INSPIRASUNS

There are times when you just go speechless. Most of you who know me personally would have a hard time believing I would ever be speechless, but it does occasionally happen.

If you read this little blog regularly you know that I have the honor of working with a local disaster relief organization that formed after Hurricane Irma in 2017. The Marco Patriots have been doing wonderful work ever since forming to help the residents of Marco Island, and surrounding communities following Irma. I’ve been fortunate to get to know so many amazing people since joining the group.

Over the past two weeks the Patriots have traveled to NC, Northern Florida, and now back home here in SW Florida helping those in need following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. From Search and Rescue operations to providing supplies and feeding people from our mobile kitchens, the Patriots do what Father asks us to do, love others as He loved us.

While Hurricane Milton did not directly hit SW Florida, we did take a hit. Many thousands here in Naples, Marco Island, and surrounding communities lost power, internet, and phone connections. Many have experienced damage to homes and businesses including flooding.

Our church, Sunday school classes, and thrift store, we’re in the category of experiencing flooding. Even with all of our preparation, the water found its way in. We saw levels of about 21″ outside the church, we were fortunate that only about 2″ made it inside. Same with our Sunday school rooms. Over the past two days, we’ve mobilized to begin the work of recovery from flood damage. As you can probably imagine, there is a lot to wrap your head around and even more to do, but the work has already begun.

Yesterday as I was doing a walkthrough with our priest, several parishioners, and our contractor to thoroughly survey the damage, my phone rang and I saw that it was one of the heads of the Marco Patriots. I answered the call and he explained he knew that our church and campus had sustained damage. “What can we, the Patriots do to help?”. He asked about providing volunteers, did we need supplies or could they help cook for volunteers working. Ya, it was at this point that I was speechless as I felt the tears well up in my eyes.

This organization, the people that make it work, they have the heart of Father, it’s just that simple. As I type this little blog this morning I realize how blessed I am to not just work with them but to call them dear friends.

Friends, please keep lifting prayers for those affected by the storms these last few weeks. The damage we sustained, it’s nothing compared to others who have lost everything including loved ones. Please continue to pray for them, that Father will give them strength to face each day. I ask also that you remember Emily Rea in your prayers.

Thank you to my friend Joey Waves for his sunset picture from Marco a few years ago, the cover of today’s little blog.

Psalm 25:9
He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way.