September 9 – “Can you hear me now?”

Well, well, well.  Three active hurricanes at the same time, following an already devastating fourth.  Fires encompassing the entire Northwest.  And now an earthquake in Mexico.  One would think Somebody is trying to get our attention …

Chris headed to far northwest Houston yesterday.  She had to return a Bible study that the ladies last used and see about picking up another one.  What was anticipated to be about an hour and a half trip turned into two and a half hours … one way.  Not so much damage as just slow going.  And then when she arrived she found out that she didn’t have all the parts that went with the study.  She arranged to find them and get them back as soon as possible. 

Meanwhile, I went to Seaside to start work on sorting the new donations.  We had to adjust some things to work with the homeschool music co-op, since it was their day in the buildings.  They were great about everything, though.  They even encouraged us in our efforts.  One lady stopped me on her way home because she had been asked by a friend in the Northeast (Connecticut, I think she said) if she knew of a place where they could send some donations.  She asked if she could give them my contact information, so we may be hearing from them in the future.

We found out we have yet another leak at Seaside.  This one is in the retreat center over one of the bathrooms.  One of the ceiling tiles accumulated enough water to break and fall.  It also looks like there may be some early stage mold as well.  Cathy will be tracking down our insurance agent.  Oh, and we also got a report that two of the air conditioners upstairs didn’t seem to be working very well.  Our resident AC specialist has been notified, and we are on his already busy list.  Thanks, Lynn.

So back to the sorting efforts.  I mean “effort” when I say that, too.  I was exhausted when I got home, and I am still sore this morning.  Around 9:15 a.m. to about 4 p.m.  But I was not alone.  Lauren was there before me, and Dianne arrived soon after, as did Sam.  Before the end of the day we had 8 or 10 different people who had pitched in some kind of help.  And boy did we need it.  We have an awfully lot of clothes for having made an appeal not to bring clothes.  Almost an entire roomful.  It is deceptively hard work to sort clothes and supplies, especially since we had to rearrange everything, setting up more tables.  Why all the effort?  Well, we have another trailer full of supplies due to arrive on Sunday from Oklahoma.  We needed a place to put whatever comes then. 

We had a few folks stop by and ask for some help, so they had an opportunity to go shopping.  I listened to the phone messages from the week.  One was from Lighthouse Church here in Galveston.  They have found themselves to be a distribution center as well, so they wanted to know if we wanted to share resources and swap back and forth as needed.  Made me think back to trading baseball cards when I was a kid.  Absolutely we’ll get into that relationship.  Lauren took their number and will make that call.  I also got a call from the on-site guy from the North American Mission Board group staging out of First Baptist Church in Galveston.  They are supposed to get volunteer boots on the ground starting Monday.  He wants to get together and take a look at the retreat center as a possible site for overflow housing for volunteers.  Apparently his boss was the guy who looked at it last week.  I’ll have to connect with him later on today. 

Oh, and speaking of later on, when Chris got back from Houston and came out to the church, she reminded me that I had a wedding rehearsal last night.  Now I knew about it, but that was the farthest thing from my mind all day.  Good thing she got there.  I made it to the rehearsal with time to spare.  It promises to be a fun wedding, too.  The groomsmen are a bunch of clowns (Not literally, but they sure can make people laugh), so we’ll make this one interesting. 

Matthew 6:31-33 says, “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Father, thank you for the hope that comes with knowing help is on the way.  Keep the volunteers safe as they travel here and healthy as they begin work.  Oh, and could you watch over Florida as well?  And Mexico?  And the Northwest?  I know it’s a tall order, but you are certainly a “tall” God.  Amen.