Every Storm Needs a Helper
Mark 4:35-41
In life's storms, we struggle with uncertainty. Like the disciples, our fear increases with the strong winds and high waves. We cry out for help from a flooded boat and hope Jesus is not asleep on the pillow, again.
Whatever storm we are facing right now; rest assured that Jesus is at the stern of the boat. Our Prince of Peace abides with us and can calm the roughest of seas.
Mister Rogers once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'”
Over the years, I have witnessed the helpers; the humble servants who go toward tragedy, comfort the hurt, and serve the needy. Compassionate individuals who wait in the silence and sit in the pain. Despited the difficult circumstance, these people keep calling, keep praying, and keep showing up.
In light of the recent floods in Western North Carolina, I recall past flood relief mission trips to Rocky Mount, North Carolina (2000), Cedar Rapids, Iowa (2009) and Staten Island, New York (2013 and 2014). While serving on these mission trips, the Lord transformed my fervent prayers into serving on teams with actions of hope.
Prior to the 2009 trip, many Virginians asked, "Why are you going to Iowa?" Most people on the East Coast had not heard about the 2008 midwestern flood. More than likely it was because the flood damage did not occur from a catastrophic hurricane, but rather two heavy back-to-back rainfalls in June; however, our church knew a family from Cedar Rapids. All year long, we had prayed for them and the town's recovery efforts. I told my neighbors about the damage in Iowa and how our prayers had led us there.
We worked hard in Iowa. Twenty-five youth and adults gutted out homes during the day and went to bed early at night. Many neighbors stopped by the job sites and said, “Thank you.” One homeowner told us how he had felt forgotten over the past year. We listened to their stories and learned about their losses.
One afternoon, I sat on the porch with two homeowners and Cindy Corell, an adult advisor and journalist for the Staunton News Leader. Her insightful questions and listening posture led the homeowners to reveal difficult flood stories and hard truths about the recovery efforts.
The next day, a neighbor visited our job site and handed over a one-hundred dollar bill to Cindy. He told her to treat our group to ice cream. Later that day before taking a shower, I drove by the local ice cream shop and noticed the daytime hours posted next to the shop's glass door. I went inside looking disheveled and met the shop's owners. I spoke about our mission team along with the recent sweet treat donation from a kind neighbor. The owners deeply appreciated our service in their community and opened their shop the following evening, just for us.
On the last night, we ate at the Olive Garden Italian Restaurant. Our group of nineteen youth and five adults waited for the hostess to seat us at multiple tables. While we waited, a few friendly strangers struck up a conversation with our teenagers. The youth spoke about their Virginia home and their weeklong mission work with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA). Toward the end of the meal, the Olive Garden manager approached our adult table and said he had heard about our service in the community and wanted to thank our group for serving in Iowa. Then, he informed us that the cost of our meal had been paid for by several appreciative town folks dining within the restaurant. We were stunned and beyond grateful!
Service is a gift that keeps on giving. During our 2009 mission trip, service ebbed and flowed between the Iowa residents and our Virginia mission team. We complemented each other with gifts of hard work, deep appreciation, and faithful generosity.
Years later, after countless natural disasters, I remember Cindy Corell, now PC(USA) Mission Co-Worker, saying, "Mother nature is fair; she strikes everywhere.”
Servants like Cindy remind us that although we prefer a problem-free life, for most of us, this is not a reality. We live in a fragile world where we depend upon God and one another to overcome challenges and persevere through hardships.
God brings good out of life's storms. The Lord's peaceful presence is always near and calls us to be a helper. Let our prayers shape our hearts and lead us to serve hurting people who desire strength for today and hope for tomorrow.
If you would like to serve on a flood relief mission trip, learn more at Presbyterian Disasters Assistance.
In Western North Carolina entire rural communities and small towns are gone. Houses will need to be rebuilt and others mucked out. Volunteers will be needed, but for now the best way to help is with prayer and donations.
The Rev. Kathy Beach, Pastor at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock recommends supporting all Watauga County nonprofits with donations like Wine to Water, Hospitality House, Hunger and Health, Children's Council, and F.A.R.M. Cafe.
Feed All Regardless of Means (F.A.R.M.) Cafe is located on King Street in Downtown Boone. The sandbags kept the Cafe dry during the storm and the nonprofit has resumed feeding and helping the community. F.A.R.M. Cafe operates out of a building once called Boone Drug; a place where my dad made frequent visits for a cup of coffee and catching up on the town news with the locals. The Cafe relies on a 90% volunteer staff and strives to build a healthy and inclusive community by providing high quality and delicious meals produced from local sources, served in a restaurant where everybody eats, regardless of means. Learn more and donated funds at https://farmcafe.org
Water Mission
The Rev. Dr. Jeff Smith, Pastor at First Presbyterian Church (FPC) in Boone, North Caroline recommends supporting Water Mission. FPC is partnering with Water Mission to supply water and generators to neighbors who don’t have power and who won’t have power for a long time. Water Mission is operating out of FPC now and will be air dropping supplies and generators in areas that aren’t able to be reached. Also, they are setting up water treatment systems in Boone, Black Mountain, and in the Linville area to provide safe and clean drinking water for those affected. Learn more and donate funds at https://watermission.org.
Montreat Conference Center
Support recovery efforts at Montreat Conference Center by praying through updates and making donations at https://montreat.org
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Thank you for your beautiful and encouraging words, April. It’s good to know how we can help.