As most of you know, it's been a bit crazy, tragic, and sad around these parts for the past week. West Virginia got hit by the worst flooding in 100 years, and it has devastated areas around us. We, on "the hill" are fine. No problems, but we have many friends who were/are affected, and it is sobering and sad to experience this with them. On the other hand, I have never, personally, seen so much outpouring of love, help and support in all my life. It reminds me of pics and videos we used to see about the aftermath of Katrina- but to experience it and see it first hand is something else, let me just tell you.
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| floodwater line at the bottom of our drive |
3 of the four roads into Lewisburg have been shut down due to parts of the road missing and swept away. It is a nightmare getting around Lewisburg! Things are slowly getting better, though. 3 of the 4 are now open - yay! But it's pouring here again today, with flash flood warnings.
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| road on the way to our church |
Our family has had the privilege and honor of being Christ's helpers by mucking out flood mud, tearing up carpeting and flooring, removing destroyed furnishings, salvaging what's left, helping to organize donations and supplies at police/fire stations, doing laundry for friends, offering prayer and support where needed. It is overwhelming, the needs of the people in this and surrounding areas. To be able to help just a little is humbling, and educational- it forces you to realize and prioritize what's truly important. We are not to store up treasures here on earth, but to value what is good, noble, true, right, praiseworthy. We are to look heavenward for what's important.
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| The kids helping out... |
Experiences like the flooding helps you to take stock and realize that it is all about your relationship with Christ, who is your Savior and is the ONLY way to God and heaven - and your family.
One of my friends we are helping- Rachel and her husband and daughter live on one of the worst hit streets in White Sulphur. The house across from hers was torn off its foundations and swept away, with 3 people inside who were later found dead. The neighbor down the street's house burned to the ground while being flooded, and his nephew's house next door blew up, and then floated away, blowing his wife into a tree. She later died in the hospital, succumbing to her burns. 8 of the 11 homes on the street behind her are gone...gone. People's possessions are in piles in front of what's left of their homes, waiting to be picked up and thrown out.
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| Rachel's house |
They are overwhelmed and saddened by all they've lost, but know what's important.
And the outpouring of love and support makes me cry (and most of you know, I don't cry that much!) To see people going door-to-door, offering hot meals, fresh water, cleaning supplies, the gospel and prayer- whatever these people need to help them get started on the aftermath- is unbelievable. God is good!
Help is going to be necessary for a long time. It will be months before those whose businesses and homes survived get things straight. And permanent homes found for those who lost everything. And it will never be the same for those who lost loved ones. My heart breaks for so many.
Please, please please.... keep praying. Even when things have died down, and other news stories bigger than this come out. Even when the sun shines and things seem bright and beautiful where you are - please remember to say a prayer for those still struggling.
On a lighter note- it was joyful to celebrate E's 14th birthday! I can hardly believe his journey. It is such a privilege and blessing to watch him grow into such a nice person. He loves Christ, his family, his friends, and life. He is enjoying learning and is so curious- and is so sensitive to injustices. He is a sensitive, sweet young person, and I am so blessed to be able to say I am his mom. Thank you, God, for my boy.
