"I just retired a couple of years ago. We paid off all of our debt and were enjoying life. Now today we are homeless."
Those three sentences should never be in the same paragraph.
I walked toward his home to assess the damage and to consider how we could help. Walking into his living room the floor was buckled and the stench was overwhelming.
I looked into his eyes and could see the pain etched in the lines in his face. His wife sat in the truck and watched as we surveyed the damage.
Oakville, Iowa will never be the same again.
For those of us who have come to help, we will never be the same either.
Today was a day filled with many experiences. The temperature was in the high 90's and the heat index made it feel over 100.
We are divided into two teams.
One team is working in the home of a man who recently lost his wife in a tragic car accident. He now has lost his home and he has also lost his job due to the floods. Those three events should never be in the same lifetime.
The other team is working in the home of a man who has lived in the same house for over 60 years. He stands in the ruins of his home and longs for days gone by. He doesn't know whether he is going to stay or whether he is going to move somewhere else. Only time will tell.
I am also thankful for the other members of the team who have prepared meals, supported the site teams, and provided communication support for the team.
The day is over and weariness has set in. We have already eaten. We devoured 12 pounds of pot roast, nearly 10 pounds of mashed potatoes and nearly a quarter acre of green beans. Sleep is right around the corner and it is welcomed.
Tomorrow is another day and we are readying ourselves to "embrace grace!" in Oakville....just another part of God's Kingdom.
Those three sentences should never be in the same paragraph.
I walked toward his home to assess the damage and to consider how we could help. Walking into his living room the floor was buckled and the stench was overwhelming.
I looked into his eyes and could see the pain etched in the lines in his face. His wife sat in the truck and watched as we surveyed the damage.
Oakville, Iowa will never be the same again.
For those of us who have come to help, we will never be the same either.
Today was a day filled with many experiences. The temperature was in the high 90's and the heat index made it feel over 100.
We are divided into two teams.
One team is working in the home of a man who recently lost his wife in a tragic car accident. He now has lost his home and he has also lost his job due to the floods. Those three events should never be in the same lifetime.
The other team is working in the home of a man who has lived in the same house for over 60 years. He stands in the ruins of his home and longs for days gone by. He doesn't know whether he is going to stay or whether he is going to move somewhere else. Only time will tell.
I am also thankful for the other members of the team who have prepared meals, supported the site teams, and provided communication support for the team.
The day is over and weariness has set in. We have already eaten. We devoured 12 pounds of pot roast, nearly 10 pounds of mashed potatoes and nearly a quarter acre of green beans. Sleep is right around the corner and it is welcomed.
Tomorrow is another day and we are readying ourselves to "embrace grace!" in Oakville....just another part of God's Kingdom.
No comments:
Post a Comment