Hurrican Ian Mission ReCap
On November 15th-19th I traveled to Florida, along with Nicole Calvert and Kim Covert, to provide disaster relief through Samaritan’s Purse. When we got back, I was asked by our lovely Mission Directors if I would like to write a summary of our mission trip. There’s just one problem with that…I don’t even know where to start! I don’t know that I can possibly summarize any of it.
I cannot adequately put into words the way God called us to serve and then moved mountains to get us there to Florida, not once but twice (our second team leaves Dec 6th). He provided for us financially; not just with monetary provisions but also with an air mattress we needed so we all had a bed at our host location.
There is not a decent way to summarize the work we did. We worked on 8 properties in 3 days…everything from yard debris removal, to pulling up old wood floors, and completing full muck outs (cutting drywall, gutting kitchens & bathrooms, etc.). While it was just a drop in the bucket in comparison to what is left to be done there, it was very impactful for those we served. To them, we lifted enormous bourdons from their shoulders.
How do I recant the testimonies people shared with us in just a few typed lines? We heard such incredible stories of how God acted in the lives of those we helped…how he kept them safe during the storms, especially the ones that didn’t get to evacuate. It still brings tears to my eyes! Any of us would be happy to share these stories with you in person, just ask.
How can I possibly summarize the overall impact? Seven weeks after hurricane Ian hit and so many have yet to get any work done, have not had a call or a visit from an insurance adjuster. There just aren’t enough services to go around. Some businesses were closed temporarily, others were completely gone. It was surreal to see all the damage and debris… to those living on the other side of the country, it seemed to be just a ‘blip’ on the news that has come and gone but to Floridians, this devastation continues to impact them, and it will for years to come. People that had stability now find themselves homeless or unemployed, or both. They are still in mourning of the many lives that were lost (119 people and counting, some are still missing). The financial impact of the storm affects the entire state; demolition, debris disposal, building materials, manpower, loss of tourism… it just keeps going.
I think I can speak for all three of us when I say that we were ready to get home, but we also wanted to stay. We met lots of people and made new friends with some of the homeowners we helped and with other volunteers…
One of the gentlemen that was on our work crew was local to the area. He considers himself to be an agnostic, yet on our last day there, he asked if he could be the one to ‘pray us out’ at the end of the day. It was amazing to see how God was working on his heart; in a matter of a couple days, we could tell a difference in him.
Our team leaders, Gary & Laura were amazing! They live in Miami but are retired and volunteer as team leads for Samaritan’s Purse all across the US, nine months out of the year.
For our second trip, we were scheduled to go to the Englewood area, but Nicole and I felt strongly that God wants us to return to Fort Myers. We were able to get our work site changed and with that, we are expecting to be on Gary & Laura’s team when we go back next week. I’ll have to find more words to describe and summarize another amazing adventure in “being the church” but that kind of problem is actually a gift, and it’s one I really don’t mind having.
Blessings,
Jamie Morse