HARD TIMES + HIGH HOPES =
NEW ORLEANS MISSION
JUNE 19, 2015
The stark reality is that the overwhelming majority of the readers of these words is but one accident, one downsizing, one capsizing away from a life on the streets of America.
It’s the uncle, the former co-worker, the abused mother caring for her children, the Iraq war veteran. It’s the harsh reality lived every day by countless thousands as the once great American Dream for too many has devolved into the great American Nightmare.
NOLA-Mission-LogoAnd as politicians spin it and pundits decry it, the New Orleans Mission, under the direction of David Bottner, has set out to do something about it: With Big Hearts in the Big Easy – to Rescue, Recover and Re-Engage!
And perhaps the only thing missing in their remarkable approach is a bit of – oh, I don’t know – let’s call it “consciousness raising”.
Enter Steve Scaffidi and his “Hit Me America” team, as June 16th we set-up shop for the afternoon down on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard in Central City, NOLA for a major Jam Session.
Imagine assembling some of NOLA’s finest musicians & songwriters all in one place – the New Orleans Mission Chapel – and having them work hand-in-hand with the Homeless to – in a single hour – capture a song that captures their homeless but not entirely hopeless lot in life.
And then take the videos captured that afternoon to the internet and You Tube to raise consciousness to the plight, put a face on it… and give it a VOICE!
Magic markers on cardboard signs at the intersection are one thing, but this is quite another – this is Magic.
It’s the difference between a hand out and a helping hand UP!
David Bottner and the staff at the New Orleans Mission get that – everyday. Rescuing, Recovering and Re-Engaging. Along with an assist-on-the-play courtesy the Carpenter from Galilee.
Hope without Faith just doesn’t exist. The two are forever joined at the root. Just as the fear and desperation of life on the streets disappears as one walks through the doors at our New Orleans Mission.
Yes, the Lord works in strange and mysterious ways, no? And here it is – in glorious black and white – “Hard Times Don’t Hit Me No More”. Why?
Because Hope has a Home down on Baronne and Oretha Castle Haley in Central City New Orleans.
And as we collectively pick ourselves up after yet another unbelievably painful and senseless national tragedy – this week in Charleston – trust that healing & hope will win out, and better days are on the horizon for the homeless – and America. Keep the Faith!
View the original article here .
