week 13, post 1 -- the work of the Spirit

When I first came here, I intended to do counseling -- that's all. But I quickly came to see that what was needed was something that would last, and that the counseling be part of something bigger, more comprehensive. As the awareness of that emerged, I also began to meet people who could/would be part of that something bigger. Courtney Pellegrin, a very dynamic young woman from this area, has all the right qualities for leadership: a passion to serve her people, a deep connection to these communities, administrative skills and a body young enough to work hard for long periods. Elaine Savoie, a local housewife and businesswoman, has worked tirelessly doing direct care of victims/evacuees since day one. She has a gift for the "infantry," doing face to face casework with people in need. So a mission and a team are emerging: to launch and sustain "community care centers" down each bayou. These will do prenatal care, early childhood education, low-tech medical care and outpatient drug/alcohol treatment and counseling. I'll post a couple of pics of the team.

And I want to leave you with a quote from one of my favorite poets, Wendell Berry:

"Rats and roaches live by competition under the laws of supply and demand; it is the privilege of human beings to live under the laws of justice and mercy."
Wendell Berry