This past week in Louisiana working with Samaritan’s Purse first of all was absolutely amazing. We’ve been in Georgia learning and growing so much, so being able to apply what we have learned to actual ministry and people was completely fulfilling.
The first day, I volunteered to work on the roof, which led to roof work for the majority of the week. I learned how to shingle the roof, and how to correctly nail down a tarp over damaged areas. Let me tell you, way harder than it sounds. But it allowed me to gain new skills, and to create deeper relationships with two of my squad mates, Layna and Chloe, and Daniel, who volunteers with Samaritan’s Purse regularly. Another thing I learned on the roof was that we all have different roles as the body of Christ. One thing I love about being on the race is being surrounded by all the people, in a constant community. So being separated from the rest of the team for most of the week had me struggling. But then I realized how much work there was to do. Someone had to tear down walls, ceilings, cut out carpets, reorganize personal belongings, and the list goes on and on. So if I wasn’t up there doing the roof, the work wouldn’t have been able to be finished as quickly. We all have different roles that bring us to the end goal of making a house “contractor ready.” Like in the body of Christ, we all have different roles that lead us to eternal life in Heaven. I don’t walk with my hands, because that’s not their job. It’s not their purpose. Romans 12:4-5 says, “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” So I learned the value of each one of our jobs, even though we didn’t get to work with our team the whole time. And I realized how vital every part of the body is, and in disaster relief ministry, or just in life, we are to operate as the body of Christ.
At the end of the week, with the roof done, it was time to go inside and finish “mudding out” the house with the rest of the team. This meant tearing down moldy ceilings and walls, insulation, all of it. We had to put on tyvek suits, gloves, masks, and even goggles if we needed it. After being in those suits for a couple hours, you feel like you just got out of the pool. Completely wet from head to toe. Not the best feeling. But what is the best feeling is talking to the homeowners, hearing about their lives and listening to their stories, and then receiving their gratitude at the end of it all. It’s not easy to have your home damaged to the point that it has to be torn apart. For us, it’s a day of ministry, but for them, that’s the house they’ve been living in for years, even decades. So many memories happened within those walls, and it’s not easy to watch it all being hauled off to the curb. As the hands and feet of Jesus, we were able to be with the homeowners in this time, and help them get through this tough process together. And to begin the journey of rebuilding.
We came home to Georgia last Saturday, but we’re off next week for another week in Louisiana! I can’t wait to share about new experiences, and as always, thank you all for supporting me!
