Out of the many lessons the Lord taught me over the summer while ministering to high schoolers at Eagle Lake Camp, the one that will forever stay with me is God doesn’t let pain go unused. In the relationships between counselors and campers, I’ve heard of numerous similarities between counselors and campers. Its always encouraging to see how the brokenness of counselors’ pasts would align with the campers current brokenness. I saw in my own relationships, unity as a result of empathy. This reality of unity in empathy has reoccured as I followed Jesus into the recovery of the flooded regions of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
I feel as though I’m in a blessed stage of life. I’m graduated college and I have 4 months until the Race. I feel as though I’m at God’s disposal, finally free to drop everything and passionately follow Jesus wherever he calls me without hesitation due to school commitments. After serving in Eagle Lake, I went back to my college town in Fort Collins, CO to reconnect with old friends and hopefully recharge spiritually. It was a wonderful time, I got to spend time with my homeless church family, my college church family, as well as my old roommates. My freedom dawned on me while I was in church a week ago. As a result of my experience with Katrina, I felt extremely called to serve in the flooded areas of Baton Rouge. Our pastor was doing a sermon called Family Matters. As I heard him speak, I couldn’t shake the idea of fellow believers suffering as a result of this flood as well as what an incredible opportunity for ministry it was. I honestly couldn’t pay attention to the sermon, but I felt the Holy Spirit stirring something powerful in me.
I began praying the verse in Isaiah 6, “Here I am send me!” And the Lord was quick to respond. I called my parents after church and a generous family friend made a way for me to fly home in 2 days for free!
The flooded areas in Baton Rouge are absolutely devastated. Homes have up to 8 feet of water. The piles of debris stacked on the sides of the roads go down for miles. The familiar stench of the area brings the memories from Katrina powerfully into our minds. The road to recovery is hard. All the contents of the houses need to be removed and gutted before the mold completely takes over. On top of that, the August heat and humidity turns the homes into disgusting saunas. I was immediately humbled by the work- because it would take me a week to do what a whole group could accomplish in several hours.
Aside from these circumstances, the recovery is a beautiful thing to be apart of. I feel as though I’m getting to witness the best side of humanity. People coming from all over the country to come help. Katrina victims paying it forward- using their past pain to fuel a recovery. All of the issues that divide us in society- politics, race, class – are all dashed away as we are all one people in the midst of disaster. Its great to see how God is using the churches and faith based organizations as point places for relief. The American church is often criticized for having many opinions, but little love in action (and often the criticisms seem justified). But these people have become lights in a dark place – and thats exactly what the church was made to be.
In a world that seems to be imploding from weekly disasters – its encouraging to see how God takes care of his kids. The faith of the victims in this place is either growing or diminishing. Jesus saves amidst these natural disasters, as people are forced to turn to him because they have nothing left.
Yesterday we gutted the house of a veterinarian couple who were 1 year from being debt free. Then they lost their house, veterinarian clinic, vehicles- absolutely everything. Miraculously, the only thing that survived was their five-minute daily devotion- we took it as a sign that His word still holds true. After we led volunteers to gut their house, my parents and I were able to pray with them after- its beautiful how God is not only tending to his sheep, but also how his binding my own family under his work. As I’ve prayed with other victims I’ve been astounded by their faith and perseverance. I’ve also been encouraged by the joy and hope they display when receiving help from volunteers. A common phrase among the victims after receiving help is “This is the first day in weeks I haven’t cried.”
If you are reading this, the recovery is only beginning. Over 70,000 homes were flooded and are in need of repair. Thats over 70,000 victims in need of hope. All good things aside, we are in desperate need of hands and supplies. Please pray fully consider coming to help. Also please pray for God to send more workers into this field. If your are a believer, its just the kinds of good work you were made for.
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)
