Hurricane Relief
Jesus asked him a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was deeply hurt that he had asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” So he told him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you!” Jesus told him, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:17
Like so many of you I’ve watched the news over the past two/three weeks and seen the destruction and devastation that has come to so many in the wake of these massive storms. The rising water and the destruction caused by the violent wind were both unbelievable and heartbreaking. I think of families who have returned to their homes and found just piles of rubble; families in Texas where all their belongings were just piled on the street with everything damaged beyond repair. It is hard for me to even imagine what that must feel like. I can only imagine it comes with a sense of grief and being overwhelmed and feelings of being all alone and not even being sure where to begin to rebuild your life.
I shared the other day on Facebook an article that Shawn had posted that had been written by a reporter for USA Today newspaper. The article was how our government agency FEMA partners with faith based groups in order to serve people who have been faced with disasters. I was so pleased to see that the United Methodist Church was right in the mix of other faith based groups that work alongside our government to help bring relief and hope to folks in distress.
Wright’s Chapel has been a part of that effort as we have collected flood bucket supplies and donated money to help folks who are now trying to cleanup after the storm. Thank you to everyone who was able to donate supplies and money to help give some hope to those whose lives were devastated. One family in our church got real creative and invited the school they are a part of to join them in the collection effort. Our youth will be putting together even more buckets when they meet on Sunday evening this week. All of the supplies we collect will be gathered with supplies from other United Methodist Churches in VA and tractor trailers will be sent to the affected areas for disbursement. I’ve also had folks ask me if we will be going south to help in the cleanup effort and to work alongside residents as they try and put their lives back together like we did after Katrina. I suspect we will, but we are waiting until those areas are ready for us to come so that we don’t cause more trouble. The cleanup effort will take a long time and those whose lives have been turned upside down will need to have disciples who are willing to stand by them and walk with them as they rebuild
We at Wright’s Chapel want to follow the command Christ gave Peter so long ago – we want to feed HIS sheep. There are so many folks that are now starving for the nourishment Christ offers. As we put our faith into action we answer the question Jesus asked Peter and the questions Jesus is still asking his disciples today, “Do you love me?”
