February 22 – “Aftermath”

We had quite the lively crowd in church yesterday.  The singing in particular was robust.  I think maybe everybody was celebrating more than just dinner on the grounds day or the end of the Esther series.  They were happy to have awakened to a temperature out of the 20’s … or 30’s … or even 40’s.  We were back into the 50’s and it was feeling almost warm outside.  Definitely something to celebrate.

 

We had to rope off one of the bathrooms – the one underneath the busted pipe.  As it turned out, there was still just the tiniest bit of a leak happening.  Just enough that if you did use that bathroom, you would be treated to a shower as well.  Everyone was gracious about the inconvenience.  We used the bathroom on the other side of the church. 

 

We received word midway through the service that Galveston and then Jamaica Beach had both declared the boil water notice to be over, so we were more than good to go for dinner on the grounds.  Folks had to wash their dishes at home instead of in the church sink, but that was a small price to pay for the much-needed fellowship.  And every case of water that was donated was gone by the time the morning was over, with much gratitude. 

 

We discovered later that many people were still having trouble in their homes.  As they turned the water back on, they found pipes they never knew existed had burst.  Plumbers and local handymen were running themselves ragged.  Fortunately for us, our volunteer plumber was able to repair the leak at the church.  As I understand it, later this week he plans to turn the water back on to the retreat center and make sure we have no leaks there. 

 

It is always a risk to say the crisis is over, but we are supposed to have a few days here of really nice weather.  That should help give folks time to catch up on repairs and cleaning out of houses that were water damaged.  Thank you to all who cooperated in one way or another to help each other, both within the church and in your own neighborhoods.  I’m proud of you.

 

Psalms 133:1-3 says, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!  It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.  It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.  For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.”

 

Father, thank you for the expressions of love and compassion we saw over the course of this crazy cold wave.  Please bless those who are helping and pave the way for all the repairs and unexpected remodels to be completed quickly and efficiently.  Amen.