The Cross.

The large wooden cross that sits out in front of the Brethren Disaster Ministries volunteer house in Arabi, La., has a story behind it, according to project consultant Mary Mueller.

It was a gift from a man who had been quite wealthy. He had two large boats. They both were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, but he had taken scraps from them and made crosses. The back sides of the crosses were rough and worn, like the damaged boat, but the fronts were sanded, finished, and beautiful walnut wood.

His comment was, "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh." Mary explains to the volunteers that, like this man, they are turning the bad (wood) into something beautiful (a cross) by rebuilding the city and the lives of the people there.

-- Kelly Richter is a Brethren Disaster Ministries volunteer from Southern Ohio District. This reflection is reprinted from the Brethren Disaster Ministries "Bridges" newsletter.

Source: 4/8/2009 Newsline