Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Tornado of 2011 Now What

On June 1st Western MA was devestated by a tornado, the first in over 70 years.  The landscape of  Springfield, West Springfield, Wilbraham and     Monson has been changed for ever.  Those of us from Western MA who watched the tornado and it's aftermath on  television were stunned and amazed.  Those who were huddled in their basement holding on to their loved ones and praying were also stunned and amazed.  Stunned that in just a few moments much of their worldly possesions were scattered for miles and that their home was no longer on its foundation and amazed that they had crawled out of the rubble alive.

Watching the aftermath of a disaster from a distance will move you with emotion, but standing in the aftermath will bring you to your knees.

I am honored to be working with a group of Christian men, women and children from various churchs that spread out in work teams with chain saws, rakes and hearts for service.

Prepared with tools to cut trees, trim branches and rake debis I assended on the ravaged neighborhood believing that the "S" on my chest and the chain saw in my hand would actually make a dent.  But as I was driving through what remained of a neighborhood my "S" faded and my chain saw seemed as a spoon to empty the ocean.
I just stood in the rubble, took a deep breath to hold back the tears and dug in.   Sometimes the homeowners join in, sometimes they just stare with a blank expression.  They have been at this for days, often alone.
What do say as you stand with them in a pile of what  was their life?  "How are you"" seems foolish.  Should you ask them the same questions that they have already been asked many times? Should you ask, "how can I be of help"?  Sometimes in life there are no adequate words.  My Dad taught me that you shouldn't speak unless you can improve on the silence .....at this moment that is sound advise

I decided just to introduce myself and stand with them, often in silence, visually review the mess and start to work, just go ahead and start like I knew what I was doing.

The Bible also has sound advise for this situation, Paul said   "Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep".  Romans 12:15  This was the scripture that kept coming to mind.  Often the victims wanted to tell you how lucky or blessed or fortunate they were to be alive and so, standing in the mist of their life you rejoice with them.  Often  you could see desperation and fear in their eyes so you just stand and weep with them. 

It's kind of like going to the wake of someone that you never knew.  You are among people who have suffered a loss looking at a life laid out before them but you have no connection to the death.  So you just weep with them.

I am glad to report that we did make a dent after all.  But it was not the "S" on our chest that made the difference.  It was the heart in our chest that had the most effect.  We cleared many trees and picked up tons of debris but often the most important thing we did was to show up.

Milestone has also been providing needed supplies to the hundreds of families who are now living in a shelter because their home was destroyed.  If you would like to help you can donate on line at http://www.milestoneministry.org/.  100% of your donation will be used for the victims....no fuzzy math.

You can also help with prayer.  Just pray for restoration and deliverance.  God will respond.
 

No comments: