My North Carolina granddaughter — an eight-year-old well named as Darilyn (think: darlin’) — was praying for her Cajun cousins and grandparents the other night. She said, “I hope their homes are okay, but if they aren’t, let them move close to us.” It’s great to be loved, is all I can say.
New Orleans is being loved today in a thousand ways.
The rescuers and national guardsmen and law enforcement officials and others are giving her tough love. The medical staffs in our city and through the south are showering her people with another type of tough love. In the Astrodome and throughout small towns all over the Southland, citizens are locating displaced New Orleanians in their local motels and ministering to them with tenderness and generosity. In Jasper, Alabama, a large family from St. Bernard Parish, just below New Orleans, was found in the Jameson Inn and made front page news in today’s Daily Mountain Eagle. Local citizens gave them food and a job and a hundred other kindnesses. Personally, I have just sat at my sister’s computer here in rural Nauvoo, Alabama, for the last 4 hours receiving and responding to notes from people all over the nation (and a couple from Africa) saying they are praying for us.
My family is moving from my parents’ home this weekend to Columbus, Mississippi where I pastored from 1974 to 1986, and where my children grew up. When Chris McCall called my son Neil, he said, “We’ve moved from Columbus to Senatobia, Mississippi, but now I know why our house has not sold. God wanted you to have a place to live!” Today Neil and Chris are going through the storage buildings choosing what furniture to return to Chris’ house. Margaret and I will spend the weekend with other friends, then soon move into the upstairs of Chris’ parents next door. My first thought was, “What in the world did we ever do to rate such special friends?” Then I remembered that it’s like everything else God gives us — all of grace.
For a day or so, Neil and Julie and Margaret and I discussed taking the children (Grant is 11 and twins Abby and Erin are 8) somewhere interesting and educational while experiencing this enforced vacation. We have friends in the D.C. area, I’ve wanted my sons to see Gettysburg, and Springfield, Illinois, is one day’s drive from here. But I’ve been “summoned” to Baton Rouge for a, pardon the expression, high level meeting for next Tuesday with various Baptist leaders, including Rick Warren, he of the Purpose-Driven fame. So I may be back to work sooner than expected. I told my granddaughters in New Hampshire who were after us to come see them, that I still have a job, I just don’t have an office to put it in. Chip Turner of FamilyNet sent me a global shot of the New Orleans lakefront, and it appears our offices are high and dry. I pray it’s so. That would be more than we could ever ask.
Thank you for your prayers. When we return to New Orleans — whenever that is — we will have more ministry opportunities than we could have ever dreamed. The problem will be like eating the proverbial elephant: you know to do it one bite at a time, the only question is where to begin. Pray the Father will lead us. Thank you.
Thank you, Dad, for your article. It’s good to know that you, Mom, Neil, Julie, and kids, along with your family in Alabama are all fine.
Daily I watch the news of Louisiana and hope that everyone in LA, MS, and AL will get better soon. Since the telephone connections were not able to get through from New Hampshire to Louisiana, due to the hurricane, reading all of your articles makes me feel closer to you. I’m very happy that you and Mom are doing fine.
Thank you for your wonderful website.
Love,
Your daughter
Joe
My pulpit stands open for your filling with personal perspective and catharsis…
Jim
Bro. Joe –
God is good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ditto a million times, plus.
Wan
Joe,
Welcome back to this neck of the woods. Columbus isn’t too far from Louisville, not far at all. Maybe in time (when the price of gas eases down) we can have that cup of coffee. Not cafe au lait, just a cuppa java and a donut.
Glad to hear you and yours are OK. My son and the two grandsons in Baton Rouge are well. Life for all of us is forever changed. Guess its up to us to make those changes positive.
God Bless you, each and everyone.
Harold
I was so glad to get the first post and learn that you, Margaret and the rest of your family are ok. I’m sure that others like me in your former First Baptist of Charlotte congreation will be looking for ways to help. Keep us posted!
We’re praying for you and the others who will be ministering to the suffering now and in the days to come.
Carolyn
Joe, How great to get on the internet and be able to track you down. I am so grateful to know that you and your family are well. I have been praying for you. I know that our church will be seeking ways to minister. Let me know how to reach you. Hello to Margaret and Carla – she probably wouldn’t even remember who I am, but I remember that beautiful little girl. Eight grandchildren – how blessed. I will keep track of you now that I know how. Pam
Dr. McKeever,
We were so glad to hear that you and your family are fine! We, along with many, have been praying for you ,your home and workplace. It sounds as if God has answered our prayers! We were especially pleased that you would be moving temporarily to Columbus as we will probably be coming out soon to babysit our grandchildren and would love to get in touch with you then. Please know we are praying too for ALL victims of this terrible disaster and for many to give their lives to Christ. Blessings to you!
Hello:
I was so glad to hear you and your family are fine. My heart breaks for all the suffering in La, Ms, and Al. caused by the hurricane. I had family ride out the storm with me in Brewton. We are all fine.
I wrote a poem titled “Lost” which was published on the internet on three websites. The poem was inspired by the destruction left by hurricane Katrina. I will forward the poem to you in hopes that it will be of some comfort to you and others with whom you share it.
Praying God will bless you as you go about His work.
Love,
Jane Ward Smith
dear Pastor,
i have been out ot town for some days and just came back over last weekend. My heart goes out to you, the mission, and all in new orleans. My prayers are with you and all in this moment of grief. May Katrina drive us nearer to God who alone can explain everything.
peter
Dr. McKeever,
I praise the Lord you and Mrs. McKeever are okay. I have been trying to call your cell phone, but i was not able to get through. Please know we are praying for you!
Chuck Herring