As we think of this past year and all that we have been through – good, bad and stressful. The thought that comes to mind is trial by fire. That may be prevalent in my mind because of the recent wildfire that threatened our area and our homes, but none the less I believe it is accurate.
Eric and I came to Kentucky over a year ago to help set up the response here following the floods of July 2022. You all know that, of course. We hadn’t planned on this being our home for the next extended period of time. We hadn’t planned on being asked to lead this site. We hadn’t planned to step into a role we were not sure we could do. But God knew. He knew we would fall in love with this area and this community. He knew that we would be accepted and loved in return.
This week’s brush with the fire got me thinking and comparing it to the past year of ministry in KY.
Noticeable Comparisons
The Unexpected
We had no idea we were in for four days of fighting a fire. We sure weren’t prepared and weren’t sure what to do.
When Eric and I agreed to lead this site, we felt ill prepared. We had been in the ministry full time for about 2.5 years and involved with ReachGlobal Crisis Response for many year before that. However, we had never run a site. We didn’t know all the ins and outs of being on site full-time much less leading the site.
The Reliance on Prayer
As the fire neared, we prayed. We put out a call to pray for our community as well. We prayed for our friends who were fighting the fire. We prayed for the forestry department and firefighters. We prayed for God to protect our homes. We prayed for wisdom to know how to prepare and to know when to evacuate if it became necessary.
Likewise, Eric and I prayed for God’s leading. We prayed for teammates to join us full-time. We prayed for wisdom. We prayed for direction. We prayed for discernment. Many of you joined us in these prayers.
The Waiting
As we watched the fire make its way down the mountain God provided people to advise us. The locals were definitely not as nervous as we were. They told us how to prepare should the fire come all the way to our homes. Our volunteer team literally pulled in the parking lot, got out of their vehicles and gathered rakes to move leaves away from our homes and the church. The forestry service was in our area monitoring things. The fire department was here to help. Another local church was willing for us to head to their facility if we needed to evacuate the team.
Likewise, Eric and I prayed and waited. God provided so many staff, adjunct staff, and volunteer teams to come alongside us here in Kentucky. They filled the gap while we waited. They were and continue to be involved in our lives and ministry as well as in the community. And God brought Dave & Connie to join our team in January last year. He then brought Peter & Deb in March.
The Joy
After days of watching and many ups and downs, the smoke was dissipating, and the fire appeared to be out. There was a relief and joy to know that our homes were fine. The church was fine. Our friends’ homes were safe. Praise God!
Likewise, we have had much to be grateful for and much joy to share. We are excited to see children in the church and to restart Sunday School hour. We love to see folks coming out to our community cookouts or dinners. We praise God for the relationships we have made in the community and with homeowners. We are excited for in-home Bible studies that have begun.
I’m sure the list could go on. We have much to thankful for this season and much to look forward to in the coming year. We are grateful for those of you who partner with us in the amazing opportunity that God has put in front of us. This time last year we were not sure this site would continue in January. We are thrilled to have a calendar filling up with amazing volunteers who believe in what we do and want to be part. God is SOOOO good!!