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative creates quality homes for low-income families in the City of New Orleans. Through its many financial and social service partners Jericho Road will help first time homebuyers create family wealth and transform communities.

The problem with rebuilding New Orleans lies in the inability to rebuild lots because the owners are deceased, relocated, missing, etc. Contractors can’t even purchase lots to work on. However, God is working through Jericho Road and allowing this group of lawyers access to these lots so that the restoration can continue. The two houses I worked on were being funded by this group. Then, once the lot is cleared and rebuilt they drastically cut the cost for the consumer. Each house we worked on would be worth $125,000 when completed. But through donations, grants, etc. they would make the house affordable at $65,000. It is a great ministry that meets real needs in that area.

Another organization is called “Café Reconciliation.” They were around before the hurricane and continue now afterwards. It looks and feels like a nice restaurant, but it is so more. It is a training ground for kids who have been ignored, discarded, and given up on. Through this restaurant kids learn the skills to become chefs, waiters, even mangers of restaurants. And I am not talking about the local greasy spoon, this is high quality stuff. The Shrimp Etouffee rivaled any that I have ever had. They have also teamed up with Crossroads Missions to get kids into learning building trades.

These are just two examples of groups of people trying to break the cycle. I believe the church should take note and follow. There are plenty of physical and spiritual needs that must be met if we want to truly transform the world. Some people have gotten themselves in the position. Others had little to do with it. But both need help to get out of the mire in which they are stuck. Let us look for ways to restore, reconcile, and renew this world and perhaps, in our own small ways, break the cycle of sin.