September 10 – “Helping … one family at a time”

Yesterday morning Chris and I sat in our respective chairs with our cups of coffee chatting about our day, and Chris commented, “I was hoping to take today and not do anything related to hurricane relief.  But it appears our day is already filling up rapidly.”  “With what?” you may ask …

I had to make a connection with the new representative of the North American Mission Board over at First Baptist Church.  He had called the church about using the retreat center as a backup housing facility for volunteers as they come into the area to help.  Well, it seems we are “farther away” than they at first thought from the command center at First Baptist.  But they will give us a call if they ever need us.  Well, OK.  Well, speaking of OK, I understand we have a group from Oklahoma interested in coming down here to do some work.  I think I might know of a place for you guys to stay.

Next we located a family from Hitchcock that we knew from Kel’s boys were playing baseball there.  They had been displaced from the house they had been renting by high flood waters.  Even though it was a rental, they spent hours, and Kel and Jachin even helped some, tearing out sheetrock and in general doing all they could to get the house ready for contractors.  Now they are in a holding pattern until the repairs are all made.  Their two older kids go to school in Hitchcock.  The two-year-old twins’ day care is there.  He works up on the mainland.  They found a temporary place to stay here on the island, so we got them some supplies of food and diapers from the church stash.  We also stopped by Walmart.  I wanted to get some little token for each of the kiddos.  Their oldest, a 17 year-old daughter, got one of those adult coloring books and some colored pencils.  Their junior high son received a pack of baseball and a pack of football cards.  One twin got a fire truck and the other a police cruiser.  And in each of their gift bags was a secret envelope with $20 in it.  Mom and Dad got some of the relief and recovery money from the church as well. 

Helping … one family at a time.

We received a FedEx delivery yesterday.  It was a box addressed to “Vaughan’s Hotel and Laundry.”  Perplexed and intrigued, Cailyn helped me open it up.  Inside we found assorted candies, nuts, cheese and crackers from the far off (El Paso), appreciative relative of the Boyer’s, the family we housed for a time after the storm.  Thank you so much, Mrs. Lorita for your thank you gift.  Believe me, it was a pleasure having your brood join with ours. 

Last night, on the way to a wedding, I saw the almost immediate aftermath of a wreck on the seawall.  It involved a truck and a motorcycle.  The fire department hadn’t yet arrived, but lots of Good Samaritans were blocking traffic, and administering what appeared to me to be proper care for the lady on the street.  She seemed alert and in good hands.  A police car was arriving as I passed, so I lifted a prayer and kept my vehicle well out of the way. 

Psalms 106:1 says, “Praise the Lord!  Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.”

Father, please bring healing to those injured in the wreck.  Thank you for the positives that the Pruden family is experiencing after the flood.  Help them to get back home.  Amen.