How Houma Loved Me.

 Life update! I spent two weeks serving with Samaritans Purse in Houma, Louisiana and I saw and learned so so much. I thought that I was going there to serve the people whose homes had been destroyed, but in actuality, the people of Houma served me in love and were living, breathing examples of the Father’s heart. Let me tell you about some of the people that I met and what they taught me!

Ms. Laura!

 Ms. Laura was a sweet elderly woman whose home had been taken over by mold. We spent two days with her gutting out a some rooms in her house and sitting with her as she shared stories of her younger days, her faith, her kids, and so much more. She was a woman who knew exactly where she was going, heaven and remained faithful in that. On our last day at the house, my teammate, Maddy, asked her what her advice for us girls would be as we move forward into the world. She said, “Just be a good woman and never lose sight of Christ in your life” and I know that that will stick with me for the rest of my days.

Danielle!

Danielle’s home was completely wrecked. Mold and water damage has consumed every room of the house, rooms that she had lived out her childhood in and were now her own kid’s rooms that they were supposed to grow up in as well. Danielle, although weary about her current devastation, saw God’s light shine through all of it. Throughout the four days that we spent there, I watched this woman’s hope and faith grow as she began to see the goodness in all the destruction. Her whole family strove to serve us, they made us meals, shared family goodies, and her 11 year old son was even eager to serve along side us in whatever help we needed. Leaving Danielle and her sweet family was especially hard for me, but I could clearly see the Lord’s hand over their lives and trusted that he would use all of this darkness for His good. (Romans 8:28)

Ed, Peg, and Diesel!

Belle and I met Ed and Peg on our second week in Houma, and to say the least, we were just a tad bit comprehensive. We were on skid steer duty, which meant lots of hauling concrete blocks and raking the rubble of destroyed mobile homes. Also, Ed and Peg were a little different than us in a lot of ways, in age, in faith background, in personalities, etc. As our days together went on, I saw that sometimes Jesus is asking us to love on those around us just a little more than we normally would and to have ears to hear past incongruencies. I ended up really loving Ed and Peg and their humor and how much reverence they had for what Christ did on the cross.

Martha!

What a woman. Martha was a volunteer for Samaritans Purse and did home assessments to see how we could help. This sweet woman was an angel sent down from heaven, she was patient and a great listener and had stories for days. She would often treat us to lunch and spend time getting to know us simply because her heart yearned to love others. Martha was a sweet reflection of Jesus. Sometimes, He just wants to sit with us and know us and laugh with us, and to rest with us in lightness (Matthew 11:28-30)

These people were just a fraction of the love that was poured into me during my stay in Houma. The people I met and got to share time with are what I will remember above the mold or the sweat dripping from my forehead from the hot Louisiana heat. 

Thank you for taking the time to read and hear of my journey thus far. Please continue keeping my squad and I in your prayers as we step into ministry in Romania.

Also, here is a vlog I made from my time at Samaritans Purse, feel free to check it out 🙂

All my love, 

Alyssa<3