I was stopped in the middle of a mundane conversation
walking home the other day. The
sirens, Americanos and Dominicans scattered around the streets, and an array of
furniture lining the corner caught my attention. The story of God’s amazing grace is as follows:
Some members of our squad were leaving our home for the past
month in San Juan only to stop at the sight and smell of smoke. Running to our neighbor’s home they
were shocked to find the house on fire with five children locked inside. Broken glass, fear filled screams and
flames incased in smoke filled the home.
Over a series of miraculous events the door was broken down, the
children were safely evacuated and the fire was extinguished before any emergency
vehicle arrived. It just so
happens (a.k.a. God’s amazing timing) that a couple people went and filled our
water jugs for drinking water shortly before the fire. It just so happens only THREE jugs of
water extinguished a fire that ravished through an entire home. And it just so happens that the only
physical harm that came to the children was a few scorched hairs on one of the
girl’s head.
This heartbreaking situation of physical loss allowed room
for the Spirit to work in amazing ways.
In one night the hands of Jesus ran into the flames and saved the
children and as many physical possessions as possible. The heart of Jesus comforted five
terrified children and brought stability to a chaotic` situation. The mouth of Jesus spoke powerful
prayers that brought indescribable peace and order. The feet of Jesus spent hours cleaning the home and
attempting to clear out the damage done by fire.
Please join me in praising our Father for the amazing work
that was done as well as intercede for the community we left behind. May they not remember the Americans who
were their neighbors, but may they remember God who provided the hands,
protected the children, extinguished the fire and comforted the masses. Had the fire been only two days later I
hate to think what would have happened had no one heard the screams or smelt
the smoke. God is good. All the time. It is His nature.
