From One Crisis to Another

Well, folks, I'm home. After two months, many adventures, and countless learning opportunities in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, I am back in Idaho. I've been home a week now, and I thought it would be a slow, quiet week off where I can settle in and adjust to being home. Think again. 

Monday night a gigantic lightning storm hit our area and lit off countless wildfires. The drought like conditions this summer have made everything incredibly dry in Idaho. This, combined with high temperatures and lots of erratic wind made these fires take off. Every day since last Monday has brought worsened fire conditions and family after family evacuating their home. Friday and Saturday were the worst two days. The fire spread many miles in less than two hours Friday night, taking around 50 homes with it. We had several friends staying with us at our home, and many other friends at our neighbor's homes. Our home is in an area not yet threatened by the flames, so it was safe for people to take refuge here. I am thankful we were able to offer up our home as such. 

Idaho generally has a fire season in late summer. Wildfires and smoky, hazy conditions are not new to people who live here. What we don't normally see is neighborhoods and widespread communities threatened by the fires. The fires are usually out in State forest land, or some other fairly remote area. We are affected by them, but not endangered. To have several towns and the surrounding communities immediately affected and threatened by fire is new and difficult to manage. I am very thankful for the numerous fire crews, volunteer fire departments, and able bodied neighbors who have been (and continue to) give their time and energy to control and put out the fires. 

I have been delighted to see our community and people from so many other cities rise up and offer help. Countless donated items and food have been pouring in to help people who have lost their homes or who are helping to aid the fire crews. My own church forewent their service yesterday to rise up as the Body of Christ to GO and help wherever needed. People reaching out to house those who no longer have a home, and give what is needed to those who now have nothing but their lives. 

It has been a long week. It was hard to adjust to being home, and then switch gears to disaster mode. The mental and emotional strain has been difficult. But through it all, I have maintained that God is good. He is SO GOOD. Without Him, we all would have collapsed already. The fact that only ONE life has been lost so far can only be attributed to His mercy. Yes, it's hard. Yes, it's a terrible disaster and people have lost so much. Yes, it doesn't seem fair. But, He is still here. He has never left us and He never will. That's a promise. And I can't wait to see the grace, truth, restoration, redemption, and beauty that will rise out of these ashes. 

I know God has brought me from a summer internship with a Crisis Response ministry, to a crisis situation in my hometown for a purpose. None of this was accidental. His ways are so much higher and better than mine. Thank you, Jesus. 

I hope you will join me in praying for Idaho. 

*The fire is still active, pray that we can contain it soon.
*Pray for strength, energy, and wisdom in each person fighting the fire. Most are running on little rest and are already exhausted. 
*Peace and rest for people who have lost their homes. 
*Continued generosity within and without the community for those in need. 
*We are expecting a few more thunder storms this week; pray they do not light more fires.
*Pray for strength, compassion, and mercy in those volunteering to house people and animals, and those running the shelters and aid centers. 
* Pray the churches rise up in unity and grace to be the Body of Christ. 
*Pray for the vision to serve in coming months as God leads; to restore and redeem people's homes and lives in the name of Jesus.  

(The photos on this page are ones I took on Tuesday and Thursday. They barely show the extent of the damage. I haven't been in the most affected areas.)

 

NOLA: Last Week

Well, y'all, it's actually here. The last week, the last few days, the last hours of my summer in New Orleans, Louisiana. I am still absorbing and processing everything that happened the past two months, but I can tell you that I don't regret any of it. Every moment was crafted by God and orchestrated by His hands. 

This week has been low key and quiet. We are hosting a three person team from Illinois this week. Dave, Patti, and Ashley are so sweet and eager to help in any way they can. I got to spend my last jobsite day with them, at Scott Cull's home. I learned how to cut and put up drywall and played with mud! Mudding is harder than it looks (at least, Mark made it look easy!), but really fun to work with. At one point I was standing on a platform, sanding the ceiling, and singing along with the praise music we had playing. It was a quiet, peaceful moment to reflect and smile. 

Though this week was full of 'lasts', I have chosen to focus on what is right in front of me and smile/laugh at the memories that surface as I look back over the summer. I am learning to say "see ya later", rather than goodbye, in an effort to make the parting less sad. One of the greatest blessings this summer has been the many, many people who have crossed my path. Each one has touched me, taught me things, made me smile, made me grow, and helped me to know God better. The joy of relationship has been impressed onto my heart and has changed me in many ways. I now see how important relationships are and that God made us for relationships (especially deep ones). 

I see this summer as a launch pad or a springboard. God has brought me here for His purposes, and He is taking me away from here for His purposes. I will take the lessons, relationships, practical skills, and memories from this summer into every part of my life going forward. I want to posture myself in expectation of God's goodness and faithfulness; to banish fear and doubt, and live in strength and peace. I know this will be hard, especially as I transition back into the 'normal' routine of life, but I have every confidence that Jesus will keep me in every moment. My friend and mentor, Katie, shared these wise words with me for those times when I get discouraged:

1. Breathe

2. Remember God's faithfulness

3. Tell someone

Now that I've shared them, you are all free to tell me if you don't see me doing this! Sometimes I just need a slap in the face (or a kind word of advice... whatever works for you). 

