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September 1, 2008
Friends,
We are safe in Atlanta. Everyone in
our church got too out, we think. Horrible the thought of
possibly losing everything, most of all the city,
neighborhood, and church we love so much. Keep praying.
We don’t have internet where we are
staying except through my iPhone. I will keep posting
updates on my wall on Facebook for those of you that have
access to that.
Mostly we need to wait a day or so
to see what Gustav does to NOLA. Some of you may want to
send your most skilled people next week to help us rebuild
if needed. Church has lots of housing and tools and has been
doing this for almost three years now, so we are set up for
it. Lack of power may be a delay, though. Also may be
needing some diaconal funds to help the victims. Again, no
idea yet though.
The city and state did a FANTASTIC
job of evacuating people, picking up trash, taking down dead
trees, communicating clearly and frequently, activating
national guard and extra helpers, etc. Now it’s all about
whether the Army Corp’s work holds up. (Sadly after three
years they only spent $2 billion of the $12.8 billion they
were budgeted, thus completing less than 20% of the levee
improvements they were asked to make. The city and state
learned their lessons much better than the Corps did, or
just care more).
This world, for all its beauty and
wonder, is such a deeply broken place. Not the way it is
supposed to be. What a comfort to know God is at work
renewing it and one day will complete the job.Ray
P.S. A friend from Decatur GA wrote
a poem about his mission trip with us. Performed it at All
Souls Church and its on
YouTube.
Ray Canata
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