Pictures from Hammond, IN.

See the recap of the Do Something overnight in Hammond, IN.

Disaster relief and the lesson of waiting

"For everything there is a season..." I hear The Byrds singing "turn, turn, turn..." in my mind, every time I think about this fact. This is a lesson that I have been learning in so many areas of my life. I have even been learning that this lesson applies to the very things that God, himself, calls us to do.

In his letter to the Ephesians the apostle Paul tells us, "For we are his [God's] workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2:10). I spent a good portion of my life searching out these good works, then just as soon as I think they are revealed to me I charge ahead, sometimes recklessly, in order to do them.

I have been learning that just because God has prepared good works for us to do, doesn't mean we need to, can, or even should do them all right away. I have been learning the art taking a good, long, deep breath, and waiting. This very important lesson has only just started to sink in from all the times I've banged on doors thinking that these were the doors that were supposed to be opened up to me; just to find that these very doors were locked for a purpose.

It may seem odd that the "DO SOMETHING" coordinator would speak against her attitude of charging forward to do good works, and instead say we need to wait. But, the reality is that everything in our lives has a time, and sometimes the best thing we can do for those who are hurting is to pray and wait for God's timing.

Sometimes there are lessons we need to learn before we can be effectively used by God in a certain place or circumstance. Sometimes it is just a matter of opportunities not being available at the time we think we're supposed to help. And, sometimes the waiting is necessary to make sure that the work continues when everyone has forgotten about those in need.

Heard anything about Haiti lately? What about Louisiana? or Myanmar (formerly Burma)? With the dawn of a new natural disaster every year and sometimes it feels like every month, we often forget about all those who are still in need.

Do Something is about to lead a trip back into Hammond, IN where almost three years ago a flood displaced thousands from their homes. This opportunity came to us as a result of the Adult Mission Trip this summer. We tried to get into Joplin, MO right after the tornadoes hit, but we couldn't get in without medical training. So we went to lend a hand in Indiana instead.

Coincidence or not, there was still plenty of work to do in Hammond, and only a small contingent of volunteers to help. So many had forgotten that there was even a flood in this area, others didn't realize any work left to do because the initial clean up was finished. The work is not finished. There are still families that need help to make their homes complete again.

Now less than a month before the 3 year anniversary of this flood we are headed back on August 19th - 20th to help finish the disaster relief that was started under LARRI (Lakeshore Area Regional Recovery of Indiana).

Please pray for our team as we prepare to continue the work in Hammond. Also please pray for those families still waiting for their homes to be restored completely after such a long wait. Finally, pray for guidance in what works God has prepared beforehand for you to do, and ask Him if you should still be waiting or if it is time to act? Only His timing is perfect.