 

I am so excited to come home and see all of y'all. I look forward to hearing your stories from the summer and sharing mine. My time here has taught me how to be a storyteller (but I'm still working on it). So if you are curious about what I did here in NOLA, lessons I learned, how to get involved yourself, or just have one random question that has been bugging you and you just have to ask, please, hit me up. I'd love to meet with you and share stories. :) 

Prayer requests: Safe travels home tomorrow (Saturday). A smooth transition into being home. The strength and courage to apply the things I've learned to my life at home. Continued strength, energy, and wisdom for the staff here as they finish out the summer run of teams. Chances for me to share my story. 

(The photos are a trip down memory lane. There were so many great moments this summer.)

 

NOLA: Expectations

The fabulous intern crew

We have this thing here, where we talk about expectations, and not having them. If you expect something to happen, or an event to work out in a certain way, and then it doesn't happen....naturally you are usually disappointed. Or angry. Or grumpy. Or nervous. On the flip side, if you leave your idea of the future open to whatever God might have in mind, you won't be disappointed! The only problem with this little idea is that expecting things is practically ingrained in us. It is pretty much impossible to have NO expectations. But we can have very few, or at least work to only expect God to do great things. Because that is one expectation that we can always afford to hold on to. :) 

That being said, here is a disclaimer. Hold on to the idea that God will do great things, BUT, don't hold on to one certain picture of what that could look like. The week before last was incredibly good. So was last week. But they were good in very different ways. One was full of new people, deeper relationships, full days of work, fun activities, and crazy living. This week was slower, more predictable, more 'normal', and to be honest, I was not very happy at the beginning. I really wanted my next to last week in Louisiana to be even more incredible than the one before it. So when it wasn't looking like the previous week did, I was disappointed. Praise Jesus I realized what I was doing early in the week.

 I realized that I was trying in my own strength to make this week great, and I was only copying something that God had already done. Who am I to try and out do the most creative being in existence?? God is the Creator of the universe, and looking back I can see He crafted a beautiful week for us all. It was full of deeper relationships, had its great moments, and its fair share of lessons. Most importantly, God was there, and He was continually reminding me of the fact that He is my provider, shepherd, and righteousness. 

I spent a lot of time on the work site last week; still Mr. Samson's house. We hosted a team from Laredo, TX and a team from Minnesota. Half of the Texas team was at my site. I really enjoyed getting to know these kind-hearted folks and hear their stories. Ryan (one of the interns/staff) leads the site at Samson's, and he has started having the team and staff members take turns sharing their testimonies at lunch while we are on the work site. By the end of the week, we have heard everyone's story of faith. I love hearing the volunteers share their stories and getting to share my story with them (trust me, this was not so at the beginning of the summer...:). It is incredible to watch people open up their lives to us and let us see what God has done. Sometimes it is painful, but it's always beautiful and powerful. 

Laredo team girls & Mr. Samson

On Friday I got to lead the work site! Ryan had to leave for Staten Island early Friday, and Jess was in Denver, so I got to step in a help. As far as work days go it was super easy (only half day, at the end of the week so the volunteers already had a rythym and knew what to do, and I know how to paint), but it was still a big responsibility to take on. Praise God, I gave it into His hands. I knew I couldn't do it alone. I also knew that He had equipped me already for this. Turns out I really enjoyed the day. I loved the new challenge and being able to guide and teach people all day. God gave me insight into a different aspect of this ministry, and it blew me away. Thanks God. :) 

This coming week is my last in Louisiana (for now ;). It is going to be a hard week, full of goodbyes and "see ya later"s. But it will also be a great week, full of Jesus and His sweet presence. I said farewell to Ryan, Nathan, and Tristan already (they are in Staten Island, NY this week), and I am thankful for the influence they have each been in my life this summer. That influence will continue to shape me as I walk along God's path. Thanks guys, for being a blessing in my life! 

 

(See, we can be serious too. ;)

Ways you can be involved: 

PRAY:
*Strength and grace in the coming weeks.
*Focus on the work Jesus has for me this week; not distracted by going home soon.
*Wisdom as I pray about what the future holds.
*Energy and resources for the staff as they finish out the summer run of teams.
*Continued faith in God as I walk forth in His will.

GO: 
*Consider bringing a team here to New Orleans, or Staten Island, NY. 
*Consider an internship-couple months or a year or two! 

GIVE:
All staff and interns are support funded. This means they raise financial support from friends and family like you so they can live in this ministry. Everyone is in need of continued support.

Just message/email/text me if you have any questions. I will answer them or put you in contact with someone who can! 

Reach Global Crisis Response Website

https://reachglobalcrisisresponse.wordpress.com/