September 30 – “A Tale of Two Families”

We got a little more feedback about some of the families we have been trying to help.  One of our Seasiders invited her new friend over for dinner.  We had sent a volunteer team over to the friend’s sister’s house to help with mucking out and general demo.  Word is the sister will finally get around $30,000 from FEMA to complete repairs.  That does sound like a happy ending, doesn’t it?

Well, on the other hand, the new friend – the one who recommended us to her sister in the first place – was completely denied any assistance at all from FEMA.  They had no flood insurance, and every scrap of sheetrock had to be removed, including the ceilings.  I remember those days very well as we dealt with Hurricane Ike’s aftermath.  But here’s the thing.  Unlike the offsite housing we were blessed with, this family is living in the house, as is.  The husband and sons are working on it as they get off work and school, and as they have available funds.  The husband has already taken a second job to make some more money for materials.  They have the skills to make the repairs happen, but just not much time or finances.  One of our Seasiders is making plans to help as he can.  They have been encouraged to appeal the FEMA decision.  Oh, and not that it matters in terms of helping, but it certainly does in terms of eternal significance … these are Muslim families.

So here we are.  Our new crossroads, I guess.  Figuring out how best to distribute the donations we are receiving.  And then there is discovering what avenues of actual volunteer physical help for building may be available, and matching it with the needs that we come into contact with, of which the story above is just one example.  There are still Pastor Domingo’s church and the homes in Alvin and the homes in Dickinson and the homes of the Galveston fire fighters and the homes in Lake Jackson.  And all this is just our tiny little corner of the devastation.  There’s a great life lesson there.  One of my favorites, in fact: “Don’t do nothing because you can’t do it all.  Do what you can do.”

1 John 2:3-6 says, “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.  The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”

Father, be with these families as they navigate through the rough waters ahead of them.  And give us wisdom to distribute wisely the donations we are receiving.  Amen.