Thank you is the best description that can be given to each and every person that has helped and continues to help in the April 16, 2011 storm cleanup. I am absolutely amazed at the outpouring of people's time and efforts to help those in need. To many, the people in need of assistance were complete strangers, but that did not stop anyone.
As you drive around the Raleigh, specifically the Wake Crossroads area, signs of devastation are everywhere you look. You can see countless numbers of blue tarps over roofs as homeowners try to protect their damaged homes from the weather. Piles of debris on the sides of streets can been seen for blocks as well as small pieces of debris still all over. You seen hundreds if not thousands of pine trees that have been snapped 15 feet off of the ground by the tornadoes.
Even with all of this damage, many have lending helping hands. Soon after the storm, a wonderful organization came to the area to setup a temporary 'home base" to provide disaster relief to those in need. Samaritan's Purse setup at Wake Cross Roads Baptist Church (WCRBC). Communications via phone, web, email and word of mouth were sent out to the WCRBC family asking for volunteers to come and help. The response was simply overwhelming. Many in the community brought hygiene kits for those who came to the church to take a hot shower. Others simply arrived at the church each day to volunteer with Samaritan's Purse to go out into the community and help with the cleanup efforts.
What a great example of being the hands of feet of Jesus! Amazing stories of God's grace have been shared.
Personally there were three separate instances where I was able to help last week. The first was the Sunday after the storms. Due to large (and I mean large) trees being down at that church that knocked down power lines, there was no power at the church. Sunday services were cancelled. Instead of just staying home, my wife and I went to help a fellow member of our Sunday school class. This home was right where the tornado went through. Several trees were down all over the place. Soon after we arrived, there were approximately 20 from the church who also arrived to helped. There was not a single moment where anyone complained. Each and every person was exactly where they wanted to be helping a family in need. Just amazed!
Another instance was on a Wednesday evening. The student ministry at WCRBC was going to the McKinley Mill subdivision to serve dinner to those affected. The large grill was setup on Serendipity Dr. for anyone who needed a meal. Several students were in attendance along with many adults. Groups went around the neighborhood to simply spend time with those in need and to love, pray and care for them. I probably helped serve about 40 plates that night and it was such a blessing to be there and see the joy on the face of those in need.
Finally I had the opportunity to volunteer last Friday with Samaritan's Purse. Every volunteer is given an orange shirt to wear to identify the organization they are working with. You can see a picture of the shirt in this blog post. This was also Good Friday, so more than the normal amount of volunteers were here this day. A total of 175 people showed up that morning to volunteer....amen to that! Everyone was divided into approximately 10 teams and then headed to a home to help. The group I was with went to an area back off of a road that was heavily wooded. Once we arrived, it was hard to describe how many pine trees were down in this yard. There were 3 guys running chainsaws continuously while everyone else was hauling debris into piles or onto the back of a trailer to be hauled off into a field. After about 3 hours we were done. A special moment was when we finished. Samaritan's Purse will present a leather bound bible to each person they assist. Each volunteer will sign their name and favorite scripture verse on the inside cover. It was then presented to the homeowner. You could see the tears of joy in her eyes. We then all held hands in a circle and said a prayer before we were on our way back to the church.
Once back at the church we had a Good Friday service held by the pastors at WCRBC. That was truly amazing to be a part of as all of the volunteers and several church members attended.
I am just in awe of the love, kindness and support so many have poured out this past week and half. Again, thank you is all I can say. Thank you Samaritan's Purse, thank you WCRBC, thank you to everyone taking the time to read this.
