Weekly Report for Cameron

It is often said the world is very connected. These days that usually refers to the World Wide Web, cell phones, e-mail and networks like Twitter and Facebook. However, when you look closely and learn a little about southwest Louisiana, you become aware of other connections.

Huge reservoirs of oil and natural gas were discovered in the geological formations of southwest Louisiana and it's offshore waters. As you travel around Cameron Parish, you will often see a line of colored poles sticking out of the marsh. This means a pipeline has been buried under the surface, bringing crude oil or natural gas from the wells to the refineries or to the distribution hubs. From there, another network of pipelines takes gasoline, fuel oil, and natural gas to consumers throughout the eastern half of the United States. The short-term volunteers, this week from Washington, DC, might be using natural gas piped from Louisiana to heat their homes or cook their meals. The volunteers from Michigan might use gasoline refined in Sulphur, Louisiana to power their vehicles as they travel home.

Bird watchers are also aware of the importance of this region. Birds like the white pelicans spend their summers in the northern latitudes and their winters in the coastal bays and marshes of southwest Louisiana. You can often look to the sky and see huge formations of birds on their migration paths. You notice the departure and arrival of different species in the marshes, scrub brush and trees. The red-winged black birds have begun to head north, while the stilts have just arrived from down south. The short-term volunteers from Winkler, Manitoba might return home and see some birds that also spent part of their winter down in Cameron Parish.

The fishing industry also connects this region to the rest of the world. The fishermen of Cameron harvest a variety of creatures from these waters.  Volunteers from Pennsylvania might be eating Louisiana shrimp or oysters the next time they go to a restaurant.  The volunteers from Alberta might be using hand lotion made with fish oil processed in the poagie plant along the Calcasieu River.

As we finished our last week in Cameron Parish for this season, we recognized connections between Cameron Parish and other parts of North America. Our last two home dedications, held this week, provided the occasion to celebrate the gifts that God has brought us. It all felt like a family coming together to mark a major milestone for one of it's members. The volunteers learned a little about what it might feel like to lose a home and then be provided another. The clients and local friends learned that God does care and will provide.

Whether it's a hurricane or the rising waters of the Red River, we've learned that it is not about the damage to houses or buildings.  As addresses and telephone numbers are exchanged, we find it is instead about a Gracious God, who provides a network of friends and family around us to help cope with all that life might bring. It has been a privilege and blessing to have been entrusted with the task of helping rebuild some hope and community in Cameron.

Departing from Cameron Parish; Verla, Melford, Ren, Martha, Lowell, Shirley, Laura and Carl