Distaster relief is unpredictable. Although the storms came through this area 8 months ago, there is still much to do. And sometimes we still have to wait. Our homeowners here have been waiting for months, and even in the moments we have needed patience, Yahweh has given us a glimpse of what it must be like for those experiencing this on a large and long-term basis.
Our teams and individuals (31 in total) from Washington Church, First Baptist, and Texas have come together this week with another two teams–totalling 84 people working to help Atlantic City homeowners recover from Superstorm Sandy, and to ''Go Home Again". As a frequent traveler, those words have a sweetness to me, that is usually associated with everything in its place, familiarity and comfort. Instead, we have heard our new friends and the homeowners share about mold, being unable to return, evacuating from under the boardwalk–and even how some homes were spared by rightly timed and placed sandbags. Last night, while leaving our worksites, we saw how quickly this city fills up as our vehicles poured through the rivers that were on the streets (over car wheelwells, but thankfully not the trucks/vans). Some team members pushed a car to safety, and we all immediately saw how these waters rose to threaten homes.
Our teams have installed insulation, gutted floors and roofs (at least sections), sanded, painted, custom built heating covers, completed a bathroom in its entirity, cleaned a refidgerator that hadn't been touched since October (now that's SERVICE, ladies!!). Landscaping, building birdhouses, and hugging on the wonderful folks we have the honor to support. Most of all, we've gotten to be hear. Yes, here and hear. We are present, and while driving a home owner today to get supplies, when I asked how she felt about all this work getting done, she said. "It is great, but what I'll miss the most is the company…". What we all want in the world is connection, and God instructed us to work together.
We have prayed for Walter, a man who is a veteran, believer, and currently homeless to get favor and a housing voucher from the VA. We also then and shared our food. Some on our team have enjoyed walking the Boardwalk, and dipping their toes in the Atlantic Ocean, but mostly… we are sensing the waves of God's presence and spirit here, and acting as He moves.
Thank you for your prayers! Please pray for the last couple of days to be as productive, continued (mostly) fair weather for the tasks needed, and each of us to hear and obey the Mighty Ones voice, direction and love for those around us and ourselves :). We send our best to everyone at home and will see you soon–its hard to believe how fast the week is going. Blessings to you.
