Monday, September 12, 2016

Chaplains & Disaster Relief


"Don't you have a saying, 'It's still four months until harvest?  I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields!  They are ripe for harvest."  (John 4:35)

If there is anything that will cause people to be open and see their need for God, it is disaster!  

I had the privilege and opportunity to serve with 14 other Chaplains and around 200 Samaritan's Purse Volunteers down in Baton Rouge, LA where prolonged rain fall resulted in catastrophic flooding that submerged thousands of houses and businesses, and caused 13 deaths.  The flood has been called the worst US natural disaster since Hurricane Sandy in 2012. 

As Chaplains, we were given the responsibility of bringing spiritual first aid to the community, and being available to the SP Volunteers who come from all over the country to be placed on teams that help the homeowners clear out, mud out and gut their homes; spray for mold and bring them to the place where they are ready to rebuild.  They work extremely hard and give all they have to helping and ministering to those that have lost everything.  This is exhausting for them, not just physically, but emotionally.  Many times, they are the first ones to come and hear the stories of the homeowners who were devastated by the flood, and they go from one house to another, hearing and ministering and working.  As of last week, there were still 1400 open Work Orders that needed to be addressed and people showing up or calling every day needing help.


Besides going out for home visits and doing follow-up, we found that just wearing the shirt that says "Chaplain" makes us a magnet, and gives us permission to offer prayer support to the community.  It didn't matter if you were visiting a home, in the Walmart, or stopping somewhere for a "Po-Boy" for lunch in between appointments - ministry was everywhere!  The people are hurting.  


We were told that there were over 80 decisions for Christ just in the last 2 weeks.  There were many that re-dedicated their lives to the Lord, and countless prayers for any and all personal needs and situations. Everyone's flood story is unique and the needs are GREAT!  And it is far from over!  (It is beyond my comprehension to think of having everything I own and worked hard for including the walls and appliances in my house; all the pictures and personal affects, etc. to be out at the curb as rubbish!)

We met some very precious people.  Many who just needed a listening ear, a hug, some words of encouragement or directions on how to get on the list for a Work Order.  It was an honor being able to serve them in this way.

 

Church, this is for you:  Those who volunteer for disaster relief may have a hand up on what it might look like in the end times, but I see God preparing His whole church for a day when we will all need to minister in this way!

2 comments:

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

Wow! Jesus with skin on!! Thank you for sharing!