Back Home Again

Yes, I know it's been a while. I was supposed to be in NJ from Oct.14 to Oct 24. Then Wilma threatened south Florida and my flight was cancelled and rescheduled. Then Wilma swept through south Florida and my flight was cancelled again. Dear husband rode out the storm bravely by himself but did call me during the hurricane to tell me that we might lose our patio. The windows were shaking badly and he did all he could to secure them. Fortunately for us, my husband, the Duct Tape poster boy, saved the day with his creative taping - not to mention God's favor was with us. We didn't lose any windows at all.

I arrived back in Florida on Friday night, five days after the storm hit, and couldn't believe what I saw - or didn't see because the city was in darkness, no traffic lights were working, fallen trees lined the sidewalks and blocked some streets. There were over four million customers without electric and there are thousands of homes that have been declared unfit for habitation.

On Sunday morning we went to early service and heard that Samaritan's Purse set up a station in the Church parking lot and was looking for volunteers to help people hit hard by Wilma.
My husband and I volunteered that morning and reported for duty on Monday. We joined the work crews that put tarps on roofs for people, to keep them dry and safe, and cleared away trees that had been knocked down. We also distributed water and ice, gave Bibles, signed by each volunteer, to the homeowner and asked if we could pray with and for them before leaving. To my knowledge, not one person declined to pray.

We spent every day but one last week working with Samaritans Purse. I went out with the crews 2 days and the other three days I became the "Girl Friday" at the station in the parking lot. I answered the phones and filled out work orders for people who needed a tarp on their roof, helped distribute tarps and materials to install the tarps to people as they came for them, processed volunteers for the work crews, etc. It was one of the most rewarding and blessed weeks I have spent in a long time. I listened as people told me their story of how they came through the storm and the loss they suffered. My husband went with the work crews each day.

Monday this week, I needed to catch up on all the house stuff - dear husband went one more day with the crew.

While trying to get back into the routine I realized that I really don't have a routine here. Each time I get back from NJ a new situation arises that takes most of my time and attention and the time flies.

So, I thank God that we are fine and our condo is intact even though there are so few beautiful trees left standing. I am thankful I haven't been electrocuted by the fallen power lines I have accidentally stepped on while walking. I am also thankful that my husband has this laptop with some sort of wireless connection through his cell phone which enables me to get online. We still don't have cable and may not until the end of November. I have become so dependent on the internet, it's hard to live without it!

"When you pass through the waters I will be with you, and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." Isaiah 43:2