Within the past month, Harvey, you did some serious damage to many families along the coast of South Texas. Some lives were lost, people’s homes that they invested in were destroyed or damaged, pain, confusion, and heartache, wreck havoc on so many people because of you. But Harvey, you did something that most people could not do on their own: You united us, helped us to give ourselves to love our neighbor that was hurting, and in the midst of political craziness and hate, you brought love into the hearts of many people during this time.
Because of you, Myself along with a couple of my close friends had the opportunity to dive into the mess that you created, and be broken for the people there. Because of you, I never would have been able to love others in that capacity, nor would I have met the people who would have affected my life and challenge in my Faith in Jesus.
I would not have met Mayda, a woman who lived in her house for 40 years. She moved all the way from Columbia when she was 20, no one in her family lives even remotely close to her, She also lost her twin brother due to a car accident. Because of that she no longer drives and lives alone. If it were not for you Harvey, I would not have been able to love her by sitting with her and talking with her. She may not have been able to have the opportunity to know that she is loved and sought out and never alone. I also, would not have been able to she her faith in the Lord during this time and been so encouraged and challenged in my own faith to PRAISE the Lord and submit to him in any and all situations, even when it hurts and chaos as occurred. Leaving her was hard as I know she cried when we left because she did not want to be alone. Harvey, my heart hurts for her because of you, and I never would have been broken for her if it were not for you.
I also would not have met Mary and her son if it where not for you. This was the hardest day throughout the entire week we were there. You could have spared her home Harvey, but you didn’t. This woman was diagnosed with cancer and had only 6 months left to live. That was 2 1/2 years ago. during that time, her husband prayed and told God that he could not imagine living life without her because he loved her so much. Her husband ASKED GOD to give him what she had so she could live. Not much later He too was diagnosed with cancer and actually died before she did. She was so broken up by it. YOU can hear in her voice, her life slipping away. as were were removing flooring, cutting out sheet rock, all she could do was weep. “Everything is so overwhelming, it all reminds me of my husband.” I could do nothing but sit next to her and cry with her. I was so broken, as tears where streaming down my face. Harvey why did you not spare her home? Why did you have to flood her house? But through all of this she said all she could do was praise God for the doors He opened to take care of her and her home. WHat? her trust in the Lord was contagious that day. Had it not been for you I would not have been given the chance to sit with this precious lady and hear her story and mourn with her and her son who has bad rheumatoid arthritis. Did you know Harvey, that the closet she keeps locked with all of her husbands things had to be open and everything taken out so we could cut out the flooring and sheet rock? Did you know because of you, she had to throw away some of her husbands things? But did you also know, that she would be shown how much she is loved, cared for, and taken care of?
If it were not for you, Harvey, I would not have met Paige, and Terry. Paige is a 100% sold out follower of Jesus and wants to make him known, it is great. The way she loves selflessly, gives generously, and wants to live depend on Christ with what she has is so encouraging. IF it were not for you Harvey, we would not have been ministered by her, nor heard her story, share laughs and biblical truth with her at Whataburger. She reflects Jesus in so many ways and it touches my heart and we were so glad to know her. If you are reading this Paige, one day, we will come to Louisiana. Also Terry and his wife. We fell in love with Terry and wanted to have him come back with us too. He was someone we talked with and sought out to talk to everyday. Of course to him we were the troublemakers lol. He is also a missionary stationed in Dinosaur Colorado. never heard of this plus who would name their town dinosaur? He loved us well and shared his life with us and lead us in beautiful worship every night.
Harvey, you made me go out of my comfort zone and do things I had never done before. You caused me to dwell on and live out the words of Jesus when he says “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” You made me look back on Ephesians 1:7 everyday for a week and be reminded of the redemption I have in Jesus but to submit the sins I struggle with to him and walk in that redemption, not just say it. YOu made me love and you broke my heart for the Things that break God and his heart. Lastly, Harvey, you were used by good to work together all things for the good of those who love him. God is there and still working and redeeming and loving, and moving, and healing. That is who he is. God all I can say is thank you for using Harvey, for your purposes not ours or what we want to make sense of it all with. I do not believe this was done to punish the sins that were their, I believe you used it for your glory to draw us to you first, and to love and unite us in Christ. thank you.
Please be in prayer for Houston and other areas that were affected. Please pray for Mayda and Mary. Please join me on this journey by following me. And also, please help fund me to go spread this same love, encounter the same Jesus and learn and be transformed into the image of Christ around the world to these 11 countries.
