On A Mission

One of the most profound experiences of my life was going to Cedar Rapids after the flood and working with three other adults, two young people, and a crew from VISTA volunteers, to reclaim the lower level of a home that was a rental. The home owner was there working side by side with us. He was already 5 weeks into the demolition, but it was very slow going and he was overwhelmed. The home of his father-in-law had also been badly damaged by the flood, and this man's priorities were clear. However, the rental was income property which represented a considerable loss. Leaving at 5:00 AM we arrived at the Volunteer Center about 9 and were instructed as to the work and the hazards we would be facing that day. Masks were absolutely essential. When we left, the clothes and shoes we wore would be history - for fear of contamination by molds and bacteria - a zoological circus of nasties. By 10 AM we were onsite and began the work by by tearing out walls and hauling debris to the window. Our two minors were not permitted in the house, but they pulled their weight (and then some) by hauling the debris laden tarps from under the windows to the curb.
Kris and Steve were well familiar with equipping and
being well prepared for mission trips. They have taken
youth to Kentucky a number of trips. They provided ample leadership for the rest of us newbies. They brought the tools that were needed, the lunch, snacks, beverages, and plenty of water for this engagement. It was wonderful to work with seasoned pros. The Salvation Army came by on two occasions with food and drink for volunteers but we
were already well supplied.
It was also a joy to work along side youth from all over
the country serving in VISTA. From Seattle to Connecticut,
New Jersey, and Wisconsin, they devoted a summer to
volunteer work. I was impressed and encouraged about
America's youth and the future by their efforts that day.
It gave us great satisfaction to see the deep and genuine gratitude of the home owner for the work accomplished which would have taken him weeks, perhaps months to do himself. By 4 in the afternoon, we had yanked the last nail, pulled down the last plaster, and swept the last pile of dust. We were done and done in, packed up up and on the road home. However we made a short detour to visit Parkersburg, another disaster hit hometown. Streets were labeled by refrigerator box cardboard signs. The tornado took much of the community aloft. But they are rebuilding again.
I thought about this today because Hurricane Ike has struck with monstrous fury. Our photographer daughter, son-in-law, and their family have a home in the path of Ike's destruction. They left safely before it hit. But they don't know yet what they are going home to...what is left of their house, or their neighborhood, or their community. So we keep them and all those affected by this monstrous storm in prayer. If necessary, I will again assemble the troops and head south on a mission trip near and dear to my heart - this time, my own family.
I will never forget the look of relief and gratitude, the tears of the home owner when we finished that day. It was the first good day he had in five weeks. Thank you Lord.
Between the bare posts and through the glass-less window frames, he saw hope.