Headed out! Fleeing GUSTAV!!!!!

To all my friends, and people that worry about me. For those of you so
very concerned about the possibility of me staying, you can be
relieved since I am now in Huntsville, Alabama staying at a farm house
with my roomate Josiah. Eavie my dog is here as well, and we are
possibly waiting on a family that lives 2 houses down. I feel that
this family will probably not rendevouz with us here, but will
probably opt to stay at a hotel or something in Huntsville.

Today we woke up and Josiah went to check on 2 of his co-workers on
the Westbank to see if they needed rides, he knocked on their door but
did not answer. At that point I decided that I was going to ride with
Josiah since I needed to read for a class I am taking. We left around
10 with minimal traffic. My house is all boarded up and things are
tied down. Almost all of my neighbors have left or were planning on
leaving, so I felt at ease to leave. I parked my truck on a street
that did not flood during Katrina, and my house should be ok and not
flood.

The thought of the storm creates a lot of anxiety. There are many of
us who leave life and things behind, hoping that things dont get
destroyed. This is very much of a time of dependence on Christ and
trusting in him and being able to see that all things can be used
toward His glory whether things are hard or easy. I am worried about
my truck, we almost turned around at 5 hours out to go back so I can
move it! We didn't though and now I slightly worry about it, If it
goes though it will be ok I know the Lord will provide. I just don't
want to tell my parents. For some reason I haven't grown out of that
part of become a small man of adult that I am.

Parting pictures, in preparation for Gustav

So today, I was at work for a little bit, and then they dismissed us
early. This was a blessing because I needed to board up my windows,
and also read a lot. I have a book test on Sunday, in which I am
behind, and preparing for the storm does not help. Here are some pics
of whats happening as of a few hours ago. I will probably take some
other pictures tomorrow. I have also decided to head on out, as
almost all of my neighbors are departing so I feel more at ease about
leaving. Some of which I believe are actually coming with us tomorrow.

Breaking down barriers: My beautiful neighbors

So everyone is at wits in contemplating the possibilities of Gustav. I am in that mix tossing between do I stay or do I go. I still haven't decided yet. I have almost gotten to the point of letting my neighbors decide for me. If any of my neighbors stay, I really want to stay here for them, and to go through the storm with them. I know there are ones that are headed out tomorrow toward some unknown destination at the moment. For the ones that don't know where they are headed, I hope to offer them a place to stay with my roomates that will probably evacuate tomorrow. As for me I am still undecided

So here is the story of today, that I figured I must share.
Today I arrived at home, let the dog out, and went out to go shoot the breeze and talk to my neighbors about their Hurricane Gustav plans. I went to check on my neighbor Edwin, who has a wife and a two year old daughter. He was washing his car, and another neighbor had just left from conversing with him. Edwin and his wife are Filipino, and his family, and possibly one other family live on his side of a block caddy corner to mine. We are kind of the typical oddball Asians in a predominately African American neighborhood, however I am more of an extrovert and over the top.

While we were conversing our other neighbor, Calvin came back by and for some reason I thought of asking him if he would like to pick up a job helping me install a fence. I didn't ask Edwin because he usually has to watch his daughter, because his wife has to work and someone needs to watch the baby. Calvin mentioned that he was already helping out some other person and that he wasn't available.

Calvin said, " What about him!" and points at Edwin.
Edwin responded, "Yeah! What about me!"
Calvin responds, "Give it to him!"
I said, "Ok, I have a fencing job to work on after the storm stuff."

I eventually learned that Edwin can do work on the weekends, when his wife can watch the baby. So I thought that it was wonderful that one neighbor would pass up a job and push it to someone else.

Earlier this week, I also found employment for another neighbor of mine in which he will go through an environmental science workforce program and get a few certifications to make him more employable in the environmental science world.

This side of my life is pretty exciting to me so far, I hope to be able to establish some system or type of business to employ people and treat them well.

Should I stay or Should I Go NOW!!

So there is hurricane Gustav coming! I am unsure of what I am going to do now.
Part of me would like to flee, but is that too safe for me? How do we, and how should we react as leaders of the church.

I have thought of a series of questions?

What is our perception of destruction?
I feel like I often view things radically different than the normal. I don't see the ugly head of destruction, instead I see beauty, strength, creation, and the complexities, and irregularities of life. I see a chance to take part in a restoration process that is not selfish but of pure love.

Why do we flee?
We flee for, our safety. Our, a word meaning I and you disturbs me. I know who I am, but our defines some sect of people, but not everyone. I think when I say our, it's me and my small circle of people I revolve around. As a believer in Christ I believe that God has called us to place the needs of others before myself. The poor and the needy, are the least likely to flee, so what am I to do? How should the Church represent in the midst of destruction. I have not been through a hurricane before I do not have the experience, and even if I had I hope that Christ would not let me be fearful of it.

Why do we not want it to hit New Orleans(us)?
The typical response, "Pray that it doesn't hit us!" This statement inherently gives the impression that we are somehow better than any other place. It's almost the same as the conflict between the ideas of being anti-abortion and pro-war. I choose to fight against death of little kids, but I am ok with killing those other people. Who am I to say that I am better, or have more value than someone. God has created us with equal value.

Here we go!

So this is my first blog its not that exciting. I started Seminary this week, its going to be tough when my jobs start, I want to make sure there is enough time for me to learn and process but i am not sure if that will happen with the jobs i need to pay the bills and house note.

Funny story, well... funny to me atleast. I was cooking out for a lot of people at the house the other day, and a neighbor came by to get some food. On his way out we both stepped outside the door, and saw a guy, a block down, shoot at someone or something 3 times down the street. Then he took off running toward my house and up the street. Mean while me and my neighbor stood there. I was bewildered and looked at him for some kind of affirmation of what to do, but he stood just as bug-eyed in amazement as me. It was quite interesting. He went home with some food, I went in and called the cops.

I was also told that i have the gift of prophesy today, because i made a statement of i am driven to make people feel awkward. I also like to help people !