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For former Heisman Trophy-winner Danny Wuerffel, New Orleans has been a place of both highs and lows.

In the 1997 Sugar Bowl at the Superdome in New Orleans, the star quarterback of the University of Florida was on top of the world as he led the Gators over rival Florida State, 52-20, to win the school's first and only national championship.

Wuerffel soon experienced another high point in the Crescent City when the New Orleans Saints drafted him. Then as an NFL rookie, Wuerffel discovered Desire Street Ministries (DSM), located in New Orleans' poverty-stricken Ninth Ward.

Wuerffel began helping the organization, which provides health care, housing, education and recreational opportunities for residents of the Desire Street neighborhood. He became DSM's full-time director of development after retiring from the NFL two years ago.

Wuerffel was blessed to be in New Orleans.

But when Hurricane Katrina submerged most of the city on Aug. 29, his life and ministry were turned upside down. And the already-struggling Ninth Ward was one of the hardest hit areas.

"The worst part of humanity came out in the aftermath of the hurricane," Wuerffel told Today's Christian, referring to the looting prevalent in New Orleans after Katrina. "But in all of that, I believe that somehow God is doing things that inevitably will be good.

"Romans 8:28 says that we know that all things work together for good," he said. "All things aren't good. But all things can work together for good. Part of my faith reminds me that this is not my ultimate home. Things will not be ideal here. But we have the opportunity to do a lot of good. You don't know why things are happening the way they are, but you trust that God is in control."

Wuerffel, 31, his wife, Jessica, and their young son, Jonah, evacuated New Orleans, escaping Katrina's carnage. Mo Leverett, who founded DSM in 1990, also evacuated safely with his family to the Atlanta area.

When Today's Christian contacted him in September, more than three weeks after the hurricane hit, Wuerffel was pessimistic about his home.

"We saw our neighbor's house in a photo," Wuerffel said. "It was up to the roof with flooding. We can only assume that's the same for ours. We're trying to allow ourselves to experience the different emotions that come with a tragedy like this. I have wept over our city, thinking about the many families and children that probably drowned in their homes. It's an incredibly sad thing.

"At the same time, we've experienced times of incredible joy and vision and see an opportunity to do greater good than we've ever done before," he said. "We're very resolved and very determined and passionate about helping people."

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