Hands in the Hurricane

We are equipped to testify to the glory of God - that includes through our words and through our actions, and crisis situations provide the means through which we can declare the presence of Almighty God. Romans 10 states:
13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

God has loved us so much that He sent Jesus to earth, to live as an example to us and to give His life for our sins.  Jesus has commissioned us to be His ambassadors, His representatives - we have been sent in order to proclaim His truth and to practice His love - He has empowered us by His Spirit and provides the open doors through which we can bring hope and restoration.  We see that in a myriad of ways in crisis situations, so that people can experience His presence through His people.

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In crisis situations, where there are so many in need, Jesus is represented by His body, functioning to bring hope and healing to people in crisis. Romans 12 speaks to the equipping of God's people:
4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,
5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

The flood waters have been rising, and so has the death toll, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. But, the level of relief for storm victims is rising, as well. Christian organizations have been passionately and effectively demonstrating our Savior's love, bringing hope in seemingly hopeless instances. 

The Convoy of Hope website describes some practical scenes from the devastation:

...Trees leaning at a 45 degree angle, cars wrapped around telephone poles, the smell of sea water and molding wood, a general stillness from the grief of what was lost …

Convoy has been responding this week in Fort Myers, Florida — an area that suffered a 12-foot storm surge from Category 4 Hurricane Ian.

The article continued:

The area, which is about 3 feet above sea level, was hit by the eye of the storm and seems to have suffered the most damage in Florida. Homes there are either flattened or blown through. Cars and motorhomes have washed up into yards. One man said his neighbor’s boat washed into the yard across the street.

There are remnants of daily life caked in mud on the ground: deodorant, a book on accounting, old VHS tapes, Christmas decorations, old clothes, and keepsakes. A pile of around 25 pairs of shoes sit at the end of a driveway, ranging from adult swim shoes to children’s sandals — evidence of a family’s memories spanning years.

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team has sent chaplains in to bring hope. The Billy Graham website notes:

Mobile Ministry Centers—40-ft. custom trucks that the BG-RRT deploys to disaster and emergency scenes across America, which have their purpose printed on them: “Sharing Hope in Crisis”—will provide a safe space for chaplains to comfort and help people.

Josh Holland, International Director of the Team, stated: “We know that Hurricane Ian is one of the strongest storms in Florida’s history,” adding, “As we learn of its magnitude, our hearts are heavy and we are earnestly praying for the people in the path of this hurricane."

Its sister organization, Samaritan's Purse, reported that, "Teams started work on Saturday, Oct. 1, and have already begun to mud-out flooded homes, cut downed trees, remove debris, and tarp roofs." John Boutchia is the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Englewood, which is one of the host churches for Samaritan's Purse response; he related: "I've lived here for over 30 years and I've seen many hurricanes during that time. But this by far is the worst we've seen in this part of Florida. Many of our church members had to shelter at the church, many had their homes damaged or destroyed...After an event like this it's hard to know what to do next. Samaritan's Purse has been a blessing. It's been so good for our community."

Troy Miller, President and CEO of National Religious Broadcasters, told Fox Digital, in a story that was published last Friday...

"A number of our members are broadcasting and operating their ministries in the area affected by Hurricane Ian, and we are keeping them, and all those in the path of this storm, in prayer as the storm develops," he said.

"We also have member organizations who are currently on the ground being the hands and feet of Jesus — bringing support and meeting the needs of the community throughout this emergency."

This is key - I talked about spiritual readiness earlier this week, and whether it be churches in the affected regions of Florida and the Carolinas, or Christian organizations who are working in the impacted areas, we are seeing the body of Christ at work, as people are willing to give of themselves, just as Jesus gave of Himself.

And, people are operating in different capacities - whether it be the ministry of presence of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team or the physical labor of Convoy of Hope or Operation Blessing. There are those who serve meals, provide housing, and do a variety of other functions. Through the leadership of the Holy Spirit, God is working powerfully through His people, who play a significant role in bringing restoration.