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 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.)
No comments:
Post a Comment